Chapter 70

VALKYRIE

Darkness.

Silence.

Where am I?

I sit up, looking around. Everything is pitch black. I stand up, feeling a wave of confusion. Am I dead? Fear starts to creep in as I wander aimlessly in the dark.

“Hello?” I call out, but there’s no response.

Swallowing hard, I keep moving until I collide with something. I reach out, trying to figure out what it is. It’s solid, but I can’t see it. Is it a wall?

“Hello?” I call out again. This time, I sense movement behind me. Fear grips me as I spin around. “Who’s there?” I demand. I see a shadowy figure and instinctively step back.

The figure moves, circling me. I turn, trying to keep it in sight. Suddenly, a woman with fiery red hair appears before me. I gasp, stepping back in fear.

“Who are you?” I ask, backing away. But she vanishes before my eyes. Panic sets in as I look around. My hair whips around as I call out, “Show yourself!”

Where did she go?

I try to calm down, to think clearly, but then I hear a growl. It echoes from the darkness.

“What was that?” I whisper to myself.

The growl sounds again, and I spin around. But there’s nothing there. Chills run down my spine. I scream and whirl around when I see a massive dragon hunched over.

I fall back, staring at the beast. It’s lying on its side, its back to me. I reach out, touching the ground around me. What is this?

Slowly, I start to back away, trying to be as quiet as possible. Then, a loud growl freezes me in place. Did it see me?

I keep my gaze locked on the beast. It stirs. I swallow hard, ready to run. What is this thing?

It finally turns to face me, and I gasp in shock.

“Alarik?” I whisper, surprised. Why is he here? The beast rolls over, settling into a new position. It sits and stares at me, its gaze piercing.

I can’t look away. There’s something strange about its behavior.

It seems... human.

“Why are you here?” I ask. But the beast remains silent. “Alarik?” I ask again. Is this the same dragon?

I stand, brushing my hair out of my face. I study him. His scales are red, his eyes like mine. This is the same dragon, isn’t it?

Suddenly, I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I jump, spinning around to find the red-haired woman standing behind me. She’s smiling now.

“Hello, Valkyrie,” she says softly. Her voice is so gentle it makes me choke up. There’s something familiar about her that brings tears to my eyes.

“Who are you?” I manage to ask. My lips tremble as I take in her resemblance to me. Her red hair, her pale skin... who is she?

“Who am I? You don’t need to know,” she says with a smile. Her hands are clasped behind her back, her face innocent.

“You should be wondering about him,” she says, turning me to face the dragon. “He’s the one you should be asking.”

“But that’s Alarik, the dragon I found,” I say, keeping my eyes on him.

“Yes, but that’s not the whole story,” she whispers in my ear.

“Then tell me!” I demand, spinning around. But she’s gone. I’m alone again, except for the dragon.

I sigh, looking over my shoulder at the beast. He’s still watching me. “Fine,” I whisper. “Tell me, Alarik, who are you?”

The beast remains silent, his gaze unblinking. I laugh nervously, pinching the bridge of my nose. “You’re a beast. You can’t talk,” I mutter.

“Who said I couldn’t?” a male voice says. I open my eyes, looking up.

“What?” I ask, sounding dumb. I stare at Alarik. “Did you just speak?”

“Yes,” Alarik says, still watching me. Is he speaking in my mind? But it’s different from when Damian or Dimitri mind-link me.

“I’m not speaking in your mind,” he says, and I whip my head around in surprise.

“That’s impossible,” I whisper, shocked.

“Nothing is impossible, Valkyrie. You asked who I am?” Alarik says. I nod. “My real name is Ragnar.

“Over time, they changed my name. Now I’m Alarik, the noble ruler. A name you gave me.”

“Yes…” I breathe.

“You want to know who I am, right?” Alarik asks.

“Yes, but that’s not what I’m most curious about,” I admit, sighing. “Who was that woman?” Alarik’s eyes shift behind me.

“That’s not your concern,” Alarik says, snorting.

“Tell me!” I demand, frustrated. “Why does she look like me?”

Alarik stops moving, looking away. Then, he swings his tail around, curling it around me.

“You don’t need to worry about that. What you should be worried about is that your body is unconscious out there while a battle is raging.”

His words hit me like a punch. I gasp.

“I need to go back!” I cry, struggling against his hold. Alarik lifts his tail, lifting me with it.

“No, it’s not your time,” Alarik growls.

“So, what do you want from me?” I snap back. “Dimitri’s out there, fighting all alone. I can’t just stand by and let Gabriel hurt him.”

“Hold on, queen. A smart woman thinks twice before rushing into danger,” Alarik advises, his gaze shifting away. Suddenly, our surroundings morph.

Everything turns a brilliant blue, as if we’re floating in the sky. A sense of peace washes over me. “I know you’re hurting because you lost your babies,” Alarik murmurs out of the blue.

I watch his back as he moves and then stops. He gently lowers me to the ground. “But there was a reason for their loss.”

“What are you talking about?” I snap. “I didn’t choose to lose them!”

“I know,” Alarik replies, his gaze averted. “But their loss is why I’m here.”

“What?” I question, my confusion growing.

“You carry the blood of the last queen. The only queen who managed to win over everyone around her with sheer willpower. I was born from her, the last dragon beast, devoid of any humanity.

“A monster with a single purpose. To serve the dragon of the one who will tame the last of the dragon species,” Alarik explains.

“The last?” I echo. “What do you mean by that?” My heart pounds against my chest. I have a sinking feeling. Alarik looks at me, then quickly looks away.

“You will bear the last descendant of dragons. The final heir will be born from the Onyx Dragon, from King Dimitri. After that, no more dragons will be born,” Alarik clarifies.

Chills run down my spine as I absorb his words.

“I’ll get pregnant again?” I ask him.

“Yes, a boy, and a strong one,” Alarik confirms, then closes his eyes. He seems lost in thought. “He will face a tough life. Many challenges will come his way, and…” Alarik trails off.

I wait for him to continue, but he turns his head away.

“And what?” I press him.

Alarik just growls in response.

“Don’t worry,” Alarik says, leaving me more confused than ever.

“Now, you have something you haven’t used,” Alarik says, causing me to frown. “The mark, I mean.”

I glance down at my chest to see the large black rune glowing.

“That’s not just your mark, it’s a tamer’s mark. Now that it’s complete, you can harness its power,” Alarik explains.

“What power?” I ask, moving closer to him.

He wraps his tail around me, lifting me up and bringing me closer.

“You have the power to control everything around you,” Alarik says, looking deep into my eyes. I rest my arms on his tail. “But the only one you can’t tame will be me.”

“Why?” I ask. “You’re a dragon.”

“But I was born from your blood. I have your blood flowing in me. No one else could have hatched that egg,” Alarik explains. “Not even King Dimitri.

“Now all you need to do to end this chaos is to use the command.”

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about!” I exclaim, frustration seeping into my voice. “I don’t have that kind of power!”

“Believe, my queen. But think carefully, because you have the power to do anything you want. Now, go back,” Alarik instructs.

“What?” I frown at him, “Go back?”

“Yes, go back to your king. Everyone else is waiting for you,” Alarik says. “Go back.”

I frown at him, and Alarik suddenly releases me. I scream as I open my eyes again to find myself on the ground. The air is filled with roars and screams of terror.

I sit up, wincing as a dull pain throbs in my head. I touch my head and find blood.

Hearing a familiar voice, I look over. Gabriel and Dimitri are still locked in combat. Blood seeps from a deep cut on Dimitri’s back. Worried, I try to stand, but a wave of dizziness hits me.

A roar forces me to cover my ears. Alarik’s body stumbles backward, crashing into a tower. My eyes widen as I see a gray dragon attacking him.

Alarik uses his claws and tail to fend him off, but the beast has him cornered. He’s almost as big as Alarik.

“ALARIK!” I scream, rushing towards him. Spotting a bow and some arrows, I snatch them up and continue running.

I need a high vantage point to attack the dragon. Hearing someone call my name, I glance behind me. Zar is standing a few feet away.

“Here!” Zar shouts. I hurry up the stairs. Reaching for his arm, I grab it and climb the wall. “You okay?”

“Yes,” I reply, smiling at him. “I need you to cover me.”

Zar nods, grinning. He draws his sword and I position myself on the castle wall. The dragon is still attacking Alarik.

Raising the bow, I pull back the string. I need to hit him in the eye. Taking a deep breath, I steady myself. When I release, the arrow flies straight and true, hitting him in the eye.

He growls furiously, glaring at me. I smirk back at him.

Hearing a groan, I shift my gaze. Dimitri is struggling to hold back Gabriel’s sword.

I pivot, aiming my next arrow at Gabriel. Without hesitation, I let go and hit him in the shoulder. Gabriel screams as he yanks out the arrow.

“Bitch!” Gabriel roars. I just smile at him as Dimitri tackles him to the ground.

“This needs to end, Valkyrie!” Zar says, looking at me. I just nod. Dropping the bow, I look at Alarik, and his blue eye meets mine. I nod, understanding what needs to be done.

Closing my eyes, I relax my body. He said I had the power, but I need to search within myself to find it. Feeling a throbbing pain, I clutch my head.

“Say it!” a voice whispers in my ear. Opening my eyes, I survey the scene around me. Fire, dust, debris, roars, screams, and explosions are everywhere.

I glance around the room once more, my gaze landing on Alarik again.

~“Satis,”~ I murmur, feeling a sting from my mark. Every dragon in the room, Alarik included, turns to look at me. Alarik’s eyes are wide as he stares back.

A hush falls over the room as every man present turns their attention to the dragons. Then, as if on cue, they all sit down, like obedient dogs.

I watch, puzzled, as Damian’s dragon form and Alarik take a seat.

“What did you do?” Zar asks from behind me.

“I...I...,” I stutter, a smile creeping onto my face.

“You tamed the dragons,” Michael states, walking over to join us. I turn to face him.

“Michael!” I exclaim, a smile lighting up my face as I crouch down. “Are you okay?”

“Always fine,” Michael replies, grinning.

A screeching sound interrupts our conversation, and we all turn to see Gabriel and Dimitri still locked in combat. I reach for the bow, lifting it up.

“Wait!” Zar calls out, his eyes filled with pain. I understand his anguish.

“I have to stop him, Zar,” I whisper. Zar’s hand tightens on my shoulder. “There’s no other way,” I add.

But before I can even turn my attention to Gabriel, a scream pierces the air, making my heart skip a beat. I whip my head around to see Gabriel’s sword impaling Dimitri’s chest.

“DIMITRI!” I scream, breaking into a run. Zar and Michael are right behind me. Both of them are on the other side of the wall. I call out for Alarik.

The dragon moves to my side as I leap over the wall. I land on him, pulling a dagger from behind my back and plunging it into Gabriel’s chest.

He screams and backs away. I stand protectively in front of Dimitri. A quick glance behind me reveals Dimitri’s wound is severe.

“You fucker,” I spit out, standing tall.

“You’re a tamer?” Gabriel questions, his eyes locked on my mark.

“Found out kind of late, my dear father,” I retort, smirking.

“Impossible!” Gabriel snarls, his face twisting in anger.

“Nothing is impossible!” I counter, lunging at him. Gabriel blocks my attack with his arm, which I slice deeply.

I grab his arm, yanking him off balance. Then, I punch him in the face. He groans as blood trickles from his nose.

“Bitch!” Gabriel spits. I pull out another dagger, twirling them in my fingers.

He lunges at me, his fist coming down, but I dodge it, stabbing him from behind. With a yell, I leap onto his back and wrap my arm around his neck, twisting it.

“This is your end,” I whisper, driving the dagger into his neck. Gabriel releases me and starts choking.

Blood seeps from the wound. Then, glaring at me with fury, he pulls the dagger out, his other hand covering his wound.

“Impossible!” Gabriel repeats, gritting his teeth. How is he still standing?

He moves his hand, whispering something I can barely hear. Then, waiting for something to happen, he shifts his gaze to the side. Smirking, I see Alarik move.

Stopping near the wall, Alarik growls. Gabriel’s smile fades as he looks at me.

Backing up against the wall, I glance behind him. It’s the wall where the spikes are. As he gets closer, he stops and looks at the dragon.

“You little monsters should obey me!” Gabriel spits, blood seeping from his mouth. I walk over to him, bending down to pick up the sword he used on Dimitri. I stop in front of him, staring him down.

“If I’m supposed to feel something, it’s hate. That’s all I can feel. Hate toward you,” I whisper, pointing the sword at his chest. Gabriel never takes his eyes off my face.

“Do me a favor.” Gabriel frowns.

“Say hi to my dear brothers in hell,” I say, and thrust the sword into him. Gabriel looks down at me, his eyes filled with fear. Then, as he starts coughing up blood, I pull away.

His body stumbles over the wall, but Alarik catches him and carries him away. I frown. What is he going to do? Approaching the rest of the dragons, Alarik looks at them.

A silent conversation passes between all of them. Then, each reaching for a different part of Gabriel’s body, they all pull at the same time, tearing him apart. Shocked, we all stare at them.

Gabriel’s head rolls away on the ground. Looking back at Alarik, I see him huff.

“Valkyrie?” a voice says. Dropping the sword, I turn and throw myself at Dimitri.

“Oh my god, are you all right?” I ask, hugging him. Dimitri silently hugs me back.

“Just a mere wound. But I need some healing,” Dimitri says, making me smile. Then, hearing a roar, we both look toward Alarik.

The red dragon roars louder, prompting the rest of the dragons to join in. We watch in awe as we stand on the wall. Then, smiling at Dimitri, I kiss him. “Let’s go home.”