Chapter 4 THE DRAGON KING

The mark on her wrist kept pulsing like it was alive and would jump out of her skin any moment.

Another roar tore through the skies, followed by the loud ringing of the town bells. The wind picked up its intensity, making taking any steps extremely difficult.

She slowly pulled herself up to her feet, clutched her basket closer and headed back the way she came.

The village was once more thrown into chaos. Parents were shouting for their children, husbands, wives, sisters, and brothers.

Haven couldn't make sense of just what had happened in seconds When had the bright blue skies suddenly changed to dark grey?

But it wasn't just dark grey; there were streaks of molten slicing through the clouds. It was almost like the heavens unleashed a tornado of lightning. The village bells kept tolling, warning the villagers of the danger on the horizon, making them aware of the dragon king summon.

“The emissaries are on their way,we must be at the town square before they get there," a man said to his wife as they rushed past Haven with their two kids.

Back at home, Meira stared anxiously at the window waiting for any sight of Haven. She wouldn't have let her leave the house if she would have known things would take such a drastic turn. The village bell rang continuously calling all villagers to the square, but she couldn't move a muscle if she hadn't seen Haven. The door opened and Lyra stepped in.

“Did you see her?" Meira asked,heart racing in her chest.

Lyra shook her head and pulled down the hood of her coat.” No, I searched for her everywhere I could think of but I couldn't find her.”Mira heaved a sigh and buried her face in her palms Haven wasn't one to just go missen where could she be?

“Get my coat." But before Lyra could take a step the door burst open and Haven stepped in wet and shivering. Alarmed, Mira ran to her.” Lyra, fetch me a towel, quickly.”

Lyra bolted up the stairs without any hesitation. As soon as she had left Mira turned to Haven. " Christ, Haven! What happened to you?”

“I got caught up in the rain." She sneezed.

Lyra returned with the towel and instantly began drying her sister up." For someone who is twenty one, you behave really childish.”

Haven rolled her eyes, and snatched the towel from Lyra." What did you expect me to do huh? How was I supposed to know that it'll rain.”

" Okay enough,”Mira said, interrupting their banter." We're to leave for the square immediately, so you girls go change."

Mira waited until the girls had gone upstairs before opening the last drawer of the kitchen cabinet. She fished out a small purple bag, dipped her hand into it and retrieved a sapphire pendant.

As she stared at the pendant, her sister's words echoed in her mind. “Keep this. Give it to her when they come for her."

She didn't understand what Elyssa meant by that, until she saw the baby at her doorstep seven months later. It was then she understood everything her sister had been telling her.

Everything about dragons and bonded mates and prophecies.

Things would have been so much easier if her sister hadn't just disappeared into thin air. She brought Haven to Mira's doorstep and vanished.

The sound of footsteps on the stairs drew her attention to the staircase. Both girls had gotten dressed and worn their coats and mittens. She moved over to Haven and held her hand.

“Wear this," she said, dropping the pendant in her palms. “Never take it off. No matter what happens."

Haven was confused, but the look on Mira's face had her wearing the necklace without any questions.

Mira grabbed her coat, put it on and nodded at the girls. “Let's get going. The emissaries must not arrive before we do.”

Without any further ado, the three women stepped out of the warm comfort of their home and stepped out into the cold.

The grey skies had been replaced with molten red clouds, the winds were fierce and merciless, almost like the gods were punishing the village for a crime they committed.

Haven pulled the hood of her coat further down, almost covering her face. For some reason, the mark on her wrist kept itching and pulsing. She raised her hand and pulled the sleeve of her coat down.

The mark was…glowing?

After some minutes, they got to the village square. Villagers had already gathered at the square, whispering and staring at the sky for any signs of the emissaries.

Mira and her girls quietly settled in place amongst the chattering villagers.

“I heard the king himself would be coming to the summon. He's going to choose a bride himself,” a woman said, adjusting the wrapper around her baby.

Lyra turned to her sister with a smile so wide, you'd think the dragon king had already chosen her as a bride. “Do you hear that, Haven? It's confirmed. The King would be here himself!"

Haven laughed even as the nervous feeling kept building in her stomach. “You really are delusional, Lyra. The dragon king is here for his bride, and not for you. Besides, I won't be so excited to get picked by him anyway.”

Before anyone could think of responding, a gust of wind blew through the air. Everyone pulled their coats tighter and held their breath in anticipation.

The flapping of wings could be heard in the distance, followed by a loud roar that shook the villagers to their core.

They were here!

The wyverns came flying towards the villagers, their scales glistening under the village lanterns. From the largest wyvern, a figure stepped down clad in gold and armor. His hair was wet from the drizzle and his golden eyes shone like they could see in the deepest darkness.

He unrolled the scroll in his hands and began to read, “ The king of Drakorath, and the monarch of the Elarian content will be present at the summoning today."

The wyverns answered his announcement with roars that shook the entire village.

Haven felt the mark on her wrist burn, then she heard it. Amidst the roars of the wyverns, like thunder multiplied a thousandfold came another roar. This one however was more terrifying than the rest.

A white mist filled the sky, hindering the villagers' visions. No one spoke. They couldn't dare to. Families held each other close and wished the king didn't set eyes on them.

Mira held Haven's hand and pulled her close.

Haven could hear her heart drumming in her ears. Her palms were sweaty even in cold weather and the mark kept pulsing nonstop. For some reason, she had this bad feeling that something was going to go wrong tonight.

She just couldn't say what exactly.

As the mist cleared, the villagers' eyes focused on the raised platform at the middle of the square.

Haven stared at the platform and her eyes met with a pair of molten yellow orbs staring at her like they could see into her soul.

No one had to tell her who the man was.

The dragon king!