Wings of Forbidden Desire

Lyra: POV

I broke through the water's surface, embracing the familiar sensation of transformation. My massive dragon form shrank as silver-blue scales melted into pale skin. Wings retracted, tail disappeared, and within moments, I stood on human legs at the edge of my private pool.

Water cascaded down my silver-blue hair as I stepped onto the marble floor. The transformation always left me momentarily disoriented—caught between the raw power of my true form and the delicate constraints of human appearance.

"You spent longer in dragon form today," Stella observed within my mind, her voice like crystal chimes.

"I needed the freedom," I whispered back to my dragon soul. Unlike most dragons whose souls awakened during their fiftieth year, Stella had made herself known when I was barely thirty—a fact my mother called significant but my father dismissed as an anomaly.

The delegation arrives today. Your father expects perfection.

I sighed, using my water element to draw moisture from my skin. "When doesn't he?"

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. "Lady Lyra? May I enter?" Aria's familiar voice came through the door.

"Come in," I called, wrapping myself in a silk robe embroidered with the Starscale family crest.

Aria entered with formal attire—an elaborate gown of shimmering blue fabric that mimicked dragon scales. "Lord Darius was very specific about your appearance today."

I suppressed a grimace. "The perfect princess on display for her potential husband's emissaries."

"Have you heard anything about Prince Valen?" I asked as she helped me dress.

"Only rumors. They say he's handsome, with exceptionally strong fire element."

"And politically valuable," I added dryly. "The perfect alliance against the Void threats."

Lady Selene's study was a sanctuary of knowledge and peace. My mother stood by a floating fountain, gracefully manipulating water into complex patterns.

"Your control is improving," she observed as I joined her, "but you're still hesitating at transformation."

I concentrated, willing my water stream to crystallize without freezing—a technique few mastered. The liquid transformed into something between water and crystal, flowing yet structured.

"You have natural gifts that exceed my abilities at your age," Mother said approvingly.

As we sat by the window overlooking the vast lake, her expression grew serious. "The Emberscale delegation arrives to formalize what's already decided. Your father believes this alliance is crucial."

"And what do you believe?"

A shadow crossed her face. "There are older forces at work than politics, Lyra. Ancient prophecies speak of the Star-Chosen dragon whose scales reflect starlight."

I shifted uncomfortably. This wasn't the first time she'd alluded to these prophecies, always with meaningful glances at my unusual coloring.

"The legends say when Void gates open, only the union of two ancient bloodlines can reseal them," she continued. "The blood of storms to forge the seal, and the blood of stars to find the gate."

"Mother, I'm just a water dragon with unusual coloring."

"Your dragon soul's name is Stella—'star.' That's no coincidence." She paused. "Have you felt nothing? No pull toward your Soulbound?"

"No," I admitted quietly. "Nothing like the stories describe."

She touched my hand gently. "Promise me something. You'd better not be alone with your uncle."

"Why?" I asked.

"My instincts scream that he is dangerous, Lyra. Though I lack proof, I feel a predatory shadow clinging to him," Mother said.

"I'll keep my distance," I replied.

The Great Hall had been designed to intimidate. My father occupied the head position as council members filed in. Then Uncle Cassius entered with fluid grace that always made me uncomfortable.

"Ah, my lovely niece," he called, his voice carrying an undercurrent that made my skin crawl. "Radiant as always."

I forced a polite smile, choosing a seat far from him.

"He's watching you again," Stella hissed, her voice sharp with disgust.

Throughout the heated discussion about the alliance, I remained silent. But I felt my uncle's gaze returning repeatedly, those yellowish-green eyes calculating with something unsettling flickering in their depths.

"Princess Lyra's unique qualities may be precisely what our territories need," he said suddenly, his eyes roaming over me in a way that made me ill.

As he spoke, I caught a meaningful glance exchanged between him and someone in the Emberscale delegation—a quick, conspiratorial look that sent chills through me.

The royal gardens were my sanctuary. Hidden by weeping crystal trees, I finally let my facade crack.

"I can't do this," I whispered.

"You must," Stella replied. "For now."

"Did you see how Uncle Cassius looked at me?"

"He's always watched you that way. Since you were very young."

A fragmented memory flickered—small hands clutched in fear, a darkened room, my uncle's voice saying something I couldn't remember. Then nothing.

"What was that?" I gasped.

"A memory I've protected you from. Some things are too painful, so the mind locks them away."

"What happened? What did he do?"

"Some truths are too heavy for you to bear right now. Trust that I'm protecting you from something that nearly broke you once before."

I stared at the water, calling a small stream to dance between my fingers. "Why haven't I felt it? I'm 122 years old—most dragons have sensed their Soulbound by now."

"Perhaps your destiny is more complex than most."

A sudden shift in the air made me pause—a presence I couldn't identify but somehow recognized. The sensation was fleeting but powerful, like distant thunder. My heart quickened, and strange warmth spread through my chest.

"Storm dragon energy," Stella said, sounding pleased. "Very rare. I thought they were all gone."

My hand rose to my chest where the warmth lingered. "It felt... familiar."

Before Stella could respond, ceremonial horns echoed across the palace. The Emberscale delegation had arrived.

The grand plaza had been transformed for the ceremony. I took my position beside my parents, the perfect image of nobility. The fire dragons approached in an impressive procession, their crimson banners fluttering in the breeze.

"Remember your position," my father murmured. "You represent Star Crystal Territory."

Uncle Cassius stood at his designated position among the royal family, maintaining perfect diplomatic composure despite the calculating look that never quite left his eyes.

"At least the crowd keeps him in check," Stella observed with relief.

The delegation's formal march seemed endless—rows of fire dragons in ceremonial armor, their flames creating a spectacular display. But the pageantry felt hollow to me, knowing I was merely a piece being positioned on a political board.

Finding the spectacle tedious, I quietly slipped away from the crowd and retreated to a secluded alcove overlooking the plaza. From here, I could observe without being observed, lost in my own troubled thoughts about the future being decided for me.

"You can't hide forever," Stella reminded me gently.

"I know," I sighed. "I just need a moment to—"

Suddenly, a wave of excited cheers and gasps erupted from the crowd below. The energy was electric, filled with awe and anticipation. Curious despite myself, I emerged from my hiding spot and pushed through the gathered nobles to see what had captured everyone's attention.

That's when I saw him.

At the center of the delegation stood a figure who commanded the space around him effortlessly. Prince Valen was tall and imposing, with hair the color of liquid flame and eyes like molten amber. Heat seemed to radiate from him in visible waves, warming the air and making the very atmosphere shimmer. He moved with the confident grace of someone who had never questioned his place in the world.

The crowd's reaction was immediate and visceral—court ladies fanned themselves and whispered admiringly, while the men stood straighter, assessing him as both ally and potential rival.

"Princess Lyra," my father's voice carried across the plaza as his eyes found me in the crowd, "come meet your betrothed."