Chapter 256

Chapter 256
Aurelian's POV

I stood frozen outside the fire dungeon's ventilation grate, every muscle in my body tensing as Millicent's words reached my ears with perfect clarity.

A deep growl formed in my throat, unbidden and primal. I felt my skin begin to shift, dragon scales rippling just beneath the surface. The old familiar rage surged through me like molten fire in my veins.

Elenna immediately sensed the change, her concerned eyes finding mine. "What is it?" she whispered, her voice soft with worry.

"Nothing," I lied, not wanting to burden her with Millicent's threats. Elenna had enough to worry about without knowing the old witch was directly targeting her life. I focused on controlling the transformation that threatened to overtake me, forcing the scales back beneath my skin.

In my mind, I made a silent, deadly promise. Millicent's threat would never become reality. I would protect Elenna with every fiber of my being. If Elenna was to die, it would only happen after I was already dead.

I drew several deep breaths, trying to quiet the rumbling growl in my chest. Now was not the time to lose control. We had come this far, and I needed to remain clearheaded if we were to rescue Adrian and Doria and escape safely.

Elenna's presence beside me helped calm the raging beast within. Through our strange bond, I could feel her soothing influence washing over me. This connection between us had grown stronger with each passing day. Now I could sense it clearly—a warm thread binding our souls together. I knew with absolute certainty that even if we were separated, I could follow this feeling to find her anywhere.

But I had no intention of allowing anyone to separate us. Anyone who tried would die by my hand. Millicent had just earned herself the top position on my list of enemies to eliminate.

I scanned our surroundings carefully, sniffing the air and listening for any patrol guards. As I'd expected, they had all been called to the front entrance to meet the approaching army. We had a small window of time when this area would be left unguarded.

"Stay close to me," I told Elenna, stepping out from the shadow of the trees.

She understood the gravity of the situation immediately and obeyed without question. I was pleased to see her compliance, knowing it would make protecting her easier in this dangerous place.

I approached the iron bars at the base of the wall. They were sturdy but nothing that could withstand my strength. I partially transformed, covering my arms with fiery red scales, my strength multiplying instantly. Gripping one bar in each hand, I pulled directly outward, yanking them free from the rock with a satisfying crunch. Chunks of stone crumbled away as I tossed the twisted metal bars aside.

I crouched down to peer into the newly created opening. "Adrian?" I called quietly.

"Here, my King." His voice floated back from the darkness. "Doria is in the cell next door. We'll need that bar-bending strength of yours."

Relief flooded through me. "I'll send Elenna in first," I replied.

"She'll be safe with me," Adrian promised. "I'll protect her with my life."

I'd missed my advisor and friend more than I'd realized. Adrian understood me better than anyone. He knew I needed to hear that Elenna's safety would be guaranteed, and if he said he'd die protecting her, I believed him.

I turned to Elenna, gesturing her closer. "I'll help you down."

I grasped her arm, guiding her feet toward the opening I'd created in the wall. It was clearly an escape route, one that would be immediately noticed if any guards happened to pass by. We needed to move quickly in and out before we were discovered and faced even more trouble.

Yet leaving Elenna outside alone would be far more dangerous, especially with Millicent's threat hanging in the air. Wherever I went, Elenna would follow, even into this dungeon and whatever troubles awaited.

Once she had slipped through, I followed, dropping down into a small, dimly lit cell.

Elenna was already embracing someone, and it took me a moment to realize it was Adrian. He'd lost weight, grown thinner and more haggard, his hair and beard wild and unkempt. But he was alive, which was far better than I had feared.

When Elenna released him, Adrian turned to me. "My King," he said respectfully, bowing his head and exposing the back of his neck in submission.

I wondered at how coldly I must have treated my chief advisor over the years that even in rescue and reunion, he remained so formal. Before Elenna had entered my life, I'd been crueler to those loyal to me than I should have been. I didn't regret my ruthlessness toward those who betrayed me, but I did regret my poor treatment of the most faithful.

"Thank you for coming to find me," Adrian continued. "I'm ashamed I couldn't escape on my own."

"Don't be ridiculous," I replied, stepping forward and embracing him like the brother he was. I'd kept him at a distance for too long, letting him believe he was merely a servant when he was so much more. "You're my advisor and my friend."

Adrian stiffened slightly in my embrace before slowly returning it. "Thank you, my King. My brother."

"My brother," I echoed, cementing our long-standing friendship.

When we separated, I caught the gleam of pride in Elenna's eyes. She was pleased to see me repairing a friendship that coldness had damaged for too long. More importantly, I had the same trusted friend at my side again, one I'd feared dead.

"I'm glad to find you alive," I said. "When we discovered the scene and your blood..."

"It wasn't a pretty sight, I imagine," Adrian replied. "But that's a story for another time. Now..."

He turned toward the cell across from his, and Elenna and I followed his gaze. In the dim light, we could make out Doria standing near the bars with Millicent rising from a bench behind her.

Elenna squinted, her human eyes struggling in the low light. "Doria?" she called.

"Elenna! I'm here," came the quick response, and Elenna's face broke into an immediate smile as she moved toward the bars.

I touched her shoulder, gently pulling her back. These bars were flimsier than the ones on the window. I could bend them without transforming, but I needed space, and I didn't want Elenna injured by any rebounding metal.

Adrian seemed to sense my intention and took Elenna's arm, guiding her backward. She willingly stood against the wall as Adrian shielded her with his body. He nodded to me, and I gripped the bars more tightly, my arms once again covering with fiery red scales.

Suddenly, a scream cut through the air from the opposite cell.

"Doria?" Elenna cried out, recognizing her friend's voice.

Across the corridor, Millicent had grabbed Doria by the hair, her fist wrapped tightly in it as she yanked the small woman backward. Doria, unprepared for the attack, fell to the floor. Millicent stood over her, twisting open her cane to reveal a sword hidden inside the bottom.