Chapter 20
TWENTY
DRAVEN
Draven’s obsidian dragon soared through the afternoon sky, his massive wings cutting through air currents with practiced ease.
Beside him, Lila’s crimson dragon moved with surprising grace for someone experiencing her first shift.
The sight of her scales gleaming like polished rubies in the dying sunlight sent a surge of possessive pride through his chest.
She had dormant dragon DNA this whole time.
The revelation still stunned him. They’d both assumed she was purely human, yet her adaptation to his world, her natural ability to calm his fire madness, the inexplicable pull between them—it all made perfect sense now. Fate had been orchestrating this from the beginning.
Lila, he projected through their telepathic link, his dragon’s voice rumbling with satisfaction. Can you hear me?
Her crimson head whipped toward him, her green eyes wide with surprise. How are you—? We can talk like this?
You’re a dragon now. Warmth flooded their mental connection. The mate bond is stronger than what we had before. We can feel each other’s emotions even more clearly.
This is so incredible. Wonder colored her mental voice as she executed a perfect banking turn, following his lead through a thermal current. I can sense everything you’re feeling—your amazement, your pride, your...
My overwhelming desire to claim you again the moment we land? His dragon purred with predatory satisfaction.
Her laughter echoed through their link, musical and free. Yes, that too.
Despite this being her first transformation, she handled flight like she’d been born to it.
Her instincts guided her through complex maneuvers, her powerful wings finding optimal air currents without conscious thought.
Watching her embrace this primal side of herself, stirred something deep and possessive in his core.
You’re magnificent, he told her, meaning every word. Born to be my dragon queen.
The setting sun painted the volcanic landscape below in shades of orange and crimson as they began their descent toward the cabin.
Draven landed first, his claws finding purchase on the rocky ground before he shifted back to human form.
Sweat glistened on his skin from the extended flight, his hair damp and wild.
Lila landed moments later with surprising elegance, her transformation back to her human form smoother than most experienced shifters achieved.
She stood before him, naked and flushed, her chest rising and falling with exerted breath.
The dragon mark above her heart caught the fading light—his royal sigil permanently etched into her skin.
“That was...” She shook her head, searching for words.
“Life-changing?” He closed the distance between them, his hands finding her waist. “Surreal? Exactly what was meant to happen?”
“All of the above.” Her fingers traced the defined muscles of his chest. “I can’t believe I’m actually a dragon shifter. My whole life, I’ve felt like something was missing, like I was searching for a piece of myself I couldn’t name.”
“And now?”
“Now I feel complete.” She leaned in to kiss him, her lips soft and warm against his. “We should get cleaned up. We’re both rather... sweaty.”
He chuckled, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest. “A shower sounds perfect. Though I should warn you—seeing you in dragon form has left me rather... inspired.”
“Inspired?” Her eyebrow arched in challenge. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
“Among other things.” He pulled her flush against him. “You have no idea how attractive you looked soaring through the sky. How right it felt having my mate beside me in the air.”
“Your dragon has always been sexy to me.” She gave him the brightest smile. “And I have to admit, it did feel so right to fly beside you, even better than flying on your back. I can’t wait to do it again.”
He guided her back toward the cabin, and his mind raced with everything that was transpiring in his life.
First, the discovery of Veyra’s treachery.
Then, the revelation of Lila’s dragon side.
And tomorrow, his mother’s funeral. Yet beneath the anger, wonder, and grief, something had finally shifted.
The fire madness—the constant anxiety and doubt that had plagued him for eighteen years—had vanished completely. His mother had been right. The completed mate bond with his fated mate had cured what no healer could touch.
“Draven?” Lila’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “You’re broadcasting some intense emotions through our bond.”
He paused at the cabin door. “My fire madness is gone, Lila. Completely.”
Her eyes softened with understanding. “How does that feel?”
“Like I can finally breathe again.” He opened the door, ushering her inside. “Like I can be the king and the man I was always meant to be.”
“You already were that man.” Her fingers intertwined with his. “You just needed to believe it.”
She was right as always. And he did believe it now.
Tomorrow would bring challenges, but with his mate beside him and his mind finally clear, Draven felt ready for anything.
The evening hours passed in a haze of insatiable hunger.
Draven’s hands and mouth claimed every inch of Lila’s body—first under the cascade of hot water in the shower, her back pressed against the stone as he worshipped her with his tongue until she cried out his name.
Then in the bed, where he took her with desperate need, her legs wrapped around his waist as she matched his fervor with newfound confidence.
Later, on the thick rug before the fireplace with the firelight dancing across their skin, he moved inside her with a primal intensity that left them both breathless.
Each time he thought his desire might be sated, the mate bond pulsated between them, stirring his blood anew.
Having her fully his—mind, body, and soul—made him ravenous in ways he’d never imagined.
She was his dragon queen now, and his possessive instincts roared with satisfaction every time she called out his name with her pleasure.
Every day with her will be a test of my restraint, he realized as they finally collapsed back on the bed, utterly spent. Especially now that she’s a dragon shifter like me.
When sleep finally claimed him, it was the most restful he’d experienced in eighteen years. No fire madness—just peace wrapped in Lila’s warmth.
The crimson sunlight streaming through the small window felt like an unwelcome intrusion. Draven groaned, reaching for Lila, but she was already out of bed.
“Time to wake up, sleepyhead.” Her voice was gentle but insistent. She was already dressed in a simple black dress, her hair pulled back in an elegant bun.
Reality crashed back like a cold wave.
“The funeral.” He sat up, running his hands through his disheveled hair. The weight of grief settled on his chest again—manageable now with Lila’s presence, but still heavy.
“I’ve laid out your suit.” She gestured toward the chair where the black fabric waited like a shroud. “Oh, and I noticed this morning that my broken ankle miraculously healed.”
“That’s your enhanced healing. One of the perks of being a dragon shifter.”
Draven stared at the suit with distaste. He hadn’t worn formal attire in months, preferring the simple clothes that allowed him to move freely. The thought of being constrained by fabric and ceremony made his skin crawl.
“I hate these things,” he muttered, standing to examine the garment. “Feels like wearing a cage.”
“You’ll look incredibly handsome in your formal wear.” Lila’s fingers traced his bare chest before reaching for his shirt. “Besides, I’ll be there every step of the way today. You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.”
The sincerity in her voice made something in his chest loosen.
He allowed her to help him dress, her hands gentle as she adjusted his collar and smoothed the fabric across his shoulders.
When she finished, he caught her reflection in the mirror—standing behind him, her eyes soft with love and determination.
She makes everything bearable.
“Ready?” she asked.
He nodded, though his stomach churned with anticipation of what lay ahead.
The drive to the castle passed in contemplative silence. Draven’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, but Lila’s presence beside him kept the worst of his emotions at bay. Through their newly completed bond, he felt her steady calm and her unwavering support.
When they finally arrived at the castle, Jarek waited in the circular driveway, holding an ornate black case. Draven’s crown—a twisted band of obsidian and gold that had sat on his father’s head, and his father’s before that.
“Your Majesty.” Jarek’s usual humor was replaced by solemn respect. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Draven nodded curtly as he and Lila exited the vehicle. The crown looked heavier than usual when Lila lifted it from its case, her hands steady as she placed it on his head. The weight of kingship pressed down on him—eighteen years of responsibility, loss, and leadership condensed into cold metal.
But when Lila smiled at him and squeezed his hands, the burden felt shared for the first time.
She’ll be carrying this weight with me from now on.
They entered the castle together, hand in hand. Black banners draped the walls, but splashes of color caught his eye—vibrant flowers instead of the traditional funeral lilies. Lila’s suggestion implemented with quiet efficiency.
Even in grief, she brings life to this place.
The ceremonial hall buzzed with hushed conversations that died as they appeared.
Draven felt the weight of a hundred stares and heard the sharp intake of breath when Lila walked beside him toward the front of the room.
His mother’s casket rested on a raised platform, surrounded by the colorful blooms Lila had suggested.
Queen Serenya looked peaceful in death, her silver-streaked black hair arranged with care and her hands folded over her chest. Draven’s throat tightened as he approached, Lila’s fingers warm in his.
“Goodbye, Mother.” He leaned down to press a kiss to her cold forehead. “I promise to be the king you always knew I could be.”
Beside him, Lila’s quiet sobs echoed his own grief. She’d barely known his mother, yet she mourned with genuine sorrow.
This is what a true queen does—feels the pain of her people as her own.
He guided her to the throne chairs at the front of the hall. When Lila settled into the queen’s chair—his mother’s chair—audible gasps rippled through the crowd. Disapproving whispers followed, but Draven ignored them all.
Let them stare. Let them judge. She belongs here.
The funeral rites began with traditional dragon chants, voices rising and falling in ancient harmonies. Draven held Lila’s hand throughout, drawing strength from her presence. He caught approving nods from Jarek, Nyra, and Lyric, but many faces showed confusion, suspicion, or outright hostility.
Veyra’s expression was carefully neutral, but her pale blue eyes glittered with barely contained fury.
When the ceremony concluded, Draven rose slowly. Every pair of eyes in the room fixed on him. The moment had come.
“My people,” his voice carried the authority of eighteen years of rule, “today we honor Queen Serenya’s memory. But we also look toward the future.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Draven’s hand found Lila’s, pulling her to stand beside him.
“I present to you Lila Reyes, my fated mate and your future queen.”
The hall erupted. Shocked exclamations, angry protests, and confused questions—all blending into chaos. Draven raised his free hand, his voice cutting through the noise.
“We have completed our mate bond. According to our laws and traditions, Lila will undergo the Bondfire Ritual to establish herself officially as queen of the Southern Dragon Dominion.”
Veyra stepped forward, her composure cracking slightly. “Your Majesty, surely this is premature. To announce such momentous news at your mother’s funeral—”
“My mother knew of my choice and approved.” Draven’s tone brooked no argument. “The mate bond is sacred and cannot be questioned.”
“But she’s human!” someone called from the crowd. “An outsider!”
“She’s been instrumental in stabilizing my condition and my rule,” Draven replied sharply. “My choice is final.”
Veyra’s mask slipped further, revealing the venomous calculation beneath. “Your Majesty, we must consider the political implications. A human queen could destabilize our alliances, create uncertainty—”
“Are you questioning my judgment, Councilor?” Draven’s voice dropped to a dangerous rumble. “My father chose my mother, who was also considered an outsider by some. Their bond strengthened our kingdom for decades.”
The comparison struck home. Several council members exchanged glances, remembering the prosperity of his parents’ reign.
“Of course not, Your Majesty.” Veyra’s smile was razor-sharp. “I simply worry about the burden you’re placing on Miss Reyes. The responsibilities of queenship are... substantial.”
There it is—the subtle attack wrapped in false concern.
“Lila has already proven her capability,” Draven responded. “She managed royal communications and coordinated with the council during our period of mourning. Her strength and intelligence are beyond question.”
Lyric stepped forward, his weathered face thoughtful. “When will the Bondfire Ritual take place?”
“Three days hence,” Draven announced. “Time enough for preparations and for everyone to witness Lila’s worthiness.”
And time enough to expose Veyra’s treachery before the entire kingdom.
The crowd began to disperse, conversations urgent and heated. Some clutch members approached to offer congratulations, while others maintained a suspicious distance. Veyra lingered near the back of the hall, her expression calculating.
She’s planning something. I can feel it.
Through their strengthened bond, Draven sensed Lila’s mixture of nervousness and determination. She’d stepped into the role of future queen with grace, but the weight of scrutiny was taking its toll.
“You did perfectly,” he murmured against her ear. “Three more days, and you’ll be officially recognized as my queen.”
“And then we expose Veyra?”
“Then we expose Veyra,” he confirmed. “At the Bondfire Ritual, in front of the entire kingdom. She won’t be able to escape justice.”
The hall slowly emptied, leaving them alone with the lingering scent of funeral flowers and the weight of momentous change.