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Reborn from Betrayal Bound to the Ancient Dragon Billionaire Romance
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00:00This moment is exactly as it was in my previous life.
00:03Prince Solien of the Phoenix Court arrives in his full power, in surface form, and Mira is in his arms.
00:09My sister, my husband's arms, around my sister.
00:13She looks at me over his shoulder, satisfied, certain.
00:16In my previous life, on the day of the Bloom Rite, my sister chose someone else.
00:21She persuaded the unwanted boar rider to pick me, claiming we were born for each other.
00:26Instead, I saved Prince Solien of the Phoenix Court by accident.
00:30He took me as his queen.
00:31After the bonding, I bore five heirs for the Phoenix Bloodline, a clan that had gone generations without children.
00:37I became a legend across the Everlight Realm.
00:39My sister, bonded to her chosen lord, was cast out for barrenness.
00:43I came home with my youngest.
00:45While I'm having a meal, my sister poisoned my bowl, me and my child both.
00:50When I woke, it was the day of the Rite again.
00:53Everyone present is a worthy son of their bloodline. Choose freely.
00:57Everyone began searching for their desired partners.
01:00And presenting them with flowers.
01:01I didn't want any of it.
01:02In my last life, childbirth had nearly killed me.
01:05I wasn't doing it again.
01:06I'd painted myself plain.
01:08Doll eyes.
01:09And plain clothing.
01:10A man came over, took one look at my outfit, and left in disgust.
01:14One by one, even the boar knights found partners.
01:17I stood alone.
01:18Then the doors blew open.
01:19Prince Solien of the Phoenix Court.
01:21In his full power.
01:23In surface form.
01:24Mira saved my life.
01:26From this day forward, she is my true mate.
01:27Elder Sylvan was greatly startled.
01:30Some even shedding tears of emotion.
01:31Mira looked at me over his shoulder.
01:33Satisfied.
01:34Certain.
01:35I knew then.
01:36She'd been reborn, too.
01:38Now I looked at her.
01:39Draped against Prince Solien.
01:41Already victorious.
01:42She thought she'd won.
01:43She hadn't thought through what it would cost her.
01:45Phoenix Court Lords are of the flame-touched element.
01:48Their mates sleep in flame-touched air.
01:50Bathe in flame-touched heat.
01:52Eat flame-touched food.
01:53For a bloodline like ours.
01:55Frostborn by nature.
01:57That's not a marriage.
01:58It's a slow execution.
01:59Last time I had no choice but to pretend to like it.
02:02Every day.
02:03I smiled through the sacred ember aisles.
02:05Through the scalding baths.
02:07Through the meals that felt like swallowing coals.
02:09By the time I was pregnant, my soul core was already cracked.
02:13The children drew what was left.
02:15Mira was frostborn, too.
02:16She just didn't know what she'd agreed to yet.
02:19The whole keep celebrated.
02:21Every unmated girl in the order delayed her own bonding to help prepare Mira's.
02:25The gift list ran ten feet long.
02:27Elder Sylvan nearly emptied the sanctuary's vaults.
02:30Trying to impress a man who didn't need impressing.
02:32Being the only one without a partner makes me the perfect candidate for handmaiden.
02:36Mila stepped forward.
02:37Before, you were the elder.
02:39I deferred to you.
02:40How does this feel, sister?
02:42I said nothing.
02:43She stepped forward and struck my face.
02:44That look.
02:45You'll get used to it.
02:47Elder Sylvan has already agreed.
02:48You belong to me now.
02:50I'll hit you when I want.
02:52Praise you when I want.
02:54You have no say.
02:55Start learning.
02:56A courier arrived from Prince Solian.
02:58A phoenix mantle.
02:59Light as air.
03:00Heat resistant.
03:01Enchanted for speed.
03:03Mira touched it with both hands.
03:04I knew that mantle.
03:06For flame-touched bloodlines, it was a treasure.
03:08For frostborn bloodlines, it was a punishment.
03:11I'd worn it every day of my first marriage.
03:13It had carved away at my soul core for years.
03:16Mira would find that out eventually.
03:18Then a girl came running fast.
03:19Flame-touched damage on the sacred grove!
03:22What an awful omen.
03:23Today of all days.
03:24I didn't wait.
03:25I ran.
03:26The sacred grove was burning hard when I arrived.
03:28Black smoke.
03:29Screaming from inside the tree line.
03:31The covenant elders stood at the edge and wouldn't move.
03:34That flame-touched power belongs to a phoenix-caught lord.
03:37We interfere.
03:37We offend him.
03:38Your sister's bonding is today.
03:40Don't make trouble.
03:41They're only low-rank familatives.
03:43I looked at him for a long moment.
03:45Then I went in.
03:45The smoke blinded me fast.
03:47The heat scorched my skin.
03:49But I was frostborn.
03:50Wherever I moved, cold spread behind me.
03:53It slowed the flames enough to matter.
03:54I remembered what Marin taught me.
03:56Clear a line.
03:57Deny the fire somewhere to go.
03:59I shifted to full form and called out.
04:03Stags, wolves, elephants, and bears.
04:05Here they come.
04:06A bear used its body as a shield.
04:08The wolves and elephants worked to clear a firebreak.
04:12We were once at a disadvantage.
04:14But then...
04:15Turned the tide.
04:15Then the woods began to shake.
04:18The ground split open.
04:19The crack widening steadily.
04:21Lord Calith of the Void soared out from within.
04:24He opened his maw and exuded bitter cold all around, putting out the flames.
04:28This grove is mine.
04:30Who damaged it?
04:31Hearing the noise, the elders and Mira came running.
04:34The Covenant elders said nothing.
04:36A thousand years in this valley.
04:37And nobody had thought to check whether something older already lived here.
04:41Look at her!
04:42Ash everywhere!
04:43Burned skin!
04:44It had to be her!
04:45Every eye turned.
04:46I was standing there with my hands at my sides, charred.
04:49The same hands that had just spent an hour fighting the flames.
04:51I was certain someone would say it.
04:53Any of them.
04:54They'd all seen me go in.
04:55Elder Sylvan glanced at me, then turned to look at Lord Calith.
04:58Lord Calith of the Void.
05:00Our wayward daughter did this.
05:01She is yours to punish.
05:03We offer her freely.
05:04I stood still.
05:05Not one of them spoke for me.
05:07This moment is exactly as it was in my previous life.
05:10Prince Solian of the Phoenix Court arrives in his full power, in surface form.
05:15And Mira is in his arms.
05:17My sister.
05:18My husband's arms.
05:19Around my sister.
05:20She looks at me over his shoulder.
05:22Satisfied?
05:23Certain.
05:24In my previous life, on the day of the Bloom Rite, my sister chose someone else.
05:28She persuaded the unwanted boar rider to pick me, claiming we were born for each other.
05:33Instead, I saved Prince Solian of the Phoenix Court by accident.
05:37He took me as his queen.
05:38After the bonding, I bore five heirs for the Phoenix Bloodline, a clan that had gone generations
05:43without children.
05:44I became a legend across the Everlight Realm.
05:47My sister, bonded to her chosen lord, was cast out for barrenness.
05:51I came home with my youngest.
05:52While I'm having a meal, my sister poisoned my bowl.
05:56Me and my child both.
05:57When I woke, it was the day of the rite again.
06:00Everyone present is a worthy son of their bloodline.
06:03Choose freely.
06:04Everyone began searching for their desired partners and presenting them with flowers.
06:08I didn't want any of it.
06:09In my last life, childbirth had nearly killed me.
06:12I wasn't doing it again.
06:14I'd painted myself plain.
06:15Doll eyes and plain clothing.
06:18A man came over, took one look at my outfit, and left in disgust.
06:21One by one, even the boar knights found partners.
06:24I stood alone.
06:25Then the doors blew open.
06:27Prince Solian of the Phoenix Court.
06:29In his full power.
06:30In surface form.
06:31Mira saved my life.
06:33From this day forward, she is my true mate.
06:35Elder Sylvan was greatly startled.
06:37Some even shedding tears of emotion.
06:39Mira looked at me over his shoulder.
06:41Satisfied.
06:42Certain.
06:42I knew then.
06:43She'd been reborn too.
06:45Now I looked at her.
06:46Draped against Prince Solian.
06:48Already victorious.
06:49She thought she'd won.
06:50She hadn't thought through what it would cost her.
06:52Phoenix court lords are of the flame-touched element.
06:55Their mates sleep in flame-touched air.
06:58Bathe in flame-touched heat.
06:59Eat flame-touched food.
07:01For a bloodline like ours.
07:03Frostborn by nature.
07:04That's not a marriage.
07:05It's a slow execution.
07:07Last time I had no choice but to pretend to like it.
07:09Every day.
07:10I smiled through the sacred ember aisles.
07:12Through the scalding baths.
07:14Through the meals that felt like swallowing coals.
07:16By the time I was pregnant, my soul core was already cracked.
07:20The children drew what was left.
07:22Mira was frostborn too.
07:24She just didn't know what she'd agreed to yet.
07:26The whole keep celebrated.
07:28Every unmated girl in the order delayed her own bonding to help prepare Mira's.
07:32The gift list ran ten feet long.
07:35Elder Sylvan nearly emptied the sanctuary's vaults.
07:37Trying to impress a man who didn't need impressing.
07:39Being the only one without a partner makes me the perfect candidate for handmaiden.
07:43Mira stepped forward.
07:44Before, you were the elder.
07:46I deferred to you.
07:47How does this feel, sister?
07:49I said nothing.
07:50She stepped forward and struck my face.
07:52That look.
07:53You'll get used to it.
07:54Elder Sylvan has already agreed.
07:56You belong to me now.
07:58I'll hit you when I want.
08:00Praise you when I want.
08:01You have no say.
08:02Start learning.
08:03A courier arrived from Prince Solian.
08:06A phoenix mantle.
08:07Light as air.
08:08Heat resistant.
08:09Enchanted for speed.
08:10Mira touched it with both hands.
08:12I knew that mantle.
08:13For flame-touched bloodlines, it was a treasure.
08:16For frostborn bloodlines, it was a punishment.
08:18I'd worn it every day of my first marriage.
08:21It had carved away at my soul core for years.
08:23Mira would find that out eventually.
08:25Then a girl came running fast.
08:27Flame-touched damage on the Sacred Grove!
08:29What an awful omen.
08:31Today of all days.
08:32I didn't wait.
08:33I ran.
08:33The Sacred Grove was burning hard when I arrived.
08:36Black smoke.
08:37Screaming from inside the tree line.
08:39The Covenant elders stood at the edge and wouldn't move.
08:41That flame-touched power belongs to a phoenix-caught lord.
08:44We interfere.
08:45We offend him.
08:45Your sister's bonding is today.
08:47Don't make trouble.
08:48They're only low-rank familatives.
08:50I looked at him for a long moment.
08:52Then I went in.
08:53The smoke blinded me fast.
08:54The heat scorched my skin.
08:56But I was frostborn.
08:58Wherever I moved, cold spread behind me.
09:00It slowed the flames enough to matter.
09:02I remembered what Marin taught me.
09:03Clear a line.
09:04Deny the fire somewhere to go.
09:06I shifted to full form and called out.
09:10Stags, wolves, elephants, and bears.
09:13Here they come.
09:14A bear used its body as a shield.
09:16The wolves and elephants worked to clear a firebreak.
09:19We were once at a disadvantage.
09:21But then...
09:22Turned the tide.
09:23Then the woods began to shake.
09:25The ground split open.
09:27The crack widening steadily.
09:29Lord Calith of the Void soared out from within.
09:31He opened his maw and exuded bitter cold all around, putting out the flames.
09:35This grove is mine.
09:37Who damaged it?
09:38Hearing the noise, the elders and Mira came running.
09:41The Covenant elders said nothing.
09:43A thousand years in this valley.
09:45And nobody had thought to check whether something older already lived here.
09:48Look at her!
09:49Ash everywhere!
09:50Burned skin!
09:51It had to be her!
09:52Every eye turned.
09:53I was standing there with my hands at my sides, charred.
09:56The same hands that had just spent an hour fighting the flames.
09:59I was certain someone would say it.
10:01Any of them.
10:01They'd all seen me go in.
10:03Elder Sylvan glanced at me, then turned to look at Lord Calith.
10:06Lord Calith of the Void.
10:07Our wayward daughter did this.
10:09She is yours to punish.
10:10We offer her freely.
10:11I stood still.
10:13Not one of them spoke for me.
10:18My husband can't spark a baby, so he married me the ultimate fertility cheat code.
10:22He made me his queen, then crushed every dragon.
10:26Worse, he brand slave across my forehead, forcing me to kneel by his bed and watch him hook up with
10:31his side chicks.
10:32And then, he straight up murdered me.
10:34This time, I refuse to become Luke's dragon queen.
10:36Instead, I choose the primal dragon.
10:39And in a single clutch, I give him 200 eggs.
10:42I wake up on the exact day he shows up to pick his bride.
10:44Luke is standing in the center of the hall.
10:46I am Luke, king of the shadow dragon kingdom.
10:48I have come to choose the strongest woman of the Emerald Clan as my queen.
10:51The second his voice reaches me, my blood turns to ice.
10:54I pull my hood down low, trying to sneak out through the shadows of the stone pillars.
10:57Sire, look at me!
10:58I've already reached Archmaster rank in healing magic.
11:01No, choose me!
11:02My dragon form rules the skies and my fertility is unpatched.
11:04I'll give you the strongest heir on the continent.
11:06They surge forward in a frenzy, each one looking ready to mate with Luke on the spot.
11:10I look at their eager faces and let out a quiet scoff.
11:13Then I turn to leave, only to freeze when my alpha father calls my name.
11:16Chloe!
11:17Where do you think you're going?
11:19Get over here right now and greet the dragon king.
11:21Under countless jealous stares, I force myself forward.
11:24I lower my head and curly.
11:25My father practically glows with pride.
11:27Your majesty, this is Chloe Greenwood.
11:29He grabs my arm and pulls me closer.
11:31She possesses the talent of Hyperfertile, a gift our clan hasn't seen in 10,000 years.
11:35If anyone can fill the royal nursery, it's her.
11:37Heat rushes to my face.
11:38I want to disappear.
11:39Then Luke starts walking towards me.
11:41Before he can say a word, I grab my sister's hand and pull her forward.
11:44Father, I'm still young.
11:45If we're discussing heirs, wouldn't Delilah be a better choice?
11:47Father's smile vanishes instantly.
11:49Delilah is the daughter of his mistress.
11:51She's never been his favorite.
11:52A marriage to the ruler of the continent is always meant to be mine.
11:55But after what happened in my previous life, I'd rather kill him than marry him again.
11:59This child is talking nonsense.
12:01Your majesty, perhaps one of my other daughters.
12:03Relief washes through me.
12:04Luke is far too proud to chase after someone who doesn't want him.
12:07And in my last life, he couldn't stand me.
12:09He'll choose someone obedient.
12:11Someone easy to control.
12:12Someone like Delilah.
12:13But Luke doesn't even glance at her.
12:14He walks straight toward me, then stops.
12:16Right in front of me.
12:17I've made my choice.
12:19Chloe Greenwood will be my one and only queen.
12:21Your majesty, I refuse.
12:22I already have a mate.
12:23We've completed our bond and in a few days he'll be here to claim me.
12:27I refuse to become your queen.
12:31Is she out of her mind?
12:32That's the dragon king she's talking to.
12:34Where are her manners?
12:35She rejected the dragon king?
12:37Does she have a death wish?
12:39Your majesty, please forgive her.
12:43She's been obsessed with magic lately.
12:45Maybe one of my other daughters would be a better choice.
12:48No.
12:49My heart skips a beat.
12:50That isn't the look of a man who's just been rejected.
12:52It looks like he's hated me for years.
12:55Wait.
12:56Could Luke have been reborn too?
12:57Could he remember everything from our previous life?
13:00No.
13:01That doesn't make sense.
13:03If he remembered our last life, I'd already be Ash.
13:08Since Chloe is waiting for her fated mate to come claim me,
13:11I suppose she won't mind if I stay a few more days.
13:17Father is furious.
13:18My secret mate bond just ruined everything he'd planned for me.
13:21He seals my wings and locks me away until Luke chooses a new queen.
13:24And somehow, things get even worse.
13:27Because Luke moves into the suite right next to mine.
13:29Luke is a complete lunatic.
13:31And he acts like he owns me.
13:33He barely leaves his room.
13:35Yet his cold obsessive gaze finds me every time I step onto the balcony.
13:39If I want him to believe I already have a mate,
13:41then I need to sell the lie completely.
13:43The next day, my garden fills with bonfires and lavish parties every night.
13:47I lounge on a white tiger-pale sofa at the center of the party,
13:51drink in hand,
13:52and a handsome man beside me.
13:54Then everything falls apart.
13:58Luke storms into my party,
14:00shifts into his dragon form,
14:01and sends the man flying with his tail.
14:07And the guests scatter in terror.
14:09I make a run for it.
14:11But Luke turns human again and grabs me,
14:13and his lips brush my neck.
14:15I struggle against him.
14:17Luke!
14:18Are you insane?
14:19What are you doing?
14:21Why does that asshole get to touch you and I don't?
14:23I swear, Chloe,
14:24I can make you feel a million times better than he ever could.
14:29Give me a shot.
14:30I've got way more moves than that little punk.
14:33You're crazy!
14:34Get off me!
14:35He starts tearing at my clothes,
14:38his hand locking around my waist like iron.
14:41Chloe!
14:42Father!
14:44Your Majesty, it's late.
14:45You should get some rest.
14:47My father's arrival is enough to make Luke back up.
14:50Father walks over and puts himself between us.
14:53Luke says nothing,
14:54just snits and leaves.
14:59I'm sorry, Chloe.
15:01I almost gave you to a monster.
15:07Father presses a golden dragon scale into my hand.
15:10Take this,
15:11and go to the Primer Abyss.
15:14An ancient dragon sleeps there.
15:16He's hundreds of times stronger than Luke.
15:18Only he can protect you.
15:21Stay with him until a new queen is chosen.
15:24I leave at once,
15:25and soon reach the Primal Abyss.
15:29Dragon statues cover the cliffs outside the cave,
15:32and red spider lilies bloom along the path.
15:34I head deeper into the cave,
15:36holding a small flame in my palm.
15:38The deeper I go,
15:39the stronger the scent of heat gets.
15:40My knees go weak,
15:42my face burning as I look deeper into the cave.
15:44The cave is huge and brightly lit.
15:46A stone bed sits in the middle,
15:47surrounded by treasure.
15:48A handsome man lies on the stone bed,
15:50groaning softly.
15:51His muscles flex and shift,
15:53golden light flickering under his skin.
15:54Are you the Primal Dragon, Sileus?
15:57Leave.
15:58Let me help with your heat.
16:00In return,
16:00I want your dragon eggs.
16:03Sivus is in heat,
16:04until his eyes land on the black spider lily
16:06on my collar stone.
16:07It's you.
16:08You know me?
16:09Before I can ask another question,
16:11his golden tail wraps around my waist
16:13and pulls me toward him.
16:15He flips me over and prinses me down.
16:17You're my mate.
16:18We come together,
16:19and the mate bond is completed.
16:21Chloe,
16:22I'll give you the grandest wedding
16:23this continent has ever seared.
16:25The next morning,
16:26a tiny dragon wakes me up.
16:28Chloe, wake up!
16:30The clan's in trouble!
16:31What?
16:31I have to go home now.
16:32But Sileus is out, Nerev.
16:34I can't wait for him to come back.
16:41I get back to the Emerald Clan.
16:43Morgan,
16:44my closest sister,
16:45is sitting on the floor in tears.
16:48Morgan will be my queen.
16:50Say no,
16:51and I'll crush this place
16:52and take all your sisters.
16:57My husband can't spark a baby,
16:59so he married me
17:00the ultimate fertility cheat code.
17:02He made me his queen,
17:02then crushed every dragon.
17:06Worse,
17:06he brands Slave across my forehead,
17:08forcing me to kneel by his bed
17:10and watch him hook up
17:11with his side chicks.
17:12And then,
17:12he straight up murdered me.
17:14This time,
17:14I refuse to become
17:15Luke's dragon queen.
17:17Instead,
17:17I choose the primal dragon.
17:19And in a single clutch,
17:20I give him 200 eggs.
17:22I wake up on the exact day
17:23he shows up to pick his bride.
17:24Luke is standing
17:25in the center of the hall.
17:26I am Luke,
17:27king of the shadow dragon kingdom.
17:28I have come to choose
17:29the strongest woman
17:30of the Emerald Clan
17:30as my queen.
17:31The second his voice reaches me,
17:32my blood turns to ice.
17:34I pull my hood down low,
17:35trying to sneak out
17:36through the shadows
17:36of the stone pillars.
17:37Sire,
17:38look at me.
17:38I've already reached
17:39Archmaster rank
17:40in healing magic.
17:41No,
17:41choose me.
17:42My dragon form rules the skies
17:43and my fertility is unpatched.
17:44I'll give you the strongest air
17:45on the continent.
17:46They surge forward
17:47in a frenzy,
17:48each one looking ready
17:49to mate with Luke on the spot.
17:50I look at their eager faces
17:51and let out a quiet scoff.
17:52Then I turn to leave,
17:53only to freeze
17:54when my alpha father
17:55calls my name.
17:55Chloe,
17:57where do you think you're going?
17:59Get over here right now
18:00and greet the dragon king.
18:01Under countless jealous stares,
18:03I force myself forward.
18:04I lower my head
18:05and curly.
18:05My father practically
18:06glows with pride.
18:07Your majesty,
18:08this is Chloe Greenwood.
18:09He grabs my arm
18:10and pulls me closer.
18:11She possesses the talent
18:12of hyper fertile,
18:13a gift our clan
18:13hasn't seen in 10,000 years.
18:15If anyone can fill
18:16the royal nursery,
18:17it's her.
18:17Heat rushes to my face.
18:18I want to disappear.
18:19Then Luke starts
18:20walking towards me.
18:21Before he can say a word,
18:22I grab my sister's hand
18:23and pull her forward.
18:24Father,
18:24I'm still young.
18:25If we're discussing heirs,
18:26wouldn't Delilah be a better choice?
18:27Father's smile vanishes instantly.
18:29Delilah is the daughter
18:30of his mistress.
18:31She's never been his favorite.
18:32A marriage to the ruler
18:33of the continent
18:33is always meant to be mine.
18:35But after what happened
18:36in my previous life,
18:37I'd rather kill him
18:38than marry him again.
18:39This child is talking nonsense.
18:41Your majesty,
18:41perhaps one of my other daughters.
18:43Relief washes through me.
18:44Luke is far too proud
18:45to chase after someone
18:46who doesn't want him.
18:47And in my last life,
18:48he couldn't stand me.
18:49He'll choose someone obedient,
18:50someone easy to control,
18:52someone like Delilah.
18:53But Luke doesn't even glance at her.
18:54He walks straight toward me,
18:56then stops,
18:56right in front of me.
18:57I've made my choice.
18:59Chloe Greenworld
18:59will be my one and only queen.
19:01Your majesty, I refuse.
19:02I already have a mate.
19:03We've completed our bond
19:04and in a few days
19:05he'll be here to claim me.
19:07I refuse to become your queen.
19:10Is she out of her mind?
19:12That's the dragon king
19:13she's talking to.
19:14Where are her manners?
19:15She rejected the dragon king?
19:16Does she have a death wish?
19:19Your majesty,
19:21please forgive her.
19:23She's been obsessed
19:24with magic lately.
19:25Maybe one of my other daughters
19:26would be a better choice.
19:27No.
19:29My heart skips a beat.
19:30That isn't the look of a man
19:31who's just been rejected.
19:32It looks like he's hated me for years.
19:35Wait.
19:35Could Luke have been reborn too?
19:37Could he remember everything
19:39from our previous life?
19:40No.
19:41That doesn't make sense.
19:43If he remembered our last life,
19:44I'd already be Ash.
19:48Since Chloe is waiting
19:49for her fated mate
19:50to come claim me,
19:51I suppose she won't mind
19:53if I stay a few more days.
19:57Father is furious.
19:58My secret mate bond
19:59just ruined everything
20:00he'd planned for me.
20:01He seals my wings
20:01and locks me away
20:02until Luke chooses a new queen.
20:04And somehow,
20:05things get even worse.
20:06Because Luke moves
20:07into the suite
20:08right next to mine.
20:09Luke is a complete lunatic.
20:11And he acts like he owns me.
20:13He barely leaves his room.
20:15Yet his cold,
20:16obsessive gaze
20:16finds me every time
20:17I step onto the balcony.
20:19If I want him to believe
20:20I already have a mate,
20:21then I need to sell
20:22the lie completely.
20:23The next day,
20:24my garden fills with bonfires
20:26and lavish parties
20:26every night.
20:27I lounge on a white
20:28tiger-pale sofa
20:29at the center of the party,
20:31drink in hand,
20:32and a handsome man beside me.
20:34Then everything falls apart.
20:38Luke storms into my party,
20:40shifts into his dragon form,
20:41and sends the man
20:42flying with his tail.
20:47And the guests scatter in terror.
20:49I make a run for it.
20:51But Luke turns human again
20:52and grabs me.
20:53And his lips brush my neck.
20:55I struggle against him.
20:57Luke!
20:58Are you insane?
20:59What are you doing?
21:01Why does that asshole
21:02get to touch you
21:03and I don't?
21:03I swear, Chloe,
21:04I can make you feel
21:05a million times better
21:06than he ever could.
21:09Give me a shot.
21:10I've got way more moves
21:12than that little punk.
21:13You're crazy!
21:14Get off me!
21:15He starts tearing at my clothes,
21:18his hand locking around
21:19my waist like iron.
21:20Chloe!
21:22Father!
21:23Your majesty,
21:25it's late.
21:25You should get some rest.
21:27My father's arrival
21:28is enough to make Luke back up.
21:30Father walks over
21:31and puts himself between us.
21:33Luke says nothing,
21:34just snits
21:35and leaves.
21:39I'm sorry, Chloe.
21:41I almost gave you
21:42to a monster.
21:47Father presses
21:48a golden dragon scale
21:49into my hand.
21:50Take this
21:51and go to the primer abyss.
21:54An ancient dragon
21:55sleeps there.
21:56He's hundreds of times
21:57stronger than Luke.
21:58Only he can protect you.
22:00Stay with him
22:01until a new queen
22:02is chosen.
22:03I leave at once
22:05and soon reach
22:05the primal abyss.
22:09Dragon statues
22:10cover the cliffs
22:11outside the cave
22:12and red spider lilings
22:13bloom along the path.
22:14I head deeper
22:15into the cave,
22:16holding a small flame
22:17in my palm.
22:18The deeper I go,
22:19the stronger
22:19the scent of heat gets.
22:20My knees go weak,
22:22my face burning
22:22as I look deeper
22:23into the cave.
22:24The cave is huge
22:25and brightly lit.
22:26A stone bed
22:26sits in the middle,
22:27surrounded by trash.
22:28On the day of our bonding rite,
22:30my fiancé paraded
22:31his pregnant mistress
22:31before everyone
22:32just to humiliate me,
22:34ordering me to raise
22:35their child.
22:35He thought I had no choice
22:37but to obey him,
22:38but I decided to just
22:39swap him for someone else.
22:40I am the divine maiden
22:41of the deer clan.
22:42When I was born,
22:43the high priest had prophesied
22:44that I possess
22:44the noblest bloodline
22:45and status.
22:46Whoever I bond with,
22:47I'll always be the most
22:48revered female in the tribe,
22:49entitled to everyone's worship.
22:51Naturally,
22:51my mate should be
22:52the most noble male.
22:53Yet,
22:54my fiancé Sorin,
22:55the third prince
22:56of the fox clan
22:56walked up to me,
22:57hand-in-hand
22:58with a delicate-looking woman.
23:00She wore the engagement necklace
23:01that Sorin had once
23:02swore would be mine.
23:03He had vowed to place it
23:04on me with his own hands
23:06during our bonding rage.
23:07Lynette and I
23:08have already mated.
23:09She'd be my only mate
23:10if mother didn't
23:11force me to bond with you.
23:12Don't you ever dream
23:14that I'll love you!
23:15I just gave Lynette
23:16a light glance,
23:17but she acted like
23:18I'd hurt her,
23:19shrinking behind Sorin
23:20in terror.
23:21Sorin turned to her tenderly
23:22and gently touched
23:23her stomach.
23:25She's carrying my child.
23:26Once my cub is born,
23:28Elwyn will raise him
23:28as her own.
23:34Watching Lynette
23:34put on that pitiful act,
23:36I almost thought
23:36I'd actually done
23:37something wrong to her.
23:39I'll continue the rate
23:40if you promise
23:41to treat Lynette well
23:42and serve her
23:42as your mistress.
23:44You'll wait on her hand
23:45and foot while she's carrying,
23:47tend to her recovery
23:47afterwards,
23:48and then raise the child
23:49on your own.
23:50I won't have Lynette
23:50exhausted by any of this.
23:52Oh,
23:53and since you're this
23:54divine maiden
23:54of the Deer Clan,
23:55you can personally
23:56toot our child.
23:57Make sure the child
23:57turns out well
23:58and make sure they
23:58treat Lynette right
23:59when they grow up.
24:01Elwyn is so kind.
24:02I'm sure she won't
24:03give me a hard time.
24:04Sorin and I hadn't
24:05fully completed
24:05the bonding rilt yet,
24:06so I still had the chance
24:07to call it off.
24:08I am no one's servant
24:09and I'll never take care
24:11of the child you have
24:11with her.
24:12In that case,
24:14let's call off the bond.
24:15Whoever wants to be
24:16my mate today,
24:17step forward.
24:18I'll complete the rile
24:19with you right now.
24:24A flicker of hesitant
24:25and crossed everyone's face.
24:27After all,
24:27my noble lineage
24:28was an irresistible prize.
24:30I thought someone
24:30would step up,
24:31but Sorin just let out
24:33a cold scoff.
24:34Alera,
24:35stop embarrassing yourself.
24:36My mother arranged our bond
24:37and our names are already
24:39carved together
24:39on the bonding stone.
24:40Even if I don't want you,
24:42you can't have anyone else.
24:43Anyone who tries
24:44will be going against
24:45the Fox King.
24:45It would be seen as treason!
24:49Soon as the word treason
24:50was mentioned,
24:51the crowd way silent.
24:52Sensing their fear,
24:53Sorin wore a smug,
24:55triumphant look,
24:56staring down at me
24:56with utter arrogance.
24:57This was why
24:58he was so fearless.
24:59Even if he let me go,
25:01no one would dare
25:02to take me in.
25:02Elvin, look around.
25:05If you don't bond with me,
25:06you die.
25:07What's it gonna be?
25:08For a moment,
25:09I felt hopeless.
25:10Everyone wanted my status
25:11and my blood,
25:12but no one would
25:13actually help me.
25:16Just then,
25:17someone approached.
25:19The Queen of the Tribe,
25:20Nora.
25:26You filthy slave!
25:27How dare you seduce
25:28your master
25:29and disrupt the right!
25:30Guards!
25:30Branquist!
25:31Take this slave out
25:32and execute her at once!
25:33She's mine.
25:34Touch her,
25:35and you're dead.
25:38My dear,
25:38I know I failed
25:39to raise him well.
25:40I'm sorry
25:41you were treated like this.
25:43But today is the big day
25:44and all the nobles
25:45are watching.
25:46Can you just play along
25:47for now
25:47and finish the reed?
25:49Trust me,
25:49I'll back you up later.
25:50I won't let that slave
25:51climb over you.
25:54You want me to be his partner
25:55only because of my bloodline?
25:57Our bond has not even
25:58been sealed yet
25:58and Prince Sodan
25:59is already allowing a slave
26:00to flaunt herself before me.
26:02And now there is even
26:03a disgraceful child.
26:05I'll never consent
26:06to be the mate
26:07of such a man.
26:08You belong to the Crown!
26:09If you don't finish this,
26:10I promise your family
26:11will pay for it.
26:14Is this really my only fate?
26:16Finally,
26:17the silence broke.
26:18Does your offer
26:18still stand,
26:19Lady Elwyn?
26:20Everyone turned their heads
26:21and went silent
26:22as they saw someone
26:23slowly approaching the altar.
26:24No,
26:25wait.
26:26It was someone
26:27being pushed in a wheelchair.
26:28It was Avalian,
26:30the Fox King's eldest son
26:32and the rightful Crown Prince.
26:33They said he had
26:34a strange illness
26:35in his childhood.
26:36Whenever it flared up,
26:37he would lose his mind
26:38and become violently restless.
26:40A cruel complication
26:41of his condition
26:42left him frail and paralyzed,
26:44unable to stand on his own.
26:45Only by finding
26:46your fated mate
26:47and bonding with her
26:47can you be soothed
26:48and your strange
26:50affliction healed.
26:51But if you forge a bond
26:52with someone incompatible,
26:54your body will violently
26:55burst apart
26:56and your partner
26:57will die right alongside you.
26:58Aririan wasn't Nora's son.
27:02His mother was the previous mate
27:04of the Fox King
27:05and she died
27:06to protect the king.
27:10He alone is destined
27:11to take the throne
27:12of the Fox King.
27:14Your Highness,
27:15this isn't a joke!
27:16You can't just bond
27:17with anyone!
27:18You'll be dead!
27:20Lady Elwyn?
27:21Does your offer still stand?
27:22I looked into his blue eyes.
27:24They were as clear as water.
27:26Don't be a fool.
27:27If you bond with him,
27:28the ceremony will turn
27:28into your funeral.
27:29Don't gamble your life away.
27:30You don't have to do this.
27:31Do you know what will happen
27:32if you don't bond with Sorin?
27:34Sorin reached out his hand
27:35like he was offering a collar.
27:37This is your last chance.
27:38Just give in.
27:40Everyone fell silent.
27:41They were all waiting
27:42for my answer.
27:43Eland!
27:44You'd better think this through!
27:45I heard my own footsteps,
27:47leaving those greedy gazes
27:48behind me.
27:49The chains binding me
27:50felt broken.
27:51I'd rather die
27:52than be a slave.
27:53Does your offer still hold?
27:55Yes.
27:55Everyone looked at each other
27:56and started whispering.
27:57I want to bond with her.
27:59Nora froze.
28:00Her face dark.
28:01But since Avarian was the crown prince,
28:03there was nothing she could do.
28:05Elowen,
28:05are you done playing this game?
28:07Apologize now,
28:08and Lynette and I might forgive you.
28:09You may even keep your place
28:11by my side.
28:12Elowen,
28:13don't throw your life away
28:14just because of me.
28:15Everyone watched us
28:16without blinking.
28:16Aurelian cut his palm,
28:18and I did the same.
28:19We held hands,
28:20our blood mingling,
28:21a golden light lit up the altar.
28:23But then,
28:24terrifying black veins
28:25crawled up Aurelian's face.
28:27On the day of our bonding rite,
28:28my fiancé paraded
28:29his pregnant mistress
28:30before everyone
28:31just to humiliate me,
28:32ordering me to raise their child.
28:34He thought I had no choice
28:35but to obey him,
28:36but I decided to just swap him
28:38for someone else.
28:38I am the divine maiden
28:39of the deer clan.
28:40When I was born,
28:41the high priest had prophesied
28:42that I possess
28:43the noblest bloodline and status.
28:44Whoever I bond with,
28:45I'll always be the most
28:46revered female in the tribe,
28:48entitled to everyone's worship.
28:49Naturally,
28:50my mate should be
28:50the most noble male.
28:52Yet,
28:52my fiancé Sorin,
28:53the third prince of the fox clan
28:55walked up to me,
28:56hand in hand
28:56with a delicate looking woman.
28:58She wore the engagement necklace
28:59that Sorin had once swore
29:01would be mine.
29:02He had vowed to place it on me
29:03with his own hands
29:04during our bonding rage.
29:06Lynette and I
29:07have already mated.
29:08She'd be my only mate
29:09if mother didn't
29:10force me to bond with you.
29:11Don't you ever dream
29:12that I'll love you.
29:14I just gave Lynette
29:15a light glance,
29:16but she acted like
29:17I'd hurt her,
29:18shrinking behind Sorin in terror.
29:19Sorin turned to her tenderly
29:21and gently touched her stomach.
29:23She's carrying my child.
29:25Once my cub is born,
29:26Elwyn will raise him as her own.
29:32Watching Lynette put on
29:33that pitiful act,
29:34I almost thought
29:35I'd actually done
29:36something wrong to her.
29:37I'll continue the raid
29:38if you promise
29:39to treat Lynette well
29:40and serve her
29:41as your mistress.
29:43You'll wait on her hand
29:44and foot while she's carrying,
29:45tend to her recovery afterwards,
29:47and then raise the child
29:47on your own.
29:48I won't have Lynette
29:49exhausted by any of this.
29:51Oh, and since you're
29:52this divine maiden
29:53of the deer clan,
29:54you can personally
29:54toot our child.
29:55Make sure the child
29:56turns out well
29:56and make sure they treat
29:57Lynette right
29:58when they grow up.
29:59Elevin is so kind.
30:00I'm sure she won't
30:01give me a hard time.
30:02Sorin and I
30:03hadn't fully completed
30:04the bonding rilt yet,
30:05so I still had the chance
30:06to call it off.
30:06I am no one's servant
30:08and I'll never take care
30:09of the child you have
30:10with her.
30:10In that case,
30:12let's call off the bond.
30:14Whoever wants to be
30:14my mate today,
30:15step forward.
30:16I'll complete the rile
30:17with you right now.
30:22A flicker of hesitant
30:23and crossed everyone's face.
30:25After all,
30:26my noble lineage
30:27was an irresistible prize.
30:28I thought someone
30:29would step up,
30:30but Sorin just Sorin
30:31just let out a cold scoff.
30:33Alera,
30:33stop embarrassing yourself.
30:35My mother arranged our bond
30:36and our names are already
30:37carved together
30:38on the bonding stone.
30:39Even if I don't want you,
30:40you can't have anyone else.
30:42Anyone who tries
30:42will be going against
30:43the Fox King.
30:44It would be seen as treason!
30:47Soon as the word treason
30:48was mentioned,
30:49the crowd lay silent.
30:51Sensing their fear,
30:52Sorin wore a smug,
30:53triumphant look,
30:54staring down at me
30:55with utter arrogance.
30:56This was why
30:56he was so fearless.
30:58Even if he let me go,
30:59no one would dare
31:00to take me in.
31:01Elvin, look around.
31:03If you don't bond with me,
31:05you die.
31:05What's it gonna be?
31:06For a moment,
31:07I felt hopeless.
31:08Everyone wanted my status
31:09and my blood,
31:10but no one would
31:11actually help me.
31:14Just then,
31:15someone approached.
31:17The Queen of the Tribe,
31:19Nora.
31:24You filthy slave!
31:26How dare you seduce
31:27your master
31:27and disrupt the right!
31:28Guards!
31:29Branquist!
31:29Take this slave out
31:30and execute her at once!
31:32She's mine.
31:33Touch her,
31:33and you're dead.
31:36My dear,
31:37I know I failed
31:38to raise him well.
31:39I'm sorry you were
31:40treated like this.
31:42But today is the big day
31:43and all the nobles
31:44are watching.
31:44Can you just play along
31:45for now and finish the reed?
31:47Trust me,
31:48I'll back you up later.
31:49I won't let that slave
31:50climb over you.
31:52You want me to be his partner
31:54only because of my bloodline?
31:55Our bond has not even
31:56been sealed yet
31:57and Prince Sodom
31:58is already allowing a slave
31:59to flaunt herself before me.
32:00And now there is even
32:02a disgraceful child.
32:03I'll never consent
32:04to be the mate
32:05of such a man.
32:06You belong to the crown.
32:08If you don't finish this,
32:09I promise your family
32:10will pay for it.
32:12Is this really
32:13my only fate?
32:14Finally,
32:15the silence broke.
32:16Does your offer
32:17still stand,
32:18Lady Elwynn?
32:18Everyone turned their heads
32:19and went silent
32:20as they saw someone
32:21slowly approaching
32:22the altar.
32:23No,
32:24wait.
32:25It was someone
32:26being pushed
32:26in a wheelchair.
32:27It was Avalian,
32:28the Fox King's
32:30eldest son
32:30and the rightful
32:31crown prince.
32:32They said he had
32:33a strange illness
32:33in his childhood.
32:34Whenever it flared up,
32:36he would lose his mind
32:37and become violently
32:38restless.
32:38A cruel complication
32:40of his condition
32:40left him frail
32:41and paralyzed,
32:42unable to stand
32:43on his own.
32:43Only by finding
32:44your fated mate
32:45and bonding with her
32:46can you be soothed
32:47and your strange
32:48affliction healed.
32:49But if you forge
32:50a bond with someone
32:51incompatible,
32:52your body will
32:53violently burst apart
32:54and your partner
32:55will die right
32:56alongside you.
32:57Aririan wasn't
32:58Nora's son.
33:01His mother was
33:02the previous mate
33:02of the Fox King
33:03and she died
33:04to protect the king.
33:08He alone is destined
33:10to take the throne
33:11of the Fox King.
33:12Your highness,
33:13this isn't a joke.
33:14You can't just bond
33:15with anyone.
33:16You'll be dead.
33:18Lady Elwyn,
33:19does your offer
33:20still stand?
33:21I looked into
33:21his blue eyes.
33:23They were as clear
33:24as water.
33:24Don't be a fool.
33:25If you bond with him
33:26the ceremony
33:26will turn into
33:27your funeral.
33:28Don't gamble
33:28your life away.
33:29You don't have
33:29to do this.
33:30Do you know
33:30what will happen
33:31if you don't
33:31bond with Sorin?
33:32Sorin reached out
33:33his hand
33:34like he was
33:35offering a collar.
33:36This is your
33:36last chance.
33:37Just give in.
33:38Everyone fell silent.
33:39They were all
33:40waiting for my answer.
33:42Eland,
33:42you'd better
33:43think this through.
33:44I heard my own
33:45footsteps,
33:45leaving those
33:46greedy gazes
33:47behind me.
33:48The chains
33:48binding me
33:49felt broken.
33:50I'd rather die
33:50than be a slave.
33:52Does your offer
33:52still hold?
33:53Yes.
33:54Everyone looked at
33:54each other and
33:55started whispering.
33:56I want to bond
33:56with her.
33:57Nora froze.
33:58Her face dark.
33:59But since Avarian
34:00was the crown prince
34:01there was nothing
34:02she could do.
34:03Elowen,
34:04are you done
34:04playing this game?
34:06Apologize now
34:06and Lynette and I
34:07might forgive you.
34:08You may even
34:08keep your place
34:09by my side.
34:10Elowen,
34:11don't throw your
34:12life away just
34:12because of me.
34:13Everyone watched
34:14us without blinking.
34:15Aurelian cut his palm
34:16and I did the same.
34:18We held hands,
34:19our blood mingling,
34:20a golden light
34:21lit up the altar.
34:21But then,
34:22terrifying black veins
34:24crawled up Aurelian's face.