Chapter 4 Their Reality

A loud bell rang out three times, shaking the dust from the ceiling. 

The leaders of the dragon, the wolf, the human, and the mermen clans all sat at a giant round table made of white stone.

Everyone was shouting. The wolf lords were slamming their fists on the wood. The mermen were splashing the water in their magical tanks.

Suddenly, a bright blue flash of light filled the room. 

The energy felt silent. The high magic of the council had forced everyone to stop their arguments. 

No one could speak until the light faded.

Zaden walked through the room and pulled out a massive chair carved from black rock and waited for Lyanna to sit. 

Once she was comfortable, he sat right beside her, his large shoulders shielded her from the angry stares of the human lords.

The blue magic faded, and the high elder of the council stood up. He looked very old and very tired.

"We did not bring you here to fight about old debts," the high elder announced. “We brought you here because the dark borders have broken. The demons have been found outside of their cursed lands. They are marching south."

The room went completely cold. The wolf lords stopped smiling.

"The prophecy is clear," the high elder continued, pointing a shaking finger at the center of the table. "When the dark forces rise, the four great clans must be at their full strength. Every single clan leader must produce a strong heir immediately to secure the bloodlines for the coming war. Especially the Black Dragon Clan."

Zaden slammed his hands on the white stone table. 

The rock cracked under his palms. "No. I have told this council a hundred times. My wife’s bloodline is recovering. I will not force an heir upon her to satisfy your fears."

"This is not about your feelings, Lord Drachen," a voice called out from across the table.

It was Michael Grungen. 

Because the old human king was ill, Michael was sitting in the golden chair as the temporary leader of the human clan. 

Now, he knew that the council magic protected everyone inside this room from physical attacks. 

Zaden couldn’t touch him here without destroying the peace treaty.

Michael leaned back in his chair, and there it was again, that mocking smile on his face. "We all know the truth. You say her blood is holy, but maybe the great Black Dragon is just weak. Or maybe the human girl is barren."

Zaden bared his fangs. 

"Watch your tongue, human, or I will tear it out the moment we step outside these walls."

"You can’t threaten me here," Michael laughed weakly. 

He looked directly at Lyanna, full of spite. "Look at her. She was a reject from my own lands. I threw her away because she was useless. Now the whole world has to wait for an heir because the mighty Zaden Drachen married a girl who can’t even give him a dragon pup. If the demons kill us all, it will be because Lyanna failed her only duty."

Clara sat beside Michael, giggling behind her silk fan. "Perhaps the high lord needs a real woman. A human noble girl who is actually healthy, not a starved little mouse."

The dragon warriors behind Zaden drew their daggers, but Zaden held up his hand, stopping them. 

His eyes turne pure gold now, clearly fixed on Michael with a promise of death.

"Lyanna is more of a queen than your wife could ever dream to be," Zaden smirked back. "Her worth is not measured by your stupid demands. I will fight the demons alone before I ever force her to do anything."

"Then you will let the dragon line die," Michael mocked once again and shook his head. 

"What do you say, Lyanna? Are you going to keep hiding behind your big scary husband? Or will you admit to the whole council that you are just a broken, barren girl who doesn’t belong on a throne?"

Lyanna didn’t shrink back. She slowly looked up from the table. 

There was this gkance at Michael, then she looked at the high elder, and finally she looked at Zaden. 

Her husband's face was so tight with pain and rage, not for himself, but for her. He was ready to go to war with the entire world just to keep her safe.

For three years, Lyanna had rested. For three years, she had let him protect her. But she was a Raivier, and she was done hiding.

"I am not broken, Michael," Lyanna voice was ringing out so loud and clear that every lord in the room stared at her.

"Oh really?" Michael scoffed. "Then prove it to the council. Tell them when the dragon heir will be born."

Lyanna stood up from her black stone chair. She looked down at Michael with a cold, beautiful smile.

"The heir will be born exactly when it is meant to be," Lyanna reached down and took Zaden’s massive, shaking hand into her own small palms.

"And it will be the most powerful creature this world has ever seen. Because Zaden doesn’t need to force me."

Zaden looked up at her and gasped a little as she squeezed his hand tightly, her touch felt warmer than it had ever been in three years.

"What are you saying, Lyanna?" Zaden murmured.

Lyanna looked into his eyes, her smile turned kinder and real. "I am saying that I am ready, Zaden. Our enemy is coming, and it is time for the dragons to have a queen who fights beside them."

The high elder clapped his hands together and a bright light shined once more. "It is decided then! The Black Dragon Clan will produce an heir before the winter snows fall!"

Michael’s smile vanished, his face turned whiter as he realised he had just pushed Lyanna into fully accepting her place as the dragon queen.

“We will see.”

Lyanna didn’t forget her promise to destroy her ex fiance, but there was this one thing…how on earth was she supposed to sleep with her husband? 

All this was an act in front of everyone.

The reason behind Lyanna’s virginity was very different…