*Saoirse*
“I am pleased that you have returned,” Axureon said, crossing the space between him and us.
I felt Rhys stiffen by my side, and his hand quickly found mine as the dragon shifter approached. I tried not to quake beneath Axureon’s intense gaze as his golden eyes flashed with what looked like relief.
“I knew you would,” he said in an airy voice. “You are extrely vital, as I’m sure you are well aware of by now.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded, gripping Rhys’ hand tightly. “I know that I must protect your world as well as ours. I will do whatever it takes.”
Axureon grinned. “Excellent,” he said. “I expect nothing less from the chosen one. And since you have finally co to terms with your vital responsibilities, I thought it only appropriate that we honor you.”
I blinked and felt Rhys shift beside . “Honor ?” I asked, hearing the confusion in my own voice.
Axureon seed amused by my confusion. He chuckled once, and the curve of his lips almost resembled a smirk but not quite. “Why, of course,” he said. “It is only right that we hold a celebration to honor your erging abilities. You may also think of it as a way of us welcoming you to the Dragon Valley.”
That didn’t sound bad, but I felt a strange sense of foreboding as Axureon offered his hand. Rhys squeezed my other one tightly in his. I gave him a reassuring squeeze back before uncurling my fingers from around his palm.
I glanced at Rhys briefly to see that he was openly glaring at Axureon warningly. I shot a sharp look at him. The last thing I wanted was for him to be detained again. I wasn’t sure I would be able to rescue him a second ti.
Rhys’ eyes were wary, but he gave a subtle nod right as Axureon took my hand and began to lead from the entryway, deeper into the palace. His grip was firm as he held my hand and tugged down a hallway toward tall, ornate doors that reached the ceiling. As soon as we approached, the doors opened. I could hear the hums of idle chatter.
Before I could step into the room, however, a couple of female shifters in long red dresses blocked off my path and grabbed my arms, leading into a side room where they started to rip my clothes from with such speed that I didn’t have ti to scream before they threw a gold-colored gown over my head.
I heard Rhys protest through the door, but Axureon quickly assured him I was being dressed for my celebration. Thankfully, I erged just half a second later, much to Rhys’ relief. His eyes rounded though as they settled on . I blushed at the heated look he wore.
Axureon glanced at as the sounds of the crowd died down. His look was aningful, and it caused my stomach to twist up. I saw Rhys’ eyes narrow suspiciously as I was pulled into the room.
It was the throne room. It looked as if the entire valley was inside of it, all gathered together, their bodies facing a gorgeous throne at the front of the room. All their heads turned to stare at us as we entered. I tried not to et any of their gazes as Axureon pulled down the center of the crowd. Their eyes followed our movents.
Rhys tried to follow us, but a guard shoved him away. After a look of defiance, the prince gritted his teeth before making his way toward the back of the crowd. I tried to send him a reassuring look, but I was pulled along firmly by Axureon.
As we approached the throne, I was able to study it. The black and gold throne had dragon motifs sculpted into it. They were so detailed that I was sure I saw one of the little reptiles blink at . The tips of the dragons’ tails had gems nestled against them.
I searched for Rhys in the crowd, suddenly anxious. I t his eyes, and his expression was wary. It was no doubt due to my sudden rise in status. His face mirrored my unease. What did the dragon shifter want from ? Did he really think that I could save his world as well as mine?
We finally made it to the throne. I waited, looking at Axureon uncertainly. I wondered if he expected to sit on the throne. I wasn’t sure if I could do it, considering many of the shifters were still giving wary and suspicious looks. If I sat on it, I wouldn’t put it past one of them to shift and kill on the spot.
Fortunately, Axureon grabbed by the shoulders and turned around so that I was standing and facing the crowd. He held up a hand to quiet the few who still chatting quietly before he started to speak in a loud, booming voice. “As you all are well aware, Dragon Lord Pyroth is getting ready to invade our precious ho.”
Concerned murmurs were floating throughout the space.
“This is quite obviously a distasteful turn of events,” Axureon went on, causing the room to fall silent again. “But we need not fear.”
I tried to keep the grimace off of my face as the dragon shifters focused on expectantly, many of them narrowing their eyes at . I swallowed hard, hoping the show of anxiousness wasn’t visible to those in the first few rows.
Axureon gestured toward , sweeping his hand out as if he were showing off a prized specin of livestock up for auction. “This young lady was brought to us. I have no doubt that she is the savior we have been waiting for. She will turn the tide of battle when all seems darkest, and then she will lead us to victory.”
Axureon raised a fist in the air, clearly signaling his people to begin cheering, which they did tepidly. They fixed with uncertain looks, clearly not at all convinced that they should rely on the newcor human.
They were probably right.
I couldn’t help but squirm slightly under their piercing stares as their reluctant cheers went on. Axureon seed oblivious to their lack of enthusiasm, but I sohow doubted that he truly was. I longed to find Rhys’ kind face toward the back of the crowd, but I was also afraid of what I would see in his expression as the public accolade went on.
As I stood there in front of what had to be hundreds of dragon shifters, I felt panic slowly rise inside of . I didn’t want this, but I knew very well that I no longer had a choice in the matter.
Axureon’s speech just seed to solidify my fate. He raised both arms and spread them wide. “Let us not lose sight of the role she will play in our deliverance. Mark my words. She will lead us to a brighter and better future. She will ensure that there will be a future.”
I felt fear grip my chest as the pressure built up. I was just beginning to get a grasp on my abilities. I didn’t know how I could possibly be the savior that Axureon was playing up to be.
The dragon shifter turned to look at , his golden eyes impossibly bright. “Now let us celebrate her arrival and the awakening of her powers with a grand feast that will rival all others.,”
That was when the real cheering started. A couple of intricate doors on the right side of the room parted to reveal a grand reception room with a long table covered in delectable dishes.
I looked up to find that Axureon was gone. In his place were a couple of guards, who gestured for to walk ahead of them into the reception hall. I swallowed but did so, descending the marble steps to cross the room so I could enter into the spacious ballroom.
I felt even more out of place, even though I was now dressed like many of the shifters in the room. Even in their human forms, it was easy to tell that these individuals were dragons. They had the sa graceful deadliness in their movents and were tall and lean, with slightly longer necks and muscular backs and shoulders.
The dragon shifters mingled about, enjoying the food and music that perated the space. I walked across the marble floor, trying to hold my head up high and look like I believed all the things that Axureon said about when, in reality, I felt extrely small and insignificant.
“Savior, may we serve you so food?” asked one of the palace servants.
“Yes, thank you,” I said, my voice numb to my ears.
The young woman filled a plate with strewed ats and roasted veggies before passing it to . I took it gratefully, and she bowed before flitting away.
I sighed and wandered to one of the tables. A couple more servants imdiately pulled a chair out for . One of them took my dish so they could set it neatly on the table with so expensive-looking place settings and eating utensils. They helped sit before leaving alone.
It seed like dozens of eyes were suddenly on as I picked at the food. I’m sure it was delicious, but I couldn’t taste anything. I froze and set my fork down when I felt a warm, familiar pair of eyes on .
Rhys was standing at the far side of the room. He tilted his head slightly, gesturing toward a door leading outside into a garden. I gave him the subtlest nod.
I waited until the music beca louder and dozens of shifters were on the dance floor. No one was paying any mind, so I slipped out the door and into the garden.
Rhys was waiting for . His expression was hard as I approached. “Are you alright?” he asked at once.
I nodded once I was in front of him. He looked tense. “I’m fine. Are you?”
He didn’t look fine. His jaw was clenched. He grasped my hands in his and gazed into my eyes. “What is Axureon truly planning? Have you gotten wind of it at all?”
My mouth tightened. “What do you an?”
Rhys’ eyebrows furrowed with concern. “I can’t help but feel like he is manipulating you for his own gain,” he said, searching my face.
I reeled slightly, stung by his words. “I am not a pawn,” I said imdiately, my jaw clenching at the implication.
Rhys’ warm hand found my cheek. He tilted my chin up since I had averted his gaze. “No, of course you’re not,” he said gently. “But I can’t help but question the dragon shifter’s motives here. You should remain vigilant and on high alert.”
“I can’t ignore my duties toward both of these worlds now, Rhys,” I told him, hearing the fear in my voice.
I could tell that Rhys heard it too. He brushed the pad of his thumb along my cheekbone. I found my eyes falling shut at his gentle touch. My eyes popped open when he cupped my face in both of his strong palms.
“I know your kind heart,” he murmured gently. He bent his head so that our foreheads were touching. “It is what drew to you. That and your unyielding bravery.”
I felt my skin fla beneath his touch, my heart rate spiking as he held tenderly.
He leaned slightly away from but continued to caress my cheeks with his strong fingers. “But we can’t fully trust Axureon,” he said firmly. “Please, be careful, love.”
My heart stuttered and then lted at his concern. I nodded.
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