Chapter 12

DAMIAN

We’re all perched on wooden chairs, waiting for Michael to emerge with Mia. It’s been a solid two hours since he disappeared into the queen’s chambers.

I can’t deny it—Valkyrie looked rough. And for the first time, I saw a flicker of worry cross Michael’s face.

Dimitri’s perched on the window ledge, lost in his own world. I can’t help but stare at him, and I catch him shooting glances my way. He looks troubled, and a little sad.

Finally, I let out a sigh, push myself up, and head over to Leo.

“You holding up okay?” Leo asks.

“This is all my fault,” I murmur, rubbing my temple.

“No, it’s not,” Leo insists, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “This is just a big misunderstanding.”

I shake my head, letting out another sigh.

“I’m not so sure,” I admit, glancing back at Dimitri.

“I need to step out for a bit, I’ll be back,” Leo says, moving away. I retake my seat, waiting for Leo. My patience is wearing thin.

Suddenly, the double doors swing open, and Mia steps out.

“Mia!” we both exclaim, jumping up from our seats. Mia looks at us, a surprised expression on her face. Do I look as uncomfortable as Dimitri does?

“How is she?” Dimitri asks after a moment of awkward silence.

“She has five broken ribs. Michael managed to heal four of them, but one is still broken,” Mia explains.

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

“Michael’s powers are being drained. He noticed that one of her ribs is healing slower than the others.

“We’re not sure why, but something is preventing it from healing like the others did,” Mia explains as she cleans her hands. “We managed to stop her internal bleeding, so she should be okay.”

“Is there anything else?” I ask.

“Just a few minor bruises and a small bump on her head, but nothing serious,” Mia says, letting out a sigh. “You guys should get some rest. I’ll stay with her.”

“I want to stay!” Dimitri blurts out.

We both look at him. He quickly looks away, embarrassed.

“Do you?” Mia asks, causing me to look at her, confused. Dimitri turns to her. I can see the eagerness in his eyes.

“Can I?” Dimitri asks, a small smile on his face.

“Yes, but I’ll be here too. You’re not staying with her alone.”

Dimitri lowers his head again and shoves his hands in his pockets, nodding obediently. I look at him, stunned.

“Well, I’ll be back in the morning. Let me know if you need anything,” I say, waving my hand and walking away.

***

As I wander the palace, I quickly check on things. The men who were at the campfire are now gathered on the training grounds. There’s a minor commotion brewing.

“Did you see it?” one man asks another.

“Yes, should we inform the king?” another voice asks.

“Oh, it’s Damian!” Jordan exclaims.

“What’s going on?” I ask, stopping in front of the small group of men.

“One of the dragon spies came back. They brought a human with them,” Jordan explains, pointing toward the dungeons.

“What did you say?” I ask, confused. “A human?”

“Yes. You should go check it out,” Jordan suggests with a sigh. “He looked like a mage or something. His hair was unusual.”

Frowning, I push through the group and head down to the dungeons. Several guards are stationed there. From a distance, I can hear Leo’s voice. Rounding a corner, I see Leo and four other dragons.

“What’s happening?” I ask as I approach them. “I heard there was a human here?”

“Wait, Damian,” Leo says, grabbing me and turning me away from the cage.

“What are you doing, Leo?” I ask, annoyed.

“We need to talk first.” That’s all Leo says as he leads me out again.

“Are you going to explain?” I ask as I tap my finger on my chair. Leo had dragged me from the dungeons to the throne room. Now he’s pacing the room, back and forth.

“Leo?” I snap as my patience runs out.

“This man…,” Leo starts. “He’s a mage.”

“Really?” I ask sarcastically.

Leo stops and rolls his eyes.

“What I’m trying to say is that he’s a mage, but not just any mage. The spies say he approached them and asked to be brought to the horde,” Leo explains with a sigh.

“And they just brought him?” I growl. “They should have told us!”

I’m livid.

“Summon those spies now!” I order.

After a while, two of the dragons enter the throne room. They bow their heads in greeting.

“Explain yourselves,” I demand.

“Your Highness, that man approached us. He said he wanted to meet the mage from the dragon’s horde. He knew we were dragons, even though Michael had hidden us with magic.

“He wasn’t armed, and he said he just wanted to see him. It was important,” one of the men explains.

I rub my head, groaning.

“Alright, leave. I’ll handle this,” I order. “Leo, bring him here, and make sure he’s secured with the magic chains,” I say.

***

When the double doors open, I look up to see Leo and the so-called mage. Now I understand why the spies mentioned his unusual hair.

His hair is silver. His skin is pale, and his eyes are as blue as the sky. He looks otherworldly—more like a fairy than a mage.

“Bow,” Leo commands, tugging the chains. The stranger shoots him a glare.

“You’re Prince Damian, the second prince of the horde. Nice to meet you. I’m Cian, Prince of the Kingdom of Fae,” the stranger introduces himself. I stand up.

“Prince Cian?” I repeat, shocked.

We dragons know who Prince Cian is. His name carries weight in dragon history. Cian isn’t just a prince, he’s a hybrid. Half mage, half dragon.

I bow to him, offering an apology and a greeting.

“Sorry, but I have to ask. Why didn’t you tell us who you are?” I question, puzzled.

Leo unhooks the chains from his wrists.

“I didn’t want your guy treating me like a king. You know I hate that,” Prince Cian explains. “I’ll get straight to the point of why I’m here. Don’t worry, I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I’m done.”

“Please, have a seat,” I offer.

“Prince Damian, I need to see your mage, Michael,” Prince Cian requests.

“How did you know he was here?” I ask, intrigued.

Cian’s blue eyes light up, and he glances towards the door. His face scrunches up like he’s seeing something unpleasant.

“Prince Cian?” I whisper.

He quickly turns his head towards me, his frown deepening before he looks back at me as if nothing happened.

“Apologies, but I have my ways,” Prince Cian says. “I need to speak with him.”

“Michael might not want to,” I admit, “But we can try. Would you mind waiting, though?”

“Why?” Prince Cian asks.

“He’s pretty tied up right now. He won’t be free until later. If you don’t mind, you could stay here for the night,” I suggest.

Prince Cian sighs.

“Take me to him,” Prince Cian demands.

“Excuse me?” I ask, frowning at him. “I told you he’s busy.”

“Yes,” Prince Cian whispers. “I know he’s busy, so let me help him.”

With a sigh, I stand up and walk out, motioning for him to follow me. I know Dimitri wasn’t informed, and seeing Prince Cian might shock him. He might even get angry.

Prince Cian isn’t your average hybrid. His blood is a volatile mix. The mage and dragon blood in him make him not just powerful, but lethal.

He carries the blood of one of the strongest mages on the continent, and his mother, a dragon, is a descendant from this horde.

I knew her as the Silent Killer, one of the most powerful female dragons to ever rule. She’s also an elder.

Glancing over my shoulder, I notice Prince Cian frowning. I knock softly on the door, waiting for Mia to open it.

“Damian?” Mia whispers.

“Get Michael and Dimitri out here,” I instruct. Mia looks past me and frowns. Excusing herself, she closes the door.

When the door opens, Dimitri steps out. He looks worn out. The magic in the room seems to be taking a toll on him.

“Do you need…,” Dimitri starts but stops mid-sentence. “Prince Cian?”

“King Dimitri,” Prince Cian greets with a bow.

Dimitri looks back at me, confusion written all over his face.

“Is something wrong, Dimitri?” Michael asks as he steps out of the door. He looks up at us. His eyes widen.

“Hi, good to see you again, Brother,” Prince Cian greets. Dimitri and I turn to look at him in complete shock.

“Fuck,” Michael swears.

We move further away from the queen’s chambers.

“Care to explain what’s going on here, Prince Cian?” Dimitri asks.

“Yes. First, I apologize for showing up unannounced. I already explained to Prince Damian that I just want to talk to my brother, Michael,” Prince Cian clarifies.

“So, you’re a prince too?” I ask Michael.

“Yes,” Michael sighs, “I’m a descendant of Queen Aria.”

“So that was your reason?” Dimitri asks. “You hid your identity and yourself here?”

“Yes, but it was because I had to escape home,” Michael explains. Prince Cian looks at him with judgmental eyes.

“Tell me, Prince Cian, why are you here?” Michael asks.

“No need for formalities,” Prince Cian chides. “And I’m here because you need to come back home.”

“Back home?” I ask, “Did something happen?”

Prince Cian looks conflicted at my question. Then, with a sigh, he leans on the armchair.

“Did something happen?” Michael asks again. His voice is filled with worry.

“That…” Prince Cian starts. His eyes drift towards Valkyrie’s chambers.

Suddenly standing up, he frowns.

“Who’s in that room?” Prince Cian asks.

“There?” Michael asks. “Is something wrong?”

“Who is she?” Prince Cian asks, looking sternly at Michael. Dimitri looks at Cian, confused.

“Prince Cian, why do you need to know who’s in there?” Dimitri finally asks.

Cian looks at Dimitri and then at me. His eyebrows furrow deeper.

“King, may I see her?” Prince Cian asks. “Just for a moment. I’ll explain later.”

Why is he so insistent?

“Fine, but we’re going with you,” Dimitri says.

Nodding, we head into Valkyrie’s chambers.

Opening the door, Dimitri lets Cian go first. I follow behind him. Cian looks towards the canopy bed where Valkyrie lies.

We all wait for something to happen. Then, through a mind-link, Dimitri asks me to move to the other side in case Cian does something.

Stopping at the foot of the bed, Cian looks at Valkyrie. Then, stumbling back awkwardly, he mutters, “Valkyrie?”

“What?” Dimitri asks him.

“Why is Valkyrie here?” Prince Cian asks as he turns to look at Dimitri. “Why is she here?”

His grip on Dimitri’s shirt is firm. He looks shocked.

“What are you talking about?” Michael asks him.

“What do you mean, what am I talking about? Michael, Valkyrie is our cousin!”

What did he just say? What is Prince Cian even talking about?