Chapter 262

Chapter 262
Elenna's POV

The night air felt thick with tension as Aurelian knelt before Millicent. Despite his position, there was something inherently regal about him. Even in surrender, he maintained a dignity and pride that made it impossible to look away.

"I will give you the crown if that is your wish," Aurelian said, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "I will even offer my life, but do not harm my fated mate."

Tears welled in my eyes. Aurelian, my brave mate, so powerful and proud, was willing to lower himself before Millicent—a woman he despised—because of his love for me. The same dragon who had once terrified me, who had once seemed incapable of compassion, was now offering himself as a sacrifice for my safety.

I hated myself for my weakness. If I weren't so pathetically human, so vulnerable, he wouldn't have to surrender. My inability to protect myself had led to this moment.

"No, Aurelian, please don't..." I begged, my voice breaking. "Let me die instead..."

His eyes found mine, fierce despite his vulnerable position. "Never, Elenna. If he kills you, I would soon follow."

"You think watching you die is a kinder fate?" I countered, my voice trembling. "I may not feel the bond as strongly as you do, being human, but I'm not immune to it. I can't lose you, Aurelian, please."

Tears rolled down my cheeks as the knife pressed closer to my throat.

Millicent laughed coldly. "She'd rather die than watch you be killed, Aurelian. Perhaps we should oblige you both."

Aurelian's eyes flashed wild. "No!"

"Kill her," Millicent ordered the butler, her face twisted with malicious delight.

Aurelian struggled to rise as the butler's grip tightened around me. I felt the cold metal against my throat and prepared myself for death. I stared into Aurelian's eyes, wanting him to be the last thing I saw.

Time stretched between each breath. Nothing happened. The knife didn't press any closer.

Millicent grew impatient. "Do it," she snarled, her voice becoming a growl.

The butler remained frozen, his arm around me, the knife at my throat, neither advancing nor retreating.

Finally, he spoke: "No." He lowered the knife and pushed me away.

Aurelian rushed forward, pulling me into his arms. I felt safe there, my tears flowing freely now as his warmth chased away the chill left by the knife. "I've got you," he whispered, pressing his lips to my forehead.

I could feel the tension in his muscles as he held me, likely struggling to stand with the poison still coursing through his veins.

"What is the meaning of this?" Millicent demanded. "You dare defy my orders?"

I turned in Aurelian's embrace to observe Millicent, the butler, and the rebels surrounding us. Doria was kneeling beside Adrian, helping him recover. I felt a small measure of relief seeing he was alive, though we were far from safe.

The hostility in the air was shifting, moving away from Aurelian and toward Millicent. The rebels were looking at her with varying degrees of resentment and disgust.

"We may be rebels hiding in the forest," the butler explained gravely, "but we are first under the blessing of the Moon Goddess. We honor the ancient dragon traditions and our ancestors. You told us Elenna was merely the king's concubine, not his fated mate."

"He is the enemy," Millicent spat. "He is a brutal tyrant. If allowed to lead, he will only continue to intimidate us."

I stepped forward. "That's not true! Aurelian has taken steps to ensure more races have voices in the Council of Tribes. It's just one of the steps he's willing to take to ensure all species are treated fairly!"

Aurelian stood tall beside me. "I have recognized past failings. We can find steps to strengthen our kingdom together. I will listen to the voices of all tribes. I have been implementing changes. We need not be divided."

"Lies!" Millicent screamed desperately. "He's lying! Kill his mate, he will go mad, and we will all be better for it!"

The butler threw his dagger into the dirt, a decisive gesture. "No. Today, Aurelian proved himself to be a dragon king with honor. He faced the challenge fairly and won, even poisoned, showing himself stronger than the coward Solan. He proved his courage and willingness to sacrifice himself for his mate."

He shook his head. "Today, he proved himself a good king, better than you or Solan have been in the months we've followed you."

Millicent looked furious. "He'll only lead you back into slavery. Is that truly what you want?"

"If he does, we'll rebel again," the butler said firmly. "But until then, he has earned a second chance by his actions today..."

Remarkably, the rebels seemed to agree. Some even bent to help Adrian stand.

"What do we do with her?" a burly rebel asked, seizing Millicent's arms and taking her staff.

The butler considered this, showing some hesitation—perhaps still feeling something for his former employer.

"Her punishment is the king's right to decide," he finally said, turning to Aurelian.

I thought about how much Aurelian had changed. The Aurelian I first met would have killed her without hesitation. But he wouldn't kneel and beg for my life either. He was still strong and brave, but no longer as merciless, and so he showed mercy to poor Millicent.

"The appropriate punishment is to spend the rest of her life in prison, far from the privileges and charm she enjoyed in her manor," Aurelian declared.

The rebels seemed satisfied with his judgment, some even impressed.

The butler approached Aurelian. "Join the Council of Tribes," Aurelian invited. "We will have representatives from every race, every way of life. I will no longer be deaf to the needs of my subjects."

The butler nodded and extended his hand. Aurelian took it, and they shook hands.

I realized this wouldn't solve everything. Peace wasn't granted—it was earned and maintained through hard work and diligence. These men and women of various species seemed to understand that, and they seemed willing to work toward unity once more.

As we left the rebel stronghold, Aurelian no longer showed any weakness. His scales had regained their luster. We were escorted back to the manor, permitted to rest there, though Aurelian wanted to return to Draconia as soon as possible.

The Dragon Guard returned to us, bringing our carriages. Aurelian and I entered one carriage's backseat, Adrian and Doria another.

As soon as the carriage door closed and barriers rose to separate us from the driver, Aurelian collapsed onto the seat, one arm still around me. I moved closer, nestling myself against him, wanting to support him as I felt his body temperature gradually returning to normal.

As his eyes began to droop, his body finally relaxing, he whispered one last thing in my ear before drifting off: "Elenna... be my queen..."