“King Draven’s dragon form must sustain dragonfire within the sacred ring for ten uninterrupted minutes,” Lyric continued, his voice carrying easily through the space. “This trial symbolizes eternal endurance and divine right, powered by the stabilizing force of his mate’s love and inner strength!”
Lila’s hands trembled slightly.Ten minutes. Just ten minutes of keeping him grounded.
“Traditionally,” Lyric’s voice grew more solemn, “only dragons with pure strength of heart and an unbroken mate bond can succeed!”
From somewhere in the crowd, a honeyed voice cut through the reverent atmosphere. “Pity your weak human queen can’t help you with her inner fire!” Veyra’s words dripped with false sympathy. “You should have chosen a proper dragon queen!”
Rage flashed through Draven’s eyes, but Lila squeezed his hand.Let her talk. We know the truth.
Soon everyone will,Draven’s voice whispered telepathically.After we succeed, we’ll show them exactly what kind of queen you are.
Lila took her place at the edge of the Ring of Fire, the ceremonial stones towering around her. The ancient magicmade her skin tingle with recognition—something deep in her dragon heritage responding to the sacred energy.
Just breathe. Trust the bond. Trust him. Trust yourself,she told herself.
You’re my strength, Draven’s voice murmured in her mind.Just breathe with me.
The ceremonial bell’s deep tone resonated through the amphitheater. The moment had arrived.
Draven stepped back and began his transformation. His muscles expanded, his bones cracking and reshaping with sounds that echoed off the stone walls. His ceremonial suit shredded as his body grew massive black scales emerging across his skin. Within seconds, his magnificent obsidian dragon stood before her—beautiful and terrifying in equal measure.
The countdown began.
Draven’s dragon opened his massive jaws and breathed fire into the sacred ring. The flames were incredible—hotter than anything Lila had ever felt, turning the black stones molten orange as they absorbed the heat. The crowd roared their approval, but all Lila could focus on was the steady pulse of their bond.
One minute down. Nine to go.
The heat was unimaginable, even standing outside the ring. Sweat beaded on her forehead despite the ceremonial protections woven into her dress. Through their connection, she could feel Draven’s determination, but also the enormous effort required to maintain such intense flames.
Three minutes. His breathing is getting labored.
Five minutes.
Suddenly, his flame flickered. The crowd’s cheers turned to concerned murmurs as Draven’s fire wavered, the sacred stones beginning to cool from molten orange back toward black.
No. Not now. Not when we’re so close.
Lila felt the pull of their bond intensify unlike anything she’d experienced before. It was as if every cell in her body was connected to his, their souls singing in harmony despite the physical distance between them. The ancient magic in the stones seemed to recognize their connection, amplifying the mate bond until it thrummed with power.
She closed her eyes and reached deep into herself, finding that core of strength that had carried her through her father’s death, through raising Liam, through every crisis she’d ever faced. But this time, she wasn’t facing it alone.
Take it, Draven,she whispered telepathically, pouring everything she had through their bond.Take everything you need.
The effect was immediate and spectacular. Draven’s fire exploded back to life—but this time it wasn’t just orange flames. The fire that roared from his throat was a fusion of golden-black and crimson, colors swirling together in patterns that had never been seen before in any Bondfire Ritual.
Our flames together. Perfectly matched.
The sacred ring ignited brighter than any in living memory, the stones themselves beginning to glow with inner light. The heat was so intense that even the crowd in the highest seats could feel it washing over them in waves.
Eight minutes. Nine minutes.
As the final seconds ticked away, Lila felt their bond solidify into something unbreakable. Not just mates, but true partners—equals in every way.
Ten minutes.
The ceremonial bell chimed again, and Draven’s flames finally ceased. The Ring of Fire continued to glow, the stones pulsing with residual magic and heat. The crowd erupted—cheers, gasps of disbelief, and the sound of hundreds of dragon shifters roaring their approval.
Even the council members were bowing their heads in acknowledgment. In the crowd, Lila caught sight of Veyra’s face—fury barely contained behind her composed mask.
