Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Drago led Phoenix through the towering gates, his senses sharpening as he listened to his children’s rapid-fire questions, their voices bright with excitement.
Despite the seriousness of the young girl’s unusual sudden arrival, a wry smile tugged at his lips.
Leave it to Roo to claim the girl as her own before anyone else could.
He stole a glance at Phoenix from the corner of his eye. She was… nothing like he’d expected. Nali had spoken of her—the girl who saved Asahi Tanaka, the one who freed the Goddess Aminta from death itself.
Yet, standing beside him was a young female, barely out of childhood, with wary eyes that shifted color like a prism, catching light, and long midnight hair that gleamed like spun silk.
Beautiful. Alien. And terrifying, in the way fate could be.
Drago’s jaw clenched. He hadn’t missed the way the portal tore open the sky like a wound, nor the burst of energy that had sent every instinct screaming at him. He and his guards had been mid-flight, performing a routine sweep of the cliffs when the sky ripped open.
The vision of the black dragon with flaming wings emerging from that swirl of color still burned in his mind. The image had been seared into every scroll of Arkla, the city of the Ancient Dragons, their first home. A dragon of flame and shadow, soaring across the stars.
The Guardian Protector.
And now she was here.
The Seven Kingdoms had nearly been destroyed once before by an alien. A shudder ran through him as the old terror flickered through his mind—the invasion, the death, the desperate, brutal fight for survival. They had only survived because of the Goddess’s intervention, that started with his Carly.
Why now? Why her?
Pushing the dark thoughts aside, Drago led her up the winding marble staircase, his heavy boots echoing against the polished stone.
The walls were a masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship—carved reliefs of dragons soaring above cities, battling shadowy beasts, and wrapping themselves protectively around the very world.
Enchanted torch sconces flared as they passed, magical blue flames crackling to life, illuminating golden veins laced through the glistening white stone walls.
Phoenix faltered slightly, her steps slowing as she gazed up at the dome ceiling.
Drago looked around, trying to see it through the young girl’s eyes.
He was proud of his home. Carly’s tender touch had seeped through
—along with the growing pile of toys, shoes, and discarded clothing from the kids, he thought, seeing the scattering of articles his mischievous trio had left just this morning.
“DJ, Stone, how many times have I told you to not leave your stuff all over the place,” he growled, plucking a shirt off a thousand-year-old statue.
“I was saving that for later,” Stone defended, reaching for the shirt.
Drago winced when he picked up a pair of discarded shorts and held it out between two fingers. “This needs to be washed. It stinks.”
“Dad, you’re embarrassing us,” DJ muttered, grabbing the article of clothing and hiding it behind his back.
“I don’t leave my toys and clothes out. They are too valuable—and Mommy charges a half-coin for each full basket,” Roo whispered.
“I’m glad my mom and dad don’t do that. My sister and I would be broke,” Phoenix replied with a grin.
Drago was about to ask Phoenix a question about her sister when he heard her soft gasp as they moved further into the room.
Following her gaze, he stared up at the breathtaking, vaulted ceilings.
Overhead, every inch was carved with scenes of dragons—not just flying over mountains or hunting—but soaring through the stars, their flaming wings slicing through galaxies, battling dark, shadowy creatures with eyes like voids, and encircling entire worlds in their claws as if protecting them.
But it was the mural at the center that held her frozen.
A massive stone relief, so detailed it seemed to pulse with life, dominated the far wall. The dragon’s wings were engulfed in flames and its light stretched across the heavens; its tail curled protectively around a world that glowed faintly beneath it.
Drago’s voice came quiet, almost reverent. “The Guardian Protector. Born once in an age when darkness rose. They are neither mortal nor divine… but both.”
Phoenix’s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide. For the first time since they met, Drago saw true fear—and recognition—in her gaze.
Her trembling hand lifted, her fingers moving as if she could brush the glowing mural. “That’s… like… me.”
Drago bowed his head. He looked back up at the mural as a deep sense of urgency filled him. Fear for his family, his people, and the Seven Kingdoms filled him. Was the girl’s presence an omen or a gift?
Looking back down at her, he saw the fear and confusion warring on her face. His gaze moved to Roo, DJ, and Stone who were staring up at the image with their lips parted. He couldn’t help think that Phoenix was really not that much older than DJ and as delicate as Roo.
“Maybe. Or maybe it is your ancestor. These walls tell of cycles… of stories repeating.” Yet even as he spoke the words, he knew the truth. She was the one.
Before she could press him for more, a familiar voice called out.
“There you are! I’ve been searching all over—” Carly’s voice trailed off as she stepped into the chamber. She froze, eyes wide when they landed on Phoenix. “Oh… Oh my Goddess… Drago?” She blinked, excitement flickering in her gaze. “Are… are there more humans here?”
Phoenix startled, her lips parting in surprise. “Uh… no. I mean—my mom’s human. My dad… he’s from Valdier. I’m Phoenix.”
Carly’s eyebrows shot up. She mouthed silently, Valdier? Is that alien? her expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
“Yes,” Drago snorted.
Carly’s gaze softened as she looked at Phoenix again. “Oh, okay. Well, then… welcome. I’m Carly. Drago’s mate.” She smiled brightly. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes! Are we having pizza?” Stone exclaimed, his eyes lighting up at the mention of food.
“I wanted chicken tenders and fries,” DJ groaned.
“I want macaroni and cheese,” Roo said.
“Wow! This is just like being back home,” Phoenix giggled.
Carly laughed. “We’ve got it all. What would you like, Phoenix?”
“All the above,” Phoenix replied with a grin.
“Guess what you’re having for lunch, honey,” Carly teased, looking up at him.
He chuckled. “The usual. Why don’t you take the children and Phoenix to the dining room? I… need to speak with my parents. I’ll join you shortly.”
Carly’s expression cast a worried glance at his tone. “Is everything alright?”
Drago hesitated, then brushed a hand over Carly’s cheek. “I believe so. But… watch over her. Please. She’s special.”
“I will.” She leaned in, kissing him softly. “I’ll try to save you some food,” she added with a wink.
A gentle smile tugged at his lips. He watched as Carly took Phoenix’s hand.
Phoenix smiled, turning to listen as Carly asked her where her mom was from and how on earth she had gotten to Valdier—wherever that was.
He relaxed when Roo immediately grabbed Phoenix’s other hand, dragging her toward the corridor while the boys raced ahead, complaining loudly about how starving they were.
Only when they disappeared did Drago release the breath he’d been holding.
The castle seemed quieter now, the stones around him heavy with memory. He turned, walking slowly to the spiraling staircase that led to the oldest wing of the castle—his parents’ private chambers.
Here, it was almost as if the walls could talk.
Tapestries of battles long past hung between arched windows, and dragons of every size and shape were carved into the doorframes.
His boots echoed against the polished black stone as he moved down the corridor, his heart pounding harder with each step.
Finally, he reached the ornate double doors. He hesitated, his hand hovering, before knocking firmly.
Silence stretched—then the door creaked open. His father stood there, tall and stern, his once-dark hair now silvered at the temples, his brilliant blue eyes sharp and unreadable.
He already knows of Phoenix’s arrival.
He could see it in his father’s eyes as they stared at each other for a long moment—king to king, father to son—before his mother’s voice floated from within.
“Drago. Come in.”
Drago exhaled slowly and stepped inside.
The chamber was bathed in golden light from the massive balcony where his mother stood, her long silver-white hair braided down her back.
The room smelled faintly of wildflowers and dragon fire.
The scorch marks on the dining room table indicated his father had been playing again with some of his new inventions.
Mom’s going to love that, he wryly thought.
Rich tapestries lined the walls, and the floor was covered in rugs woven with celestial scenes.
His mother turned, her expression serene but her eyes bright with knowing and a hint of amusement when she looked at the table and shook her head.
She held her hands out to him, and he moved forward to grasp them.
Never again would he take for granted seeing or touching his parents.
Not after the aching loss and silence he had endured after Magna had turned all the dragons to stone, including them.
“Is it true?” she asked softly. “A Guardian Protector has appeared.”
Drago swallowed hard, the weight of destiny pressing on him as he nodded once.
“Yes. I think so. She is… just a girl.”
Drago swallowed hard. He had fought wars, faced enemies from beyond the stars—but the thought of guiding a girl barely older than his own children into the jaws of destiny made his heart ache.
“This is a sign from the Goddess. The universe will need her, and we must help guide her,” she said, reaching up to caress the worry lines near his eyes. “You don’t need to worry. All will be well.”