Chapter 73

Golem POV.

After a short while, the chief guard returned and stood beside Isadora. My attention was fixed on the aftermath of the battle, contemplating the situation.

"Your Highness, the remaining men alive and in good condition to fight are no more than a thousand. The rest are either injured, dead, or they fled during the " the chief guard reported.

I sighed, a weight of concern settling on my shoulders. "That's not good enough. Regardless, get them ready."

Isadora couldn't hold back her curiosity and interrupted, "Ready for what, Golem?"

I wrapped my hands around her hips, a comforting gesture, pulling her close to me"I was going to tell you much later, but since you're this impatient and curious my love, then I might just  tell you already."

She eyed me suspiciously, folding her arms. "Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking Golem—we can't afford a counter-attack with less than a thousand men, that is nothing but suicide. Are you trying to get us killed, since the Lycans didn't succeed?"

I chuckled in response, "You're paranoid, Isadora. Why would I do such a thing? A thousand men is just enough, trust me on this one, Isadora. The North might have started this battle, but we are going to finish it."

Isadora took a deep breath, her skepticism evident in her expression as she remained silent, processing the unexpected revelation.

I couldn't blame her for doubting, it wasn't the time to reveal the full plan as she clearly didn't fully grasp the magnitude of power I possessed as the King of Dragons and the destructive force I could unleash with my dragon army. To ease her uncertainty, I pulled her into a reassuring kiss, whispering, "Chill, baby. Everything will be okay. You've got to trust me."

She managed to squeeze out a small smile and nodded her head, still grappling with the weight of the impending decisions.

"First, let's bury the dead ones," I said, letting go of Isadora and turning my attention to the chief guard.

I turned to the chief guard, instructing, "Ensure the burial rites of the deceased go on smoothly. May their souls rest in peace." I looked up to the sky saying a silent prayer for a few seconds and continued, "Keep an eye on Isadora for me. Ensure she's safe. If anything bad happens to her..." I paused, a smirk forming on my face, as I exchanged an intense eye gaze with him, "Trust me, you don't want anything bad to happen to her."

The chief guard nervously nodded his head.

Isadora interrupted, "That's enough, sweetheart. You shouldn't threaten him and besides I can defend myself. And why do you sound like you're leaving? Are you going somewhere?"

I responded, "Yes, my love, I have a few matters to attend to. But don't worry I won't take long, I'll be back before you miss me."

Isadora panicked for a second, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. "What !!! You want to leave me behind and run away? No way in hell am I letting that happen. I'm coming with you."

I chuckled, playing with Isadora's hair. "What are you even talking about, my love? Why would I want to run away from you, I know it's too early to say this but you're one of the best things that have happened to me in a very long time. Besides I'm The King of Dragons, and I never run away from a fight. I would love for you to come along with me, but you don't have wings or do you? You can't fly to the mountain tops. Only I can go. You need to trust me."

"Fine, but don't be long and be careful," Isadora adamantly responded. With that, we shared a kiss.

There was a sad look in her eyes, and I knew the thought of me leaving cost her so much pain. I felt just as hurt, if not even more, but there was nothing I could do. To win this battle, I had to gather my army, and to gather my army meant going to the mountain cliffs where we, as dragons, dominated.

Taking a few steps backward and away from Isadora, I shifted into my mighty dragon form. Teardrops dripped down from Isadora's eyes as I let out a roar, and with that, I took off into the skies.

After a few hours in flight, I ascended the mountain tops, greeted by a glorious sight impossible to fathom. Cheers erupted from my people, and infernos burst brighter than the sun. Finally, I touched down and shifted back into my human form.

Immediately, my knights and best friend Rodrigo rushed over to me, saying, "My king, Anastasia is about to lose it. She's been worried sick over the fact that you took so long."

I asked innocently, "Who's Anastasia?"

Rodrigo wore a surprised look on his face, and I wondered why. He stared at me like he couldn't recognize me as he responded, "Anastasia is your woman and queen-to-be, King Golem, how could you ever forget such an important detail."

Reality hit me like a ton of bricks, and I immediately recalled who she was. I couldn't believe I had completely forgotten the fact that I had a woman and a whole life planned here with her before going to the South over the news of my mother's death.

Before I could respond, someone clapped twice from behind me. As I slowly turned around, I locked eyes with Anastasia, who wore a not-so-friendly expression on her face. She sarcastically said, "Bravo, Bravo, Bravo, Golem. A few days, that's all it took for you to completely forget about me."

"It's not like that, Anastasia. Don't put it that way; you make it sound like I'm evil," I responded.

Anastasia closed the gap between us, her eyes stern. "Aren't you, Golem?" she said, her voice laced with frustration. "Go ahead and tell me. You forgot about my name!!! Who would ever believe that," she yelled. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Or maybe it's just me overreacting. You probably hit your head somewhere while flying and suffered from amnesia, am I right?" She held me gently by the chin, examining my face. Suddenly, her eyes turned red with flames, and I could feel the heat of the fire burning within her as she demanded, "Whose lipstick is this, Golem? Don't tell me your dead mom kissed you now."