Chapter 14
The sky above the hidden city erupted with fire.
Three massive dragons tore through the storm clouds, their wings beating with such force that the wind slammed violently against the palace towers. The thunder of their wings echoed across the mountains, shaking stone terraces and ancient spires.
Their roars split the sky.
The sound was ancient.
Furious.
Alive.
Ariana's heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her throat.
The first dragon, the one with molten gold eyes, remained hovering in front of the palace. Its wings spread wide, powerful enough to darken half the sky.
It didn't attack.
It simply watched her.
Waiting.
But the other dragons were different.
Their eyes burned a violent red, glowing like coals inside the storm as they dove toward the city below.
Ariana's breath caught.
The peaceful terraces she had seen earlier were now chaos. Guards ran across the stone bridges, shouting orders as alarm horns echoed through the city.
Fire exploded against the outer towers.
Stone shattered.
The man in black and gold swore quietly behind her.
"The hunters."
Kael stepped forward immediately, placing himself between Ariana and the shattered opening of the chamber.
His posture changed in an instant.
Predatory.
Protective.
"Then they picked the wrong day," he said coldly.
Ariana grabbed his arm before he could move.
"You can't fight dragons."
Kael didn't look away from the sky.
"I don't plan to."
Another deafening roar shook the palace.
One of the red-eyed dragons slammed into a distant tower, its claws tearing through stone like paper. The impact sent a wave of debris raining across the lower terraces.
Screams rose from the city.
The hidden sanctuary that had seemed eternal only minutes ago was now a battlefield.
Outside the palace, the golden-eyed dragon shifted in the air.
Still watching Ariana.
Still waiting.
A strange sensation stirred inside her chest.
A pull.
Not like the bond she felt with Kael.
This was older.
Deeper.
Something ancient that stirred in her blood.
It felt as if the creature in the sky recognized her.
As if it were listening.
"You said dragons hunt Sovereigns," Ariana said slowly to the man behind her.
"Yes."
"But that one bowed."
The man nodded.
"Because not all dragons became hunters."
Kael frowned impatiently.
"Explain that faster."
Another explosion rocked the palace walls.
The man lowered his voice.
"Long ago, the Sovereigns commanded the dragon race."
Ariana blinked.
"What?"
"They were guardians of the throne," he continued quickly. "When the last Sovereign fell, the dragons divided."
"Some remained loyal."
"Others turned against the bloodline."
Ariana looked toward the dragon hovering outside the palace.
The golden one.
"Which one is that?"
The man's voice turned quiet.
"The last royal dragon."
Kael glanced sideways at Ariana.
"Your dragon."
Ariana almost laughed.
"I can barely control my own powers. How am I supposed to control that?"
As if hearing her, the dragon released a deep rumble that vibrated through the palace walls.
The strange pull inside Ariana's chest grew stronger.
Outside—
the battle worsened.
Another hunter dragon dove toward the palace.
Its enormous jaws opened wide.
Fire began building inside its throat.
Kael swore.
"Get down!"
The blast hit the balcony in a violent wave of heat.
Flames surged across the marble floor as the chamber filled with smoke and burning sparks. Ariana coughed as Kael pulled her deeper inside the room.
Behind them, the man in black and gold lifted his hand.
The palace doors slammed shut with a thunderous boom.
For a moment the chamber darkened.
Only the faint golden glow still surrounding Ariana illuminated the room.
Kael turned toward her urgently.
"We need to move."
"To where?"
"Anywhere not here."
Before Ariana could respond,
the doors exploded inward.
Dragon fire had melted straight through the outer barrier.
Smoke poured into the chamber like a storm cloud.
Then a massive shadow descended onto the balcony.
The hunter dragon landed.
Its enormous head pushed through the shattered doorway.
Red eyes locked instantly onto Ariana.
The creature growled.
The sound shook the floor beneath their feet.
Kael stepped forward.
"You want her?"
His wolf surged to the surface.
"Come get her."
The dragon roared.
Ariana grabbed his arm.
"Kael, stop!"
But it was too late.
His body began shifting.
Bones cracked.
Muscle expanded.
Within seconds, a massive black wolf stood where Kael had been, fur bristling, golden eyes blazing with fury.
The dragon lunged.
The impact shook the chamber.
Claws tore through marble as the beast struck.
Kael dodged the first blow and slammed into the dragon's head with brutal force.
But the difference in size was terrifying.
The dragon barely moved.
Ariana's stomach dropped.
"He can't fight that alone."
The man beside her nodded grimly.
"No."
Another roar echoed outside.
Then another.
The city was losing.
Ariana looked toward the golden dragon still hovering outside the shattered wall.
Still watching.
Still waiting.
The strange pull inside her chest tightened again.
Then,
a whisper brushed across her mind.
Call me.
Ariana froze.
"What did you say?"
The man beside her frowned.
"I said nothing."
The voice returned.
Stronger now.
Call me, Sovereign.
Ariana's heart pounded.
Her gaze lifted toward the golden dragon.
Its eyes glowed brighter.
And suddenly she understood.
It wasn't waiting.
It was listening.
Across the chamber Kael slammed into the hunter dragon again, but this time the creature caught him.
Massive claws wrapped around the black wolf.
Then hurled him across the room.
He crashed against the far wall with a brutal crack.
"KAEL!"
The dragon turned back toward Ariana.
Fire began building in its throat again.
The man beside her cursed.
"Move!"
But Ariana didn't run.
Instead she stepped forward.
The golden power inside her veins flared.
Light burned beneath her skin.
Her eyes blazed.
And she lifted her hand toward the dragon outside the palace.
The voice inside her blood surged again.
Call me.
Ariana inhaled.
Then shouted into the storm of wings and fire.
"COME TO ME!"
For a moment,
nothing happened.
Then the sky exploded.
The golden dragon roared.
And dove straight toward the palace like a falling star.
The hunter dragon turned in shock,
just as the golden dragon smashed through the palace wall.
Stone exploded.
Fire scattered.
The massive creature landed between Ariana and the hunter dragon.
Golden wings spread across the chamber like a living shield.
The two dragons faced each other.
Predator against predator.
But the golden dragon did not look at its enemy.
Instead it lowered its massive head slowly.
And bowed again.
Directly in front of Ariana.
The hunter dragon hesitated.
The man beside Ariana whispered in disbelief.
"It chose you."
Ariana shook her head faintly.
"I didn't choose it."
The golden dragon lifted its head.
Its enormous golden eyes locked onto her.
Then a voice filled her mind.
Ancient.
Powerful.
My Queen.
Ariana's breath caught.
But before she could answer—
a roar shook the entire mountain.
Everyone turned toward the sky.
The clouds above the hidden city split apart.
Something enormous descended through them.
Even the golden dragon froze.
The man beside Ariana's face went pale.
"No…"
Ariana's voice trembled.
"What is it?"
His answer came out barely above a whisper.
"The Dragon King."
And it was coming straight for her.