The Dragon’s Kiss, The Vampire’s Bite

Lyra's POV

The setting sun spreads a golden light over the Dragon Kingdom, bathing the castle in warmth. Standing before the mirror, I adjusted the ceremonial robes draped over my body, the gold and red fabric catching the light with every movement. My reflection stared back at me—a young woman with fiery hair, a crown of dragon bones resting on the table beside me, and a knot of nerves tightening in my chest.

I took a deep breath, my fingers brushing through my hair. This was the day I’d trained for my entire life—the day I would become Queen of the Dragon Kingdom. But the weight of responsibility pressed hard on my shoulders, and something deeper, something I couldn’t explain, gnawed at the edges of my mind.

“Lyra, it’s time,” Elira’s voice came from the doorway, breaking through my thoughts.

I turned to see her standing there, my trusted advisor, her expression a mixture of pride and unease. Her gaze flickered to the crown before meeting mine. “Your father is waiting in the hall.”

“I know,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “Let’s go.”

As we walked through the grand hallway, the sounds of laughter and chatter from the nobles filled the air. Their excitement should have reassured me, but a strange unease lingered. My dreams of a shadowy man, his face blurred but his presence unforgettable, had been haunting me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—was waiting for me beyond the coronation.

“Lyra,” Elira said softly, her brow furrowed. “Are you alright?”

I hesitated. “I’m fine. Just... a lot on my mind.”

Her hand brushed my arm briefly. “You’re ready for this. Your people need you.”

I nodded, but her words did little to calm the storm inside me.

\---

The cold wind bit at my face as I approached the edge of the Dragon Kingdom. The small group of guards stationed there stood stiffly, their armor gleaming under the moonlight. I barely registered them; my mind was on the pull in my chest, the feeling that something was waiting for me beyond the horizon.

“Princess, everything is prepared for your ceremonial flight over the boundary,” one of the guards said. “It’s a show of strength and unity.”

I nodded absently, my eyes scanning the forest ahead. Then I saw him.

He stood at the edge of the shadows, his pale face illuminated by the moonlight. My breath caught. His sharp features, dark hair, and piercing gaze felt like something out of my dreams. No, it was him—the man from my dreams.

“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice steadier than the racing of my heart.

The man stepped forward, his movements graceful but deliberate. “I’m the one you’ve forgotten,” he said softly, his voice low and filled with sorrow. “The one you were never supposed to forget.”

A shiver ran down my spine. His words made no sense, yet they struck a chord deep within me. “I don’t know you.”

“You do,” he insisted, taking another step closer. “Lyra, you know me.”

“Stay back!” one of my guards ordered, stepping between us.

Before I could process what was happening, a scream tore through the air. Vampires emerged from the shadows, their fangs gleaming in the moonlight as they charged. Chaos erupted.

“Lyra, get back!” the guard shouted.

But before I could move, the man—Kaelen—was at my side. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him as he turned to face the attackers. His fangs flashed, his movements a blur as he fought off the vampires with inhuman strength.

“Stay behind me,” he growled, his voice rough and commanding.