Aric's vision blurred. His chest heaved as the burning sensation clawed through his veins. It was as if molten chains had been hammered into his soul.
He staggered back, gripping his chest. What… what did she do to me?!
The woman collapsed onto one knee, still bleeding, but she didn't look weak anymore. Even half-dead, her golden eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"The bond is sealed," she whispered. "You can't escape it."
Aric gritted his teeth. "You think I wanted this?!"
She chuckled bitterly, her voice laced with pain. "Want it? You should be thanking me, human. Without me, you would have died in this cursed pass. With me…" She raised her trembling hand. Fire flickered weakly across her palm. "…you will wield the power of a dragon."
Aric's sword trembled in his grip. Every instinct screamed to finish her off now, before she recovered. But when he tried to move, his body froze. His heart skipped a beat—no, not his.
Her heartbeat pulsed in his chest, in perfect rhythm with his own.
His eyes widened. "This… this isn't normal."
"It is fate." She stood unsteadily, flames coiling around her wounds to seal them. "Our lives are bound. If I die…" She tilted her head, lips curling. "…so do you."
Aric's stomach turned cold. He wasn't her savior. He was her prisoner.
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded.
Her golden eyes burned into him. For a moment, her pride returned, sharp and unyielding.
"I am Serenya of the Eternal Flame. Princess of the Dragon Throne."
The name struck like thunder in his mind. Even mercenaries like him knew the stories—an ancient line of dragons said to command fire strong enough to burn kingdoms to ash.
And now… he was chained to one.
A chilling silence stretched between them.
Then, faint echoes of footsteps reached Aric's ears. Voices. Shouts. Soldiers.
Her head snapped toward the sound, eyes narrowing. "The hunters are coming."
Aric's blood ran cold.
The bond had just begun, and already… death was on its way.