The Dragon’s Oath: A Tale of Ashes and Roses

Chapter 1: The Bargain

The village of Blackthorn was dying.

For months, the great black dragon Ignarion had circled their skies, his shadow darkening the fields, his fiery breath withering their crops. The elders had tried offerings—gold, livestock, even their finest wines—but nothing satisfied the beast. Then, one fateful evening, the dragon spoke.

"Bring me a bride." His voice rumbled like distant thunder. "And I shall spare your village."

Terror spread through Blackthorn. Who would willingly wed a monster? The village girls wept, their families holding them close. All except for Seraphine, the healer’s daughter. She had spent her entire life mending wounds, not causing them. And if one life could save hundreds…

"I will go," she said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.

Her father pleaded with her to reconsider, but Seraphine stood firm. "If I don’t, we'll all perish."

With a heavy heart, the villagers prepared her for the journey. They dressed her in a simple white gown, the color of surrender, and placed a crown of winter roses upon her brow.

As she climbed the mountain to Ignarion’s lair, the wind whispered secrets she could not yet understand.

Chapter 2: The Beast’s Lair

The cave was vast, its walls glittering with embedded jewels. At its heart lay the dragon, his scales black as midnight, his golden eyes burning like embers. Seraphine’s breath caught, but she did not flee.

"You came," the dragon mused, his voice smoother than she expected. "Willingly?"

"I did." She lifted her chin. "But I have one condition."

A rumble of amusement shook the cavern. "Bargaining with a dragon? Brave little thing. Speak."

"Spare my village. Forever. No more fires. No more fear."

The dragon studied her, then dipped his massive head. "Agreed."

Seraphine exhaled. She had expected violence, cruelty—not this strange, solemn pact.

Chapter 3: The Man Behind the Scales

That night, as she lay upon a bed of silks, a figure emerged from the shadows. A man, tall and broad-shouldered, with eyes the same molten gold as the dragon’s.

Seraphine gasped, scrambling back. "Who—?"

"You know who." His voice was the dragon’s, yet human. "I am Caelan, the last prince of Vaelith. Cursed by a sorcerer a century ago."

Her pulse raced. "Then… the dragon is you?"

He nodded grimly. "By day, the beast. By night, a man. Only true love’s kiss can break the curse." His gaze turned bitter. "But who could love a monster?"

Seraphine’s anger flared. "You terrorized my village!"

"And you walked into my lair to save them." He stepped closer. "Perhaps we are both more than we seem."

Chapter 4: The Unlikely Bond

Days turned to weeks. Seraphine explored the caverns, finding a forgotten library, a garden of night-blooming flowers. Caelan, though gruff, was not unkind. He brought her rare herbs and often told her stories of his lost kingdom.

One evening, as she stitched a wound on his scaled forearm, she asked, "Why a bride? Why not just demand treasure?"

Caelan’s gaze darkened. "The sorcerer’s curse demanded it. ‘Only through love shall you be free.’ I thought if I forced a marriage, the curse would break." He laughed bitterly. "But love is not something that can be forced."

Seraphine’s fingers stilled. "No," she agreed softly. "It's not."

Chapter 5: The Sorcerer’s Return

Their fragile peace shattered when the sorcerer Lirith appeared, his magic crackling like lightning. "Did you think I wouldn’t notice, prince? You’ve grown… attached."

Caelan roared, shifting into his dragon form, but Lirith was prepared. Chains of dark magic coiled around Caelan, pinning him down.

"Foolish girl," Lirith sneered at Seraphine. "Did you truly think you could love a beast?"

Seraphine’s hands clenched. "I didn't. But now... now I do love him."

Before Lirith could react, she lunged, pressing her lips to Caelan’s scaled snout.

Light exploded.

The chains shattered.

Caelan’s form shimmered—his scales melting into skin, his wings fading into strong arms.

The curse was broken.

Chapter 6: A New Beginning

With Lirith's curse defeated, Caelan stood before Seraphine—fully human, fully free.

"You saved me," he whispered.

She smiled. "You saved my village first."

Hand in hand, they returned to Blackthorn, where the villagers rejoiced. Caelan, no longer a monster, pledged to rebuild what he had destroyed. And Seraphine? She had gone to the dragon’s lair a sacrifice… and returned a queen.

Epilogue

Years later, beneath the same winter roses she had worn as a bride, Seraphine and Caelan ruled together—not as beast and captive, but as partners. And though the tale of The Dragon’s Bride became legend, the truth was simpler:

Sometimes, love is found in the most unexpected places.

Thank you for wandering the forgotten pages of The Lost Books – "Libri Perditi." If this tale ignited your imagination, consider:

✨ Liking to fuel more enchanted stories.

📖 Subscribing to uncover hidden chapters.

💎 Tipping to help preserve these lost legends.

The next volume awaits… but only if you dare to turn the page.

—Keeper of the Tomes