Page 10 of Bound by Fire and Scales (The Dragons of Earis #1)

Later, as I finally left to meet the council, I found myself walking in a strange daze. For the first time in years, my body felt rested, everything around me clearer than it had been in ages. I had slept, truly slept. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d closed my eyes and been granted peace for an entire night. But with Sabrina… With her beside me, that’s exactly what I’d done.

She had made me sleep—though “made” wasn’t quite the right word. Somehow, just by being there, she’d quieted something inside me, something I had never been able to tame on my own. No memories of blood, no faces haunting me from the edge of darkness, no horrors of war creeping in to tear me awake. Instead, there was only her warmth. Her sweet scent luring me back to sleep, like an anchor in a raging sea.

I couldn’t understand how she had done it, how a human girl I barely knew had given me something as rare as a peaceful night. How had she unraveled so much darkness inside me without even trying? But somehow, she had. I felt it in every step, in every breath, like a long-lost miracle I was almost too afraid to believe in.

The best part wasn’t even finally being able to fall asleep, but opening my eyes to find her there beside me. Even after learning about my past, she stayed. She didn’t flinch, didn’t fear me. And when my gaze landed on her, my heart nearly stopped at the vision. Her long blond hair cascading around her shoulders and down her back, her warm hazel eyes meeting mine; it made my alpha purr in satisfaction. For a breathless moment, I wondered if I had died and drifted into paradise, for only a vision of Heaven could feel like this.

But it was all real. She was real. Her touch lingered on my skin, her scent wrapped around me in a deliciously suffocating way.

I had no idea what was happening to me, but every time I was near her, there was a pull I couldn’t ignore. My alpha hummed, relentless, pulled toward her in ways that defied reason. It was dangerous. To me, to my focus, to my control, to every careful restraint I had built over the years. And for what felt like the hundredth time since meeting Sabrina, the thought of her being my fated mate forced its way into my mind.

I forced the thought aside, reminding myself that I couldn’t have one of those. I’d made that choice the day I let dark magic into my veins, shutting myself off from anything pure, anything that might offer redemption. A fated mate was a rare gift, bestowed by the Gods only upon the pure-hearted. And I wasn’t. Not anymore. But a whisper of doubt slipped through me.

What if I was wrong?

What if fate had ignored my past, had bound her to me, anyway?

I shook my head, trying to banish the foolish thought. This wasn’t fate. I was simply confusing things. I’d never allowed myself to be so close to any omega before. That had to be it. I was letting her nearness, her sweet scent—a scent that lingered maddeningly around me—confuse my senses. But I couldn’t shake the thought. Her scent pulled at me, tantalizing, making me wonder how potent it would be in full bloom, what her slick would taste like… The thought seared through me, wild and uncontrollable, and I swung the doors to the council room open with a sharp crack, my face flushing with sudden embarrassment.

What in the Hells was I thinking, right before a critical meeting?

Those are not the thoughts of a leader, big dragon.

Sabrina’s voice echoed in my mind, and I groaned, rubbing a hand over my face in frustration. When I finally looked up, I found the council members staring at me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

“Ah, Zephyr,” Loryr said, her voice laced with dry amusement, a single eyebrow arching as she watched me. “Good of you to finally grace us with your presence. Care to enlighten us on where our leader has been all morning?”

Before I could respond, one of the council members chimed in, his tone playful yet cutting. “Loryr, please. He’s got a mate now.” His smirk was sly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “We can all take a pretty good guess about where he’s been... or who he’s been with.” A few of the other members snickered or exchanged knowing glances, the atmosphere thick with their teasing.

I bowed my head, a quiet gesture of apology, trying to mask the storm of frustration brewing beneath the surface. “I apologize for my tardiness,” I said, keeping my tone steady, though I could feel the weight of their taunt. “There were other matters that required my attention.”

The snickers that followed stung, but I swallowed my pride and pushed forward, resisting the urge to react. Instead, I felt the rush of heat flood my face, as if I were a teenager caught sneaking back from my first outing with a potential mate.

I was no child. I was a grown man, and I should be allowed to spend time with my mate without the council’s constant prying. But I forced that thought aside and straightened, focusing on what truly mattered.

“I was attending to the succession of the clan,” I added, my voice firm this time, locking eyes with each of them. “As you all have requested of me.”

This time, the snickers died down, replaced by thoughtful nods of respect. As I expected, continuing the succession of my bloodline, finally giving an heir to the clan, was no laughing matter to them.

Loryr let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. “Enough,” she commanded, and the other council members fell silent at once. Turning back to me, her gaze hardened, turning cold and calculating as she slipped seamlessly into business mode. “Zephyr, you were summoned to report on the Iceclaw Clan. What news have their messengers brought?” Loryr’s voice was crisp, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.

I took a steadying breath and squared my shoulders. “There have been significant issues in the Ice Mountains. Two gryphons have breached their magic barrier.”

A murmur of alarm swept through the council. Such a breach in the barrier of a dragon clan was no small matter. It was a grave threat, one that demanded immediate attention.

“The Iceclaw clan has called for our help,” I continued, my voice firm. “I’m preparing to send a contingent of our dragons to help them secure the area and address this threat.”

Loryr’s brow furrowed, and she exchanged glances with the other council members. “Sending our men could leave us vulnerable. Our resources are already stretched thin. Is it prudent to divert them, especially when the gryphons’ intentions are not fully clear?”

I could feel frustration rising within me, but I kept my voice steady. “The Iceclaws are our allies. We have a longstanding relationship with them. Turning our backs now would not only jeopardize that alliance, but also undermine our position as leaders in the region. We cannot afford to let our allies down. ”

The council members shifted uncomfortably, their concern evident. “We’re concerned about our own security,” one of them said. “Diverting resources might leave us exposed.”

I clenched my fists. Sabrina had a point, maybe the council needed a reminder of who was truly in charge. Standing tall, I met each of their gazes with unwavering determination. “As the leader of this clan, I have a duty to uphold our alliances and honor our commitments. The Iceclaws have supported us in our times of need. This isn’t just a strategic decision; it’s a matter of integrity. If we refuse to back them now, we’ll jeopardize not only their trust but also our standing among our allies.”

The room fell silent, my words hanging heavily in the air. I could see the council members wrestling with their concerns. Finally, Loryr spoke, her tone measured but reluctant.

“We understand the importance of maintaining our alliances, but we must also consider the implications for our own security. We'll deliberate on your proposal.” She dismissed me with a simple nod, and a surge of fury raised within me.

They would deliberate ? We should be acting, not debating! The fire of impatience burned in my chest, the dark magic in my blood stirring restlessly, urging me to let go of control, to lash out in fury. It whispered to me, like a maddened beast, promising relief in recklessness. I clenched my jaw, my teeth grinding together, and balled my fists until my knuckles turned white.

No. This wasn’t how it was going to end, not with hesitation, not with weakness.

“Thank you, Elders. I’ll wait for your final decision.”

I exited the council chamber, the heavy wooden doors thudding shut behind me. The cool, crisp air of the corridor did little to ease the frustration that bubbled within me. The council’s reluctance to act was a setback, but I wasn’t going to wait. I had to ensure that our allies were supported, no matter the council’s hesitation.

Kislav was waiting for me outside the chamber. His eyes, sharp and perceptive, flicked to me as I approached, noticing the storm of frustration in my expression.

“What did they decide?” Kislav asked, falling into step beside me.

“They’re considering it,” I growled, my voice low and edged with irritation. “They’re worried about the strain on our resources. They’re looking for a compromise.”

Kislav’s jaw tightened, a familiar sign of his own frustration. “We don’t have time for their indecision. The situation with the Ice Dragons is urgent.”

“I know,” I snapped, running a hand through my hair, frustration clear in my voice. “That’s why I need your help. We’re going to take action, no matter what the council decides.” Kislav nodded, his eyes reflecting a hint of respect. It was uncharacteristic of me to defy the council’s decisions, but Sabrina’s words were still burning in my mind. I felt a surge of determination rise within me, fueled by a mix of anger and resolve. This wasn’t just about strategy anymore; it was about standing up for what I believed in, even if it meant challenging the very authority I usually upheld.

We made our way to the war room, a place where plans and strategies took shape. As we entered, the room was lit by the flickering glow of torches, casting shadows across the walls. We went straight to the long wooden table in the center of the room, where a map of the dragon territories was carved.

Kislav’s expression turned serious as he pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit. “What’s the plan?”

I took a seat, my mind already racing through the details. Kislav pointed out the area where the Ice Mountains were located. “We should send a small, elite group. Not too large to not draw attention, but enough to make a significant impact.”

I studied the map, my thoughts focused on the details. “We’ll include a mix of our best warriors and scouts. They’ll need to be quick and efficient. We can’t afford any missteps.”

Kislav tapped at the spot on the map where the gryphons had supposedly breached the barrier between the Ice Mountains and the Thunder Wastelands. “We’ll also need to coordinate with the Iceclaws defenses. They’ll have information on the gryphons’ movements. ”

I nodded. “I’ll contact the Iceclaw clan and inform them of our approach. They’ll need to be prepared for our arrival.”

“And what about the council’s potential reaction? If they find out we’ve gone ahead without their approval…”

“They’ll be angry, no doubt,” I said with a grim smile. “But I’m prepared for that. Our duty is to maintain the stability of the region.”

Kislav placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Then let’s get to work. We’ll need to move quickly and keep everything under wraps until we’re ready.”

As we began outlining the specifics of our plan, the fog of frustration that had clouded my mind began to lift. Every detail we discussed, every step we mapped out, helped clear the turmoil inside me. Sabrina was right. My role as leader demanded bold action, even if it meant defying the council’s wishes. The Iceclaws needed our support, and I would make sure they received it.

The weight of leadership was heavy and suffocating, but it was a burden I was familiar with—a role I knew how to play. It was about strategy, about anticipating obstacles and carving a path through them to victory. Every decision had a purpose, every move calculated.

It wasn’t about things I couldn’t understand, like the faint, irresistible scent of honey and vanilla that lingered in the air whenever I was near a certain human. A scent that disoriented me, clouded my thoughts, muddled my focus, and left me fighting to keep control.

This wasn’t how I was supposed to feel.

I had a clan to protect, something to prove to my people. I couldn’t afford to lose myself in her, even though every single fiber of my being wanted to.