The kingdom of Valthera had feared dragons for centuries.
High above the mountains, beyond the dark clouds and jagged cliffs, the dragons ruled the skies. Their fire could burn entire cities, and their wings could summon storms. No army had ever defeated them.
To keep peace between humans and dragons, an ancient treaty was created hundreds of years ago.
Every hundred years, the human kingdom must send a bride to the Dragon King.
No one who went to the dragon realm had ever returned.
This year, that bride was Elena.
The entire kingdom gathered in silence as Elena stood at the edge of the mountain altar. Cold wind blew through her long dark hair, and the white ceremonial dress she wore fluttered in the air.
She was only nineteen.
Below the mountain stood soldiers, priests, and nobles watching the ceremony. Some looked sad. Others looked relieved that it was not their daughter.
The high priest raised his staff and spoke loudly.
"Today we honor the ancient treaty between dragons and humans. We offer the chosen bride to the Dragon King so that peace may continue."
Elena clenched her hands.
Peace.
Such a beautiful word for such a cruel sacrifice.
She had been chosen not because she was special—but because she had no powerful family to protect her.
A loud thunder shook the sky.
Everyone looked up.
Dark clouds swirled above the mountain, and suddenly a massive shadow moved across the sky.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
The Dragon King had arrived.
A gigantic black dragon descended from the clouds. His wings were enormous, each beat sending powerful gusts of wind across the mountain. His scales shimmered like obsidian, and his golden eyes glowed like fire.
The dragon landed heavily on the altar.
The ground trembled beneath him.
Soldiers stepped back in fear.
Even the priest lowered his gaze.
Elena forced herself to stand still, though her heart pounded loudly in her chest.
The dragon lowered his massive head and looked directly at her.
His golden eyes studied her carefully.
For a moment, the world seemed to go silent.
Then something impossible happened.
The dragon's body began to glow.
Black scales slowly disappeared as light surrounded him. The enormous creature began to shrink and change shape.
Within seconds, the dragon was gone.
In his place stood a tall man.
He had long black hair that reached his shoulders and piercing golden eyes identical to the dragon's. His face was sharp and regal, and he wore dark armor that seemed to be made from dragon scales.
The Dragon King.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Some humans had heard rumors that dragons could take human form, but few had ever seen it.
The Dragon King looked at Elena calmly.
"You are the human bride?"
His voice was deep and powerful.
Elena swallowed her fear.
"Yes."
He observed her for a moment longer.
"You are not trembling."
"I'm trying not to."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Interesting."
He turned toward the priest.
"The treaty is accepted."
The priest bowed immediately.
"May peace continue between our people."
Without another word, the Dragon King stepped toward Elena.
"Come with me."
Elena hesitated.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
He extended his hand.
After a brief moment, she placed her hand in his.
Suddenly the world around them burst into flames—not burning flames, but glowing golden fire that surrounded them both.
The humans watching gasped.
Within seconds, the flames disappeared.
And so did Elena and the Dragon King.
---
When Elena opened her eyes, she was no longer on the mountain.
She stood inside a massive palace carved entirely from black stone and crystal. Huge windows revealed endless clouds and distant mountain peaks.
They were far above the human world.
"The Dragon Realm," the Dragon King said.
Elena slowly looked around.
"So this is where dragons live."
"Yes."
She turned to face him.
"You never told me your name."
The Dragon King paused slightly.
"Kael."
Elena repeated it quietly.
"Kael."
The name suited him.
Strong. Ancient.
"Am I your prisoner now?" she asked.
Kael shook his head.
"No."
"Then what am I?"
"You are my queen."
Elena blinked in shock.
"Your… queen?"
"Yes."
"I thought I was just a sacrifice."
Kael's expression darkened slightly.
"That is what humans believe."
"Then what do dragons believe?"
He looked at her seriously.
"That the bride is meant to unite our worlds."
Elena crossed her arms.
"That sounds nicer than 'sacrifice,' but I still didn't exactly volunteer."
Kael studied her with curiosity.
"You speak boldly."
"You kidnapped me."
"I followed the treaty your people created."
She had no answer for that.
Kael walked toward a large window overlooking the mountains.
"For centuries humans have feared dragons," he said quietly. "But the truth is more complicated."
Elena stepped closer.
"What do you mean?"
"Long ago, humans and dragons lived together peacefully. But war changed everything."
"What kind of war?"
Kael's golden eyes darkened.
"One that nearly destroyed both our species."
Elena sensed pain behind his words.
"How old are you?" she asked.
Kael glanced at her.
"Over one thousand years."
Her eyes widened.
"You were alive during that war?"
"Yes."
For the first time, Elena realized something important.
Kael was not just powerful.
He was lonely.
A thousand years was a very long time.
"Why me?" she asked softly.
"Why did you choose me as your queen?"
Kael was silent for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
"Because when I looked at you… you were not afraid."
"That's not true," Elena said quickly. "I was terrified."
"But you still stood your ground."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Most humans cannot even look at a dragon without trembling."
Elena looked away.
"Well… I didn't want to faint in front of the entire kingdom."
Kael chuckled softly.
The sound surprised her.
She had not expected the terrifying Dragon King to laugh.
Suddenly a loud roar echoed outside the palace.
Kael's expression changed instantly.
"That shouldn't be happening."
"What is it?"
Another dragon flew past the window—but this one looked wild and aggressive.
Its scales were dark red, and flames poured from its mouth.
"Rogue dragons," Kael said coldly.
"Rogue?"
"Dragons who reject my rule."
The creature crashed into the palace balcony.
The entire building shook.
Elena stepped back in fear.
The red dragon roared angrily.
"You grow weak, King Kael!" the dragon growled. "You protect humans instead of destroying them!"
Kael stepped forward calmly.
"Elena, stay behind me."
"You're going to fight that thing alone?"
"I have no choice."
Golden light surrounded Kael as his body transformed again.
Within seconds, the enormous black dragon stood in the hall.
The two dragons faced each other.
Fire burst through the air as they clashed violently.
Elena watched in shock as the battle shook the entire palace.
The rogue dragon lunged toward Kael with deadly claws.
But Kael was faster.
With a powerful strike of his wings, he knocked the enemy dragon across the balcony.
Finally, Kael released a massive blast of golden fire.
The rogue dragon screamed and fled into the clouds.
Silence returned.
Moments later, Kael transformed back into human form.
Elena stared at him.
"That was… incredible."
Kael looked tired.
"The rogues are becoming more aggressive."
"Because of me?"
"They believe humans make dragons weak."
Elena frowned.
"That's stupid."
Kael looked surprised.
"You insult dragons very easily."
"I insult anyone who acts stupid."
For a moment, Kael simply stared at her.
Then he smiled.
A real smile this time.
Perhaps for the first time in centuries, the Dragon King felt something unusual.
Hope.
And as Elena stood beside him, looking out at the endless sky, she realized something equally strange.
The monster she was sent to marry…
might become the one person who could change her destiny forever.
And perhaps—
the one she might eventually fall in love with.