Chapter 4 THE DRAGON'S TOUCH

Evelynn stood at the edge of the vast balcony, staring out into the wild expanse of the Dragon Kingdom. The mountains stretched out like a fortress, jagged and imposing. Beneath the darkened sky, the world seemed alive with ancient magic, as if the land itself could hear the whispers of the dragons and their cursed king. The night air was thick with the scent of pine and the distant sound of roaring winds.

But inside her, it was silent-silent except for the storm of thoughts swirling around her mind.

How could this have become my life?

She had heard the rumors about Darius-the ruthless, dangerous Dragon Lord who ruled these lands. He was a king bound by fate, his life a curse that held him as tightly as her duty to her people.

Tonight was the night. The night she would walk into the banquet hall, where the fate of her people and her life would be sealed. Her heartbeat thudded in her chest, each pulse a reminder of the choice she had made. The choice to sacrifice her freedom for her kingdom.

But the more she thought about the man she was about to meet, the more her resolve began to crumble. She had not expected this-this magnetic pull, this heat between them. Darius was a man who wore his curses on his skin. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous fire that beckoned her to get closer. Every time his fingers brushed against her skin, she felt it-something raw and untamed.

A knock at the door shattered her thoughts. Her maid entered, holding the delicate gown Evelynn was supposed to wear for the evening.

"Your Majesty," the maid said with a bow. "The king awaits you. The banquet begins soon."

Evelynn's chest tightened. The king awaited her. The Dragon Lord. Her future. Her duty.

The banquet hall was a sprawling affair, ornate and grand. Long tables were set with silver, crystal, and food that would make even the hungriest of men gasp in delight. Candles flickered from chandeliers overhead, casting a warm golden glow that danced across the stone walls. But amidst the opulence, it felt colder than anything she had ever experienced.

As Evelynn entered the hall, the room fell silent. Every head turned toward her.

At the far end of the hall, standing like a god among mortals, was Darius. His tall, commanding figure loomed, as if the very space around him bent to his will. His eyes, those haunting crimson orbs, locked onto hers the moment she stepped into the room. A breath caught in her throat.

He was even more terrifying than she had imagined-and yet, beneath the chill of his presence, there was something else. Something that made her heart pound.

"Princess Evelynn," Darius said, his deep voice carrying across the room. It was a sound that sent shivers down her spine, reverberating in her bones. "Join me."

His words were not an invitation-they were an order.

With no choice but to comply, Evelynn made her way across the room, the gazes of the council and high lords following her every step. Her nerves threatened to overwhelm her, but she steadied herself. She would not show weakness-not here, not now.

When she reached his side, Darius did not move. He simply stared at her, a slight smirk on his lips as though he were watching her struggle with something.

Her breath caught in her throat as he placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the chair beside his. The touch was light, but it burned. His fingers were like flames against her skin.

She fought the shudder that wanted to run through her body. He's nothing but trouble. Don't forget why you're here.

As they sat, the murmur of the guests around them grew louder, their whispers like a swarm of bees buzzing in her ears. She could feel their judgment, their curiosity. But most of all, she could feel Darius's gaze, heavy on her like a weight that threatened to pull her under.

The banquet continued around them, but it felt like nothing more than background noise. She could barely focus on anything except the proximity of the Dragon Lord beside her. Every time his leg brushed against hers, it was like a spark in the dark. Every glance he cast in her direction was laden with unspoken meaning.

The food was exquisite, but Evelynn barely tasted it. Darius's presence was intoxicating, and she was caught in the web of his power. The world outside seemed so far away, and she was trapped in this lavish prison-staring into the eyes of the very beast who could destroy her.

She glanced at him, catching the edge of his smirk. He knew what effect he had on her. He knew how much she wanted to pull away from him, but how impossible it was. And something about the way he looked at her-almost tender, almost possessive-made her pulse quicken.

Evelynn leaned back slightly in her chair, trying to control the rapid beating of her heart. Don't show weakness. She reminded herself again, trying to push down the sensations that racked her body whenever Darius's gaze lingered on her.

But he wasn't the only one watching her.

One of the high lords-a tall, dark-haired man-watched her with an intensity that made her stomach churn. She quickly averted her gaze, but the feeling lingered. The thought of Darius's hand on her wrist earlier, the burn of his touch, made her wonder if that dark look was more than just an attempt at intimidation.

A voice interrupted her thoughts.

"The union of our lands will bring prosperity and strength," an elder lord announced, lifting his goblet. "A future bound by fire and loyalty. To Princess Evelynn and King Darius!"

The room erupted into a chorus of cheers, goblets clashing, wine spilling. But Evelynn barely heard any of it. Her mind was drowning in the storm of her fate, in the fire that burned between her and the dragon king beside her.

Darius leaned in, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "You are mine now, Evelynn. And I do not let go of what is mine."

Her breath hitched. The words should have sent terror through her, but instead, they sent something else. Something far more dangerous.

She wasn't sure if she could escape it.

To be continued...