Kaelum stood tall before his dragon—a gigantic creature clad in dark scales that gleamed beneath the sunlight. Its pair of wings, broad enough to span the sky, were folded tightly against its body, while its sharp eyes watched every movement around it.
A few steps behind Kaelum, Aphrodite stood frozen. She still remembered clearly how the dragon's scrutinizing gaze had fixed on her from the moment they first set foot in the garden.
Kaelum turned and closed the distance between them.
“Ready?”
Aphrodite nodded firmly. However, before they could take a step toward the dragon, Atherion's voice interrupted them from nearby.
“Kaelum.”
Kaelum glanced over. “What?”
“Don't bring her.”
Kaelum raised one eyebrow.
“Why?”
Atherion glanced at his brother's dragon with a warning look. “You know what it's like. It doesn't like being touched by anyone else. Even some of the kingdom's riders can't approach it.”
“Really?” Aphrodite cut in curiously, her eyes returning to the enormous dragon.
Atherion nodded firmly. “It only accepts Kaelum.”
Rather than looking worried, Kaelum merely smiled faintly. “Then let's see if it changes its mind today.”
“You're too confident,” Atherion sneered, his expression difficult to read.
“And you worry too much.” Without paying his brother any further attention, Kaelum extended his hand to Aphrodite.
“Come on.”
Aphrodite looked at his palm for a moment before taking it. Together, they stepped closer.
The nearer they came, the taller and larger the ancient creature appeared.
The dragon raised its head, its sharp, dagger-like eyes immediately locking onto Aphrodite's presence.
From a distance, Atherion's body tensed. He braced himself for the outburst that usually occurred whenever a stranger dared to approach.
Yet Aphrodite stopped right in front of the dragon. Without the slightest hint of fear, she slowly raised her hand. Kaelum started to stop her, but Aphrodite's delicate fingers had already landed on the dragon's head.
Gently. Just one small stroke.
Amazingly, the dragon did not move. There was no growl, no rejection. Its eyes even slowly closed, savoring the touch.
Kaelum froze in place, as did Atherion.
“So it turns out you're tame,” Aphrodite whispered with a teasing smile.
“No,” Kaelum quickly objected.
When Aphrodite turned toward him, Kaelum was staring at his dragon with unmistakable pride. “It just likes you.”
Hearing that, Aphrodite stroked the dragon's head again. The enormous creature emitted a low vibration—a soft, soothing rumble.
Kaelum turned to his brother.
“You see?”
Atherion remained silent, making Kaelum's smile grow even wider.
“She is my wife. And now, she's part of the Dragon Kingdom.”
Atherion did not reply. His eyes remained fixed on Aphrodite's hand, still resting atop the dragon's head. Ripples of emotion stirred in his eyes—not mere surprise, but a desperate effort to understand the impossible phenomenon before him.
Kaelum turned his attention back to his wife.
“Come on.”
He took Aphrodite's hand and helped her climb onto the dragon's back. After making sure Aphrodite was secure, Kaelum climbed up after her and sat directly behind her.
“Hold on to me.”
Aphrodite glanced over her shoulder, curving her lips into a sweet smile.
“Like this?”
“Tighter,” Kaelum whispered with a chuckle.
“All right.” Aphrodite wrapped her arms tightly around him.
Kaelum pulled the reins. The dragon began to move, quickening its pace until the ground beneath them shook violently. The next moment, its enormous wings spread wide. Aphrodite held her breath as the dragon leaped, pushing off with its hind legs.
With one powerful thrust, they shot away from the earth.
A fierce wind immediately struck Aphrodite's face, whipping her grayish-white hair loose. Rather than being afraid, she burst into delighted laughter.
“Still want to get down?” Kaelum shouted behind her, his voice competing with the roar of the wind.
“No!” Aphrodite shouted back.
The dragon continued climbing through the clouds. The higher they flew, the more breathtaking the view spread out below them. Valtharion looked like a city from a fairy tale. Dragon towers rose high into the sky, reflecting the sun's radiance, while crystal bridges connected every corner of the palace.
They flew quite far, and in the distance, the territory of Ellariele, the Fairy Clan, stretched out like a glittering green sea.
As soon as they passed through the uppermost layer of clouds, something magical happened. Golden light appeared along the dragon's scales, accompanied by the glow of ancient runes that lit up one by one beneath the beat of its wings.
Aphrodite stared in astonishment. “What is that?”
“Dragon runes,” Kaelum replied near her ear.
“What are they for?”
“Protection.”
The golden glow formed a thin circle around them. In an instant, the fierce wind transformed into a gentle, refreshing breeze.
“So dragons have magic too?” Aphrodite asked, her eyes sparkling.
Kaelum chuckled. “Dragons are living magic.”
His answer left Aphrodite speechless, swept away by the wonder of this place. Far below, a river winding between the mountains reflected a blue glow. Winged creatures passed between the clouds, while wizards atop the towers lit beautiful, spinning purple magic circles.
Elythera truly was a different world. Extraordinary power existed everywhere—living magic in dragons, elemental magic wielded by wizards, and nature magic surging through the lands of the Fairy Clan.
And amid this constellation of great powers... Aphrodite realized that she had only herself.
Kaelum suddenly leaned forward, breaking the woman's reverie. “Look over there.”
Aphrodite followed the direction Kaelum pointed. In the distance, the sun's glow gilded a towering mountain range, where a magnificent structure stood, nearly touching the sky.
“What place is that?”
Kaelum smiled mysteriously. “I'll show you later.”
Aphrodite looked at him doubtfully. “Another secret?”
“Apparently, I do enjoy keeping you curious.”
Aphrodite's laughter burst out at once. The dragon continued gliding through the heavens. For a moment, there were no royal affairs, no political intrigues, no sudden wedding, and no burden from her status as a substitute bride. There was only Aphrodite, Kaelum, and Dravaryn's vast sky.
Without Aphrodite realizing it, the carefree smile etched across her face left Kaelum transfixed, staring at her far longer than usual.
Meanwhile, far below...
Atherion still stood motionless in the middle of the garden.
His gaze never left the shadow of Kaelum's dragon as it slowly faded behind the clouds.
Yet his thoughts were not focused on the dragon at all, but on Aphrodite—a woman said to possess no magic whatsoever, yet capable of making the wildest dragon in the kingdom bow its head without a fight.
Atherion narrowed his eyes and whispered to the night wind. “Who are you really, Aphrodite Sylvaris?”