Chapter 4 The Face of Fire

Valen: POV

I walked away from the restaurant, maintaining my princely composure until I rounded the corner. The moment I was out of sight, I let the mask drop. My gracious smile twisted into a sneer as I wiped my hands on a handkerchief, as if trying to remove the lingering touch of that childish Star Crystal princess.

"Finally," I muttered, rolling my shoulders to release the tension of maintaining my charade. The messenger, Ember, fell into step beside me.

"Perfect timing," I told him, slipping a gold coin into his palm. "The 'urgent border matter' was a brilliant touch."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Ember bowed slightly. "Was the princess... cooperative?"

I laughed coldly. "She's cautious, but naive. Did you see how she flinched when I touched her? As if a princess of Star Crystal Territory has any right to reject the touch of an Emberscale prince."

We walked through the busy market, my royal guard clearing a path without drawing attention. I had spent the entire morning playing the perfect suitor—attentive, charming, respectful. The effort had drained me, and now the familiar hunger stirred in my veins.

My fire element churned restlessly within me, demanding to be fed. The sensation was like a burning thirst—not painful yet, but insistent. Self-control had cost me too much energy today, and my inner flame needed nourishment.

"Leave me," I commanded Ember. "I'll find my own way back to the delegation."

Once alone, I moved purposefully through the market, scanning the crowd. My senses were heightened, tuned to detect the elemental signatures of those around me. I needed someone with strong elemental power, preferably water element—the most satisfying to consume.

There—a young water dragoness with flowing blue-green hair and a natural grace that spoke of decent elemental affinity. Not exceptional, but sufficient.

I observed her from a distance, noting how she used minor water element manipulation to keep her merchant stall's flowers fresh.

I approached her stall, allowing my royal aura to manifest subtly. Her eyes widened as she sensed my presence, then widened further when she recognized my face.

"Prince Valen," she gasped, immediately lowering her eyes in respect.

"What's your name?" I asked, making my voice warm and inviting—the same tone I'd used with Lyra all morning.

"Mira, Your Grace," she answered, a blush spreading across her cheeks.

"These flowers are beautiful," I said, touching one with a fingertip. "Almost as beautiful as their keeper."

Her blush deepened. So predictable. Low-born dragons were always so easily flattered by royal attention.

I examined her stall more carefully, then frowned slightly. "I'm looking for something very specific for Princess Lyra of Star Crystal Territory. A rare ice lotus that blooms only in deep mountain springs. Do you know where I might find such a thing?"

Mira's eyes lit up with eagerness to help. "Oh! Yes, Your Grace. There's a specialized greenhouse behind the eastern market square where they cultivate rare water plants. I know the keeper—I could show you the way? It's quite hidden, and outsiders often get lost trying to find it."

"That would be most helpful," I said, selecting a small crystal flower from her stall and paying generously. "Lead the way."

She quickly arranged for a neighbor to watch her stall, then guided me through winding back streets toward the eastern district. Perfect—exactly the kind of isolated route I needed.

"The greenhouse is just through this courtyard," she said, leading me into a secluded area surrounded by high stone walls. "Master Chen keeps the rarest specimens in the back chambers."

I looked around the empty courtyard and smiled. No witnesses, high walls for privacy, and multiple chambers where sounds wouldn't carry.

"Actually," I said, my voice dropping its warm facade, "I think this location will serve my purposes perfectly."

Mira turned, confusion flickering across her face. "Your Grace? The greenhouse is just—"

I released a pulse of my royal aura, heavy and oppressive, pinning her in place. Her eyes widened in sudden terror as she realized her mistake.

"You've been very helpful, Mira," I said coldly, dark red flames beginning to dance across my palms. "Do you know what an honor this is? To provide energy for the prince of Emberscale Domain?"

"The rumors..." she whispered, backing against the stone wall. "About the dragon flame ritual... they're true?"

"Smart girl," I said, letting my royal facade fade completely. "This is a privilege few experience. Your water element will strengthen my flame."

"Please, I need to get back to my stall—"

"That's not how this works." My voice dropped all pretense of warmth as I approached her. "But don't worry—it won't kill you. And some even find it... pleasurable."

I grasped her shoulders with hands wreathed in dark crimson flame that gave off no heat. The connection formed immediately—my energy reaching into hers, finding the pure water element that flowed through her core.

"On your knees," I commanded, and she complied, eyes already glazing with the initial energy drain.

"Please," she whispered, though I could tell she wasn't sure if she was begging me to stop or continue.

"Serve your prince properly," I said coldly, unfastening my trousers. "Consider it an honor."

She obeyed, her mouth finding me as I placed my flaming hands on her head. The energy transfer intensified—her water element flowing into me through the connection while my fire consumed it. I felt the familiar rush as her elemental power flowed into my body, strengthening my own flame.

Her movements became more enthusiastic as the ritual progressed—a common reaction. The dragon flame ritual created a feedback loop of pleasure even as it drained the provider. Her moans vibrated against me as I roughly guided her head.

"Enough," I said after several minutes, pulling her up by her hair. I turned her around and pressed her against the stone wall, tearing away the lower portion of her dress with no ceremony or gentleness.

"This is what you are meant for," I told her, positioning myself behind her. "To fuel the power of your betters."

I entered her roughly, my hands gripping her hips as the dark flames spread across her skin. Her cries were a mixture of pain and pleasure now, her body responding to the intense energy exchange while her mind struggled to process the violation. I didn't care.

The water element continued to flow from her into me, filling the hungry void within my spirit. With each thrust, I absorbed more of her essence, feeling my own power grow stronger. Her skin began to show the pale blue glow of depleting elemental reserves.

Growing bored with the position, I flipped her around and lifted her against the wall, supporting her weight easily as I continued the ritual. Looking into her eyes, I saw the glassy disorientation I was familiar with—the look of someone being drained of their elemental essence.

"Don't look at me," I commanded, not wanting to see her face. "You're nothing. Just a vessel."

I never kissed during these rituals. Kissing implied intimacy, connection. This was consumption, pure and simple. As I approached my own climax—both physical and elemental—I pressed my palm against her shoulder, leaving a small, almost invisible fiery mark that would fade in a few days.

When the ritual concluded, I immediately separated from her, wiping myself clean with a handkerchief from my pocket.

The woman slid to the ground, her energy severely depleted, curling into herself like a wilted flower. Her water element would regenerate eventually, but she would feel weak for days.

I tossed several gold coins onto the ground beside her. "For your service," I said coldly. "If you speak of this to anyone, remember—no one would believe a common market seller over the prince of Emberscale."

She didn't respond, just stared emptily at the stone wall, tears silently tracking down her cheeks.

I straightened my clothing, checking my appearance in a small mirror from my pocket to ensure I looked presentable. The ritual had restored me completely—my fire element surged strong and satisfied within me, my skin glowing with borrowed power.

My thoughts turned to Lyra as I prepared to leave. The Star Crystal princess had power beyond anything this common dragoness could provide. The rumors of her star element, if true, would make her the most exquisite addition to my collection. Not just for pleasure, but for the greater purpose Lord Cassius and I had planned.

I would need to report to Cassius soon. Tell him about my observations of Lyra, her defenses, her suspicions. We would need to adjust our approach, perhaps. She was more observant than we had anticipated.

But that would only make the eventual conquest all the sweeter.