The Bound (Hers To Save Book 1) by Connor Michelle

Author:Connor, Michelle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

“Where shall I begin with my own story?” William scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I suppose at the beginning.”

He shifted in his chair, old bones creaking. But when he spoke, his voice was strong.

“It started with a blight upon the harvest. Crops withered in the fields, trees shed their leaves too soon, and a bitter winter came early that year. Hunger spread across the land.”

William's eyes took on a faraway look. “But most believed it was not just nature's cruelty at work. But something darker had awoken. Whispers spoke of a nameless evil that infected the hearts of men like a sickness.”

He shook his head sadly. “No one could escape its cruel influence creeping into their minds, urging them to violence and madness. Brother turned against brother, mothers left babes to starve. Every corner of the kingdom fell under its shadow.”

Bramwell shivered, moving closer to Aveline. She wrapped a comforting arm around the boy as William continued.

“The evils tore families apart. Lawlessness ruled the streets. I lost my beloved wife to the madness.” Grief etched itself on William's weathered face. “Some days, I barely recognized myself, so great was the shadow upon my heart.”

He stared into the fire's flickering flames as though seeing past horrors reflected there. “Just when all seemed hopeless, rumors spread of strangers arriving on the shores. Not invaders, but saviors - dragons. Their scales glittered like polished metals. The ground trembled at their tread.”

Aveline's eyes widened, imagining those majestic creatures descending from the heavens. She glanced at Aeolius, trying to picture him multiplied a hundred times over, an awe-inspiring sight.

“The dragons sought out humans whose hearts remained uncorrupted by the curse and were still pure of heart. These brave souls willingly offered their aid. Through an ancient magic, each dragon chose one human and they became Bonded, their minds and spirits entwined.”

Aveline stroked Aeolius' snout thoughtfully. The young beast rumbled deep in his throat, visibly affected by the tale.

“The dragons and their heroic riders were a formidable sight to behold. With righteous fury, their fiery breath and razor claws made short work of the shadow's foul servants. Good folks took heart at the sight of them wheeling overhead. It meant their salvation had finally come.

Sadness crept into William's eyes. “But the cost was great. So many lives lost. I fought alongside my brother Thomas and his golden dragon, Argentum. Many friends became heroes. And many heroes became martyrs.”

He sat in silence for a long moment, his expression etched with old torment. Finally, William lifted his head. Resolve burned in his tired eyes.

“In the end, the dragons' magic and mankind's courage triumphed over that foul evil. Its grip was broken at last. When the chaos subsided, and we had laid our dead to rest, the dragons and their bonds vanished. Some believed they were too injured and left to die. A few even believe the dragons and their bonds may yet live, hidden away until needed again,” William said, his eyes distant. “If that time comes, the legends tell of new unbreakable bonds between dragons and their chosen partners.

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