The Dragon Bride | ✔️

Chapter Fourteen

Kora's POV

"Infidelity already!" Xander jokes. I feel my cheeks burn as I shoot him a venomous glare before turning back to Zac awkwardly.

It's been so long, yet it hasn't really been all that long either. I thought I'd run right into his arms and hug him tight – but now, all I can do is look guiltily at the floor, Xander's words echoing in my head. Why do I feel so bad? I'm not official with anyone. And besides, who am I even feeling guilty for? Zac or Synn? Or...

"Kora..." Zac practically whispers it, pain in his eyes, "Owen... He's- He's gone."

I gulp shakily as I force out my words. They come out far more demanding than I thought they would, "What happened, Zac? What happened to him?"

"I-"

"He was meant to live, Zac!" I suddenly find myself yelling. The fury, the injustice and the pain builds up inside me until I'm bursting. It's not fair. Why does this happen? Why does grief follow me everywhere? Why can't I catch a goddamn break? Why can't I be happy?

"I know, Kora. I know. It's not helping anyone if you shout," Zac says soothingly, placing a hand on my arm in an effort to calm me. I take a deep breath, but the anger is still there.

"I'm going to give you guys some privacy," Xander sighs, then looks to me, "Synn should be back soon, by the way."

And with that, he leaves. I grit my teeth.

"Kora, I... This isn't how I planned for things to go. I'm sorry the first time I'm visiting you had to be for this, but... I don't know, I just couldn't wait. I needed to see if you were alright-"

I look up to Zac, tears gleaming in my eyes. "Alright? Alright? My uncle is dead, Zac. The only family member I had left who gave a flying golden goose egg about me is gone. He raised me. He gave me everything he had, even when what he had was so little. He was like a second father to me. How do you expect me to be alright?"

I know I shouldn't be lashing out at him. My anger is misdirected, but I can't help it. I've been wanting to rant for so long and now poor Zac is caught up in my mess.

He looks at me for a moment, silent. "I'm sorry," he finally whispers, "Maybe I came at a wrong time. You- You should rest, Kora. You've most likely had a long day,"

I frown as he begins to leave, the final cherry of regret embedded on my cake of guilt. Why am I so utterly useless? Did I really have to go and hurt his feelings, when I haven't seen him for weeks? No doubt he had a row with the strict guards to even consider letting him in.

"Zac, wait," I say quickly, without hesitance, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lashed out at you. Please, just... Stay? I haven't seen you for so long, and so much has happened, it's just taking a toll on me-"

Zac huffs, but a smile has formed on his face, "I know, Moons,"

"You- You do?"

"Of course I do. How long have I known you? It's bound to be stressful here, I knew that. It's why I decided not to see you straight away. I do need to head back to the bakery after a while, but I'll stay as long as I can, alright?" he says gently.

I nod. "Can we- er, can we walk and talk? Let's go to the gardens,"

He nods, "Lead the way,"

***

"What? Really? The eyes of a fried crystalfish?" Zac repeats, incredulous.

"I know right! Dragons eat the strangest things, especially these royals. Just the other day, I saw the empresses dining on the liver of a pegasus!"