Caden stood before the massive bronze doors of the Council chamber, his heart pounding beneath his suit. He knew this wasn't just about his actions at the gala; fraternization with humans, while frowned upon, wasn't unheard of. No, the Council had learned of Lyra's identity, and they feared his investigation had been compromised. The weight of what he was about to reveal—Aria's secret—made his dragon stir restlessly beneath his skin.
He took a deep breath, forcing his features into a mask of calm composure. With a nod to the guards, he pushed open the doors and stepped into the chamber.
The circular Council chamber, once a symbol of dragon unity, now seemed to Caden a arena of barely contained conflict. As he approached the center, his eyes were drawn not to the familiar frescoes or the
