"What was he asking you?" Soren asked quietly as they walked back toward Yunxi and Ezra.
"He just warned me that too many of those tarts can make me drunk," Rayna replied, balancing the plate carefully. "Apparently they're made from some fruit called taru or something."
"Nothing else?" Soren's tone was calm but searching.
"Um... no," Rayna said, glancing away. Then she mumbled under her breath, "He did say something about me liking sweets, I think..."
"Rayna!" Yunxi's voice cut through the moment. "Are those tarts for me?" He reached out before waiting for an answer and popped one into his mouth. "Mhm—so sweet."
"Here," he added, offering her a goblet, "your favorite honey drink."
"Thank you," Rayna smiled, taking a sip. The drink was smooth and golden, its sweetness mellowing the taste of the tart still lingering on her tongue.
"These tarts are really sweet," Ezra commented, trying one. "But weirdly addictive."
Before they could continue, a beastman approached and bowed slightly. "Lord Soren, the Patriarch is asking for you—and your mate. In fact, all of you."
Rayna exchanged a glance with Soren.
"Let's go, my love," he said softly, placing a reassuring hand at her back as they began walking toward the grand dais.
Lord Karnyx stood near the dais beside the Patriarch and Darian. Next to him was a tall figure with long crimson hair that fell like fire over his shoulders, his skin faintly tanned and eyes sharp.
Yes—him. The same dragon Rayna had met by the food table.
Soren's hand found Rayna's instinctively, his thumb brushing against her palm as they approached. Yunxi and Ezra followed close behind, their usual cheer dimmed under the weight of the moment.
"Oh, they're here," the Patriarch said with a polite smile, motioning towards them.
"Soren, meet Lord Kairos."
The name rang heavy in the hall—low murmurs rippled through a few of the dragons standing nearby.
Kairos gaze shifted lazily from Soren to Rayna, pausing just a moment longer than necessary before he inclined his head.
"So," he said, his tone smooth but carrying an undercurrent of heat, "we meet again."
Rayna blinked, feeling that strange pull in her chest once more—something familiar, something ancient, but impossible to place.
Soren nodded, acknowledging him. The patriarch's gaze lingered on Soren as he leaned closer and whispered, "He's an important figure — holds great influence in the Dragon Kingdom. Tread carefully, understood?"
Soren gave a subtle nod and bowed slightly in respect.
Lord Kairos returned the gesture with a calm nod of his own, his expression unreadable.
The Patriarch introduced all of them, Rayna, Yunxi, Ezra...
But all the while, his gaze was fixed on Rayna.
Karnyx interrupted lightly, "It's his first visit here. Patriarch, do recommend some of the finer meals for him to try."
"Of course," the patriarch replied with a nod. "Soren, you'll take Lord Kairos."
Soren blinked, looking at him in question.
The patriarch leaned closer, whispering, "Darian and I need to handle the other dragons. Just take him along — he doesn't seem like the talkative type. Like you. You'll get along just fine."
Soren looked mildly offended, but the patriarch only waved him off. "Go, go."
Still, Soren couldn't ignore the way that dragon's gaze kept drifting toward Rayna.
"All of you stay together," Karnyx said, his eyes sweeping over Rayna, Ezra, Yunxi, and Soren with a small smile.
Soren gritted his teeth. "Fine. Let's go, Lord Kairos."
Kairos gave a simple nod.
As they walked through the hall, Soren took the lead, explaining each dish in detail — the origin, flavor, and what made it special. Rayna, Ezra, and Yunxi trailed behind them.
"Isn't he the dragon who was talking to you earlier?" Ezra asked under his breath.
"Yeah," Rayna replied.
"Then why does he keep looking at you?" Yunxi frowned.
"Sharp eyes, Yunxi," Ezra said dryly.
"It was too obvious. And anything concerning Rayna comes to my notice." Yunxi said.
Rayna laughed softly. "Aww, Yunxi."
Truth be told, even she didn't understand the way Kairos's gaze lingered — calm, unreadable, but somehow intense.
"He's even taller than Soren," Yunxi muttered.
"Well, don't be fooled by appearances," Ezra said with a slight frown. "Dragons are complex creatures."
"What do you mean?" Rayna crossed her arms, raising a brow at him.
Ezra smirked. "Not you, sunshine. You're the sweetest." He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
"Hm. Good."
They stopped at one corner of the grand hall, where the light reflected off the marble floor in soft ripples.
"So, what type of dragon are you, Lord Kairos?" Soren asked, glancing at Kairos.
There was a short pause before Kairos answered, his voice deep and measured.
"My element is fire. Primarily."
Rayna nodded, her gaze lingering on his red hair and eyes. "That explains a lot."
"You all might be hungry. Let's eat," Kairos said calmly.
Soren nodded. He, Yunxi, and Ezra grabbed plates and began piling them with food.
Rayna moved to pick up a plate for herself when all three suddenly came over.
"Here, eat up," Soren said, holding out a plate.
Rayna looked at them, slightly surprised. "Oh..." She glanced at the food: fruits, meats, soups... hmm, she was craving prawns and some seafood from the other side of the hall.
"Guys, could you get me some seafood from over there?" she asked.
Without hesitation, all three dashed off to fulfill her request.
A soft, calm voice called from behind. "Here. Eat this."
Rayna turned to see Kairos holding a plate piled high with seafood.
When did he cross the hall to fetch these huh?
"It's alright... you eat it, Lord Kairos," she said politely, bowing her head slightly.
Kairos gave a small nod, his expression unreadable, before handing the plate toward her.
"No harm in taking a plate from me," Kairos said with a smirk. "I didn't poison it, you know."
Rayna took the plate, bowing slightly. "Thank you, then."
Kairos nodded, his gaze lingering on her as she started eating. She struggled to peel a shrimp with one hand, and before she could protest, Kairos leaned over and peeled it, placing it neatly on her plate.
"I can do it on my own," Rayna stepped back, trying to reclaim her independence.
"Still stubborn, I see," Kairos commented casually.
"Excuse me, what?"
"Nothing," Kairos replied with a small shrug. Then, almost quietly, he added, "You're still beautiful, though."
Rayna felt that gaze again — that unreadable, intense look she couldn't decipher.
"Ahem... thank you," she murmured.
Just then, Ezra, Soren, and Yunxi returned.
"Oh, where did you get that, sunshine?" Ezra asked with a grin.
"Lord Kairos brought it before you guys," Rayna replied.
"Oh," Yunxi said softly.
Soren's eyes narrowed at Kairos, a stern glare in his gaze, but Kairos didn't pay any attention, busy enjoying his own meal.
"Hm. Decent food," he commented, nonchalantly.
As they ate, Rayna's eyes drifted to Lord Karnyx, who was still occupied.
Uff... when do I even ask him about my mark? she thought, frustration creasing her brow.
Seeing her troubled expression, Yunxi asked, "What is it, Rayna?"
"I just... have to ask Karnyx about my mark," she admitted.
Ezra interjected, "Why not ask Lord Kairos? He looks like a wise old dragon... might know something."
Soren, noticing the conversation, stepped in. "Hm?"
"Ezra says I should ask Lord Kairos about my mark," Rayna explained.
"Why not ask Lord Karnyx?" Soren questioned.
"He's busy — that's the problem," Rayna replied.
Soren's gaze flicked to Kairos, unease tightening in his chest. He didn't particularly like the dragon, but the mark was important. And if she waited until after the meeting the next day, and the talks soured again, she might lose her chance entirely.
"Fine," Soren said at last. "Let's ask him."
They hurried toward Lord Kairos.
"What is it you all want to ask me?" Kairos's one eyebrow arched as he looked at them, casually eating a piece of fruit.
"Did we look too obvious?" Yunxi whispered to Ezra.
"Might be," Ezra replied softly.
"Well... Lord Kairos," Rayna began, stepping forward, "I wanted to ask you about something. As you know, I'm a dragon, and... after I hatched, I had this mark on my back. I don't know where it came from, but it burns. Occasionally... but when it does, it's intense. I wanted to ask if you might know what it is, or if there's a way to stop the burning."
Kairos tilted his head, one crimson eye narrowing thoughtfully. "Is it on your back?"
Rayna nodded.
"Hm..." he hummed.
''But what will I get even if I tell you?'' Kairos said.
Soren spoke up, his voice firm. "What do you mean, Lord Kairos? We would appreciate your guidance on this matter. As you can see, my mate often suffers from the flaring pain, and—"
Kairos interrupted coldly, cutting Soren off. "Yeah. I know she's your mate." His eyes flicked to Rayna. "But what do I get out of telling you? I'm not exactly a benevolent dragon like Karnyx," he added with a smirk, "I'm selfish."
Rayna clenched her fists slightly, her irritation bubbling.
Just because he knows something, he acts high and mighty... she thought.
"I understand," she said calmly, though her tone carried edge. "But we don't have anything precious to give you right now, Lord Kairos. And if it's too much, I'll ask Lord Karnyx instead."
Kairos's eye flicked toward her, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Wait," he said, his voice low, drawing her attention.
"Then feed me a shrimp. I'm out — gave all of them to you," Kairos said, his crimson eyes fixed on Rayna.
Soren started to intervene. "There's plenty over there, I'll bring—"
"No need," Kairos interrupted smoothly. "I just want to taste one shrimp. And she has a lot here — why go to the other end for just one?"
Rayna felt her pulse quicken under his gaze.
"Okay... what's the big deal?" she muttered, picking a shrimp and holding it out.
Kairos bent down, tilting his head so that he could see her clearly as he leaned forward. Rayna's eyes widened subtly as he opened his mouth — just enough to take the shrimp from her hand.
In a swift, barely noticeable motion, his tongue brushed against her finger to taste the shrimp. Rayna's heart skipped a beat, the gesture so fleeting only she caught it. Kairos straightened, a faint, knowing smirk tugging at his lips.
"Hmm..." satisfied, he said, his tone casual.
"Now, to business. Could you describe this mark to me?"
Soren stepped forward, trying to explain.
"Hm... would it be too much if you just showed it to me?" Kairos added, his crimson eyes flicking to Rayna.
Rayna glanced at her mates. Their subtle nods reassured her.
"Okay... very quickly," she said, shifting her hair to one side and turning her back to him.
Kairos's expression shifted as he saw the mark — a flicker of bewilderment, and something else Rayna couldn't read.
"Hm..." he murmured. "This mark... well, you can't stop it from burning."
"Huh? Why?" Rayna asked, her brows knitting together.
"You just can't," Kairos said sharply.
Soren pressed, "But we need an explanation, Lord Kairos."
Kairos, ran a hand through his hair, his crimson eyes thoughtful. "Well... it's complicated," he said after a moment, his tone calm but carrying weight.
Rayna exchanged glances with her mates, uncertainty flickering across her face.
Finally, Kairos's gaze shifted toward her directly, sharp and unwavering. "Come to the Dragon Realm, then. It would be better there... to explain everything properly."
"Uhh—what?" Rayna stammered, taken aback by the sudden invitation, her mind racing with questions.