Ava finds herself in a dark, despairing place. It's so engulfing that it tempts her to simply surrender to the darkness and sleep forever. In sleep, perhaps she could finally find solace and escape from all her troubles. "Ava," a familiar voice calls out, and she instinctively looks around. "My silly little girl, where could she have gone?" It's Damon's voice.
"Damon, is that you? Where are you?"
"Yes, Ava, it's me. I'm right here," his voice echoes from her left, and she excitedly turns in that direction. "What are you doing down there, Ava? Come on now, hurry up and come to me." Ava tries to move, but it feels as if her legs are bound, rendering her immobile.
"I can't, Damon. I can't move my legs. Why can't I leave this place? It hurts when I try," she growls, her eyes fixated on Damon as he continues to move farther away. "No, don't leave me! Wait! Damon, you can't abandon me here!"
"I'm sorry, Ava, but I can't stay in this dark place. Do you see that light behind me? It's calling to us. So hurry up and meet me there," he urges, his voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination.
"Wait, Damon!" I yell, desperation evident in my voice as I try to move my legs. "Don't leave me here, I'm scared!" I watch as he opens his arms wide. "Damon?"
"I'm waiting for you, Ava. Hurry up and come to me," he responds, his tone both encouraging and urgent. Summoning all my strength, I push through the resistance and start running towards him. But as I approach, he vanishes, leaving me with no choice but to enter the bright light ahead.
Damon stands at the entrance of the palace gates, watching as they open to reveal the presence of the seven council members. Chase mutters, his gaze fixated on the council. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Damon? You know how these council people are. I don't trust any of them. I'm certain the fight for the throne will begin now."
"Fedor has heirs, Chase," Damon counters, his voice steady. "Jeffrey and I aren't women, in case you've forgotten."
"Sometimes, I wonder if you lack the brain to think," Grant spoke
"Shut up, Grant. What if the council members killed the king and queen to seize the crown? Have you seen Jeffrey anywhere?"
"You're right, Chase. Jeffrey truly has gone missing," Grant acknowledges.
Shaking my head, I make my way to the throne room where the council members are seated. "I sent Jeffrey away because having him here only complicates things for me," Damon reveals.
"What's your plan?" Grant asks curiously.
"Watch and see, Grant. Just like the saying goes, 'seeing is believing,' am I right?" Damon replies, a confident smile playing on his lips. He steps into the throne room and respectfully bows his head to the elders as a greeting.
"You're Damon, the first son of Fedor, correct?" the head of the council inquires, waiting for Damon's confirmation.
"Yes, I am," Damon acknowledges with a nod. "I'm sure you're the one rumored to be the abomination and the weak one."
"I assure you, it's a great misconception," Damon counters, lifting his head with a mischievous grin. "I am anything but weak. My parents may have just died, and discussing who is weak or an abomination seems inappropriate at the moment."
"Your parents were great, but in recent times, they have grown weak compared to other tribes,"
"Forgive me, great ones, but I disagree with your decision," I interject, shaking my head while maintaining a gentle smile. "From all the noble families, you choose to favor Norman? The weakest among them all?" Chase and Grant gasped in surprise, clearly taken aback by my defiance. "You all think I am weak, so why don't we settle this with a duel? Me against Norman. Then you will see who is truly fit to rule."
"Don't make me laugh, Damon," the head council scowls, dismissing my suggestion. "We've heard rumors that you brought a human as your woman. Are you sleeping with your twin? Is that the behavior fitting for a future king?"
I respond confidently, my smile growing wider. "Allow me to address each of your concerns. First, haven't you heard that some kings prefer to maintain a strong noble bloodline? I am betrothed to my sister, so it is only natural for us to have a physical connection."
"Touching her before marriage?!" Another council member growls, outraged. "That's nonsense. You should marry a virgin. Women in the dragon tribes save themselves for their husbands, not the other way around."
"And what about the men's council?" I laugh, finding their reasoning archaic. "Are men allowed to go around deflowering women from other tribes, but women can't explore their desires? That's an ancient way of thinking, council. I'm sure your daughter is no longer a virgin either."
"My daughter is married," one council member interjects.
"Well, that's more like it then. She is no longer a virgin, is she?" I step closer, lowering my voice. "Bringing a human as my partner shouldn't concern the council or anyone else. That's my personal life, and it should remain personal."
"Personal?" The council laughs mockingly. "A Queen should be able to protect her clan when harm falls upon the king... and a human can do nothing in the face of danger."
"I am going to be the king, council," I assert firmly, my patience waning. "Make the duel possible because that idiot Norman will only lead this tribe to failure. I've had enough discussions with all of you. The deaths of the king and queen still pain my heart, but I refuse to let this kingdom perish."
"Why should we trust an abomination like yourself?" one council member sneers.
"Why do you refer to me as an abomination?" I furrow my brow, tired of being labeled this way. "Is it because you've heard the rumors of me killing my dragon? Is that why you use that word? I am no abomination, and this should be the last council meeting... trust me, my patience and tolerance have their limits." Chase reaches out and touches my shoulder, attempting to calm me. "I only command respect because that's what they call leadership."
"The seven pillars of the seven kingdoms should be respected, but that doesn't mean you should disrespect me. This behavior should never repeat itself," I assert firmly.
"Damon the fifth," one council member addresses me.
"Excuse me," I reply, my tone firm. "I will be waiting for your decision regarding the duel." With that, I turn around and walk away from the throne room, feeling anger boil inside me and my hands trembling.
"You need to calm down, Damon. A true king doesn't lose their patience so quickly," Chase advises, attempting to diffuse the situation.
I chuckle in response, finding his words somewhat amusing. "I don't plan on becoming just any king. I'm only doing this because Fedor will regret his actions."
"Fedor is dead," Grant mumbles.
"Or is he?" I laugh, teasingly. I then move towards the ward where Ava is supposed to be, but she is nowhere to be seen. I frown at the physician nearby. "Where is she?!"
"Calm down, young master," the physician rushes his words. "She woke up and decided she needed a bath to clean herself. I tried to intervene, but she seemed strong enough to push me away."
That can only mean that the spell I recited on her last night worked. Not waiting for Chase or Grant, I quickly make my way to my chamber, step in, shut the door, and head towards the bathroom. Opening the door, I find Ava inside, reaching for a towel after her bath. She freezes upon seeing me standing there, and her face turns red with embarrassment.
"Damon?" Ava's voice quivers with surprise before I swiftly move towards her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I thought I lost you, silly. Why did you lose consciousness for four days? You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"I... I'm sorry?" She replies, her words sounding more like a question. I release my hold on her slightly and place my hand under her chin, gently guiding her face to look at me. "I had a bad dream, Damon."
"A bad dream?" I ask, concern evident in my voice.
She nods, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You were leaving me. You kept moving away, and I had to catch up with you. But you never came back. You left me, and in the process of trying to reach you, I woke up." She hits my chest, momentarily forgetting that she's still naked. "Why did you leave me?!"
Frowning, I reassure her, "I didn't mean to. It was just a dream, my love. I would never leave you. I'm the one who's afraid you'll leave me."
The room falls silent, anticipation filling the air. Ava opens her mouth to speak but stops, her face turning even redder. She hasn't said anything yet, but our eyes lock with each other. Without breaking the gaze, she finally whispers, "You can touch me now, Damon. Don't be angry anymore." She lifts my hand and places it on her chest, right where her heart lies.
"You're telling me you love me now?"
"I like you, let's start from there." She replied
I feel a mix of emotions overwhelming me, and I can't contain my joy. It may not be love, but her confession of liking me is enough to make my heart soar. "Thank you," I whisper, moving my hand to her waist. I lean in, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss that conveys my hunger and happiness.
In that moment, I feel an overwhelming sense of contentment and joy, knowing that Ava's true feelings have been revealed.