(Airis Pov)

It was midnight.

I was dreaming.

Or was I?

Everything felt strange, like I was floating in an abyss. My body was heavy yet weightless at the same time. I couldn’t move, couldn’t blink, couldn’t even breathe properly.

It was as if something… someone was holding me down.

Then, a voice—deep, smooth, and chillingly familiar—whispered through the darkness.

"You cannot escape me, little flower."

A sharp shiver ran through my spine.

No.

Not again.

My body trembled, but I still couldn’t move.

Footsteps echoed all around me. Slow. Unrushed. Predatory.

"Do you truly believe they will protect you? That they care for you?"

A shadowy figure emerged from the abyss, his long coat swaying with his movements. I could see him now—tall, elegant, and terrifyingly composed. His golden eyes glowed, sharp like a beast watching its prey.

And on his forehead, a single, curved horn gleamed under an unseen light.

"They are deceiving you, Aeris."

No.

That wasn’t true.

Was it?

My thoughts felt sluggish, my mind clouded as though thick fog had seeped into it.

"You were always meant to be by my side."

No.

"You cannot resist forever."

A cold hand touched my cheek, gentle yet filled with something sinister. My heart pounded violently, my breath caught in my throat.

Move.

I had to move.

"Sleep, little one. Forget them."

No—

But my eyelids felt heavier. My body felt weaker.

And then—

The air around me shifted, swirling with an unknown power. I felt something coil around my wrists and ankles—chains made of pure magic. They weren’t cold, nor warm. They simply… were.

"Let go."

Yes.

No.

Yes.

"You belong to me."

I… belong to…

No!

I forced my lips to move, but no sound escaped.

"You cannot run, Aeris. Soon, you will come to me on your own."

His hand caressed my hair, slow and possessive. I wanted to slap it away, but my limbs were still frozen.

"And when you do… I will never let you go."

A searing pain shot through my mind. I gasped, my body jolting—

And then, I woke up.

Gasping.

Drenched in sweat.

Trembling.

I clutched my chest, my heart hammering wildly. My entire body felt cold, yet I was burning from the inside.

That voice…

That man…

I knew him.

And worse—

He was coming for me.

I pressed a trembling hand to my forehead, trying to steady my ragged breathing. My heart still thundered violently, the sensation of those magic chains lingering on my skin.

And then—

A realization struck me like lightning.

Tomorrow is my wedding.

My body froze, my mind reeling.

Zephirion. The Black Dragon King.

I was going to marry him.

The thought sent a strange wave of emotions through me—something heavy, something unfamiliar.

My fingers touched my lips as I tried to make sense of it.

Why did I feel… happy?

Yet anxious?

I wasn’t supposed to feel this way.

I was a sacrifice, wasn’t I?

This marriage—it wasn’t real. It wasn’t built on love. It was just a way for him to gain power.

Then why did my heart tighten at the thought of it?

I shook my head, trying to push away the emotions swirling inside me. I had more important things to focus on.

That man—the one-horned man.

I needed to know what he wanted, what his plan was.

If he had already made his move once, he would do it again.

Telling Zephirion would be the logical choice, but… no.

Not yet.

I would wait. I would let that man reveal his plan further. If he thought I was unaware, he might slip up.

And when he did—I would be ready.

Next day,

The castle was buzzing with life.

Servants rushed through the halls, their arms filled with lavish fabrics, floral decorations, and silver trays stacked with the finest delicacies. The scent of fresh roses and exotic spices filled the air, mixing with the faint trace of burning incense.

Today was the day.

My wedding day.

I stood before the grand mirror in my chamber, my reflection staring back at me with conflicted eyes. The dress they had chosen for me was breathtaking—deep crimson with golden embroidery, flowing like liquid fire around my frame. The sleeves were sheer, delicately woven with threads of silver that shimmered when I moved. A golden belt cinched at my waist, accentuating my figure, while a thin, bejeweled crown rested atop my head.

I looked… regal.

Like a queen.

Like his queen.

My fingers trembled as I traced the embroidery of my gown. I should have been thinking about my escape, about the one-horned man who haunted my dreams.

But all I could think about was him.

Zephirion.

The way he had held me that night. The way his arms had wrapped around me as if I was something precious. The way he had looked at me when he thought I was asleep—soft, almost gentle.

I had never seen him look at anyone like that before.

A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts.

Before I could respond, the door burst open, and Valerion stormed in.

"Aeris!" He grinned, his golden eyes bright with excitement. "You look stunning!"

I barely had time to react before he crushed me in a tight hug, lifting me slightly off the ground.

"Valerion—! I gasped, struggling. "I can't breathe!"

"Oh, sorry!" He set me down but kept his hands on my shoulders, beaming. "You really do look amazing! If I weren’t your brother, I’d have married you myself!"

Caelum, who had just entered behind him, scoffed. "That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard."

I stifled a laugh as Valerion pouted.

Then, my gaze shifted to the doorway—where he stood.

Zephirion.

His eyes were locked onto me, unreadable yet intense. He wore his royal attire—black and crimson, adorned with intricate golden patterns. His long coat trailed behind him, his presence commanding as always.

But there was something else in his expression today.

Something I couldn’t quite place.

I felt my face heat up.

Valerion, oblivious, clapped his hands together. "Alright! It’s time! The entire kingdom is waiting! The wedding feast is already set, and the guests are dying to see the bride and groom together!"

Groom.

Zephirion.

I swallowed.

Caelum sighed. "Honestly, I still can’t believe this is happening."

"Neither can I," I muttered under my breath.

Zephirion finally spoke, his voice deep and steady. "Are you ready?"

Was I?

No.

Yes.

I didn’t know.

But I nodded anyway.

He extended his hand toward me, waiting.

And despite everything—despite the looming danger, despite my doubts—

I placed my hand in his.

His grip was firm, warm.

And together, we stepped into the grand hall, where the entire world awaited us.

-------- The Wedding Begins

The grand hall shimmered with golden light, the chandeliers casting a warm glow over the sea of nobles, warriors, and high-ranking officials. The scent of fresh roses and incense filled the air, mingling with the quiet hum of murmurs and excitement. This was not just any royal wedding—this was the union of the feared Black Dragon King and his unexpected human bride.

I walked beside Zephirion, my hand lightly resting on his, my heart pounding in my chest.

This was happening.

This was real.

The weight of countless stares bore down on me, a mix of curiosity, disbelief, and fear. Not fear of me—but fear of the man beside me.

Zephirion walked with his usual regal and commanding presence, his crimson eyes unreadable, his face void of any emotion. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking. Did he even care about this wedding? Or was this just another strategic move for him?

And yet…

I couldn’t forget how he had looked at me that morning.

The way he had smiled.

The way he had held me.

I bit my lip, pushing the thoughts aside as we reached the center of the hall. The priest, a dragon elder with shimmering silver scales, raised his hand, calling for silence.

"The union of the Black Dragon King and his chosen bride shall now commence," his voice echoed, deep and commanding. "Under the oath of fire and blood, this bond shall be eternal."

A golden goblet was placed before us, filled with an elixir that shimmered like liquid gold. A sacred drink, binding our souls together.

"Drink, and let the flames of destiny intertwine your fates."

Zephirion took the goblet first, his gaze never leaving mine as he brought it to his lips. He drank slowly, then handed it to me.

I hesitated.

For a brief moment, the thought of running flashed through my mind.

But I took the goblet anyway.

As the golden liquid touched my lips, warmth spread through my body—like fire coursing through my veins. I gasped softly, feeling something change within me, something awaken.

Zephirion watched me closely, his gaze intense.

The priest nodded approvingly. "Now, present your vows."

Vows.

My breath hitched. I had nothing prepared—I didn’t even know what to say.

But before I could panic, Zephirion turned fully to me.

"I vow to protect you," he said, his voice low yet firm. "To keep you by my side. No matter what comes."

His words were simple. Yet powerful.

I stared at him, feeling something tighten in my chest.

And then… it was my turn.

What was I supposed to say?

That I didn’t know what I felt? That I was scared? That I didn’t understand why my heart raced when he looked at me like that?

I took a shaky breath.

"I vow…" My voice was softer than I expected. "To stay by your side, for as long as fate allows."

It wasn’t a promise of love.

But it was something.

A flicker of something crossed Zephirion’s expression, but it vanished before I could understand it.

The priest smiled. "Then, by the law of dragons and the will of fate, I now pronounce you—"

Before he could finish, Valerion suddenly burst into applause.

"Finally!" he grinned, throwing an arm over Caelum’s shoulder. "I thought we’d be standing here all day!"

Caelum let out a deep sigh. "We were standing here all day."

Zephirion shot them both a glare, but I could see the faintest twitch of amusement in his lips.

Valerion grinned wider. "Well, let’s celebrate! Let’s drink until we pass out!"

"You always pass out," Caelum muttered.

Before Valerion could argue, a servant cleared his throat, announcing, "Let the feast begin!"

Music erupted in the hall, and just like that, the tension lifted.

I exhaled, realizing for the first time that I had been holding my breath.

Zephirion turned to me, his voice low. "Are you alright?"

I blinked at him. Was I? I wasn’t sure.

But then Valerion grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the center of the hall. "Come on, let’s dance!"

Before I could protest, he spun me around dramatically.

I let out a startled laugh. "I don’t know how to dance!"

"Neither do I!" he grinned.

"That’s not something to be proud of," Caelum muttered, sitting at the side with a drink in hand.

Zephirion, watching the scene, pinched the bridge of his nose as if he was reconsidering every decision that led him to this moment.

But when I met his gaze again…

For the first time, I saw it.

A smile.

Not the usual smirk or knowing grin.

A real, genuine smile.

And for some reason, it made my heart race even more.

Laughter filled the grand hall as Valerion twirled me around, completely ignoring the fact that neither of us knew how to dance. His movements were wild and dramatic, making me stumble over my own feet more than once.

"See? You’re doing great!" Valerion grinned.

"I almost fell three times!" I huffed, gripping his arms for balance.

"Exactly!" He winked. "That’s how you know it's a fun dance!"

Caelum, still seated at the side, sighed and took a sip of his wine. "This is painful to watch."

Zephirion, standing nearby, was pinching the bridge of his nose again, probably questioning every choice that led to this moment.

"Alright, alright," Valerion laughed, spinning me one last time before letting go. "I should let you dance with your husband before he burns me alive."

Before I could react, Zephirion had already stepped forward, his crimson eyes locked onto mine.

"You’re terrible at dancing," he murmured.

I crossed my arms. "I told you I don’t know how to dance!"

A rare smirk crossed his lips. "Then let me teach you."

Before I could protest, his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. His other hand took mine, firm yet gentle.

I gulped.

The hall suddenly felt smaller.

The music slowed, becoming a soft, enchanting melody.

Zephirion guided me with effortless grace, his movements precise, elegant. Unlike Valerion’s chaotic energy, dancing with Zephirion felt… different. It was smooth. Intense. As if the world around us faded away.

"Relax," he murmured. "You’re stiff."

"Well, excuse me for being nervous," I muttered.

His grip tightened slightly, grounding me. "Just follow my lead."

So I did.

I let go of my hesitation and let him guide me across the floor. And for the first time that night, I wasn’t worried about running away, or the mysterious man in my dreams, or what the future held.

For the first time, I was just here.

With him.

As the music swelled, I glanced up at Zephirion, only to find him already staring at me.

Something unreadable flickered in his gaze.

Something that made my heart skip a beat.

I quickly looked away, my face heating up.

Zephirion chuckled, the sound deep and amused.

"You’re flustered," he noted.

"I am not!" I lied.

He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my ear. "Liar."

I nearly tripped.

If he hadn’t been holding me, I would have tripped.

Valerion, watching from the sidelines, whistled. "Ooooh, look at them! Newlyweds getting cozy!"

Caelum rolled his eyes. "Valerion, shut up."

Zephirion ignored them, his focus entirely on me. "Keep your eyes on me, Aeris," he murmured.

As if I could look anywhere else.

The music slowed, signaling the end of the dance.

Zephirion dipped me slightly, his face only inches from mine. For a brief second, I thought—No way. Is he actually going to—

But then he pulled me back up, releasing me.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

His smirk returned. "You survived."

"Barely," I muttered, my face still burning.

As the next song began, Valerion clapped his hands. "Alright, now it’s my turn again!"

Caelum grabbed him by the collar before he could drag me back onto the dance floor. "No. Absolutely not."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Tonight was… fun.

And for now, that was enough.

To be continued