Chapter 53 Drakon's Rage
Drakon's POV
The emptiness where the bond used to be screamed at me, silent and deafening all at once.
I stood in the great hall, surrounded by my people. By blood and broken stone and shattered trust.
And I felt nothing but rage.
"Your Majesty," Thorne said quietly. "The Southern Kingdom soldiers are retreating. Queen Morgana escaped during the chaos. But we captured Sir Marcus and forty of her men."
"Execute them," I said flatly. "All of them. At dawn."
"Drakon..."
"That's an order." My voice was dragon-cold. "They invaded my kingdom. Killed my people. They deserve death."
Thorne hesitated, then nodded. "And Elara?"
Her name stabbed straight through the emptiness.
"She's in the dungeon. She stays there until I decide her fate."
"The people are asking questions. About her. About the marriage."
"Then they'll get answers."
I stepped into the center of the hall and raised my voice.
"Citizens of Drakenmoor! Hear your king!"
The room fell silent.
"Tonight we were attacked by the Southern Kingdom. Many were hurt. Some were killed. All because of one person's lies."
Each word burned.
"The woman I married is not Princess Celestia. She is an imposter named Elara Moonstone, a commoner who infiltrated our kingdom under false pretenses."
Gasps erupted.
"For months, she spied on us. Gathered information about our defenses. Passed it to Queen Morgana. Tonight’s invasion succeeded because of her betrayal."
"Kill the traitor!" someone shouted.
"Burn her!" another voice cried.
The rage in my chest agreed.
"The marriage between myself and this imposter is void!" I roared. "She is not my queen. Not my wife. She is a prisoner awaiting judgment!"
Cheers echoed through the hall.
I felt nothing.
"This attack was orchestrated by Queen Morgana of the Southern Kingdom," I continued. "She sent an imposter to marry me. Held an innocent child hostage to ensure obedience. Planned this invasion for months. Through her actions, she has declared war."
The hall went still.
"So I declare this!" My voice shook the walls. "Drakenmoor is at war with the Southern Kingdom! We will march south! We will demand justice!"
Roars of approval followed.
I should have felt powerful. Victorious.
Instead, I felt hollow.
"Prepare the armies!" I commanded. "Send word to our allies. We march within the week!"
As the crowd dispersed, Thorne pulled me aside.
"Are you sure? War will cost many lives."
"What choice do I have?" I snapped. "She invaded us!"
"And Elara?" Thorne asked carefully. "If we go to war, Queen Morgana won’t keep the hostage alive. Her sister will die."
"That's not my problem." The words tasted foul. "Elara made her choices."
"A twelve-year-old child will die."
"Thousands could die if we don’t respond!" I shouted. "I have to think about my kingdom!"
Thorne studied me. "You don't mean that."
"Maybe I do." My hands shook. "The man who cared died tonight, when the bond broke."
"Drakon..."
"Leave me."
I retreated to my chambers, locking the door behind me. The room smelled like lavender and ink and lies.
I wanted to destroy everything.
Instead, I stood there, frozen, staring at the emptiness where she used to be.
A knock sounded.
"Your Majesty… there’s something you need to see. In the dungeon. About the imposter."
I followed the guard down stone steps that made the emptiness scream louder with every move.
Elara lay curled on the floor of her cell, unmoving.
"Is she dead?" I asked.
"No, sir. But she hasn’t spoken or moved. Just stares."
Then I saw the blood.
Dark red soaked through her dress, right over her heart.
"That shouldn’t happen," I said. "Bond breaks don’t cause wounds."
"The healers disagree," the guard said softly. "They think she’s dying. The bond breaking is killing her."
I should have felt satisfaction.
Instead, panic surged.
"Get the healers. Now."
I gripped the bars, watching her bleed.
"Elara," I called. "Can you hear me?"
Nothing.
"Elara!"
Her eyes fluttered open.
"Let me die," she whispered. "Please."
"No."
"Why?" A tear slid down her cheek. "You hate me."
"Because you don’t get to escape through death," I said harshly. "And because Lily’s still out there."
"Lily…" Her eyes cleared. "Did you save her?"
"I don’t know. The rescue team hasn’t reported back."
"Then I have to live," she murmured weakly. "Have to know she’s safe."
More blood spilled.
"Hold on," I said tightly.
"Why do you care?" she whispered. "You should want me dead."
"I do," I admitted. "But I also want answers. I want to understand why."
I wanted the bond back. Wanted to know if any of it had been real.
The healers rushed in, working frantically. Magic. Bandages. Potions.
The bleeding didn’t stop.
"The wound is magical," the head healer said grimly. "It’s tied to the bond. There’s only one way to stop it."
"What?"
"The bond must be repaired, at least partially. Only you can do that."
"How?"
"You must forgive her. Willingly. From your heart."
I stared at Elara’s pale face.
Forgive her.
After everything.
Or watch her die.
As she lay bleeding on the stone floor, I realized it was the hardest choice I had ever faced.