The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Emerald and Envy

MIRAEL’S POV

Claim

Mirael lay naked among tangled sheets, her bare skin bathed in the golden light of the sunset spilling through the half-open drapes. Beside her, Ansel slept soundlessly, his breathing deep and even, his chest rising and falling in a tranquil rhythm

A faint smile curved her lips.

On the nightstand, a wineglass sat half-emptied, ruby liquid still clinging to the rim. She reached for it, swirling the remaining drops with idle grace. The sleeping potion she’d laced into the wine had worked faster than she anticipated-he’d barely caught his breath after their last heated coupling before sleep claimed him entirely.

Perfect.

She set the glass down with a soft clink and swung her legs over the edge of the bed, rising into a

graceful, unhurried stretch. Cool air kissed her skin as she reached for the key inside her drawer and unlocked the collar at her neck. The metal clattered softly onto the nightstand.

Moving to her wardrobe, she pulled open the carved wooden doors and sifted through silk, leather,

and satin until her fingers brushed over emerald sequins.

A quiet, excited grin curved her lips as she drew out the dress-sparkling green, slit high along the

thigh, embroidered with beads and tiny mirrors that caught the dying light and scattered it like shards of envy.

She slipped it over her body, the fabric whispering down her curves. Turning, she admired her

reflection in the tall mirror propped against the stone wall. The gown clung to her like a second

skin, illuminating her eyes with a venomous glow.

“Gorgeous as always,” she murmured.

Granted, no one would see her tonight. But that didn’t matter. She wanted to look beautiful for

what came next-for her revenge on the glowing girl Kierygan was so fond of.

Soon, everyone would see just how dangerous Eirlys truly was. That she deserved to be locked

away. To stay far from everyone… especially Kierygan.

And the best part? No one would ever suspect it was Mirael.

Satisfied, she turned from her reflection and approached the bed. Raising a hand, she murmured an incantation under her breath. Threads of magic spilled from her fingertips, weaving into an invisible rune upon Ansel’s bare chest.

In the blink of an eye, the sleeping male before her blurred and shifted-until where Ansel had been

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now lay Mirael’s own likeness, fast asleep, curled delicately among the sheets.

A delighted laugh slipped past her lips, dark and lilting. She pressed her fingers against her mouth

to stifle the sound.

“Sleep well, darling,” she whispered to the illusion, smirking at her own reflection in Ansel’s empty

gaze.

Mirael flicked her fingers, and in an instant, her form reshaped-her curves dissolving into the lean, broad-shouldered frame of Ansel. She flexed her new hands, rolling her shoulders as the weight

and breadth of him settled into her muscles like a well-worn coat.

She stepped out of the chamber, the heavy guard boots thudding dully against the stone floors. At the edge of the corridor, she paused, leaning back against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest. Waiting.

It wasn’t long before she caught movement down the hall. Another guard approached, armor clinking softly, spear resting against his shoulder. He stopped before ‘Ansel’ and gave a single curt nod-the silent acknowledgment that Ansel’s duty for the night had ended.

Mirael nodded in return before pushing away from the wall, striding off without a word. Her steps

were silent, measured, carrying her with a single purpose.

The ballroom.

Mirael slipped into the ballroom like a wisp of smoke, veiled behind her invisibility spell. Music thundered around her, candles flickered in golden sconces, their light splintering through crystal goblets onto polished marble floors.

But her eyes found what she sought instantly.

Kierygan. And Eirlys.

She expected to see Eirlys standing meekly at his side, playing the shy, fragile creature everyone believed her to be. But what she saw instead made rage coil hot and sharp in her belly.

Eirlys wasn’t standing beside him. She was sitting-perched on Kierygan’s lap.

His massive form curved protectively around her, one arm draped possessively around her waist. As if she belonged there. As if she was his.

And Kierygan… he was feeding her. Fork in hand, gaze softened in a way Mirael had never seen.

Every bite Eirlys took drew the faintest upward twitch of his lips. Like a lovesick fool. Like a male

utterly enthralled.

Mirael’s fists clenched so tightly her nails bit into her palms, nearly breaking skin.

Pathetic.

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Chapter 49 Emerald and Eus

Claim

She inhaled slowly through her nose, forcing the molten fury back down her throat. She needed

control. For this to work, she had to stay sharp.

So she waited.

She watched as Kierygan introduced Eirlys to the gathered royalty and nobility, his hand never leaving the small of her back, guiding her as though she were the most precious thing in the hall.

Mirael watched every smile, every bowed head, every flicker of admiration or envy cast Eirlys’ way.

Finally, the moment came.

Kierygan turned away, distracted by a cluster of visiting ambassadors and nobles pressing in with flurries of bows and murmured questions about treaties. Eirlys drifted a few steps away from his

side, unnoticed.

This is it, Mirael thought, her pulse thrumming with dark anticipation.

With a subtle flick of her fingers, she summoned a fat rabbit from thin air-a cinnamon-colored

creature with wide ears and a twitching nose. An exact copy of her rabbit. It landed soundlessly on

the marble floor, sniffing curiously before weaving between swirling skirts and polished boots.

Eirlys’ gaze snapped toward it instantly. “Nibbles? What are you doing here?”

Another flick of Mirael’s fingers, and the rabbit turned, hopping swiftly away-out of the ballroom,

down the shadowed corridor, and beyond the castle’s gilded doors.

Just as she expected, Eirlys followed without hesitation, vanishing into the darkened halls in

pursuit of the creature she loved so dearly.

And soon, Mirael thought, her lips curling into a poisonous smile, no one would hear her scream.

No one would find her-until it was far too late.

Mirael smiled coldly.

Then her gaze darted to a cluster of five vampires gathered near the wine table-court members

of Morvanya, each draped in silk-lined cloaks and heavy with old blood.

She moved toward them in silence. Leaning in, she whispered words in the Old Tongue, her voice

soft and poisonous as it slid into their ears. A bloodlust spell-ancient, forbidden magic that coiled through their veins.

Their spines stiffened. Pupils dilated. Fangs pressed hard against their lower lips as dark desire

burned through their senses.

Mirael stepped closer, cloaking her voice to slither through their minds.

“Follow her,” she commanded. “Feed.”

The five vampires moved as one, drifting away from the feast, their gazes locked on the open

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Chapter 49 Enve add and Em

doors where Eirlys had disappeared into the night.

Claim

Mirael felt laughter bubble in her throat, dark and trembling with thrill, but she swallowed it down.

She could already taste the chaos to come. When the Morens discovered that five of their prized council members had been maimed-or worse, reduced to dust-by the meek little girl they pitied and admired, there would be an outcry.

Kierygan would finally see her for what she truly was-a threat. And her only worth would be as his

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