The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53: The Morning Afterglow

EIRLYS POY

Warmth. That was the first thing I felt as I drifted out of sleep

A comforting, steady heat pressed against my face and beneath my arm, something solid and unyielding My fingers curled instinctively, brushing over hard planes and ridges-too firm to be a pillow, too warm to be my blankets

My brows furrowed as I shifted slightly That’s when I heard it-a low, soft rumble.

A snore

My breath caught. Every muscle in my body went rigid as realization trickled down my spine like ice water. Slowly, cautiously, I lifted my head just enough to peer through my lashes

Kierygan

His eyes were closed, his mouth relaxed in sleep, he breathing deep and even. For once, he wasn’t wearing that guarded frown

His arm lay draped across my back, heavy enough to hold me firmly against him, but not so heavy as to suffocate or crush me Heat rushed to my face so fast it made me dizzy but in a good way

I was snuggled against him. My arm curled around bis torso, my cheek pressed to the bare skin of his chest. His scent enveloped me-warm, clean, something dark beneath it all-and it made my chest ache with something I didn’t have words for

I didn’t move. I didn’t even breathe, afraid that any sound or shift would wake him

My eyes flicked around the room without lifting my head. This wasn’t my chamber I was in his.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to piece together how I ended up here-in his bed, wrapped in Kierygan’s arms

What happened last night?

Images flickered through my mind like shards of broken glass catching the light. The ballroom.

The music. Kierygan’s strong hand guiding me across the floor. Solara’s proud smile. And then

Nibbles.

My chest tightened painfully Nibbles. I saw him daring between gowns and boots, and I followed without thinking. I remembered the moonlit gardens

Fear and confusion twisted in my stomach as more fragments bled through-snarling fangs. glowing eyes, and then… Ashteryn.

A choked sob slipped from my lips before I could stop it.

Chapter 53 The Morning Am-que

Ashteryn. Bloodied and broken in my arms. His eyes dim, his voice ragged and fading. I remembered how his blood soaked into my dress, how each breath rattled weakly in his chest,

how his eyelids fluttered shut for the last time.

Silent tears spilled down my cheeks, soaking into the skin pressed against his chest.

Suddenly, his arm tightened around my back, as if his body sensed my sorrow before his mind could catch up. His warmth enveloped me like a shield against the grief clawing at my chest.

I felt his chin brush lightly over the top of my head as he shifted. His deep voice, still rough with

sleep, rumbled softly above me.

“…Eirlys.”

Clam

A broken sob tore from my throat. I pressed my face harder against his chest, my tears soaking his

skin.

“Ashteryn,” I choked out between sobs. That single name was all I could manage-all the agony

and horror of last night wrapped into one trembling word.

“Shh… it’s alright,” Kierygan murmured.

That word-alright-shattered whatever fragile composure I had left. A fresh wave of tears broke from me, ragged and uncontrollable.

“It’s not alright,” I sobbed, my voice shaking with grief. “My friend is gone.”

Without a word, he shifted beneath me, his strength wrapping around me completely as he lifted me effortlessly, settling me fully on top of him. My knees straddled his sides as he pressed me gently down against his chest, cradling my head into the crook of his neck.

His scent surrounded me-dark, warm, familiar-grounding me even as pain wracked through my chest. His large hand began tracing slow, soothing circles along my back, firm and steady, until the worst of my sobs faded into quiet, broken hiccups

I didn’t want to move. I didn’t want to think. I just pressed myself closer, burying myself deeper in

his warmth.

Kierygan’s deep voice rumbled softly against my ear. “Ashteryn is fine, little star.”

I froze. “What?”

He shifted to look at me, his thumb brushing away a tear from my cheek. “He’s alive. You can see

him later in the infirmary.”

For a heartbeat, my world stopped. Then tears spilled again, but this time they weren’t of grief- they were tears of relief so intense it hurt. I clung to him tighter, trembling against his neck as a

silent prayer of thanks slipped past my lips and into his skin.

IL

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Chapter 53 The Morning Afterglow

Claim

Kierygan pushed himself up until his back rested against the headboard. My body moved with him, still straddling his waist. His hands settled firmly on my hips, grounding me in place.

“Feeling better now?” he asked softly, his breath warm against my ear.

“Yes,” I whispered, though my voice was still raw from crying.

He didn’t respond at first. Then he pulled back slightly, just enough to look at me fully. His expression shifted-no longer purely gentle, but not cold either. Commanding, but not harsh.

“Why did you leave my side, Eirlys?” he asked, his voice low and quiet, but it vibrated through me

like distant thunder. “What were you doing out in the forest last night?”

My heart stuttered. Guilt and confusion wrapped around my ribs like chains. I lowered my gaze to

his collarbone, unable to meet his eyes.

“I… I saw Nibbles,” I whispered, my words trembling “He was in the ballroom. He escaped, so I

followed him.”

He frowned, his grip tightening slightly on my hips. Nibbles?” he repeated, incredulous. “Your lazy rabbit? He can’t even make it five steps without collapsing, let alone leave your room.”

I met his gaze, his blue eyes boring into mine. “It’s true,” I said softly. “But… he just disappeared in

the forest.”

His jaw clenched, and I braced myself for what was coming next. His hands rose to cup my cheeks, firm and warm, tipping my face up to his. My heart pounded-fast and frantic, but not from

fear.

“You do not wander into the forest alone ever again! Do you understand?” His voice was low and

rough, each word vibrating through his chest into mine.

I nodded immediately.

His fingers tightened slightly against my skin. “Next time you run off like that,” he said, his tone darkening, “I’ll lock you up here. Would you like that, Eirlys?”

I blinked, words failing me. I’d been locked away my entire life in a cold, silent tower. But being

locked up here, with him… it didn’t sound like a punishment. Heat rushed to my face at the thought,

and I felt my pulse flutter in my throat.

“I’m waiting for an answer, Eirlys,” he said, his gaze holding mine, unblinking.

I swallowed hard. “No,” I whispered at last, though it sounded more like a question.

His eyes softened, just slightly, the icy edges fading “Good,” he murmured. “And stop chasing after

animals. It never ends well for you.”

I bit my lip, nodding quickly. “I’m sorry,” I whispered Then, quieter still, “And… thank you. For finding

Twenter 5.3 The Morning Atte 200

me.”

Clary

Kierygan’s thumb brushed softly along my cheekbone, his touch sending flutters down my spine.

“You don’t need to thank me,” he murmured, his voice low and almost unbearably gentle. “I’ll

always find you, Eirlys.”

Something in my chest tightened painfully, then melted into a warmth so fierce it made me tremble. The ache of it pulsed through my veins, mingling with the faint hum beneath my skin-the

glow that always awakened when he was near.

He saw it. And when he did, he smiled-slow and knowing. My breath hitched.

And then, as if some force deep within me had taken hold-muffling my reasons, numbing my fears

-I found myself leaning forward. Pressing my lips softly against his.

It was brief-soft, trembling, just the barest brush of my mouth against his. But the heat of it burned through me like wildfire. His lips were warm and firm, unmoving in surprise as my heart

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