The Dragon King's Hated Bride
Chapter 53: Departure

Chapter 53: Departure

>>Aelin

I had no idea things could be like this.

Obviously the concept doesn’t exist among us humans.

Back in Havenmoore, important travels were always accompanied by grandeur—ornate carriages lined up in rows, servants bustling to ensure every detail was perfect.

I stood in the courtyard, watching as the demon nobles prepared to leave. No carriages. No servants bustling about, all of them just standing in the courtyard talking to each other. In fact, there was no sign of any carriages or anything that would aid our travel.

I was about to turn to Draegon and ask him how we were going to leave when suddenly they all began to spread their wings which were massive, bat-like.

!?!?!?

It was fascinating to see so many wings at once but at the same time it was so utterly alien.

"Carriages aren’t common here, are they?" I murmured, glancing at Draegon.

He turned his head slightly, the purple glow of his eyes softening just a fraction as he looked at me. "No," he said simply. "Many demons prefer flying. It’s faster and more convenient than carriages."

I nodded, trying to act as if this revelation didn’t make me feel more out of place than I already did. My gaze dropped to the hem of my dress as I hesitated. "I... I can’t fly," I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady. Then, after a moment, I added, "Maybe it’s better if I stay behind."

I wanted to stay behind. I didn’t want to meet my family, especially not after I had started to find some peace here.

I was hoping he’d agree and I could avoid the awkwardness of being the only one unable to keep up.

Before I could overthink it further, Draegon moved.

In one swift motion, he bent down and scooped me into his arms like I weighed nothing at all. My feet left the ground, and I gasped, my hands flying up to clutch his shoulders.

!!!!

"W-What are you doing?!" I stammered, my voice embarrassingly high-pitched as I looked at him in a panic.

He looked down at me, calm and completely unbothered. "It won’t be a problem for me to travel with you," he said, his tone as steady as ever.

My face burned as I stared up at him. His arms were strong and steady around me, holding me like I was the most precious thing in the world. My heart thudded painfully against my ribcage, and I could feel the heat of his body even through the layers of fabric that separated us.

He was so close. Too close.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing as my gaze met his. For a moment, I couldn’t look away. His eyes, sharp and intimidating to most, seemed... different now. There was a softness in them, a warmth that caught me completely off guard.

My chest felt tight, and I quickly looked away, focusing instead on his tight clothes where my hands were gripping. "Y-You didn’t have to," I muttered, my voice barely audible.

"I did," he said, his voice quieter now. "You’re my wife, I’ll carry you as long as you need."

!!!

My breath hitched at his words. I could feel my cheeks heating up again, and I was suddenly grateful I wasn’t facing him.

Did he even realize what he was saying?

A strange warmth spread through my chest, one that I couldn’t ignore. Despite everything—the doubts, the fears, the insecurities gnawing at the back of my mind—there was something comforting about the way he held me.

I clutched his shirt tighter, trying to push away the thoughts swirling in my head. Was it wrong to hope? To believe, even just a little, that maybe he meant it?

I mean, he had no reason to lie now

I slightly raised my head to look at him

Right?

Ariston’s voice shattered the moment like glass hitting stone.

"If you two are done playing house," he said dryly, arms crossed as he approached, "who’s supposed to take me?"

I blinked, suddenly reminded that there were other people around. Draegon, however, didn’t seem fazed. His grip on me remained steady as he turned slightly to address Ariston.

"You can go with Drakkar," Draegon said, his tone even, though there was a faint edge of amusement in it.

Ariston’s expression darkened immediately. "Absolutely not," he snapped. "That man doesn’t know what boundaries are. He’s too touchy, and I’m not in the mood to deal with him today."

Draegon raised a brow. "As a man, why make a fuss?"

Ariston glared at Draegon, his jaw tightening. "If Drakkar touches me in the wrong places, I’m cutting his hands off. And I mean it."

There was something almost comical about his fury, though I didn’t dare laugh. Still, the whole exchange felt... off. I didn’t know much about Ariston, but I’d never pegged him as someone so particular about personal space. Maybe he was more sensitive than other men?

I kept quiet, watching the two of them bicker. Draegon remained calm, as always, his towering presence making it impossible to look away from him. Even as he spoke to Ariston, his arms cradled me securely, reminding me again how strong he is to lift me like he’s cradling bread.

Then, something shifted. Draegon moved slightly, and for the first time, I saw them. His wings.

They unfurled slowly, almost like they’d been asleep and were finally waking up. Jet black, leathery, and impossibly large. They were powerful, each muscle and joint rippling with strength as the light caught on their surface. My breath caught in my throat.

My fingers tightened instinctively on his shirt, and he glanced down at me briefly, his purple eyes softening. "Don’t be afraid," he said, his voice low and steady.

"I’m not," I murmured, and to my surprise, I meant it.

Drakkar, standing a little distance away, had similar wings, though his were slightly smaller than Draegon’s, it was barely noticeable. He grinned as Ariston approached him, looking far too pleased with himself.

"Don’t get any ideas," Ariston growled, pointing a finger at Drakkar. "If you so much as think about pulling anything, I’ll break every bone in your body."

Drakkar chuckled, clearly unfazed by the threat. "Relax," There was a mischievous look in his eyes.

I couldn’t help but notice how tense Ariston looked as he reluctantly moved closer to Drakkar. It was an odd sight—seeing someone as composed as Ariston so visibly annoyed.

Draegon shifted his focus back to me, his wings adjusting slightly as the wind picked up around us. "Hold on," he said, his voice soft but firm.

And as we rose into the air, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing back at Ariston one last time. He was glaring daggers at Drakkar, who was grinning like he found the whole situation amusing. But my attention was immediately shifted when we rose higher into the sky.

My heart leapt straight into my throat.

The ground disappeared beneath us, and the rush of wind whipped against my face. My stomach churned as we climbed higher, and higher, and higher still. My arms instinctively tightened around Draegon’s neck as I pressed my face into his chest, shutting my eyes as tightly as I could.

I didn’t want to see how far away the ground was. Just the thought of it sent a shiver of fear through me. I’ll keep myself like this till the time we reach.

Of course, I couldn’t ignore it all together. I felt us go higher, then I felt the air shift. We were now going forward. And that’s when Draegon spoke, "Open your eyes," His deep voice rumbled above the rush of wind.

I shook my head, burying my face further. "I—I can’t," I stammered.

"You can," he said, his tone firm yet calm. "I’ve got you." He assured me, "You could try to jump and still you won’t be able to." He said, "Open your eyes."

His words were convincing enough that I leaned my head back a little and opened my eyes but only to look at him.

He kept his eyes forward, "Look."

I hesitated, my pulse pounding in my ears. He sounded so certain, so steady, and despite my fear, there was something comforting about his voice. Slowly, hesitantly, I turned my gaze—just a crack at first.

But

The view took my breath away, making me look ahead with my eyes wide.

!!!

The world stretched out beneath us, vast and endless. Rolling hills, jagged mountains, and winding rivers were bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, their colors blending into a masterpiece I could never have imagined.

"Oh Lord!" I whispered

The horizon seemed to go on forever, the sky painted in shades of amber, rose, and violet.

"It’s beautiful," I whispered, forgetting my fear for a moment.

***

The flight was... incredible.

I had never imagined what it might feel like to soar through the skies, carried by a pair of powerful wings. Draegon’s arms held me securely the entire time, and though the height and speed should have terrified me, it didn’t.

Maybe it was because of how securely Draegon was holding me.

I felt safe.

The wind rushing past, the vast sky stretching endlessly around us, and the rhythmic beating of his wings—everything about it was exhilarating.

All around us, other demons flew with ease, their dark forms cutting through the air like shadows. I couldn’t help but marvel at how natural it seemed for them, like a second nature. Draegon’s grip on me remained steady throughout the journey, and though it was long, we didn’t stop once.

When we finally descended, I saw the sprawling estate of the Duke who had agreed to sponsor us. The estate was enormous, surrounded by lush gardens and tall iron gates, a stark contrast to the barren lands we’d flown over earlier. The demons landed gracefully, one after another, and Draegon touched down with the same practiced ease.

But the moment my feet touched the ground, everything changed.

Draegon gently released me and turned to Ariston, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. "Stay with her," he said, his voice carrying that commanding edge I’d come to recognize. "Even in the bedroom. I won’t be back tonight."

The words hit me like a blow.

I stared at him, unable to hide the surprise—or the hurt—that flashed across my face. He didn’t even look at me as he gave his instructions, already turning away as if this was just another part of his duty.

Ariston, who was now standing by my side, looked equally surprised, though he masked it better than I could. "Understood," he said after a pause, his tone clipped but respectful.

Draegon nodded and began walking away, his broad back disappearing into the estate.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, my chest tightening with every step he took. How could he just... leave like that? And worse, how could he so casually tell another man to stay with me—even in the bedroom?

Didn’t he care how that might make me feel?

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach, my earlier fears creeping back in like shadows in the night. Maybe Ruoxy had been right. Maybe I wasn’t enough for him. He was a dragon, after all, and I was just... me.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Was I being too sensitive? Too selfish? He had so many responsibilities now, so much to manage. But still...

How can he?

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