The Dragon King's Hated Bride
Chapter 65: Return Fast

Chapter 65: Return Fast

>>Aelin

The demons bared their fangs, their claws twitching as they took threatening steps forward.

"How dare he—"

"Unforgivable—"

"He’s dead—"

The hostility in the air was thick, almost suffocating. A few demons surged forward, their hands ready to grab Ariston, their expressions promising punishment.

But before they could lay a hand on him, Drakkar raised an arm.

"Stop." His voice was steady, but there was a sharp edge to it. A warning. A command. The demons hesitated, their movements halting, "Nobody is to come close," Drakkar warned everyone.

"Your Highness," They protested

"I’ll take care of this myself," He brought his hand down, "But no one is to dare approach Ariston."

Everyone was baffled by his words.

Then, without another word, Drakkar took Ariston by the arms. His grip was firm—too firm. Ariston winced, but Drakkar didn’t loosen his hold.

"Don’t come near us," Drakkar said coldly, "We’re going ahead."

His wings shot out in a powerful display, the dark leather stretching wide and gleaming under the morning light. In one swift movement, he pulled Ariston against him and launched into the air.

The force of his takeoff sent dust swirling through the roof. Gasps and cries of surprise followed as Drakkar flew off, carrying Ariston with him. Someone mid his flight upward, he tossed Ariston and took him in his arms.

The demons left behind exchanged stunned glances. Some immediately unfurled their own wings, preparing to take flight, ready to pursue and intervene. Others simply stood there, still processing the fact that Drakkar had chosen to handle the human himself instead of letting them deal with it.

They talked amongst themselves, unsure what to do.

I swayed in my saddle. The world tilted slightly. The pounding in my head worsened.

Draegon’s gaze snapped to me. He had been distracted by the scene unfolding, but now that the immediate danger had passed, his focus returned entirely to me.

"Aelin." His voice was sharp with concern. "You’re pale. What’s wrong?"

I swallowed, trying to suppress the nausea that was curling in my stomach. I just wanted to leave. To get away.

"I want to return fast," I whispered.

"Are you alright?" He asked

Then, before I could even think about what I was doing, I leaned forward and clung to him.

Draegon stiffened. He wasn’t expecting me to do that. After all, this was the first time, I had willingly reached for him. Touched him without hesitation.

I felt the way his muscles tensed beneath my hands, the way his breath hitched for just a moment. But he didn’t question me. Didn’t say a word.

"Let’s go back," I said and he gave me a nod.

His arms wrapped around me in return, his hold steady, protective. Then his own wings unfurled. He looked at the other demons, then glanced at the sky.

"Drakkar said not to intervene," He spoke to the demons, "So, don’t get him angry." Many of the demons who were thinking of doing it calmed down.

Draegon took me in his arms and with a powerful push, we ascended into the sky.

***

>>Ariston

The wind rushed past me, cold and sharp, as Drakkar carried me through the sky. The duke’s mansion kept getting further and further away as Drakkar kept gaining speed.

I folded my arms across my chest, looking away, my jaw set in a stubborn frown.

Drakkar was irritated—I could feel the tension in his grip, the way his fingers pressed into my side with barely restrained force. But should he really be the one who should be mad and not me?

He came and asked me why I left without saying anything yesterday night and I told him I had no obligation to tell him anything.

And he said that if I couldn’t do a basic thing like saying goodbye then he has no obligation to keep my secret.

I gritted my teeth. I can’t believe I did something so stupid as to let him discover ’that’. And now he’s threatening me with it?! I should have never let it happen...

I pursed my lips

But it happened during the war... Everyone was frustrated... tired... vulnerable... And so was I...

"Do you want to die early?" he finally snapped, voice tight with anger.

I scoffed. "I can take care of all the demons who tried to attack me," I said confidently. I wasn’t just any human. I was a war hero. Mere demons were nothing to me.

The moment the words left my mouth, Drakkar’s grip loosened.

And then—

My stomach lurched as the air was suddenly ripped from beneath me.

!?!?!?

I was falling.

Plummeting toward the earth, wind whipping past my face in a violent rush.

Shock flared in my chest, but my instincts kicked in immediately. My hands shot out, grabbing onto Drakkar’s shirt and leg in a desperate grip. My body jerked from the sudden halt as I clung to him, my pulse pounding wildly.

I glared at him. "Are you out of your mind?!" I yelled.

Drakkar just looked at me, his face impassive, but his golden eyes were colder than I had ever seen them. "Why? Did that scare you?"

His wings flared out, keeping us suspended in the air. His gaze bore into me, sharp and cutting.

"You have no idea how thin the ice is," he said, voice low and dangerous. "And you’re jumping on it."

"What the hell are you talking about?" I couldn’t glare back at him, not with how he was glaring at me.

With one strong motion, he grabbed me again and pulled me back into his arms, holding me firmly. But there was no warmth in his touch this time.

"I tolerate everything you do when it’s just the two of us," he said, his voice like ice. "But don’t you ever dare humiliate me in front of my subjects again." A chill ran down my spine. This was the first time I had seen him truly furious.

!!

Ah, right. I did slap him in front of all the other demons... I looked away. For a moment I forgot he was a prince. Drakkar had always been rough around the edges, sharp-tongued and impatient, but never like this.

I swallowed, the weight of my actions settling in. I had overstepped. Badly.

"...I’m sorry," I muttered, looking away. Drakkar didn’t respond. The silence between us stretched, thick and heavy. Then, after a moment, I spoke again, softer this time. "If you stay away from me," I said, barely above a whisper, "Nothing bad will ever happen between us." There was a pause between us, "And this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t threatened me with my secret."

I wasn’t sure if I meant it as a warning or a plea.

Either way, Drakkar didn’t answer.

And for the rest of the flight, he didn’t look at me once and I didn’t look back at him.

***

>>Aelin

Drakkar and Ariston were ahead of us, flying through the sky, their figures slightly blurred by the distance. But even from here, I could tell something was wrong. It seems they stopped somewhere in the middle because I couldn’t see them in the start.

Their movements were tense, jagged. Ariston clung to Drakkar, but his posture was rigid, like he was barely holding himself together.

Did they have an argument?

Worry curled in my stomach. Ariston was my only human companion and I didn’t want anything bad happening to him. I don’t know what happened to them for him to attack Drakkar but I hope they can resolve it between themselves so the demons don’t try and harm him.

I let out a soft sigh

I’m glad Drakkar stopped the demons even though Ariston had attacked him- A wave of nausea crashed over me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

The cold wind bit at my skin, and the weightlessness of flight made my head spin. My limbs felt too heavy, my body sluggish.

Oh No

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push past the dizziness, but my stomach twisted violently. My breath came out uneven.

No.

Not now.

I just needed to hold on a little longer. We’ll reach the palace soon enough!

Another rush of vertigo struck, and the world tilted. The last thing I felt was the wind slipping through my fingers as everything faded to black.

***

I woke up in an unfamiliar room.

The ceiling above me was dark, carved with intricate patterns I didn’t recognize. The air was warm, carrying the scent of something rich and smoky.

My body felt strangely light, almost disconnected.

Something slid off my shoulder.

Hmm?

I felt things slide down my body as I lay there

What? It took me a moment to react and my breath hitched.

I turned my head down—

Draegon was right there, his hands were on me and he was taking off my clothes.

!?!??

Fear shot through me like ice, a sharp, cold spike to my chest.

I bolted upright, heart hammering.

"W-What are you—?!"

Draegon’s eyes snapped up to meet mine. His expression was unreadable, his hands still lingering at the fabric he had just loosened.

My pulse pounded in my ears as I stared at him, my mind racing with panic.