Chapter 280 CHAPTER 280

Chapter 280 CHAPTER 280
Before we left, Draco pulled me to the side and made me look at him.

"What is it?" I asked, wondering why he was going from hot to cold to this in such a short time frame.

"You remember that the King has us bonded to his dragon, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes. And?"

"Can you try not to provoke him? With this power in your veins, you don't know what you're truly capable of. He will feel it too and might want to humble you or provoke you. So please, control yourself. Let's avoid any problems with him."

"Do you really want to convince me you care about me now? You think I've forgotten the horrible things you said to me back in your office?"

He frowned, "that's different –"

"No, it's not. You don't get to crush me in the worst way possible, he unkind to me for months and now suddenly start pretending things are different. We had sex because I needed it to stabilise my new power levels. It doesn't mean I forgive you and it definitely doesn't mean you get to act like I'm such a troublesome person. Every time I've confronted the King, it's been for a justified reason. If that's all, I'll like us to get going."

I walked off before he could reply, my mind fighting the power that wanted to lash out at him in more ways than words.

The rest of the guys followed us, eyes wandering between both of us, feeling the heat that boiled from us.

Soon, we mounted our dragons and flew off to the capital.


We got to the Capital as the twin suns bade us goodnight and I chuckled as the Prince pulled off his disguise with an aggression that showed he hated this charade of his.

His father was waiting at the steps, all smiles.

"Is it just me or that's the weirdest sight ever?" I asked in my dragons' mind.

Zorath and Orealeus chuckled before flying off.

"My warriors," he beckoned to us, "come. The servants have prepared a hot meal and rooms for your rest."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Draco answered on our behalf.

"Settle in, first thing tomorrow morning, we shall meet in the west wing. Caelen will come get you."

I bowed as I got to him on the top of the stairs.

"Daughter of Zharion," he called, grabbing my arm.

"Good evening, Your Majesty," I bowed again, trying to follow Draco's words despite my annoyance.

"I trust you are ready for the war council?"

"As much as I can be, Your Majesty."

"Good. Get some rest."

I slept in the same room with Flo and Zade but woke up the next morning to see Draco crashing on the couch.

I shook my head and went to prepare for the day ahead.


The war council room was hotter than everywhere else in the Palace, maybe it was the fear and tension living underneath our veins.

When we walked in, the low murmur of voices died down immediately.

My eyes looked around, noticing some faces before remembering I wasn't supposed to. But before I looked away, I'd commited everything to memory.

The long stone table was already full.
Generals of war, advisors and ministers of different branches of the Kingdom's welfare sat around it, their attires making mine look like I followed a parent to a 'bring kids to work day' event back on Earth.

The king still had his surprisingly nice candour and welcomed us loudly, pointing us to four chairs that were empty by his side.

His son pulled out the one right next to him for me and I resisted rolling my eyes before sitting down.

The king didn’t waste time.

“I suspect everyone in this room knows what is at stake. The Fae have been our mortal enemy for years now and for the first time, we've gotten the chance to do something permanent about it." He looked directly at me. “We’ve all gathered here to plan the way forward and the last unpleasant encounter we had, you revealed that the book has shifted from your mother to you Alira. So tell us, what does the book say about this war? Do we stand a chance?"

The room went quiet but their eyes spoke volumes, doubt and hope all merged together, towards me.

But I wasn't just Alira anymore, and I pulled the book to the fore of my mind, closing my eyes.

For months I had only read and focused on the part that showed me losing one of my mates.

I had been so affected by that pain that I never allowed myself to look further.

But now, with everyone waiting, I had no choice.

I turned the page in my mind.

The words came slow at first, then clearer and I read it out loud.

“Expected the unexpected. Prepare for the unseen. You’ll think you have the upper hand, but the fates have given both warriors swords of equal strength. Prepare for losses that will make you curl your toes in pain.”

When I opened my eyes, the silence was heavier than before, and I felt Florian's fingers slip into mine under the table.

A General with the name tag General Thorne was the first to speak.

“So that’s it then? We’re doomed no matter what we do?”

Lady Meris, the Finance Minister leaned forward, her fingers laced tightly on the table. “With all due respect, Your Majesty, how are we supposed to fight a war when even the girl with the book is telling us we’ll lose?”

“I didn’t say we would lose the war,” I said quietly, trying to be as respectful as possible.

Commander Rylan let out a bitter scoff. “You didn’t have to. That prophecy you just read sounds like a death sentence and you know it."

Lord Veyron’s cold eyes stayed on me. “And we’re supposed to trust this… power of yours? A girl who appeared out of nowhere and somehow got three dragons to herself. Considering who your Father was, what if this is some ploy for revenge?"

"What?" I gasped but Flo squeezed my hands tighter.

General Avarion spoke next, his voice calmer but no less heavy. “Cut it out, Veyron, the girl has shown us what she can do. The dragons speak of her like she’s something more than dragon kin. But I still have worries myself. Even though this power seems exotic, still, it must have its limits. If the book itself says both sides will bleed, how do we know we won’t be the ones bleeding more?”

I felt every word like a weight on my chest.

I took a slow breath and spoke again.

“The book doesn’t say we lose. It says we’ll lose something. Both sides will. But it doesn’t say the war is already decided.” I looked around the table. “The book shows possibilities. It shows what can happen if we’re careless or arrogant. It doesn’t show what will happen if we fight smart. If we stop underestimating them and start preparing like our lives depend on it.”

General Thorne leaned back in his chair, studying me. “And you think you can change what the book has already written?”

“I think the book is a warning, not a death sentence,” I insisted. “We can still win this war. But only if we stop acting like we’re already defeated.”

Lady Meris shook her head. “You speak like someone who hasn’t seen real war yet.”

“I didn't ask for any of this," I snapped, pulling my hands out of Flo's cold ones, "I wasn't having a swell life where I was coming from but at least I didn't have the very people I'm supposed to make sacrifices for doubting me and making me feel like a joke. The book has said what the fates have decided. Their threads are open, and we're supposed to weave our own paths. That's why I survived the volcano fire. Because I've spent the last six months training hard enough I blacked out due to exhaustion. If you all can stop looking for holes in everything, we might actually have a chance."

The king watched me quietly for a long moment. Then he spoke, his hand placed in front of me.

“You say you’re ready for this battle, to lead us to victory."

“I am," I nodded confidently.

He leaned forward slightly. “Then prove it. Before I put the lives of my people in your hands, I need to see what you can actually do. We'll head outside now, and you will show me and my generals exactly what this power of yours is capable of. If I’m going to trust you with
this kingdom, I need to be sure.”

The room stayed silent.

I met the king’s gaze without looking away.

"Yes, Your Majesty."