HAZEL POV

I woke up to the feel of the bare floor against my skin. As I slowly tried to open my eyes, they hurt as the light from the window shone into them. Then my head hurt so badly that I could hardly bear it. When my eyes finally flew open, all I could see was an empty room with a steel bucket on the side it should be a latrine bucket. I looked around to find hard walls made from cobblestone. And then the memories came flooding back: how they took me from the house, my mother crying her eyes out, my father rushing to fight for me, and then that mean huge man with broad shoulders who stabbed my arm with an injection. I could still feel the pain from the stab. Why were they doing all this? What did they need a girl of my age for? I hadn't committed any crime to warrant dragging me from my parents like a stolen cow reclaimed by its owner from a thief in a brutal way. When I tried to move, something held me in place. Chains. I looked at my leg and saw two big chains planted into the concrete floor holding me there. I decided to let out my frustration. "What do you want from me? What did I do to offend anyone?" I shouted at the top of my voice. My voice echoed through the emptiness. I sighed as anger surged through my veins. Different thoughts started running through my head, and I couldn't come up with an idea of why all this was happening. How did I suddenly go from being a lovely daughter to a lowly prisoner trapped in an empty cell? As my thoughts continued to run wild, I heard footsteps approaching. I straightened myself up as the doorknob turned. Two guards one I recognized from the abduction scene yesterday and another I hadn't seen before walked in, followed by a maid who looked like she was in her late thirties. She walked in with a tray containing food and water and placed it before me. "You should eat up quickly. You will be taken from here in an hour, so eat to gain strength for the journey," she said with a hint of kindness in her voice. "What if I don't want to eat this crap?" I said with anger in my eyes. "If you don't, it's your business. But I would advise it's better if you do, to avoid collapsing on the way," she said, looking slightly irritated at my behaviour as she pushed the bowl of watery soup towards me. The sight of it made me want to throw up. "Loosen me, or do you want me to eat like a dog?" I said, anger evident in my voice. "Loosen her so she can eat her food," the maid said. One of the guards came and squatted beside me. He brought out a bunch of keys to unlock the chains, and then they fell off. As soon as they fell, I felt relieved. The weight of the chains was already driving me crazy. Then they turned and stepped out, locking and slamming the door in my face. I heard them turn the lock and the retracing of their footsteps along the corridor. I pushed the tray of food away angrily. I didn't even feel hungry, plus the food wasn't appetising. I don't know how long I stayed like that before I heard footsteps walking towards the door. The lock turned again, and the door slammed open. They walked in again, and the maid threw a cloak at me. "Put it on," she said. I picked it up. I was already cold, as it seemed it had already started to snow. She picked up the tray of food, which was still the way she brought it in. With one last glance at me, she left without saying a word. I was grateful she didn't, because I wasn't in the mood to be stressed right now. I had been through a lot recently. "Follow me," I heard one of the guards say. After that, we walked through long stone hallways before taking me outside. When we stepped outside, the cold breeze hit my skin despite the cloak I was wearing. Then I saw two other girls about my age also putting on cloaks just like me. "So I wasn't the only one," I thought, surprised. They led me and one of the girls into a carriage, and then the other girl was put into another carriage. The carriages started to move. "Hi, what's your name?" I heard the girl who sat next to me ask. "Hazel," I said, surprised at her boldness. "What's your own name?" I asked, my voice slightly above a whisper. "Adriel," she answered, trying to force a smile. Then I decided to ask her, "I'm from the Moewe clan. Which clan did you come from?" "Tseki clan," she said. A little silence made its way between us, and then I decided to ask her the question that had been bothering me ever since I was in the cell. "Do you know why they took us?" I asked, trying not to sound weird and creepy. I heard her breath become ragged. She looked at me for some time before she spoke up. "Every hundred years, three 18-year-old virgins, chosen by the priestess, are sent to the dragon realm as sacrifices," she said, still staring at me. Fear made its way to my heart and gripped my being. "What do you think is the reason for all this?" I asked with anxiety clear in my voice as I stared at her. "When I was a bit younger, I found a book in my father's library. In one of his shelves among his many books-I think the title was The Inferno: The Curse of the Dragon it says that the dragon heirs are normally born with a curse, the Inferno, which manifests in them between the ages of 20 and 25. The Inferno makes the dragon crazy with fire, making them burn down different villages if not curtailed fast. And that was how the sacrifice of three female virgins started, as it was believed that this was the only cure to the Inferno. I don't know how it came to place or how they found out that this was the cure, but I think it's about time, and that's what they need us for." "What? This is unbelievable," I said as my body was now shaking with fear. "Are you sure of what you're saying?" I asked like an inquisitive child seeking desperate answers. "After I read the book, I asked my mother and-" before she could complete what she wanted to say, the carriage came to a halt. "We've arrived, girls. Get down," we heard the guards order as they opened the door for us. As we stepped down, we found ourselves in front of huge mountains with stairs carved out of it. Two guards started to climb the mountains. "Follow our lead, girls," one of them said, and then we followed them. The third girl I don't know what her name is she just walked calmly like she had given up on her life. She walked beside us. Finally, we got to the edge of the mountains. My legs hurt from all the climbing, and my feet were now swollen and reddish. When we got there, we were met by the royal family and the priestess. When I looked to the side, I saw my parents. My mother, my father-they looked pale and sad. I could see my mother's red eyes, which I knew were red from crying over me. My heart ached for them, but there was nothing I could do. Soon they led us past the crowd. My mother tried to reach out to us, but the guards blocked her way. Soon we were standing before the priestess. She started saying incantations, after which she turned to us. Then she took a knife and tore our palms. The pain of the knife in my palm was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. She poured a thick liquid on our palms, and then a pattern formed on my hands. Mine was the pattern of fire and a dragon, while theirs was just fire. Soon the rituals were completed, and we were given ten minutes to greet our parents. As soon as the guards gave way, my mother and father rushed to my side. "Oh, my dear," my mother said, drawing me into her arms in a passionate hug. I could feel her tears on my clothes. My father stood close; he also looked sad. Even though he wasn't crying, I knew he was hurt. Then he joined in the hug. I could also see Adriel and her mother, who was also crying. I felt like crying, but the tears refused to fall. Then the ten minutes elapsed, and we were led to the boat which would take us from Aldridge to the dragon realm. I turned back one last time, and I could see my mother had broken down in tears as my father tried to console her. My heart melted, but what could I possibly do? I took one last breath and then stepped into the boat, not knowing what awaited me, but I hoped for the best.

The sailor struggled at the front of the boat as he steered through the sea, which was slowly hardening into sheets of ice. The water that once danced in waves now cracked under us, turning white and sharp like broken glass. A cold wind brushed past, weaving through the wooden boards of the boat and cutting against my skin. The silence around us was loud too loud. It sat heavily between me, Adriel, and the other girl.That girl... what was her name again?

I hadn't asked. I should have asked earlier, but everything had happened too fast too suddenly for thoughts like that to stay in order.

She sat quietly at the side of the boat, her eyes fixed on the horizon as if she had already accepted her death. It was that unsettling kind of quiet, the kind that made it seem like she would welcome her end if it came now, with open arm, then I forced myself to speak.

"Um... sorry, what's your name?" I asked, trying to sound gentle and concerned. At least for a little while, if this was all we had left, I wanted us to communicate properly. Maybe even stay friends, even if just for the time we remained alive."Mahir," she said, trying to smile. But the smile never fully formed. It trembled at the edges and then fell apart Silence swallowed us again.

Each one of us drifted into our own thoughts. For me, it was my family. My mother's gentle hands, my father's protective stare, everyone who ever cared about me. What did we do to deserve this? Why us? Why any girl at all? My mind kept going back to the same thing:The dragon realm. Eldorado. just like Adriel I had also heard about this dragon curse thing but where did I hear it from I tried to think, yes from mothers bed time stories, the name I once thought belonged to stories and myths. A name I wished still belonged to stories and myths. But Adriel knew more. She had always known more than we did.

"Adriel," I whispered as I shifted closer to her. She jumped slightly, snapped out of her thoughts. "Hazel? What's wrong?" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Fear had softened her tone."Can you... tell me more about this dragon curse thing? And why they need girls as sacrifices?" I asked. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment it felt like I could see into her soul into the fear she tried to hide.

Mahir sat up too, suddenly alert. She wanted answers just as desperately.

Adriel exhaled shakily and began.

"Like I told you when we were in the carriage I read about the dragon from a book in my fathers library" she said

A gust of freezing wind blew across the boat, but she continued.

" After reading the book, I decided to ask my mother about the whole thing, then she told me that it was true and warned me never to speak of such matters to her again"

Mahir's fingers tightened around the wooden edge of the boat.

"After one of the great destructions caused by the inferno, a witch had a vision," Adriel said softly, her eyes fixed on her hands. "She saw a prophecy. The only cure was to feed the dragon heir with the roasted hearts of three human female virgins."My breath caught.

"And that," she finished quietly, "was how the ritual started. At first, I thought it was just some old myth until my mother confirmed it was true.Her last word hung in the air like smoke. A heavy Silence made it way between us and I could now hear my heart beat wide against my chest, I could also sense fear among us as each one of us

Just then a cold, heavy breeze swept across us, stronger than anything before. It forced our eyes to the front of the boat.

And that was when we realized...

We had arrived.

ELDORADO.

The realm of dragons.

The air here felt different. Thicker. Heavier. Almost alive. I could feel something crawling under my skin-not a creature, but a feeling. Fear... panic... anxiety. It was everywhere, surrounding us like invisible chains.

We sailed closer to the shore, but as we did, the atmosphere changed again. My heartbeat quickened. Something was coming. Something dangerous.

Then I saw them.

Two enormous black dragons sliced through the sky toward us, their wings beating like thunder. Moonlight glimmered across their scales, making them look like living shadows.

A gasp tore out of me.

"Mahir, Adriel look! They're coming!"

The others turned, and I could hear their heartbeats now racing wildly, just like mine. The dragons flew closer, larger than anything I had ever imagined. Their wings spread wide, blocking parts of the moon. The wind from their flight whipped our hair back.

Then fire erupted.

A massive, blazing burst exploded from one of their throats, lighting the world in shades of red and gold. We scrambled backwards on the boat, nearly slipping.

The sailor didn't even have time to scream.

The fire consumed him in a heartbeat as screams of agony escaped his lips and soon it died down.One blink he was there.

The next he was nothing but falling ashes.

His remains drifted into the frozen air, scattering before us like dark snow.

Mahir fainted immediately, her body dropping to the wooden floor with a soft thud. Adriel, trembling uncontrollably, rushed to her side, trying to wake her or at least hold her still.But I couldn't move.

I stood frozen, staring into empty space. My legs refused to respond. My mind felt numb. Was this really our fate? Was this what we had been dragged here for?

The dragons descended.

First two.

Then three.

Three massive creatures landed before us with ground-shaking force. Snow scattered. Ice cracked. The air buzzed with heat even though the night was freezing.

The one in front larger, darker, with scales that shimmered like polished stone precious stones stepped forward. Its golden eyes stared into mine, and for a moment, I felt like I was standing in front of death itself.

HAZEL POV

One minute we were on the ground staring at the dragons in fear of what might be out fate and the next we were flying on air, on the back of the same dragons we feared and dreaded our nightmares, the dragon who had just burnt our sailor was at the front and we were flying on the other two dragons back we held on as we didn't want to fall down I had never been on somewhere high like this and it made me nauseous coupled with the fact that I hadn't eaten anything in the last three days and now my stomach was giving out loud and outrageous sounds, I wondered if the dragon who was carrying us could hear it which I hoped not. Soon we fully entered the dragon realm it was so beautiful like something out of this world, I would have said heaven but I had heard from my mother that heaven was for the good but then these creatures looked like the devil themselves but, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of this realm it was much more beautiful than our realm diffrent dragons flew around, the stars shone differently like Diamonds, I had never imagined that this was how the dragon realm would look like. Eldorado was something else, something that looked extremely beautiful and magical too and despite the fear in my chest I couldn't help but stare in wonder and fascination, because it was a feast for the eyes. Soon we reached a beautiful castle, from it magnificent and grand architecture, I immediately knew that it had to be the royal palace because among the beautiful houses we met in the way this was the most beautiful, it walls where designed with fine stones making it stand out, it looked like a tower with about five storeys, it was extremely tall and wide covering over five acres of land and then its fortresses where made up of thick, heavy walls making it stand out, I knew this castle was ancient but then it looked beautiful and outstanding much beautiful than the best houses in the human realm. Soon the dragons landed at the front of one of the hallways and then two guards walked towards us "get down girls" one of the guards said as the dragon who had carried us bent for us to get down. When we got down I could now see the guards properly they had pale skin and the colours of their eyes and features were something else, one had deep green eyes with long Raven black hair, and the other had monochromatic eyes one blue and the other green with long green hair, "where they also dragons" I thought as I stepped down from the dragons back, "welcome back your majesty"They said as they bowed before the dragon with thick scales who made me feel something I didn't understand I could feel his eyes on me the whole time but I couldn't bare to return a glance. Wait he was their King or maybe prince then I understood that the guards where also dragons, "wait that means these dragons could also transform into humans" I thought to myself "take them in an guard them well" the dragon with thick scales and golden eyes spoke up I didn't believe my eyes not my hears, the dragon had just spoken I grew up in my life believing that beast don't talk, and then my suspicions got cleared, if he could talk, he could also become human, after which I began to think of what he would look like if he was in his human form, I couldn't help but stare as the dragons eyes locked into mine my body reacted in ways I didn't understand, it was almost like I couldn't control it, giving me one last intense look he looked at the guards "take them in and tell the miads to bring them food, they look hungry " he ordered as his eyes fell on me again like he was talking about me in particular as I quickly looked away the sound of food did really make my stomach rumble. The guards led us away as I could still feel his gaze on me as we walked deep into the corridors. Finally I was taken to my cell, at least this cell was better than the one back in the human realm, it had a small bed at the side or was this for the VIP'S, I thought they led me in, locked the gates, and left then my thoughts drifted to him, that dragon why did my heart miss a beat when our eyes met, he was supposed to be my enemy but I found myself attracted, I hadn't even seen him in human form and here I was already feeling like this, the way he looked at me, was something I didn't understand those mesmerizing killer eyes that somehow had a crazy effect on me one I didn't want to admit to, back in the human realm boys hardly looked at me not even for a micro second, but that dragon stared at me so intently, that I could feel my knees grow weak, my stomach growled again and I felt weak from both hunger and the long journey, and as if God heard prayers, a sweet aroma hit my nostrils, and then the gates swung open as two maids stepped in with two trays of food and desert, I couldn't believe my eyes was this for a prisoner or were they ed mistaking me for a guest or something. They dropped ge the food close to me on the bed, and then I was forced to ask "all this for me?" I asked just to be sure not to get into trouble "yes my lady" and then they turned to leave I breathed a sigh of relief and unleashed my hunger on the food, as I could hardly control myself and soon all the plates were empty at least, I would eat well before I get sacrificed, I had accepted my fate already, besides, there's no turning back I was already in the dragon realm, and worse of all in an heavily guarded cell, guarded by not just ordinary guards, but dragon shifters so I was doomed and condemned to die already, the earlier I accept it, the better for me. DRAVON POV; I Arrived at the balcony of my chambers and then shifted to my human form as I walked in I couldn't just take my mind off that girl, it wasn't just her innocent beauty that drew me to her, her scent and everything else drew me to her, my beast kept saying one word the word I dreaded the most " mate" back at the entrance of the palace prison corridor I couldn't take my eyes if her it was just like a part of her was in me, I couldn't just get her out of my head, then I heard a knock on my door "come in" I said, even my voice showed my frustration right now and I didn't hide, the person outside did not step in but knocked again "I said come in don't you have ears" finally the door knob turned and a young guard well built with purple eyes, walked in "what do you want" I asked urgently and then he handed me a letter sealed in blood, I already knew what this meant, a letter from the priestess herself, I don't know why she likes sealing letters in blood but that was just her habit, maybe she just did it as a sign, to take her letters seriously I dismissed the guards as I opened the letter and then just as I expected, it read " your highness, the prince get your acts together, and get yourself prepared for Tomorrow, as the rituals will be taken place by midnight at the tower of blood, remember you have a major role to play so sleep well and conserve your strength for tomorrow's event. From; The priestess. I tore the letter in shreds and threw it away, I loved the customs and traditions of Eleanor, but this was the part I hated I knew I had to throw every stupid feelings I had started developing towards that human girl and move on as this was best for both realms but then I her scent came hitting my nostrils again, it was like I could smell her scent from a distance. I walked to the balcony shifted and flew away from my room to get some fresh air and get her out of my head, i flew towards the mountains my place of solace, a place I could see the whole world from, as she came running back to my mind " this girl she would be my doom I knew it and I could feel it.