The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74: What Her Dreams Conceal

EIRLYS‘ POV

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I waited until the sound of his footsteps faded softly down the corridor before I finally moved.

Taking a deep breath, I threw off the blankets and hurried across the cold stone floor. The chill bit into my skin, sending a shiver through me as I splashed water over my face from the washbasin. The icy shock made my headache spike sharply for a moment before it dulled into a heavy, throbbing ache.

I quickly dressed, pulling on a simple floral dress patterned in soft cream and lavender. Then I layered a black coat over it, wrapping it snug around my shoulders. Even though it was summer,

Obsidia’s air remained crisp, holding a permanent edge of winter in its bones.

My eyes fell on Nibbles‘ cage perched near the nightstand. He was awake now, his little nose twitching as he regarded me with sleepy indifference. A faint smile curved my lips as I reached for

a pear from the fruit bowl and slipped it between the bars.

“Stay here, all right?” I murmured softly. “Be good.”

Nibbles didn’t seem to care. He sniffed the pear once before attacking it with quiet ferocity, his

tiny teeth crunching through the flesh. A small, tired laugh escaped my throat.

At least someone’s morning was simple.

I was just smoothing down the front of my coat when a knock sounded at the door. “It’s me,”

Kierygan’s deep voice came from the other side, slightly muffled.

Heat crawled up my neck at the memory of him leaving in nothing but a towel. My fingers twisted in the fabric of my coat before I forced them still.

“Coming,” I called out quietly.

I cast one last glance at Nibbles, who didn’t even look up from his pear, before opening the door. Kierygan stood there, dressed now in his usual dark attire. His eyes flicked over me, lingering briefly before he stepped back to let me through.

“I figured you’re not familiar with the castle,” he said. “You might get lost.”

I stepped out, closing the door softly behind me. He turned and began walking, his stride unhurried. Every now and then, his hand would settle lightly at the small of my back whenever we reached a corner or narrow hallway, guiding me forward.

Finally, we stopped in front of two massive carved doors. With a faint grunt, Kierygan pushed them open, revealing a vast feast hall lit by crystal chandeliers and lined with dark, regal banners.

At the high table near the dais, King Lucius, Prince Draven, Ulyanna, and Evander were already

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What Her Dreams Conceal

Chapter 74 What Her

seated. All eyes turned to us as we entered.

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Kierygan pulled out a chair for me without a word. I mumbled a quiet ‘thank you‘ and sat down.

“Are you feeling better now, my lady?” King Lucius asked, his golden gaze studying me with mild

curiosity.

I gave him a small nod. “Yes, Your Highness,” I said softly. “Thank you.”

A servant stepped forward and placed a steaming cup of tea in front of me. I hesitated, staring down at the pale liquid swirling gently inside the porcelain cup.

“Is something the matter, dear?” King Lucius‘ smooth voice broke the silence. I looked up to find

his eyes fixed on me, sharp and knowing.

“Lady Ulyanna brewed that tea herself for your headache,” he said, his lips curving into an amused

smile.

Lucius watched me over the rim of his goblet, his eyes glinting as he added with a playful wink,” Don’t worry, there’s no alcohol in it this time. I promise.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, the memory of last night flashing unwanted across my mind. I wrapped

my hands around the cup, letting its warmth seep into my cold fingers, and took a careful sip. The

effect was almost instant–the pounding in my head eased into a bearable throb.

Servants began placing platters before us–fresh fruits glistening with honey, roasted meats

fragrant with herbs, thick creamy soups steaming in carved bowls. The scent made my empty

stomach cramp with sudden hunger.

As I reached for a piece of bread, movement caught my eye.

Two women in flowing silk dresses approached Prince Draven, their heads bowed in deep reverence. Without a word, they offered their wrists to him.

My breath caught in my throat as Prince Draven’s lips curved into a smirk. He took one delicate

wrist in his hand, lowering his head to sink his fangs into her flesh. The woman gasped softly, but

there was no pain in the sound–only a trembling sigh. He drank for a few moments before

releasing her and reaching for the second woman, repeating the process. When he finally pulled

back, a lazy, satisfied sigh slipped past his lips.

Evander scoffed softly beside Ulyanna, swirling the blood in his goblet as his golden eyes

narrowed at his brother. “Is it not forbidden to draw blood directly from the source?” he asked, his

voice edged with disdain.

Prince Draven glanced up, his eyes glinting with amused indifference as he licked a stray drop from

the corner of his mouth. “It is forbidden… if it’s taken forcibly,” he drawled.

King Lucius set down his goblet with a soft clink, the dark liquid catching the chandelier’s glow. His

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Chapter 74. What Her Dreams Conceal

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expression remained calm, almost bored, as he spoke. “The blight has devastated human territories, destroying their crops and livestock,” he explained smoothly. They offer themselves now, willingly. For coin. For food. To survive.”

My hands trembled slightly around my cup as I lowered my gaze. The women staggered back,

their wrists red and raw where his fangs had pierced them, faint moans slipping from their lips. A

cold shiver crawled down my spine.

“Aren’t you… hurting them?” I asked quietly, unable to hold back the question any longer.

Prince Draven turned his feline gaze on me, a slow smile curling his lips. “Not at all,” he said. “Our

fangs release chemicals that make the host feel… intoxicated. Makes it feel more like a dream

than a wound.”

He leaned back in his chair, his smile deepening as his eyes gleamed with knowing amusement.”

I’m sure you know that feeling well by now.”

Heat rose up my neck again, burning my skin. Thankfully, Kierygan spoke, his voice cutting through

the silence.

“Blight?” he asked, his tone clipped. “In human territory?”

King Lucius inclined his head. “Indeed. I heard you managed to shield the borders of Vargheim,” he

said, his silver eyes glittering with cold amusement “So the plague moved on to the nearest lands.

Unfortunately, humans have little to no means of protecting their territory.”

Ulyanna cleared her throat softly, her gaze gentle. “Il go to the human territories,” she said. “I’ll see

what I can do to keep the blight from spreading any further.”

After we had all emptied our plates, King Lucius set down his goblet with a faint clink and leaned

back in his chair, his pale eyes sweeping over the table. “Now that we are fed and rested,” he said. smoothly, “perhaps it is time we discussed business.”

Everyone rose to their feet, and I quickly followed suit, my hands trembling slightly at my sides. I

still didn’t know exactly what this business was, only that it might involve King Lucius helping with

the nightmares.

With a regal wave of his hand, he gestured for us to follow as he strode towards the hall’s massive

double doors.

We moved in silence. Kierygan walked beside me, his broad shoulder a silent, grounding presence, while Ulyanna and Evander trailed just behind. Prince Draven, thankfully, remained at the feast

table, lounging in his chair with a bored expression, wiping a stray drop of blood from his lips.

King Lucius led us down a wide corridor lined with flickering iron sconces until we stopped in front

of a tall, carved door. He pushed it open with a casual flick of his wrist, revealing a vast chamber

beyond.

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Chapter 74 What Her Dreams Conceal

I stepped inside and blinked in surprise.

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The room was enormous, yet it felt warm and lived n. Tall shelves lined every wall, each packed

with thick tomes and rolled parchments. Long tables were scattered throughout, each cluttered

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