Drayen Fael has spent his entire life training to exert revenge on the witch who destroyed his family. As one of the last dragon shifters, his fiery rage fuels his every step, sharpening his claws and stoking the flames that burn inside him. Finally, after decades of hunting, he tracks her to the ruins of a forgotten kingdom. But the witch, Keryth, isn't what he imagined. She isn't the heartless monster of his nightmares. She's broken, haunted by her own dark past, and struggling to control the very powers that caused Drayen's grief. As their fates intertwine, Drayen must confront a truth more terrifying than any firestorm: vengeance isn't the answer, and his destiny is tied to the one he swore to destroy. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that goes far beyond their vendetta, one that threatens to unleash a darkness capable of annihilating their world. Can love bloom in the ashes of betrayal? Or will the flames of their past consume them both?
Chapter 1 The Hunt Begins
The storm raged across the valley, lightning tearing through the darkness like claws through flesh. Drayen Fael stood at the edge of the precipice, the wind whipping his cloak and auburn hair, his molten gold eyes fixed on the ruins below. His target was here-he could feel it. The scent of old magic and decay hung heavy in the air, stirring the dragon within him.
For years, he had hunted her. The witch who had burned his world to ash. The nightmares of that fateful night still haunted him: his parents' anguished screams, the acrid smoke that had filled his lungs, and the sight of his clan's sanctuary reduced to embers. Her face had been burned into his mind-eyes as cold as winter, lips chanting the spell that ended his family.
Tonight, vengeance would be his.
He flexed his fingers, his nails elongating into claws, and felt the heat rising beneath his skin. His dragon side roared, eager to be unleashed, but he quelled it with a deep breath. He couldn't lose control now. The witch wasn't just powerful; she was unpredictable. Charging in without a plan would get him killed.
Drayen descended the rocky slope with practiced ease, his boots crunching against the loose gravel. The ruins loomed closer, their jagged spires reaching skyward like skeletal fingers. He kept to the shadows, his enhanced senses sharp. Every step brought him closer to the source of the magic that pulsed like a heartbeat in the air.
As he neared the crumbled archway, the scent grew stronger, tinged with something unexpected-wildflowers. He froze, frowning. This wasn't the lair of a bloodthirsty sorceress. It felt... calm. Wrong.
Drayen unsheathed his dagger, its blade shimmering with runes meant to disrupt magic. He stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. The interior was surprisingly intact, with walls etched in ancient symbols that glowed faintly. The floor was covered in vines and moss, softening his footfalls.
At the center of the chamber, a figure knelt, shrouded in a tattered black cloak. Her silver hair spilled over her shoulders like moonlight, and she murmured under her breath, her voice carrying a melodic but eerie tone. The air around her shimmered with unstable energy, crackling like a dying fire.
Drayen's heart thundered in his chest. This was her. Keryth Veylan, the witch who had destroyed everything.
He tightened his grip on the dagger, stepping closer. "Witch."
The word echoed in the chamber, sharp and accusing. The murmuring stopped. The figure stiffened, then slowly turned her head to look at him.
Her face was not what he expected. She looked fragile, her violet eyes hollow and rimmed with exhaustion. A jagged scar marred her left cheek, and her hands trembled as she clutched a gnarled staff.
"You found me," she said, her voice soft but weary. "I wondered how long it would take."
Drayen didn't lower his blade. "You've run out of places to hide."
She laughed bitterly, the sound echoing like a broken bell. "Hide? Is that what you think I've been doing?" She rose slowly, leaning on her staff for support. "You've come for revenge, haven't you? You want to kill the monster who ruined your life."
He bared his teeth. "And I will."
Keryth's expression darkened. "Then you're a fool. You have no idea what you're stepping into."
With a sudden burst of energy, the room exploded with light. Drayen staggered back, shielding his eyes as the air around Keryth shimmered with violet flames. The ground trembled, cracks snaking across the floor.
"I didn't destroy your clan," she said, her voice resonating with power. "But if you insist on making me your enemy, I won't hold back."
Drayen's dragon surged within him, his anger igniting like a wildfire. He lunged, his dagger aimed at her heart.
But just as he closed the distance, a wave of raw magic slammed into him, hurling him across the chamber. He hit the wall with a bone-rattling thud, his vision swimming.
As he struggled to rise, her voice cut through the haze.
"You don't know the truth, Drayen Fael." Her tone was sharp but laced with something almost... pleading. "Killing me won't give you what you seek."
Drayen growled, his dragon eyes glowing fiercely. "Then tell me the truth, witch. Or die."
Keryth hesitated, her grip tightening on her staff. "You're not ready for it."
Before he could respond, the ground beneath them gave way with a deafening crack, plunging them into darkness.
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