Immortal Dragon ON HOLD

Chapter X

The family sat gathered around the table after supper. Henrik slept quietly in Esther's arms while the rest of the children finished eating. For most of the meal, Esther had been unusually quiet. Her thoughts were elsewhere.

Earlier that day, she had spoken with several women from the village—wives and mothers who had sons of marriageable age. More than one of them had approached her. Asking. Suggesting. Offering proposals for Rhaella.

Normally, such matters were handled by the men. But Mikael had made no effort whatsoever to arrange a match for their eldest daughter. So, Esther had decided to bring it up herself. She cleared her throat.

Mikael looked up from the table. "What is it, my love?" Esther hesitated slightly before speaking. She glanced nervously toward her eldest daughter. Rhaella had inherited Mikael's temper. Perhaps even surpassed it.

"Well," Esther began carefully. "I've been thinking... Don't you think Rhaella is of age to marry?"

The reaction was immediate. Rhaella's eyes snapped toward her mother. Fire flashed in them. "You cannot be serious right now, Mother."

Esther straightened slightly. "You are of age now, Rhaella. Some girls are wed even younger."

Rhaella's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Well, I was not meant to be a housewife."

Esther's expression hardened. "You will not speak to me that way. I am your mother." Then she turned to Mikael. "Surely you agree."

The chair scraped loudly against the floor. Rhaella stood so quickly it toppled backward with a loud crack against the ground. Her fists were clenched.

Usually, she tried to control her temper around her younger siblings. But this time, her blood was boiling. "No." Her voice was sharp with anger. "You will not be marrying me off to anyone. I refuse to become some boy's perfect little trophy wife." Her glare burned into her mother. "Do I make myself clear?" Venom dripped from every word.

Esther turned toward Mikael, expecting him to support her. Instead, Mikael slammed both hands down onto the table.

The loud bang echoed through the hut. The youngest children flinched. Henrik stirred in Esther's arms. The older boys stayed still. But Rhaella didn't react at all. She was too angry to care.

"Quiet." The single word silenced the room instantly.

Mikael turned his gaze toward his daughter. He knew exactly what would happen if her temper exploded inside the house. Things would break. Possibly worse. "You take that outside." His voice was firm. "If you are going to lose your temper, you do it outside." Rhaella nodded stiffly. Then she stormed out of the hut, and the door slammed behind her.

Mikael turned back toward Esther. "This is the last time I want to hear about this." His tone was calm. But final. "Those boys are not worthy of our daughter, and this conversation will not happen again."

Outside, Rhaella walked quickly into the forest. Her heart pounded. Her blood still burned with anger. Magic surged through her veins. It felt like fire. Wild. Uncontrolled. Begging to be released. She stopped deep among the trees. Closed her eyes. Took a slow breath. Then— She let it out.

Rhaella screamed. And the magic exploded from her in powerful waves. The ground trembled. Leaves burst from branches. The wind roared through the forest as her power surged outward. Wild. Raw. Uncontrolled. Just like the dragon's blood running through her veins.

Just as the last waves of magic faded into the forest, Rhaella heard a voice behind her.

"Ella?"

She opened her eyes slowly, still breathing a little heavily. Turning around, she saw the familiar copper hair. "Little wolf," she said with a faint smile. "What a surprise."