“Draven.” His mother’s voice carried the gentle authority that had guided him through the early years of his reign. “You can’t continue like this. Dominion?—”
“Needs a stable king. I know.” Bitterness coated his words. “Unfortunately, the stable king seems to be out of service at the moment.”
Queen Serenya moved closer, her hand resting on the arm of his chair. “The Withering Flame isn’t a character flaw, my son. It’s a rare condition that affects unmated male dragons of our bloodline. Your father struggled with it before he found me.”
“And look how that ended.” The words escaped before he could stop them, and he watched his mother flinch. “I’m sorry. That was?—”
“True.” Her voice was steady, but pain flickered in her golden eyes. “But the madness didn’t kill your father, Draven. Political enemies did. The fire madness is manageable with the right mate bond.”
“Which brings us to the real issue.” Jarek settled into the chair across from him, his expression serious. “You’ve been avoiding the mate bond for eighteen years. Your dragon is literally consuming itself from the inside because it can’t find its other half.”
Because I’ve been too afraid. Too proud. Too convinced I could handle everything alone.
“The councilors are starting to whisper,” Queen Serenya continued quietly. “Veyra’s attention today didn’t go unnoticed. Neither did your... response to her words.”
Draven’s head snapped up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means she’s positioning herself as your salvation.” Jarek’s green eyes flashed with something dangerous. “And you’re vulnerable enough right now to consider it.”
“Veyra has been a loyal councilor and friend?—”
“Veyra has been getting closer to you for months.” His mother’s voice carried a warning. “Her timing is too convenient and her understanding too perfect. Be careful, Draven.”
The fire in his chest stirred again, responding to his rising agitation. “So what do you suggest? That I let the madness consume me completely? That I abdicate and let Dominion fall into chaos?”
“No.” Queen Serenya’s voice was firm. “I thought we should try something we haven’t considered before.”
Draven’s dragon stirred restlessly. “Which is?”
“Outside expertise.” His mother’s eyes held steady despite his sharp look. “So, I contacted Gerri Wilder yesterday.”
“The matchmaker?” Jarek leaned forward, his eyebrows raised. “What does a dating service have to do with fire madness?”
“She’s more than a matchmaker, and you know it.” Queen Serenya’s tone was firm. “Gerri has connections across multiple worlds, species, and healing disciplines. I explained your condition, and last night she called back.”
Draven’s hands gripped the chair arms until the leather creaked. “And?”
“She’s found a trauma psychologist from Earth. Someone who specializes in acute stress and complex psychological crises.” His mother’s voice held a note of hope he hadn’t heard inmonths. “She believes this woman might be able to help where our healers have failed.”
“A human?” The words erupted from Draven’s throat like molten rock. “You want me to expose the Withering Flame to some Earth woman who probably thinks shifters are myths?”
“Our methods have proved futile for centuries,” Queen Serenya continued calmly. “Your case has lasted eighteen years—a miracle of strength and control, but you can’t contain it anymore. You said so yourself.”
Draven pushed out of his chair, pacing to the massive windows that overlooked the volcanic ridges. The twin suns cast everything in their golden light, but the beauty felt mocking. Even his beloved Dominion couldn’t soothe the chaos in his brain.
“What’s her name?” The question scraped from his throat.
“Dr. Lila Reyes.”
Something electric shot through Draven’s chest. His dragon, usually a writhing mass of barely contained fury, went suddenly still. The sensation was so unexpected he pressed a hand to his sternum, frowning.
Lila.
The name echoed in his mind, and for a moment—just a moment—the ever-present heat cooled to something almost manageable.
“Your Majesty?” Jarek’s voice seemed to come from underwater. “You alright?”
Draven blinked, realizing he’d gone completely silent. “I’m... fine. It’s just the stress.”
