As the three of them approached the grand hall, they saw Soren already waiting near the entrance. His eyes immediately sought Rayna, and for a moment, he froze in place.
"What happened?" Rayna asked softly, her brows drawing together. "Something wrong?"
Soren shook his head slowly, his gaze never leaving her.
"No. It's just you took my breath away. The dress suits you perfectly. I'm glad... you look so beautiful in it."
He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. Warmth passed between them, and Rayna couldn't help but smile, her cheeks tinged with color.
"Yeah, yeah... let's go. We're already getting late."
Together, they moved forward. Soren at her side, Yunxi and Ezra flanking them.
Rayna walked at the center, her dress flowing like a trail of sunset light, her mates shining beside her as they entered the hall.
The palace hall had been transformed for the feast and the gathering.
Tall stone pillars were wrapped with rich fabrics in deep crimson and gold, their rough weave softening the hard edges of the structure.
Animal hides and fur drapes hung between the arches, while garlands of wildflowers, feathers, and polished bones added a primitive touch of beauty.
Torches lined the walls in carved sconces, their flames casting a warm glow across the space. The ceiling beams were strung with herbs and crystals that shimmered faintly in the firelight. Long wooden tables stretched across the hall, their surfaces set with bronze plates, clay vessels, and goblets that caught the glow of the flames.
The hall looked glamourous.
Dragons were scattered throughout the space—some sampling the spread of delicacies, others engaged in hushed conversations, while a few simply stood back, their sharp eyes observing everything.
Near the dais, a small group clustered around Lord Karnyx, who was locked in discussion with Darian and the Patriarch.
Even from a distance, it was clear who held the upper hand. Karnyx's presence dominated the exchange—his voice measured, his gaze sharp, and every subtle gesture reminding that they were still upset.
Soren leaned close, his voice low. "The formal talks will happen tomorrow. Tonight is just for easing the air. But... do you want to meet him now?"
Rayna hesitated. "Will it be alright?"
Soren nodded. "I don't think it'll be an issue. If anything, it might soften the atmosphere if they see you. Ezra, Yunxi—you're coming with us."
Both of them agreed without question.
Rayna drew in a breath and nodded. "Then let's go."
As they crossed the hall toward Lord Karnyx, her thoughts raced.
Damn this social anxiety. Don't stutter. Don't falter. Even if he looks intimidating, keep it together, Rayna.
When they finally reached him, Soren took the lead, bowing slightly. Rayna mirrored him, as did Ezra and Yunxi.
"Lord Karnyx," Soren began politely.
But the dragon lord's sharp gaze had already locked onto Rayna. His eyes raked over her from head to toe, lingering in a way that made the air heavy.
And then— his sonorous voice came out.
"Your scent was pretty strong the moment you entered the hall, female."
God, his voice was so deep.
Rayna's chest tightened as she looked up and met his eyes—deep emerald, gleaming as if lit from within.
Before she could answer, Soren stepped forward. "Greetings, I am Soren, the Patriarch's son. And this is my—"
"Mate."
Lord Karnyx interrupted, his tone bitter. His eyes didn't leave Rayna.
"A female dragon... with a bird." His lips curved ever so slightly, sharp and disdainful. "How quaint."
"...and a fluffy panda and a fox. Great." Lord Karnyx's voice cut sharp, every word laced with disdain.
Rayna's brows knit together. What does he mean by that? Is he... looking down on my mates? The thought stirred irritation in her chest, but before she could speak, the Patriarch stepped in.
"My son came with his mate to the Beast City recently."
"Soren and Rayna first met in the Vukari village. In fact, all of them met there." His hand shifted subtly, indicating Ezra and Yunxi as well.
Lord Karnyx folded his arms across his chest, eyes narrowing.
"And what business would a female dragon have in a place like Vukari?" He let his gaze linger on Rayna again, studying her face. "Looking at you... you're young. Not even five hundred years, I'd say."
A quiet murmur rose behind him—another dragon leaning close, whispering into his ear. Karnyx's eyes flicked with certainty. "A hundred, perhaps. Yes, that seems closer."
Rayna froze. A hundred?
Her stomach dropped, pulse quickening as the words echoed in her mind. She stared at him, wide-eyed. I'm... a hundred years old?
She hadn't known. No one had told her. Not even the faintest hint. And now, in front of all these dragons, the truth—or something close to it—had been revealed like a casual remark.
"A hundred!? You're saying I'm an old woman!?" Rayna gasped in her mind.
Soren stepped forward, his voice steady but edged with steel. "Lord Karnyx, with due respect, Rayna has matters she wishes to discuss directly with you. If you would allow her the courtesy of your time and permission for that conversation."
Karnyx seemed to weigh it over, his expression unreadable.
At last, he inclined his head. "Very well. Let us speak somewhere more private." He gestured towards the balcony.
Rayna gave a small nod, stepping forward. Soren, Ezra, and Yunxi naturally moved to follow. Karnyx paused mid-stride, a single brow arched. "These beasts intend to join as well?"
Rayna's chin lifted, her voice crisp and certain. "Of course."
For a beat his gaze lingered on her, one brow still raised, then he gave a low hum. "Very well."
When they reached the balcony, only Karnyx joined them; the other dragons remained behind. He turned, emerald eyes narrowing.
"Let's keep this simple. I don't waste time with circles. First—what business did a dragon, and a female at that, have in Vukari?"
Rayna glanced at Soren, Yunxi, and Ezra. Each of them gave her a small nod of reassurance, steadying her nerves.
"Yes... so, basically, there was this volcano near Vukari village. That's where I hatched—from an egg. I flew up to get out of there, but while I was in the air, I crashed into Soren. He saved me as we were falling and brought me to Vukari afterward."
Karnyx's gaze stayed fixed on her, unblinking, his expression unreadable.
"Strange," he said at last, voice low and deliberate. "Dragon eggs don't hatch alone. You should have had clutchmates. But then again might be that you're the sole egg. But, hatching in a place like that? Unusual. We keep to the hatching grounds of the dragon realm."
He paused, studying her as though piecing together a puzzle. "Odd... very odd."
He straightened, his eyes hardening. "But regardless of that mystery, one thing is clear—I'm displeased. You chose these beasts as mates. Non-dragons. Such bonds are not accepted in our realm."
Rayna's brow furrowed. What the heck? Why is it not acceptable?
"But then again," Karnyx continued, his voice losing some of its edge, "the fact that you managed to fly the moment you hatched... that's remarkable. Hatchlings usually take time before they can even stretch their wings. And you—you had no kin around you. No one to guide you, no one to teach you what it means to be dragon."
He let out a long breath, the hardness in his expression softening. "You must have had it hard, child—confused, lost, utterly alone. For that, I... feel sorry for you."
The sudden change caught Rayna off guard. One moment his words had cut like ice, and the next, warmth seeped into them, unexpected and disarming.
She opened her mouth, unsure of how to respond. Then it struck her—her mark. This is my chance, I can ask him about it—
"Um, my lord, I had something else I wished to—"
Before she could finish, a dragon approached swiftly and bowed. "Lord Karnyx, the Patriarch requests your presence. The greetings and the feast are about to begin."
Just like that, his emerald gaze hardened again, the warmth vanishing. "Fine." He turned back to Rayna, regarding her for a long moment.
"We'll speak later," he said firmly. "I'm curious about you... and if your kin were never there for you, then perhaps I should make up for their absence."
He reached out and patted Rayna's hair—gentle, almost fatherly. The touch startled her, yet strangely, it felt... comforting.
"Yes, my lord," Rayna said softly, bowing with a small smile.
To her surprise, Karnyx's lips curved into the faintest smile in return before he turned and strode away.
"...Did that old guy just smile?" Ezra asked, blinking.
"I didn't even know his face could make that expression," Soren muttered.
Yunxi tilted his head thoughtfully. "Maybe... it's because Rayna's a dragon so..."
Rayna huffed, "Come on, let's go."
As they slipped back into the hall, whispers had already begun to stir.
Across the table, a dragon who had been silent till now leaned back, sipping his drink, eyes narrowing.
"Who was that with Karnyx?" he asked, lowering his voice.
"She's a female dragon," a dragon next to him replied casually. "The Beast Lord's elder brother's mate. Odd, isn't it? She's taken three non-dragon mates. Can't say I've ever heard of such a thing. Especially not with a female dragon living outside the realm." He chuckled, biting into a piece of fruit. "Strange business."
"...It's not strange at all," the dragon who asked the question murmured. "I need to meet her."
The other dragon snorted. "You? Talk to a female? You're serious?"
The dragon's gaze lingered toward Rayna, unreadable.
"Dead serious."
For a brief moment, something stirred in his eyes—an unspoken recognition, an emotion neither hatred nor curiosity, but something that made the air between them shift.