Chapter 663
I woke before dawn, the memory of last night still burning against my chest—his presence, his claim, the way he’d found me even when I tried to disappear. I’d never felt so seen. So owned. It was unnervingly right.
But we both knew this was just the beginning.
My first conscious thought was of the dragons. Their voices still echoed through my mind. Mother. Sleepers. Guardians. What did that mean for me—and for him? For all of Westeroz?
I dressed quickly, pulling my hair into a loose braid and slipping into a simple tunic and leggings—the only outfit that felt right when I couldn’t settle. I didn’t want sweetdom; I wanted action. Duty. Purpose. And he’d reminded me that meant facing the unknown together.
Silently, I left the room. The castle corridors wound in shadows and torchlight, quiet except for the distant hum of servants preparing for the day. I paused at the tapestry of a silver dragon climbing a mountain, its tail wrapping around a crown. Always the dragon. Always the power I hadn’t fully claimed.
And then I heard feet behind me—firm, determined. Not his, but close. I glanced into a mirror in the hallway: my eyes had that same hardness, that same edge he fostered.
I rounded the corner into the war room. The heavy wooden door swung open as I slipped inside. My council was gathered—captains, strategists, scholars. Not for politics today, but for war planning. For protection.
They looked up at my entrance. Surprise flickered across their faces.
“Aria,” Captain Merrin said, bowing his head. He was young, determined, loyal—one of the few here who believed in me from the start. “We were just discussing patrols beyond the eastern ridge.”
I nodded. “I want a more active presence, not just patrols. I want scouts crossing the ridge tonight. I want the eastern valley mapped—the entire area, really. If the dragons are stirring, I want to know how far.”
They exchanged glances. Knight guards hardened their faces.
“For the dragons’ sake,” I said, “and ours.”
Merrin didn’t wait. “At once, Your Grace.”
As the men filed out, I slumped into the nearest chair, mind spinning. Strategy felt manageable. Power felt real. But I still didn’t know how to *be* this: mother to dragons, queen of Westeroz, bonded to its strongest Alpha.
I needed him. Not love. Not comfort. Strength.
The door opened again. I didn’t look up.
“Ready?” he said, leaning against the frame. His voice low, steady. Even at his most relaxed, he commanded the room.
I scrunched my face—no bows, no obeisance here. “Two things. One, your scouts go with mine. You know the ridge better than anyone.”
He pushed off the door and strode forward—silent, sure. “Fine.”
“Two,” I said. I rose, meeting his gaze head-on. “I want you with me, tonight. When the scouts cross, I’m going too.”
He stopped short, expression unreadable.
“That is dangerous,” he said quietly. “I can’t let you be in between me and those dragons.”
“And you’ll be the one to shield me,” I replied. “Not the other way around.”
He stared. Neither of us blinking. Not until I heard someone clear their throat in the doorway.
We broke apart. He nodded once, curtsey of acknowledgment.
“So it’s decided.”
\---
When night fell again, I felt the crack in the air. Something stirring. A promise—fiery and ancient. I stood at the head of our ragtag army of scouts and guards just beyond the ridge, darkness swallowing the valley like a secret. He was beside me, silent, protective. Our bond briefed and made stronger yesterday, like a steel thread neither storm nor fire could snap.
Before we set out, he stepped close.
“As your mate and your warrior, I swear I will not let you face this without me.”
There was no sentimentality. Just iron. Assurance. I pressed my side against his, heart speeding in time with his if he had one. "Then let's move."
Under his leadership, our group formed light lines of torches and footsteps. I stayed on the edge—enough back to remain useful, not just vulnerable—but always close enough to feel him. He moved like a shadow. Scanning. Silent. Focused. His presence made me feel like we were two halves of a whole—predator and protector.
We descended into the eastern valley. The first few hours were quiet. Our torches lit up tufts of grass and shrubs. The moon was higher now, uncannily bright—too bright for a dragon's lay. Unnatural.
Then came the growls. Deep. Unmistakable.
My spine stiffened.
He lifted a hand. We froze. Breath was loud in the stillness.
“Focus,” he whispered.
The growls moved toward us, and I could feel vibrational shifts in the air.
He nodded. “Stay behind me. Draw your swords but don’t brandish them yet.”
My heart pounded, adrenaline surging as our torchlight swung. Figures emerged: four—each massive, each coiled around stone boulders like guardians standing sentinel. Dragon shapes. Silver scales glittered under the moon; eyes like live embers burned—or were they test-pits?
One figure reared, its head tilted, nostrils flaring. More growls—deep and resonant.
He moved forward—away from me—until he stood face to face with the first dragon. I gripped the hilt of my dagger, breath caught in my throat. This moment—on the cusp of violence and truth—we teetered.
The dragon growled, then lowered its head until its snout nearly touched his boot. A shudder in the air. His hand slid to his sword, not drawn, but ready—control maintained.
It exhaled a smoky breath. He didn’t speak. Just watched the creature. Which then, slowly, uncoiled, its tail gently sweeping the rock, its amber eyes landing on me.
My heart hammered. The only coherent thought: *They know me.*
The largest dragon—its scales rippling in blue highlights—stepped toward me, warily, gently. I felt a lock inside my chest pop open. Power. Recognition. Love? Fear?
He stepped forward too—silent, exact. It didn’t shift. Didn’t breathe fire.
“You’re—” I started, but I’d already been cut off.
“You’re the Mothers Queen,” his voice was a rough growl. “And they swear to you.”
He spoke with confident roar—Alpha shifting from caretaker to leader.
The dragon spread its wings, and I felt the wind in my very bones, power humming in veins. Magic. Bloodline. Destiny.
My eyes locked on his in pure intensity—*between mate and queen—stand with me*. And I did. I stepped forward, until I stood parallel to him—shoulder to shoulder.
And I spoke:
“I am theirs.”
The dragon stilled. The growls quieted into a low hum of acknowledgement.
And the night... held its breath.
\---
We returned to the castle in silence. He walked at my side. More than just mate or scout—*partner*. The bond that had been half-hinted at became fully real.
No words were needed. The world had changed around us. Dragons recognized me. I had stake in magic deeper than I’d understood. And with him by my side, unflinching and resolute, I finally understood: I could claim all of it without losing myself.
Back in the keep, the war room glowed with torchlight. I helped reposition maps and markers for the eastern valley—this time with knowledge and purpose. He stood behind me while I spoke to the captains. When I touched his hand, he gave me a small nod. It wasn’t soft. It was *strong*. Support. Confidence.
I met his gaze across the room—bold, grounded. I smiled.
It felt natural.
\---
Later that night, alone in my chamber, I stared at my reflection. Eyes steady. Heart strong. Braided hair falling over one shoulder. No more pretending. No more hesitation.
Thump at the door. He entered, silent, and came to stand across from me. No words, just presence.
I beckoned him close. He obeyed.
He kissed my forehead—not sweet, but possessive: mine.
I nodded. “Thank you—for standing with me.”
He brushed his lips to mine—not in romance, but in promise and claim.
“Tomorrow,” he said, “we’ll return to the valley at dawn. And after that, there will be no more hiding. We forge a future—our way.”
I nodded again, determination building like wildfire in my chest.
“We do.”
He left without ceremony. But as the door closed, I felt it—solid, unmistakable closure. We were moving together now.
And for the first time, I believed I could rule the dragons, rule Westeroz—and hold his claim over me without losing details of who I’d always been.
The dragons had recognized me.
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