The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 181: Ready to ride a dragon?

Chapter 181: Ready to ride a dragon?

Just then, from the nearby bedroom, Madame Helene emerged. Her face was less weary, and the dark circles beneath her eyes finally faded, though a shadow of tiredness lingered. And her mood was not still good. Her hand was cut off! How could she feel well?

Aunt Everin sprang from her chair and rushed to Madame Helene, her brows furrowed in concern. "You should have stayed in bed a little longer," she scolded gently, though her voice was laced with love.

Madame Helene shook her head, a weary smile tugging at her lips. "I tried, but I couldn’t. There’s too much to do."

She lowered herself onto the sofa next to Aunt Everin, her eyes softening as she turned to Gloria. A sudden warmth filled the room, a tender beam of light in the midst of the conversation’s heaviness.

"Your mother once saved me from an asshole, and that was when I met your aunt for the first time," Madame Helene said, her smile growing fond with the memory. "She was truly strong, far stronger than most people knew. If it weren’t for the witches, they would both still be here."

The mention of their deaths hit Gloria like a weight, her chest tightening. The thought of her true mother, who she never remembered, being taken from her so brutally was something she could never fully grasp. She didn’t know how to voice the aching emptiness that lingered in her heart. She had lost the mother who had given her life, but in return, the gods had granted her a new mother, one who cherished her and loved her like a rare and precious gem. Yet, still, the mystery of it all stirred something deeper in her.

"Why didn’t the King punish the witches?" Gloria asked, her curiosity pushed despite the sorrow she felt. The question was nonsense, but it needed to be spoken. She was sure he did, but she wanted to hear it. And how! Wishing it was painful enough.

"He did," Aunt Everin replied, her voice grave. "He arrested all the witches, along with anyone who had contact with them. Sunkiath burned them all before the castle gates. Since that day, no one has dared to communicate with those witches again. And people didn’t even know the reason. Because we kept Anarya hidden."

Gloria felt a wave of discomfort wash over her. She had already been nervous about meeting Sunkiath today, but now, hearing this, her worries deepened. The dragon’s power was undeniable, but the thought of being so close to that level of destruction made her uneasy. Would he accept her? She wished he did.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Luna Queen is here," came Arkilla’s voice, announcing Ren’s arrival.

"Please, come in," Gloria invited, trying to gather her composure. She had learned from Ren that no matter how foreign or uncomfortable the surroundings might be, she had to adapt. Power ran through her veins, and she couldn’t fight it if she hoped to protect her foster family. Moreover, that Spike gave her a holy power for a reason. She should not let it waste.

As Ren entered, Gloria noticed how happy Arkilla looked. Aunt Everin had told her that Captain Dron had given Araben a much-needed lesson, but seeing Arkilla’s bright smile and the way she seemed energized, it was clear the lesson had been a good one. The duet must have been excellent, Gloria couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing for those carefree moments she had missed. But the conversation with Lord Alekin wasn’t bad.

"I’m here to take Gloria to Sunkiath," Ren said, her tone warm yet direct.

Gloria, dressed in the attire the King had provided, a dark brown leather outfit paired with a white, form-fitting shirt and a sturdy leather corset, looked every part of the dragon rider. It was the sort of attire made for flight. She couldn’t help but notice, though, that the King himself always wore armor when preparing for battle. She smiled at Ren who was wearing a black one.

"Are you going to fly with Sunkiath?"

"Aunt Eve, is it too soon to teach her to fly?" Ren asked, glancing at Aunt Everin with a hint of concern in her voice.

"I don’t know!"

"She’s not going to fly alone," Ren assured Aunt Everin, her voice turning calm. "She’ll get used to the dragon first. The King will train her personally. Gloria needs to build strength and muscle."

Aunt Everin frowned, concern etching her features. "You mean... she will be involved in the war?"

Gloria nodded, her expression resolute. "Yes, I will. And I want to if I must. I won’t let anyone harm my family in Thegara. If I need to become strong to protect them, then I will."

She stood, her movements purposeful, striding toward Ren. Just before leaving, she glanced back over her shoulder with a soft smile. "I’ll see you later, Aunt Eve." The words felt warm, a small piece of comfort. It was strange how good it felt to have an aunt.

Aunt Everin’s voice followed her, filled with a quiet urgency. "Be careful, my daughters. Take care of each other. In the Seven Kingdoms, the number of your enemies far outweighs your friends."

Gloria’s heart tightened, but she didn’t look back. She’d already made her decision.

As they left the room, Gloria nudged Arkilla lightly with her elbow, her curiosity tickling her. "So, tell me, what happened in the arena?"

Arkilla’s face brightened as she retold the parts she’d enjoyed most. At the end, though, she grimaced. "Master Agara should’ve just let her bleed. The hand was going to rot anyway. Gods, the smell was horrible."

Gloria frowned, a slight concern flickering in her eyes. "She wouldn’t hurt Captain Dron, would she?"

Arkilla shook her head, her voice softening. "You should’ve seen her. She was trembling. She cannot hurt him, not even a little. Don’t worry."

They continued down the corridors, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the quiet halls until they reached the iron door that led out of the castle and into the dragon fields.

The dragon keeper stood at the exit door, waiting for them. He led them through the cool corridors, down into the open heat of the dragon field.

Arkilla’s jaw dropped as she took in the sight before them. "That is massive!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of awe and admiration.

Gloria, on the other hand, could hardly find her words. The sight of Sunkiath standing there, massive and majestic, took her breath away. "This is... fantastic," she whispered, completely mesmerized. It was as though an invisible force, with an unspoken pull, was drawing her toward the dragon. Why hadn’t she felt this before? Why now? She had seen Sunkiath back in the battle in Thegara but she wasn’t drawn to him like this.

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