[Bonus chapter] A place in your heart

"What's the plan?" the king raised a question.

Soren dashed to the open window and jumped out without uttering a word to the king. Adnan rushed over to the window in fear. Scared thar Soren might have attempted suicide because of the missing cargo.

He was surprised to see a large red dragon flap its gigantic wings and fly to the skies. Adnan watched in awe as the dragon made the distance between itself and the palace, flying away in full glory.

It was the first time he had seen such a magical sight. The first time he got the opportunity to see a dragon up close.

When Amoela introduced Soren as a dragonling, Adnan didn't expect the man to be a dragon. He speculated that the male was related to the dragon through his bloodline. Seeing him transform into a dragon in broad daylight made Adnan's heart miss a few beats.

He glanced up at the dragon with a blooming smile playing on his lips. The expression on his face wasn't missed by the king and queen of Arendar.

Queen Tamira was amused at how naive Adnan was while King Javier's smile fell. He wasn't at all pleased with the look Adnan was giving Soren.

He had felt the attraction of being the only person Soren cared for. And it occurred to him that Adnan stood a chance of becoming the second person Soren develops a concern for.

The queen glanced at Adnan. She saw an opportunity to get the king's favor and stabilize her position in court. The new slave brought to serve her proved quite useful the moment he arrived. She was pleased.

Amoela pitied Adnan. No one had ever glanced at Soren in that way and lived to speak of it. King Javier was obsessed with Soren, sharing his blood-bound dragonling was not an option. This was something many had to learn the hard way.

Like all who had set eyes on Soren, Adnan couldn't resist the allure of mystery Soren offered.

"Dismissed," the king ordered.

Amoela pulled Adnan from the window. They both bowed to the king and queen and exited the room.

King Javier turned to his Queen. "That goes to you too," he uttered coldly.

Queen Tamira remained unmoving. She had a lot to discuss with the king. And the present seemed like the perfect opportunity to do it.

"Are you deaf?" the king inquired annoyed by her presence. Queen Tamira sighed.

"My mother wants me to make claim to Zarlos," she stated in one breath. The King shot a cold glare at her. Angered and irritated by all the news the Queen thought it right to deliver to him when he wanted to rest.

"Are you mad? Laying claim to Zarlos would start a never-ending war," he pointed out. "I know," the queen responded. She took a few steps stalking toward the king. She bridged the gap between them and inched closer to her husband.

"You understand as well as I do that one way or another they will force my hand. I need my husband now more than ever," Queen Tamira reached out for the king's hand. She brought it over to her chest right above her heart and tightened her hold on him. "I need you, Javier," she let out.

King Javier stared at her unmoving.

"Once upon a time, you looked at me with love and affection. I know I have no right over you but I ask that you don't turn your back on me," the queen pleaded to him. Javier tried to retrieve his hand however the queen wasn't allowing it.

Queen Tamira came prepared. News she was certain would drive Soren out of the palace giving her a chance to have a heart-to-heart conversation with the king. Something impossible to do with the dragonling around. As long as Soren was present in the palace, the king gave no mind or presence to anyone other than him.

The news of her family forcing her hand was her one shot at getting King Javier back.

The king's affection for Soren was limited news to the few trusted people in the palace. However, Queen Tamira understood that the secret wouldn't last forever. Someday the whole world would come to learn that she is merely a queen by name.

Without the king by her side. Shall that news become public then her life would end? Either she will be deposed or killed by those who sought her crown.

Having an heir through a slave wasn't an option. As it would provide her security but also put her life in danger. Her child would never be able to sit on the throne as it won't be King Javier's blood and every day she will live in fear of that fact being discovered. And if such a day were to arrive, she and her child would be beheaded.

She thought about her future thoroughly and all the scenarios weren't good for her unless she had the king's affection and support.

"One's heart is capable of loving more than one person, my king," she argued. "I do not wish to replace Soren or take his place. For my life I simply ask for a place in your heart," she cried out to Javier.

King Javier panicked. Her request made his heart miss a few beats. It wasn't outrageous of her to ask this of him and he too understood her situation however, his heart was off limits. It was the one thing he wasn't in a position to give her or anyone else.

"If you can't do this much for me then you might as well depose me immediately," the queen buried her head in the king's chest and choked up. Javier raised his free hand startled by her actions.

He was puzzled about what to do. None of his previous queens ever cried out to him as Tamira did. It was easier to make a decision when it came to them as they had the audacity to claim him without hesitation. Yet, Queen Tamira wasn't like them. She didn't demand his love as her right but pleaded for it to save herself.

King Javier was lost.

He didn't want to make such a decision without Soren around. It was a decision that affected both of them, it was only fair that they talk it through.

"My mother is here, we don't have much time. Either you are with me or you aren't," Queen Tamira struggled to say through her cries.

The King felt trapped.