Soul of a Dragon [Ziam - Ztop, Lbottom]

CHAPTER 3: THE KING'S CONSORT

It's up to you, and it's up to me
No one could say what we get to be

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The week they spent in the Valley of Fire came to an end with the first light of dawn streaking across the sky, casting a warm glow over the jagged mountains and the river of molten lava running through the valley. As they prepared to leave, Zayn led Liam to a cliffside overlook that dropped into the wide, untamed landscape of the dragon kingdom beyond.

"It's time to return to my kingdom," Zayn said, a spark of anticipation lighting up his eyes. "And you must wonder how we would travel thousands of miles away from here." His lips curled into a faint smile, a mixture of pride and something almost playful.

Liam raised an eyebrow, watching Zayn curiously. In his books, he'd read the tales of dragons—shapeshifters who could assume either the form of a fierce beast or the guise of a human. And now, standing here beside him, Zayn Malik, the King of Dragons, was about to reveal his truest form.

Taking a step back, Zayn closed his eyes, the muscles in his shoulders and arms tightening as he summoned his power. Slowly, his skin seemed to shimmer, his outline blurring and darkening, as if his human form were melting away. Scales started to replace skin, gleaming like polished onyx in the morning light. His limbs lengthened, powerful and sleek, and with a low, rumbling growl, he grew into something magnificent—a dragon of regal, awe-inspiring beauty.

Zayn's scales glistened, black with a faint iridescence, and each movement seemed to ripple with raw power. His wings spread, casting a massive shadow across the rocks, and his long tail curled with an elegance that was both intimidating and breathtaking.

Liam's eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat as he took in the transformation. "It's... incredible," he whispered, astonished. He'd imagined dragons in his mind's eye a thousand times, but none of those images compared to reality.

Zayn inclined his head, his large golden eyes watching Liam with intelligence and the hint of a smile. Then, with a slight bow of his neck, he gestured for Liam to climb onto his back.

It took Liam a moment to process what Zayn was offering, but he stepped forward, cautiously placing his hands on the cool, smooth scales along Zayn's neck. He hoisted himself up, settling between two ridges that ran along Zayn's spine, and gripped tightly as Zayn's body shifted under him, the powerful muscles adjusting as he took his first steps.

"Ready?" Zayn's deep voice echoed in Liam's mind, resonant and ancient.

"Yes," Liam responded with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

With a powerful beat of his wings, Zayn launched them into the air, and the ground dropped away beneath them. Liam gasped as they soared upward, the wind rushing past him, and he held on tighter, feeling the strong, steady rhythm of Zayn's movements beneath him. Below, the valley stretched out, a rugged expanse of reds and browns, streaked with rivers of molten fire and bordered by high cliffs.

They flew higher, and as Zayn's wings beat a steady rhythm, Liam found himself mesmerized by the landscape below and by the awe of riding atop a dragon. The thrill of it—the weightlessness, the freedom—was intoxicating. He leaned forward, pressing himself against Zayn's scales as he watched the world roll out below them, more vast and beautiful than he had ever imagined.

After some time, the towering silhouette of the dragon kingdom's palace rose into view, perched atop a volcanic mountain with rivers of fire running through it, casting a surreal glow against the dark stone fortress. Zayn descended in a graceful arc, his wings angling to slow their approach, and he landed smoothly in front of the palace gate.