The Enchanted Warriors (Dragon Riders AU)

3🖤

As they stood in front of the grand castle, the massive doors swung open, and the guard ushered them inside. Louis led the way, guiding them through the sprawling halls past countless guards and warriors, until they arrived at the King's office. The castle was a breathtaking sight, its intricate design and ornate details showcasing the kingdom's wealth and history. The staff paused in their duties, watching the group with curiosity, but no one dared to break the rhythm of their work.

When they entered the office, the grand staircase loomed above them, a majestic feature of the room. Harry, who had been pacing anxiously, spotted them immediately. He rushed forward and enveloped Emma in a tight hug.

"Emma, you're alive? God, you don't know how worried we were when Ella and I heard that you-" He stopped abruptly as a voice cut through the tension in the room, freezing him in place.

"Mother," Y/N called out, her gaze curious as she eyed the man in the room. The man smiled warmly and introduced himself as the King's first in command.

Harry's gaze immediately shifted to the little girl standing behind her mother. She looked fragile, like a delicate porcelain doll. His heart tightened with concern as he studied her, realizing she was the daughter of the woman he had lost contact with so many years ago. Now, here she was with this precious little girl.

Emma turned to Harry, her voice steady despite the tension. "This is my daughter, Y/N," she said. "Harry is an old friend and also the king of Warrior Crystal Land."

Without protest, Y/N allowed Harry to lift her into his arms, her trust in him clear. As they made their way to his office, I followed, watching with quiet wonder at how easily Y/N settled into Harry's embrace, finding comfort in his familiar touch.

Once seated in his chair, Harry settled Y/N onto his lap. His gentle strokes through her hair soon lulled her into a peaceful slumber. Emma, still processing the situation, found herself fascinated by how quickly Y/N had grown comfortable with Harry, despite everything. Yet, she couldn't deny that Y/N, exhausted from the day's events, found a rare peace in the safety of Harry's arms, her breathing steady as she drifted off into a well-needed rest.

Emma sat across from Harry, her hands tightly clasped in her lap, her nerves almost palpable. Harry continued to run his fingers through Y/N's hair, confusion etched across his face.

"I don't understand, Emma. What's going on?" he asked, his voice a mix of concern and confusion.

Emma took a deep breath, her shoulders sagging with the weight of the truth. She looked up at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Everything is a mess," she said. "They want to kill me and take her. I had to run away."

Harry's expression darkened instantly, his eyes flashing with fiery rage. "What did he do to you?" His voice, low and threatening, carried the weight of his fury. But then, as he noticed the discomfort in Y/N's face, his anger softened, transforming into concern. His eyes returned to their normal color as he took a steadying breath, trying to regain his composure.

Emma's grip tightened on her skirts, her knuckles white as she began to recount the years of abuse. "Six years," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Six years of it."

Harry's disbelief was evident as he shook his head in disbelief. "He can't do that to his mate," he muttered, his voice filled with a mix of anger and incredulity. "He can't hurt you. Where is Otis?"

His question hung in the air, laden with the shock of Emma's suffering. How could someone inflict such pain on their mate?

Emma's tears flowed freely as she relived the traumatic events, her voice breaking as she described the day Ava had torn Otis from her grasp. "I never saw him again after that," she admitted, the anguish in her eyes clear. "He tried to save me, and Ava hurt him... in front of me. I was so useless, I couldn't stop her."

As Emma wiped her tears, she glanced at Harry, whose silence only added to the weight of her words. His gaze was fixed on Y/N, and Emma broke the silence, calling out to him.

"Harry?"

He looked up at her, his eyes softening.

"They want her because she's a healer," she said, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Harry frowned, confusion still etched on his face. "A healer? What does that mean?"

Emma replied softly, "I've told you everything I know. It's not much more than that."

Harry didn't want to push her any further. He could see how fragile Emma was, and he didn't want to burden her with more. He nodded, silently agreeing to let the topic go for now.

Suddenly, the door to the office slammed open with a loud bang, startling both Harry and Emma. Harry instinctively pulled Y/N closer to him, his protective instincts flaring. They both turned towards the door, and a girl stormed in, scolding them for not locking the door.

Her eyes immediately fell upon the sleeping Y/N, and she asked, "Who is she?"

Emma, barely able to believe her eyes, whispered, "Ella."

At the sound of her name, Ella froze, staring at Emma as though she were seeing a ghost. She didn't move, just stood there, stunned. Emma called out again, urging her to come closer. When Ella didn't respond, Emma stood and pulled her into a tight embrace. Ella, after a moment's hesitation, hugged her back, and tears welled in both their eyes.

"I missed you," Emma whispered.

Ella pulled back slightly, looking at Emma, her voice filled with disbelief. "It's really you?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Emma nodded, smiling softly. "Yes, it's me."

Overcome with emotion, Ella cried, hugging Emma tightly again. "I've missed you so much," she said, her voice breaking.

Emma comforted her, gently stroking her back. "I know, I know," she murmured. "It's been so hard, but I'm here now."

Meanwhile, Y/N, rubbing her tired eyes, looked up at her mother. "What's happening, Mother?" she asked softly, confused by the emotions swirling in the room.

Emma glanced at Y/N, noting her exhaustion. She smiled gently and asked, "Would you like to eat something, darling?"

Y/N hesitated, her stomach rumbling. She had not eaten for days, and though she wasn't sure what was going on, the thought of food was comforting. "Yes," she said softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Harry, who had been observing the exchange with a soft smile, spoke up. "Let's go get something to eat, little one," he said warmly.

Y/N, relieved and grateful, nodded and allowed Harry to lead her out of the room, a small smile playing on her lips as they walked together.