Twilight's POV
"What are you doing?" Isla shouted. Mira had her hands on me already.
"I warned you," Mira said sharply. "I told you to stay away."
Isla stepped closer, eyes wild. "Let her go." Mira laughed. "You do not own her."
The air felt tight, like the sky was closing in. My heart hammered in my chest.
Mira's grip burned, not painfully, but strong enough that I could feel every pulse in my veins. The marks on my skin glowed faintly, reacting to her touch.
"Mira, stop," I said, but my voice trembled."She feels it," Mira snapped. "She feels me."
Faenik roared and landed hard beside Isla. Dust and loose stones flew into the
air, making the ground slippery. Guards screamed and scrambled to get out of the way.
"Move away from her!" Isla yelled again, her voice sharp as steel.
Mira lifted her hand. Dark energy snapped forward like a whip. Faenik tried to shield Isla, but the strike caught her wing. The dragon cried out, stumbling to one side.
"No!" I screamed.
Isla dropped beside him, hands shaking as she pressed against the torn scales.
Faenik groaned softly, trying to steady himself.
Mira turned to me. Her face was flushed. Her eyes were wild, almost hungry.
"You could be powerful," she said. "With me."
I pulled my arm free. "You hurt her."
"She would have hurt you," Mira replied, stepping closer.
The marks on my skin burned bright. Pain and heat rolled through my chest.
Something snapped inside me. The ground cracked beneath my feet, sending
tiny rocks flying. Wind whipped around us, tugging at our hair and cloaks. Mira stumbled backward, startled by the sudden surge.
"This is not over," she said, voice trembling, before vanishing into the dark.
Silence fell like a heavy blanket over the yard.
Isla's eyes were full of pain as she looked at me. Her dragon was taken to the
healers. Faenik's wing was wrapped tightly, and he barely moved. Isla did not leave his side.
"I should have stopped this sooner," Isla whispered, pressing her forehead against his scales.
Faenik breathed slowly, trying to soothe her fear.
Isla stood suddenly, her calm gone. She marched toward the castle without hesitation, ignoring guards who tried to stop her. Her boots echoed likethunder on the stone floor.
The king looked up as she entered the throne room.
"This ends now," Isla said, her voice low but fierce.
The king leaned back. "Speak carefully."
"Twilight is not safe alone," Isla continued. "Others are drawn to her. They will keep coming."
"She injured your dragon," the king replied.
"Not by choice," Isla said firmly. "And if she stays unsupervised, someone worse will get to her."
"You want her released?" the king asked."I want her watched," Isla said.
"Closely. With me."
The room went silent. "You are emotional," the king said.
"I am responsible," Isla replied. The king studied her for a long moment, then nodded.
"She will be moved," he said. "One mistake, and she returns. Or worse."
Isla bowed once, her hands trembling. Fear weighed heavily on her chest.
Twilight was changing. Fast.
That night, screams woke the camp. Dragons cried from towers. Their shadows
stretched long across the walls. The sky darkened, clouds twisting like they were alive, pushing toward the ground.
I stepped outside before anyone could stop me. My legs shook. The ground trembled beneath my feet.
Then I felt a presence. Old, Massive.
The air split with a roar so loud it rattled teeth and shook the stones. Everyone stopped moving, staring upward.
A dragon descended beyond the walls, larger than any I had ever seen. Scales
black as night, silver light running across them like liquid fire. His wings spread wide, blotting out the stars.The camp went silent. Even the other dragons in towers crouched, unsure, whispering in low growls.
He lowered his head toward me. Ryaknorg. I knew his name without thinking.
"You are mine," his voice echoed inside me. My knees trembled. "You… you are real."
"I have waited," he answered.
The marks on my skin flared bright, spreading warmth through my chest. I
could feel every heartbeat, every pulse, like his power was inside me. Guards
raised weapons. Dragons hissed. I did not move. I could not move.
Ryaknorg spread his wings further, shadowing the entire camp. Even the king
would not dare step forward.
Before dragon day.
Before permission.
Before choice.
He had chosen me.
I felt the pull stronger than anything. My heart raced. The ground beneath me cracked slightly with each step. My arms tingled. My hair lifted from my shoulders as wind whipped in circles around us.
And then… A voice whispered in my head.
"You are not ready, Twilight."
I spun around. No one was there