Chapter 9 - The One Who Hated DragonsThe hand was enormous.

Black scales covered its fingers.

The palace walls crumbled as something climbed out of the earth.

Alona looked up.

The creature was taller than the mountain gate.

Its horns curved like blades.

Its wings were torn.

Its eyes glowed red.

The ancient dragons immediately backed away.

Even her father lowered his head.

Alona whispered:

“Who is that?”

Lena's voice shook.

“The First King.”

Silas looked horrified.

“That cannot be.”

“He was sealed beneath Frostmir.”

“Why?”

Lena pointed at the creature.

“Because he wanted to enslave every dragon.”

The First King roared.

The shockwave shattered every window in the palace.

Several soldiers were thrown to the ground.

Alona stood her ground.

The crown on her head glowed.

The creature looked at her.

“You carry her blood.”

Alona raised her chin.

“Yes.”

“You stole my throne.”

“No.”

“I created Frostmir.”

“You built it on chains.”

The creature laughed.

“Chains are how kingdoms survive.”

Alona's three dragons moved forward.

The golden dragon burned brighter.

The black dragon summoned lightning.

The silver dragon spread its wings.

The First King smiled.

“They're children.”

He lifted one hand.

The three dragons were thrown across the courtyard.

Alona screamed.

“NO!”

She ran.

Darius grabbed her.

“Don't!”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“They're hurt.”

The First King looked amused.

“They will learn.”

Alona shook with rage.

Something inside her broke.

The mark on her palm changed.

Three crescents became one.

The ancient dragons all looked toward her.

Silas whispered.

“That's not possible.”

“What?”

“The mark has evolved.”

Alona stared at her hand.

“What does that mean?”

Silas looked terrified.

“It means the Dragon Mother is no longer a guardian.”

“What is she?”

Silas swallowed.

“The ruler of dragons.”

Alona looked at the First King.

For the first time, the ancient creature looked uncertain.

“You cannot command me.”

Alona stepped forward.

“I don't want to command you.”

“Then why do you stand against me?”

“Because you're hurting my family.”

She raised her hand.

The sky exploded.

Thousands of dragons descended.

The First King roared and attacked.

The battle began.

The mountain shook.

Flames filled the sky.

Lightning struck the ground.

The First King fought like a living storm.

He tore through ancient dragons.

One fell.

Then another.

Alona screamed each time.

Darius stood beside her.

“We need a weakness.”

She looked at the black dragon.

Her father.

He was watching the First King.

Then he looked at her.

A memory entered her mind.

A hidden chamber.

A sword.

A crown.

A blood oath.

Alona understood.

“He cannot leave Frostmir.”

Darius stared.

“Why?”

“My father sealed him.”

“How?”

“With his heart.”

Alona looked at the black dragon.

The ancient king had been bound to Frostmir through him.

Her father suddenly collapsed.

Blood poured from his mouth.

“No!”

Alona ran to him.

He looked at her.

The seal can be restored.

“How?”

His eyes moved toward her crown.

The crown.

Alona touched it.

The crown burned.

She understood.

The crown was not a symbol.

It was the key.

But there was a price.

The seal required royal blood.

She looked at Darius.

His face said he understood too.

“No.”

“Darius…”

“No.”

“If I don't…”

“We'll find another way.”

“There isn't one.”

He stepped closer.

“You don't get to decide that alone.”

Alona's eyes filled with tears.

“What if there is?”

“Then we'll find it.”

She smiled sadly.

“I knew you'd say that.”

The First King roared.

They turned.

The creature was approaching.

Alona removed the crown.

The three baby dragons crawled back to her.

She kissed each forehead.

Then she placed the crown on the ground.

The mark on her palm touched it.

The entire kingdom lit up.

The First King screamed.

“No!”

The crown opened.

A beam of white fire surrounded Alona.

Darius ran toward her.

But the fire pushed him away.

Alona looked at him through the light.

“I'll come back.”

He shouted.

“You'd better.”

The seal began closing.

The First King fought.

The dragons attacked.

The mountain shook.

Then Alona heard one final voice.

Not her father.

Not her mother.

Something older.

Something from beyond the seal.

A queen may seal a king.

But only a queen may choose what comes after.

The world turned white.

When the light vanished…

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Alona was gone.

And the three baby dragons began screaming for their mother.