Seren didn’t know this man and he was holding her like this. All she knew was that she could not trust anyone. She had already been fooled by Zaria not just once, and it would be pretty stupid of her to not be wary of another stranger.

Seeing her restless and scared, he answered, “I am Aureus. I am the King’s friend and here to save you.”

She didn’t know why but she felt like she should trust him. But earlier, wasn’t she fooled by an illusion in the form of her husband? What if this was an attempt to make her lower her guard?

“Let me go—”

“Your Majesty, Lady Tyra felt you leaving and had me come,” the young man said as if to prove he’s her ally. “I promise you I will do my best to bring you back to Dray.”

Dray. He called her husband Dray.

Hope blossomed in her heart and she ceased struggling. Moreover, she had no energy left in her. She would have to just risk it all and trust this stranger, wishing in her heart that he would truly help her get back home.

Seren nodded before closing her eyes, resting her head against his shoulder, not an ounce of energy left in her.

“Our young queen’s body seems to have used up all its energy. It will be pretty dangerous for her if you try to forcibly brave through the layers of magic in this place. She will not die but she’ll be close to death if black magic enters her body in that state,” Zaria said as she observed the two. “Why don’t you come down so we can have a proper talk like civilized people?”

“As long as I am here, you won’t be able to touch her,” Aureus warned her.

“Child, Aureus, we are not your enemies. All we want is cooperation from you and this young queen. I am sorry to find you have a bad impression of us because we’re using such unconventional means to meet her, but we have no will to harm her,” the woman explained in a calm voice. “Why don’t you come with us together with the young queen so we can all have a good conversation? I am sure you have many questions—”

“I will have my answers but not from people like you,” he snapped. “Not like this.”

“Oh, dear. Life is all about grabbing opportunities, child,” the woman chided. “Some chances, you only get to have once. I am sincere in my offer. Come with us. I promise neither you nor her will be harmed.”

But the young Divine Eagle refused to budge. He even sent an attack on the bizarre black energy surrounding him, as if trying to create a hole for him to escape from.

One of the hooded figures complained, “This is why I don’t like talking with kids. Just attack him, beat him till he becomes half-dead. Why are we wasting time like this, Zaria?”

“Such violence shouldn’t be targeted at someone you want to befriend, sorcerer,” the woman responded as she turned her attention back to the Divine Eagle. “Aureus, don’t you want to go back to your people? Don’t you want to find out from where your mother was, why did she leave her own homeland? Don’t you want to hear why your mother, the most powerful offspring of your clan in her generation, became a homeless wanderer forced to live in such a pathetic state?”

Despite her tempting words, the shapeshifter remained stubborn.

“If you want us to talk, then let us go first. I will return to talk to you alone.”

​ “I am afraid that won’t be possible,” Zaria said as she tapped her staff on the ground, causing the billowing black magic in the air to grow darker, “and you must have already understood by now, yes? You have come here on your own so you must now go with us. I am sure you can sense that energy barrier around us and won’t be foolish to think you can leave without my permission. Your body, despite being covered with divine power, will be torn to shreds. Can you imagine how your lady friend will fare if you leave with her?”

Aureus had already sensed it but there was no way he would stay here and let them take Seren with them. He was thinking if there was anything else he could do, but he heard the woman continue speaking.

“Really, such a waste,” the woman said as she shook her head. “If you willingly come with us, not only will we tell you the truth about your mother, we will even help you avenge her from the treatment she got from your people. I give my word that you will be able to use your divine bloodline to your fullest, you will even be on par with a true divine creature like that Black Dragon. I am sure you must have heard about the Devil, the Black Dragon, from your mother.”

Of course, Aureus had heard of him. His mother had once told him a story in passing, about how that Black Dragon formed a kingdom and became a king recognized by all the supernatural beings on this continent. Such valuation would be impossible if not for the dragon’s overbearing strength, as most races were too proud to bow before anyone weaker than them.

The name of their king, Draven Aramis, was not something he could forget. It was a story from a long time ago. Back then, he wanted to ask why his mother left instead of staying with their own kind. Why didn’t such a powerful king protect them after his mother claimed to be close to the king as his loyal subject?

Aureus never got to know, because he never got to ask his questions. Whenever his mother would reminisce about her past, she would always have a sad look on her face. His young self couldn’t bear to ask why his mother left her home, why there was a need to run from the Kingdom of Agartha and why he had to live in hiding with her…

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Bonus chapter dedicated to reader “Mayka” for gifting Dragon to the novel.

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