The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Veiled with Venom

EIRLYS‘ POV

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I opened my eyes with a slow, reluctant blink, stretching my arms overhead until my joints gave a satisfying crack. Warmth still lingered beside me, and when I looked up, I froze.

Kierygan’s blue eyes were already staring back at me.

I blinked up at him, sleepiness slipping away. “Have you been awake long?”

His gaze didn’t waver. “For a while.”

I rubbed my eyes, trying to chase away the fog of sleep. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

His lips curved faintly, though it wasn’t quite a smile. “I didn’t want to.”

Something tightened in my chest at his words. I sat up quickly, and he swung his legs over the side of the bed before rising to his full height.

As he left the room, I hurried to bathe and changed into a simple lavender dress. My hair was still damp when I stepped into the hall–and there he was, leaning against the stone wall opposite my door, arms folded across his chest.

Waiting.

We walked down to breakfast together in silence. His hand rested lightly on my lower back as we entered the dining hall–a gentle, guiding touch that made my skin burn beneath the fabric of my

gown.

He seemed different this morning. Softer somehow. Protective. I wondered if I had another nightmare last night, one I couldn’t remember, and this was his way of comforting me.

Eyes turned toward us the moment we stepped into the hall. Whispers rose and fell like rustling leaves, but I kept my gaze forward as Kierygan guided me to the table.

Mirael was already there, sitting prettily with her brown hair pinned back in an elaborate braid. Her eyes flicked immediately to where Kierygan’s hand rested on my hip, and though her gaze darkened for a heartbeat, she quickly masked it with a bright smile.

“Good morning, Your Majesty,” she greeted him, her voice lilting with practiced sweetness. Then her eyes slid to me, her smile dimming by a fraction. “Eirlys.”

I forced a small, polite smile as I lowered myself into my seat.

Conversation continued around the table–reports about border tensions, trade negotiations, and training progress. But the loudest voice of all belonged to Mirael.

“I think preparations for the Dragonflame Festival should begin soon,” she said, her tone casual as

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she poured honey into her tea with so much grace. Her eyes flicked up toward Kierygan. “You’re not planning on ditching that tradition, are you, Kier?”

Kierygan didn’t respond. He only lifted his goblet to his lips, his expression unreadable.

But Mirael went on. “It’s such an important event for the kingdom,” she said, swirling her tea before bringing it to her lips. “Your parents–the late King and Queen–never missed a single celebration.

For five hundred years, until…” Her voice trailed off with a delicate sigh. “Until Malric razed Altierra

to the ground. With his terrible weapon.”

She laughed softly, a sound as sweet as it was cold Her eyes flicked up at him, lips curling into a

coy smile. “Remember, Kier? You always took me to the festival square. We’d drink until dawn and watch the fire dancers spin their flames into the sky.”

I focused on my eggs, cutting them into neat little squares. Her words pricked at something in my chest, sharp and unwelcome. Her tone was casual, almost fond, but beneath it lay a pointed reminder: whatever connection Kierygan and I shared, it could never compare to what they once had.

And woven between her sweet recollections, like poison slipped into honey, was another reminder -one meant for everyone listening–that Malric’s terrible weapon still existed… and was sitting right there with them at the table.

Orryx let out a laugh. “If I remember correctly, you dragged him to those festivals,” he said. “He’d rather be drinking with us.”

Mirael ignored the remark, sighing wistfully. “It’s just… sad, isn’t it? How everything changed after Malric burned everything.”

Her eyes flicked to me then. Though her smile stayed in place, her gaze sharpened like a blade.” But of course, Eirlys wouldn’t know about any of that. She wasn’t… around back then.”

My fingers tightened around my fork until my knuckles burned. Guilt and anger coiled low in my stomach, hot and sour, because even if they’d forced me–forced my light–I had still been part of what allowed Malric’s rise. And Mirael knew it.

Heat rose in my chest, threatening to explode. And knew it wasn’t just my glow this time.

I flinched when Kierygan’s warm hand settled lightly over mine, prying my fingers gently from the fork. I turned to him. He didn’t say anything–just shook his head once, as if telling me not to let her words reach me. In an instant, the heat simmering in my chest cooled, replaced by a gentle warmth.

Evander, who had been lounging with his boots propped against another chair, swirling a goblet in one hand, let out a low hum. “Well, let’s not wallow in tragic memories before breakfast is even finished,” he drawled lazily. “Perhaps we should focus on making better ones instead.”

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<Chapter 63 Veiled with Venom

Mirael’s brow twitched. “I agree,” she said sweetly, boking directly at Kierygan.

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Evander’s smile turned fox–like as he tilted his head toward the Dragon King. “And in the spirit of new beginnings… of building a better Altierra,” he paused, eyes glinting. “Wouldn’t it be perfect for our dear King to take Eirlys to see it for the first time? She’s never experienced anything like it.”

For the briefest heartbeat, Mirael’s smile faltered. Then she set down her teacup with forced

delicacy, her gaze flicking between Evander and Kierygan, as if weighing their reactions.

I held my breath, the chatter around the table fading into a muted blur as I waited for Kierygan to

say something.

Finally, he set down his knife with deliberate calm and spoke, his voice low and even. “Would you

like to come with me?” he asked, his gaze meeting mine. “To the festival, I mean.”

My heart leapt so hard it almost choked me. I flicked a glance at Evander, who lounged back in his chair, a small, triumphant smile curling his lips, before turning quickly back to Kierygan.

“I… I would love to see it,” I said softly, the words trembling out of me.

Before I could take another breath, Mirael clapped her hands together once, her voice bright and sharp. “Perfect,” she exclaimed. “We can all go together.”

Callum leaned forward, clearing his throat. “Why not take that wolf you’ve been sneaking off with?” he drawled. “I’ve seen the two of you… canoodling in the dark.”

For a fleeting moment, Mirael’s stare turned lethal, cold enough to freeze him in place. But then she simply shrugged, her lips curling into a dismissive smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking

about.”

Callum raised a brow, disbelief written across his face. “Anyway, now that Kier’s king, he can only bring one,” he said, his gaze flicking to me with a hint of a smirk. “And he’s already invited Eirlys.”

For a moment, Mirael simply stared at Callum, her eyes narrowing just slightly. Then she smiled- sweet and sharp all at once.

“Well, that’s quite fine,” she said softly, reaching for her teacup. “I’m just concerned about Eirlys. I do hope she doesn’t faint when she sees the king’s dragon form up close.”

She set her cup down with a quiet clink, tossed her napkin onto the table, and rose to her feet, her movements fluid and unhurried as she turned and walked away.

I glanced around the table. Everyone was grinning, except for Kierygan, whose expression stayed closed–off.

I walked briskly down the corridor, Nibbles tucked under my arm as I made my way to the library to

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meet Solara. My mind fluttered with thoughts of the festival–a real festival, with lanterns, music,

and dancing.

A tiny thrill moved through me at the thought… though it was quickly joined by a flicker of dread. I will see Kierygan’s dragon again. Up close. I had only glimpsed it once, briefly, when he rescued me from the werewolf who tried to take me.

I was so lost in those swirling thoughts that when I turned a corner, I nearly collided with someone. I stopped short, startled. I hadn’t even noticed the figure leaning casually against the stone wall.

Mirael. Her lips curved into a smile that never quite reached her eyes.

“Heading to your lessons?” she asked sweetly, pushing off the wall to step closer.

I tightened my hold on Nibbles, pressing him against my chest. “Yes,” I answered, not slowing my

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