The Last Daughter of Dragons (1)

A serialised dark fantasy novella

Welcome, brave readers! You are summoned to witness the making of a story. I’m planning to write and release a new chapter per week, and although the first two chapters have appeared on Substack before (it was a single long chapter, which I’ve changed and split into two), from then it will be whole new chapters. This story is dark, fast-paced, set in a semi-medieval world. It will be told from multiple points of views, mostly Juno’s and Rem’s. It has a heavy romantic subplot. Join me in this story, it will be a journey for both you and me!

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Read about my world-building here

Chapter 1

I wake from the night filled with flames.

From ashes I rise to greet the day.

Take the pain away. Please, Foreverold!

Let me live, a human, not a slave

Of the wretched Dragonling flames.

Juno prayed lying on the golden-threaded carpet of her royal chamber. There was no escape from the monster, no riches could save her from the flames. Foreverold did not answer. The prophecy echoed in Juno’s head again and again:

One soul of fire, two hearts of flame,

Fight fire with fire to win the game

The cold-blooded one the fire shall tame.

Cersha entered to find her Lady lying on the floor, moaning in pain. Another night approached, a storm rolled over the Lake Autumna and the land.

“It is high time for you to leave, my Lady. The monster awaits,” Cersha the councillor of Lady Juno, the heiress of Autumna, spoke sternly. Her old, wrinkled face remained emotionless; the silver strands of her long hair shone ghastly in the dim candlelight.

“I wish to be dead, Cersha! I despise the monster! It has destroyed everything I’ve ever held dear. I shall not submit to its will! I’d rather suffer the pain!” Lady Juno cried out.

“I’m afraid you don’t have the freedom of choice, my Lady. You’re causing the storm above the lake. Think of all the fishermen of Autumna, their lives are in danger because of your mood swings. Think of their families if they drown,” Cersha said coldly.

Lady Juno moaned; the thunder rumbled above the castle.

“Will there be no end to the flames, Cersha? When will the pain stop?”

“Please, my Lady. Do not fight it. Give into the monster! Come! You suffer in vain.”

Juno followed her old councillor outside the castle. The beast waited impatiently, and it would not have its peace until let out, until Juno gave into the flames, torturing her from inside.

“I fear the fire, Cersha! I cannot tame the monster…why must the Foreverold mock me?” Juno said, leaning on the tall Snakeling woman, as both approached the small lake near the castle. The storm howled over the city of New Autumna, the rain soaked the gold-threaded clothes of the two women in mere minutes.

“I don’t know the Foreverold’s will, but we must submit to it whatever it might be. You must go, before the storm gets any worse, my lady! Or before the flames rip you apart from inside. The monster is your fate. You must accept it,” Cersha showed no sympathy. She helped her Lady take off the heavy cloak and the royal gown. All the guards patrolling the grounds around the castle turned their backs to the ladies, as soon as Cersha gave them the sign. No one was allowed to witness the emergence of the monster.

Juno could barely move, the pain burning unbearably. Cersha walked her to the water’s edge. Lady Juno, the heiress of Autumna, dived into the lake headfirst. The water bubbled up furiously, a large, red dragon rose from the lake. It emerged, flapping its giant wings majestically, and flew up into the dark clouds. The storm calmed as the dragon flew North to the hills on the far shore of Lake Autumna. The clouds followed the dragon, rolling away like a dark cloak, illuminated by blinking dots of lightning.

Cersha’s green Snakeling eyes followed her Lady’s giant silhouette.

“You shall submit to your fate. I’ll make sure you will, if it’s the last thing I do,” Cersha hissed and turned away. The night was late. The Midsummer celebration in the castle had delayed her Lady’s nightly flight, causing her pain. A mighty power she possessed; as the heiress of The Lord of the Lake and a Dragonling, Lady Juno had inherited his water magic, controlling the lake and all forms of water, including storm clouds.

One soul of fire, two hearts of flame,

Fight fire with fire to win the game

The cold-blooded one the fire shall tame.

“I do not fear the flames!” said Rem looking into the fire daringly. He defied the strange words that haunted his dreams, as well as his parents’ well-meant warnings. Rem had no fear of the flames burning before him, and he was willing to prove it right now!

The ultimate test of courage burned before him, and Rem accepted the challenge. It was Midsummer’s eve, the young men, and women of Hebeny spent the whole night dancing by bonfires, but when the Midnight came, the young men faced the flames in an ancient game - whomever jumped over the largest bonfire, was crowned The King of Midsummer. 

“Don’t, Rem! This one is too big; the flames are too hight!” Cal whispered with his wolf’s skin shaking.

Rem glanced back at him, grinned and ran toward the giant bonfire. The fire burned high indeed, Rem jumped through the flames, landed on his feet on the other side, dropped to the ground, took a tumble and was back on his feet again. If a spark got caught in his clothes or hair, the cool mossy earth of the forest would extinguish it. Rem knew both the nature of fire and the forest, it wasn’t the first time he took the challenge. And once again, he was victorious! The other young men and women cheered for him; no one had dared to jump through the largest fire. His opponents clapped with their faces sour. Rem had slayed the flames once again! And - lo, came his prize! Three kisses from the prettiest girl in town; the elected Queen of Midsummer. This year it was Aria! All the stars had aligned; this year she was the Queen and he was the King. The Foreverold himself had granted them with the sacred gift. No one could object it, not even Aria’s prudish parents. It appeared, the fate itself had brought them together.

All cheered and clapped as Rem was crowned with an emerald-green Blackwood leaf wreath, whilst Aria came to him wearing a wildflower crown. All waited in anticipation, Rem more than anyone. Aria was as prudish as her parents, although Rem suspected she wished to kiss him just as much as he wanted it. She came close, Rem could smell the scent of wildflowers. His blue eyes dived deep into her hazel ones, though she cast her sight downward quickly, shying away from his stare. Rem raised her chin up gently, his lips found hers with the crowd cheering.

Soft, soft were her lips, and warm and… everything Rem had ever imagined them to be. She shied away, turning her head aside from his lips sooner than he would’ve wished.

“Two more kisses,” he whispered.

“You’re too hasty, Lord Remment,” Aria whispered back. Rem inhaled her scent; a sweet meadow of wildflowers.

The dance resumed. Fiddles and drums, trumpets and flutes, and the trembling mandolins - the cheerful noise of a young night. Aria’s friends ran toward them, and pulled the two into the dance, no time for tender togetherness.

Rem skipped and jumped with them, his burning stare still searching for Aria’s eyes. She avoided, hiding behind the laughter of her friends, her wheat-coloured hair swaying in the firelight like a ray of sun. She was always out of reach, no matter how hard Rem tried; sunlight slipping through his fingers. A lukewarm touch that always left him craving more. How could she not want him?!

Rem was the stateliest and the most daring of all the young men in the town, though his father’s castle stood outside the town, hidden in the pine and black oak forest. His short wave of coal-black hair and cold blue eyes gave him the beauty of a winter’s day and his broad frame made the town girls sight with longing every time he passed. In town they said that Rem’s mother was a Witch, a Wolfling, one of the strange folk that inhabited the deepest forests before the war and the fire. But people had always been keen on spreading rumours about the ones keeping to themselves.

“Aria, Aria, come!” Rem whispered in her ear as he pulled her away from the crowd into the shadows of the forest. He did not fear; Rem had spent more time in the forest than in his father’s castle. His Mother, Lady Stella, loved to wander around the forest and she always took her little son along with her.

Reluctantly, Aria followed.

“Not so close, Lord Remment!” She whispered.

Rem loosened his grip.

“Forgive me, Aria, but we’ve waited so long! I only wish to…” Rem inhaled a lungful of her scent, “to have my second kiss.”

 He didn’t wait for a reply. Rem kissed her with all his passion. Yet again, Aria pulled back.

“Do you not love me, Aria?” he asked searching her hazel eyes desperately.

“Your feelings frighten me, Lord Rem! Sometimes… sometimes you act like a savage animal,” she pushed him away.

“But… I thought… “Rem took deep breaths to calm his racing heart. Maybe she was right. He had Wolfling blood flowing in his veins after all. The foolish rumours were true.

A wave of laughter burst into the silence of the forest - Aria’s friends found them and pulled her away once again.

Rem ran after them, but he was stopped by a large silvery-grey wolf standing in his way.

“Move, Cal!”

“She’s right, Rem! Sometimes you’re more of a savage than I am!” The Wolf spoke in a human’s voice. Caligo was a faithful friend and one of the last young Wolflings left in the forest. He knew human tongue and could even shift to his human skin, if only for a short while. Unlike the other Wolflings, Cal was drawn to human world, therefore his friendship with Rem was inevitable.

“But the third kiss…”

“…you can surely save for later,” Cal finished his friend’s sentence, “let the girl be! You’re frightening her.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Rem kicked a clump of moss. “What do women want, Cal? I do not understand them! I lay my heart by her feet; I’d give her everything…”

“And it would all be in vain, for you are leaving tomorrow,” Cal reminded him.

“After my time in the court I shall return and marry Aria!” Rem protested.

“Oh, Rem! I think you won’t be the same after you’ll return,” the Wolf shook his grey head.

Rem snorted for an answer.

“Besides, you should go home, before your mother comes looking for you,” a tone of ridicule laced Cal’s voice.

Rem knew he was right. Strangely, out of the two, Cal usually was the sensible one.

“Alright! I got what I came for. And I’ll save my third kiss for tomorrow,” Rem gave a wide, dreamy smile and danced his way into the dark forest. The grey Wolf rolled his eyes and followed.

***

“I thought I could trust you, son,” a quiet voice emerged from the shadow behind Rem’s back. No matter how quietly he crept into the castle through the back door, his mother would still sneak up on him without a sound.

“Mother! I only went out for some fresh air,” the eighteen-year-old tall man stuttered in front of the woman half his size.

“Don’t lie to me, Remment. Your clothes smell of smoke and… a woman,” Lady Stella squinted her Wolf-like eyes.

The pale cheeks of the young man coloured up into the deep red of the dying embers.

“I am to ask for Aria’s hand tomorrow!” he declared stubbornly.

“Son, I’ve told you many times - don’t play with fire! Not in the forest, nor in your heart. You cannot wed Aria.”

“Because she’s a low-born?! You are not a High-born either, but father still married you!” Rem retorted.

Lady Stella smiled patiently.

“It does not matter whether she’s High born or not. You are leaving for a year. Will your love withstand the test of time?”

“It will!” Rem raised his chin proudly.

Lady Stella sighed.

“That we shall find out. Meanwhile, do not waste your time, son. The girl’s father wants nothing to do with the likes of us. You may be the King of Midsummer, but on any other day - you’re the Witch’s son,” Stella smirked ruefully.

Once again Mother knew. Somehow, she could always see straight through him. Rem was forbidden to partake in the Midsummer’s feast. Lady Stella did not approve of making giant fires in the forest, even more so - to rejoice at the sight of them. The forest had barely recovered since the war and the fire.

“Your father is coming. Do not disappoint him,” Stella said. Though cursed to stay forever in her human skin, she still possessed the sharp senses of a Wolfling.

“Here you two are!” Lord Julian entered the kitchen.

“Remment had gone out, but it shall not happen again,” Stella said apologetically.

“Of course, it won’t! Tomorrow he’s leaving to the Citadel. No more running around the forest with the Wolves. A Noble you are, my son, and a Noble man you shall be.”

Rem opened his mouth to object, but after his mother’s harsh gaze pierced his eyes, Rem lowered his sight and murmured,

“I’m off to bed,” the young man marched out the kitchen. Lord Julian smirked at the two - the mother Wolf and her stubborn pup.

Lord Julian’s sight searched for his wife’s eyes.

“Has Remment gone to his room?”

Lady Stella listened carefully.

“He has.”

Lord Julian locket the kitchen door. Then he walked up to Lady Stella, grabbed her without a word and kissed her with all his might. There was no need for words, not after all the years together. Julian laid her down in the sooty corner by the hearth, they made love savagely, their moves well-adjusted to each other’s.

“Our only son is leaving tomorrow,” Stella said lying in Julian’s arms. She observed the dim light of the embers pouring over his naked skin; the sight she could never have enough of.

“He will be fine. I know his heart. He’s reckless and stubborn, but the life in the court will help him grow out of his childish ways.”

“I fear…” Stella said, “I shall never see him again.”

“Why, my love? Don’t be afraid. The court is a safe place now. Queen Geminaris is our friend,” Julian smiled at Stella.

She nodded and leaned closer for a kiss.

One soul of fire, two hearts of flame,

Fight fire with fire to win the game

The cold-blooded one the fire shall tame.

The words haunted Rem’s dreams the same as every night. He got up early.

Rem was at the baker’s door an hour before sunrise. The old baker, Aria’s father began his day early. Rem had put on his best clothes and plucked a handful of lovely wildflowers on his way.

“It’s pointless, Rem! You’re leaving after some hours!” Cal tagged along and tried to talk some sense into his friend.

Rem took no notice of the well-meant advice, he took a deep breath and knocked. Rem had barely opened his mouth when the door was slammed shut in his face. Cal gave a wolfishly growling laughter. Rem knocked again, but the door stayed shut with the baker cursing on the other side.

“Let’s go, friend!” Cal said.

“Not until I get what I came for!” Two stubborn blue flames raged in Rem’s eyes.

“You saw the man! He won’t speak to you!”

But Rem was already marching around the baker’s house. He knew exactly which window belonged to Aria, and he began to climb up the thick vines covering the wall.

“No, Rem, don’t!” Cal whispered, but he didn’t follow - he could not climb in his Wolf’s skin, and even in his human form, he feared the heights greatly.

The night had been hot, Aria’s window stood open. Rem climbed inside with ease. There she laid - uncovered by the sheets, wearing a sheer nightdress. Rem’s blood boiled - the third kiss awaited and with it the promise of pleasure hidden beneath the thin layer of the fine linen.

Aria woke with a quiet shriek when Rem’s lips touched hers. Still, she gave into the kiss. Rem’s passion was wild, he did not stop; he climbed into bed and laid on her. Oh, to dive into her wildflower-scented skin, to lose himself inside her warmth…

“Don’t, Rem, please!” Aria whispered, whilst he pulled up her nightdress, “stop! Don’t take my virtue!”

“I’m yours! I shall marry you today if you want!” he whispered back.

“I don’t! We cannot get married!”

Rem stopped, breathing rapidly, and looked into her eyes.

“But I love you and… you love me!”

“You are leaving, and I have given my word to the butcher’s son, last night, after the feast.”

“No! Why?!” Rem asked bewildered.

“There would be no future for us. The butcher’s son is a good match, while you’re the… Witch’s son,” Aria spoke without any vanity, it was an honest confession. Rage and spite overtook Rem for a second. He pressed Aria into the cushions violently.

“You’re hurting me, let go!” she begged. The moment passed, he gave a quiet curse, got up and left the same way he came.

“Where are you going, Rem?” The young Wolf ran after his friend.

Remment stopped at the butcher’s house. He knocked loudly.

“Come out, you swine!”

He didn’t have to wait long - the butcher’s boy pranced out of the house with a sword in his hand. The two had their fights as children, the sturdy young man had always craved for Aria. Their rivalry usually ended up as a bloody fistfight, but this time swords where involved…

“You may jump higher, but in the end the best man wins the prize!” The Butcher’s boy stood, squinting his pig-like eyes in a spiteful grin.

Rem drew his sword, coming at the despicable fool.

“Stop! You know, you’re better than him!” Cal growled quietly, grabbed his friend’s boot, tried to pull Rem back, but the latter kicked poor Wolf to the side. 

The two swords clashed, but it was clear who had the upper hand right from the start.

“What… can you give her… huh? A life in the woods? Give up, and leave… Witch’s son!” the Butcher’s boy half yelled, half begged, covered in sweat. He knew the outcome might not be in his favour, but honour demanded to go on with the duel. Rem would not settle; the image of Aria’s wildflower-scented, soft skin touched by the dirty hands of his opponent robbed Rem of every sensible thought. No one shall touch Aria, except Rem!

A quick move and Rem’s sword pierced through the Butcher boy’s chest. He gave a pig-like squeal, dropped on his knees, and fell flat to the muddy ground, as soon as Rem pulled the sword out of his chest.

“Rem, what have you done?!” Cal cried out. Rem stood breathing heavily, eyeing the sight before him, until the Butcher and his wife ran out of the house whimpering.

It was always just boyish rivalry, but now Rem stood in front of the man he killed. And for what? Was it not reasonable for Aria to want a good future? Or for the Butcher’s boy to marry the girl he loved? The truth struck Rem’s heart sharper than a cold blade - he had murdered an honest man out of childish pride. He turned around and ran. No one could catch him; Rem was used to outrun the wolves.

 Cal caught up with him by the river. Rem stood in the shallow on his knees, the river washed blood from his sword, but it could not wash the blood off his soul. The sun broke through the morning mist rising above the stream. The day rose bright, but Rem’s face was covered in dark despair.

His faithful friend stood by him in the river without a word.

“I am a savage, Cal,” Rem’s hoarse voice trembled, supressing tears, “I wish we could trade places - you have more sense about being human than I do.”

“I agree, my friend,” the wolf said, “but we must accept the skin we are born in and live as best as we can.” Cal tried to put his paw on Rem’s shoulder. It was hard to reach, so the Wolf closed his eyes, his shape unfolded with magic and a young man stood in his place - he wasn’t as broad-shouldered as Rem, Caligo was a pale young man with ash hair and beryl-green eyes, wearing a simple, grey tunica, which his magic allowed him to keep on.

Rem nodded, looking at the blood dissolve in the clear water.

The sound of dogs barking, and many footsteps nearing reached their sharp Wolfling ears.

“Their coming after you, Rem! Though you deserve punishment, I do not wish you to suffer, my friend. Run!”

“Where, Cal?!”

Caligo turned back into a Wolf.

“You are to leave to the Citadel? Do it! No Low born will dare to accuse you when you’re in the Queen’s court!”

“So be it!”

Both ran back to the castle. Lord Julian was already waiting in the courtyard.

“Oh, finally! We must be on our way, son!” Rem changed clothes quickly; father did not ask about the blood on his shirt - he knew Rem was used to clear his name with fists.

“Goodbye, son!” Lady Stella gave him a kiss, “don’t forget me!”

“I won’t, Mother! I’ll visit you soon enough!” Rem replied hastily, got on his horse, and rode away, with Lord Julian and Caligo barely keeping up with him.