Chapter 34 My trauma
Rosee POV (Dragon name Aiden)
The underwater dragon realm had always felt like a living dream.
Light filtered down from the surface world in long golden ribbons, weaving through endless towers of coral crystal and spiraled dragon-stone castles that glowed with ancient magic.
Massive sea-lilies the size of houses swayed gently with the currents, their petals glowing blue and violet.
Schools of luminous fish drifted like floating stars between archways carved by dragons thousands of years ago.
Above it all, enormous water domes shimmered, protective barriers that kept the realm safe from invading oceans and rival territories.
This was home.
My home.
I swam slowly through the royal passage, my scaled tail gliding smoothly behind me, my long silver hair floating like smoke in the water. Dragons passed and bowed respectfully.
“Hail Prince Aiden,” they greeted.
Their voices echoed warmly.
Laughter floated from the hatchery gardens where young dragons practiced flying through bubbles. Elder dragons rested near glowing reefs, telling stories of ancient victories.
And for the first time in months, my heart was light. Until the Council called.
The massive chamber stood at the center of the realm, carved from glowing obsidian rock, its ceiling stretching endlessly upward like the inside of a cathedral made of water and light.
The High Elders sat in a half-circle, their enormous forms coiled on thrones of living stone.
One of them spoke, voice deep as thunder beneath the sea.
“Aiden of the Water Flame Bloodline. Heir to the Dragon Throne.”
I bowed respectfully.
“You summoned me.”
Another elder’s eyes glowed red.
“A border realm has defied our laws. They refuse tribute. They harbor rebels.”
The currents shifted, tension thickening.
“You will lead the flood.”
My chest tightened.
Flooding was not simple conquest.
Flooding meant drowning cities, breaking domes and wiping out thousands in minutes.
“They are weaker than us,” the elder continued calmly. “End it swiftly.”
I hesitated.
“There are civilians,” I said slowly. “Children.”
A murmur spread.
“Our mercy has made us soft,” another snapped. “You are heir, Aiden. Act like it.”
The final command fell like stone.
“Destroy the realm by nightfall.”
We reached the border waters by sunset.
My army waited behind me. Thousands of armored dragons, their scales sharpened for war, magic burning in their throats.
Beyond the barrier shimmered the rival realm.
They were smaller, less guarded.
Then I saw her. She stood near the crystal bridges, long dark hair floating around her waist, eyes bright like molten gold.
She watched me.
My heart stuttered.
She was the same woman I had noticed weeks before during diplomatic crossings.
The one whose smile haunted my thoughts.
I swam forward slowly, signaling my army to hold. She didn’t flee.
Instead, she lifted her hand in greeting.
“Aiden,” she said softly through the water magic.
“You know my name?”
She smiled.
“Everyone knows the Dragon Prince.”
Something about her voice wrapped around my chest.
“Why are you here?” I asked.
“Because you’re about to destroy everything,” she replied gently. “And I know you don’t want to.”
“You don’t understand,” I said. “The Council,”
“They rule with fear,” she interrupted. “But you rule with heart.”
Her words struck deep. How could she be beautiful yet wise.
“I’ve seen how you protect your people. How you spare villages. You’re not a monster.”
I looked behind me at my waiting army. Then back at her.
“What would you have me do?” I asked quietly.
“Choose mercy,” she whispered.
My claws curled.
After a long moment, I raised my hand and gave the retreat signal. The army froze.
Gasps rippled through the waters.
I turned fully toward the realm.
“This war ends now,” I announced. “No flooding. No destruction.”
Relief flooded her face and somewhere deep inside me, something dangerous bloomed.
We saw each other late at night for about three days. We talked about the realms, and other interesting things.
This night, I met her in the glowing kelp forest.
Bioluminescent vines wrapped around ancient pillars, casting soft blue light across the water.
“You disobeyed your Council for me, hope that won't be a problem?” she said.
“I did it because it was right,” I replied.
She swam closer.
“But I’m glad it was for me too.”
Her fingers brushed mine.
A simple touch yet my breath hitched.
“You’re risking everything,” she murmured.
“I would risk more.”
Her eyes darkened.
Slowly, she closed the distance.
Our lips met. It was warm even beneath the water magic. Soft at first, then deepening as weeks of tension poured into the kiss.
My hands found her waist and her body pressed against mine.
The world faded. Only heartbeats and drifting light remained.
We moved together among the glowing vines, wrapped in warmth and whispered breaths, lost in a moment that felt like destiny.
For the first time in my life, I felt love.
"Let me make love to you." I groaned.
"Please devour me, my prince. You can have all of me." she whispered into my mouth and the rest ... is history.
I woke up to silence.
“Shyla?” I called softly.
No answer. A strange unease crawled up my spine.
I searched the vines, the crystal pools and the bridges. She is no where to be found.
My chest tightened.
“She wouldn’t just leave…”
A distant explosion rippled through the water. Then another.
All of a sudden, the realm trembled. Fear slammed into me.
I spun and shot toward home as fast as my tail could drive me.
There is underwater smoke, dark magic clouds, already stained the currents.
Broken towers drifted like corpses. Dragon bodies floated and blood turned the water red.
“No… no… no…”
I pushed harder.
The royal district was in ruins.
Domes shattered, homes collapsed.
Fire magic still burned beneath the waves.
My people were slaughtered.
“Aiden!” someone screamed.
I turned to see warriors fighting desperately against invading forces — the same realm I had spared.
Leading them was Her.
The woman I fell for, standing beside their commanders. Pointing deeper into our kingdom.
Betrayal slammed into my soul like a blade.
“She used me…” I whispered hoarsely.
There was more explosions, more dragons falling.
I swam through the chaos, calling names.
“Ryn! Kora! Master Thalen!”
Then I saw the palace remains. Collapsed and burning.
And in the rubble lay my mother.
Her massive silver form was scorched, eyes frozen open, lifeless.
“Mother…” My voice broke.
I crashed beside her, shaking her scales.
“Mother, please, please wake up…” I sobbed.
Pain ripped out of me in a soundless scream. Then I heard coughing.
Weak and familiar.
“Aiden…”
I spun.
My younger sister lay trapped beneath shattered crystal pillars, her wings torn, blood drifting around her.
I rushed to her.
“Stay with me,” I begged. “I can heal you. I can fix this.”
My hands glowed with water-flame magic as I pressed them to her wounds.
“Please… don’t leave me too…”
Her fingers trembled around mine.
“You were always… my hero. Don't beat yourself about it.”
Tears blurred my vision.
“I failed you,” I sobbed.
“You were kind,” she whispered weakly. “That was never a mistake…”
Her glow faded. Her grip loosened.
And in my arms, my little sister went still.
Something inside me shattered forever.
Around us, my realm burned. My people died and in the distance, the woman I loved watched it all happen.
In rage, I went to her and grabbed her by the neck.
"What did you do?! Why!!"
She let out a smirk and whispered to my ears. "You don't deserve the crown, you are nothing but a weakling. I only got to you to distract you." With that she slid a knife into my chest.
I looked into her eyes with pain, regrets and hatred.
And that was the night the Dragon Prince lost his heart and became something darker.