The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Cobblestones, Rivers, and Watching Eyes

EIRLYS‘ POV

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, the silence swallowed me whole.

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For a moment, I sat there staring at nothing, my knees drawn up to my chest, my fingers curled tight around the blankets. The room felt too big, too quiet, like the echoing halls of my old tower. I pressed my forehead against my knees, squeezing my eyes shut as hot tears burned behind them.

Everything felt like a blur–a swirl of words and revelations that refused to sink in. My mind spun, drowning in confusion, disbelief, and every emotion in between.

A fae. I was a fae.

The very word felt impossible. A creature of otherworldly beauty and immense power. Something out of legends and old, forgotten songs.

But that wasn’t what shook me the most. It was the discovery that I might have had a mother.

My mother.

The word felt foreign in my tongue, like something forbidden. All my life, locked away in that tower, I thought I had simply… appeared one day. Born only to live in darkness and pain so they could

harvest my light.

But now… now I know I have had a mother. I knew I had come from someone. That once upon a

time, I was someone’s daughter.

The thought flooded me with overwhelming happiness and piercing sorrow all at once. Happiness that, even for a brief moment, I had belonged to someone. That I had been held… loved. But sorrow, too–because I was snatched away far too soon.

The emotions surged up from my chest to my eyes until tears blurred my vision and the world

dissolved into shifting silhoues of o

through me.

Migray and gold. My shoulders shook as silent sobs tore

I didn’t know how long I had cried. At some point, my sobs faded into quiet sniffles, and exhaustion wrapped its heavy arms around me, dragging me down into a dark, dreamless sleep.

When I woke, pale gold light filtered through the curtains, soft and sluggish. Judging by the slant of

light, it was well past noon.

My body felt heavy, my eyes swollen and gritty from tears. I lay there for a long moment, staring up at the carved ceiling, gathering the scattered pieces of myself before finally pushing up to sit.

Judging by the slant of light, it was well past noon.

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< Chapter 77 Cobblestones, Rivers, and Watching Eyes

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I pressed my palms to my cheeks, feeling the puffiness under my eyes. The ache in my chest hadn’t faded, but it felt quieter now–like a wound covered by a thin scab.

As my breathing steadied, guilt twisted in my stomach. I realized I had taken it out on Kierygan

earlier.

Yes, I was upset with him for hiding the truth from me. But it was nothing compared to what he

had done for me… what he continued to do for me.

A shaky breath escaped my lips. He could be broody, unpredictable, and overly strict. But never intentionally cruel. Never hurtful. Not like Morwenna. Not like Malric.

My chest tightened with regret.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood swaying slightly before finding my balance. Crossing to the wash basin, I dipped my hands into the cold water and splashed my face again and

again until the sting in my eyes finally faded.

I have to apologize.

I wasn’t sure what I would say. Or if he would even care. But I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving it

like this between us.

I reached down to open Nibbles‘ cage and clipped a small leash across his fluffy body.

“We’re going for a walk, Nibbles,” I whispered.

Stepping into the corridor, I gave the leash a gentle tug, urging the lazy rabbit to hop forward. I glanced up and down the silent hall. I had no idea where Kierygan’s chambers were in this sprawling palace. Anxiety twisted in my gut as I walked further, thinking I should find a servant to ask if they had seen him.

Just as I was about to turn back toward the main hall, a flicker of

Movement caught my eye. Someone phased out of the shadows ahead, its silhouette blurred by the shifting lamplight.

For a fleeting moment, hope sparked in my chest. Evander, I thought–imagining his easy grace

and warm, teasing smile.

But as the figure stepped fully into the light, my heart skipped a beat, cold fingers curling tight around my spine.

It wasn’t Evander.

It was Prince Draven.

He stood there blocking the hall, his piercing amber eyes glinting with amused curiosity as they

swept over me from head to toe.

“Well, well,” he purred, his lips curving into a faint, predatory smile. “Wandering alone, little

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I took a cautious step back. “I… I was just looking for Kierygan,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I think I’m lost.”

Prince Draven tilted his head slightly, a lock of golden hair falling over one eye as his lips curved into a faint, amused smile. “Ah. Your king and his entourage are quite busy in the royal archives,” he said, his tone almost dismissive. “But if you’re bored… I could offer you a tour of the city.”

I blinked, taking a cautious step back. “Oh… um, that’s kind of you, Your Highness, but I-”

“Oh, come now,” he drawled, stepping forward with that eerie, liquid grace, closing the distance between us. “It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful afternoon locked away in these dreary halls.”

My mind scrambled for an excuse. “I… I wouldn’t want to impose. Besides, Kierygan might look for me-”

His smile sharpened at the corners, his amber eyes glinting. “You did agree to this tour, remember? “he said softly. “You’ve come so far, little glowworm. It would be a pity not to see Obsidia’s best.”

My cheeks burned under the weight of his unblinking gaze, my resistance crumbling despite the anxious knots in my stomach. I didn’t want to be rude. And part of me… part of me was curious.

“…Alright,” I whispered, lowering my eyes.

He offered his arm with a shallow, almost mocking bow. Hesitating only a moment, I slipped my fingers lightly around his forearm. His skin was cold as marble, his grip firm as he guided me down the hall and out into the bright courtyard.

As we passed through the palace gates into the bustling capital, Prince Draven’s gaze flicked down at me, curiosity simmering behind his hooded eyes

“I saw you upset earlier,” he said casually, his tone deceptively light. “So I thought a walk might cheer you up.”

My steps faltered, heat rushing to my cheeks. “If… if you don’t mind, Your Highness,” I whispered, my voice small, “I’d rather not talk about it.”

For a moment, he was silent. Then he sighed softly the sound almost bored but lacking his usual mockery. “As you wish,” he murmured. “Then let me show you my city.”

I nodded before scooping Nibbles up from the pavement, his warm little body trembling against my chest. We continued walking through cobblestone streets lined with tall black–iron lamps and

rose–covered archways. Elegant carriages rolled past, their wheels clacking rhythmically against

the stones. Vampires in layered coats and sweeping dresses glided along the sidewalks.

On the far side of the capital, we reached a wide river. Its blue waters shimmered beneath the

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weak sun, reflecting the distant spires of Obsidia’s towers. Wooden docks stretched along its banks, where sleek black boats bobbed lazily against their moorings, the ropes creaking softly in the breeze.

Prince Draven led me down towards the boats, his cold hand wrapped around my wrist.

I hesitated at the edge of the dock, eyeing the water warily. He noticed immediately.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, his voice low, crimson eyes glinting with hidden amusement. “Afraid of a little water… or afraid of me?”

My throat tightened at his directness. “I… I just…”

He tilted his head, studying me with cool curiosity, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “What are you so afraid of?” he murmured, lips curling faintly. “You could turn me to ash with a flick of your light if I tried anything… untoward.”

A soft laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “You’re not wrong,” I whispered.

His grin widened, sharp and fleeting. “Then come.”

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