Chapter 43 || BOUND AND TORN BY PROPHECIES

 

Sparks in the Garden

 

The palace grounds were vibrant that afternoon, the golden sunlight spilling over lush greenery and the soft hum of bees weaving between the flowering bushes. The air carried a sweet, fresh aroma, and the distant chatter of guards and staff mixed with the rustle of the wind in the trees. 

It was the perfect setting for a light-hearted stroll, an ideal moment for bonds to grow—or, in some cases, for tempers to ignite.

Jungkook found himself walking beside Varian in the royal gardens, the easy flow of their conversation filled with laughter and mutual respect. Varian had a natural charm, his words light yet thoughtful, and Jungkook found himself relaxing in his presence. 

Jungkook hadn’t expected him to be so engaging or so genuinely interested in his stories, but there was a warmth in his demeanour that made it easy to talk to him.

“I must say,” Varian began, his amber eyes glinting with amusement, “for someone with such a fierce reputation, you’re quite disarming, Jungkook.” he chuckled, his mismatched eyes sparkling as he glanced at Varian. “Disarming? I’m not sure how to take that.”

“Oh, it’s a compliment,” he said quickly, his tone playful. “Trust me, I’ve faced plenty of warriors, and few have such a presence. You’re unforgettable, truly.” Before Jungkook could respond, he added with a grin, “Actually, I think I’ll call you ‘kookie.’ It suits you, doesn’t it?”

“Kookie?” Jungkook repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Yoongi, do call me that sometime, and Nyla too.”

“Well, someone as remarkable as you deserves a name that feels… personal,” he said, his tone genuine yet laced with a faint edge of flirtation. Jungkook laughed again, though he couldn’t deny the warmth in his cheeks. “You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?”

 

Unbeknownst to them, Taehyung was watching. He stood under the shade of a nearby tree, his arms crossed and his expression as cold as ice. 

From the moment he had seen Varian approach Jungkook in the gardens, something had stirred in him—a sharp, possessive irritation that refused to be ignored. And now, hearing Varian address him so casually, so intimately, that irritation burned into something far fiercer.

“Kookie,” he muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening as the nickname grated against his nerves. Only he had the right to speak to him with such familiarity—or so he thought. The sight of them walking so closely, with Varian clearly basking in Jungkook’s attention, made his blood simmer.

As Jungkook laughed at something Varian said, Taehyung had had enough.

 

He stepped out from the shadows, his tall figure casting a commanding presence as he approached them. The air seemed to grow colder, the warmth of the garden retreating in the face of his icy demeanour. Jungkook noticed him first, his laughter fading as he turned to greet him.

“Taehyung,” he said, his tone light but curious. “I didn’t expect to see you out here.” Varian turned as well, his smile remaining easy. “Ah, cousin,” he said warmly. “I was just getting to know Kook a bit better. You’ve chosen your guardian well—he’s truly extraordinary.”

The deliberate use of the nickname didn’t go unnoticed. Taehyung’s crystal-blue eyes narrowed slightly, his cold gaze locking onto Varian. “he doesn’t need your approval to be extraordinary,” he said, his voice calm but edged with steel. Varian raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Taehyung’s tone. “Of course not. But it never hurts to remind someone of their worth, does it, Kook?”

Before Jungkook could respond, Taehyung stepped closer, his tall figure dwarfing Varian slightly as he positioned himself between them. “I think Jungkook already knows his worth,” he said firmly, his gaze never leaving Varian’s.

The tension crackled in the air, unspoken but impossible to ignore. Varian, ever the diplomat, took a step back, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Well, I certainly didn’t mean to intrude,” he said lightly, though his smile suggested he found the situation more amusing than threatening. “Perhaps I’ll see you later, Jungkook.”

With that, he walked away, leaving the two of them alone.

 

“What was that about?” Jungkook turned to Taehyung and asked, his expression a mix of confusion and annoyance. “What was what?” Taehyung replied, his tone cool as he crossed his arms. “Oh, don’t play coy,” Jungkook said, narrowing his eyes. “You were practically bristling.

Taehyung’s gaze softened slightly as he studied him, but there was still a tension in his posture. “Do you enjoy his attention?” he asked suddenly, his voice quieter but no less intense. Jungkook blinked, caught off guard by the question. “What?”

“Do you enjoy the way he looks at you? The way he speaks to you?” His crystal-blue eyes bored into his, and for a moment, Jungkook felt as though Taehyung could see right through him. 

“That’s none of your business,” he said, his tone defensive. Taehyung stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “It’s very much my business, Jungkook.”

Taehyung’s use of Jungkook’s full name, spoken with quiet authority, sent a shiver down his spine. He tried to hold his ground, but Taehyung’s intensity was impossible to ignore. “You have no right to—” Jungkook began, but his words faltered as Taehyung reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against his wrist. 

“I have every right,” he murmured, his voice a low whisper. His touch was cold, yet it left a trail of heat in its wake, and his gaze softened, the icy barrier melting for just a moment. “You’ve been mine long before he ever noticed you.”

 

The silence stretched between them, heavy and charged. Jungkook’s breath hitched, his heart pounding as he struggled to process the moment. He wanted to push him away, to demand he explain himself, but the raw vulnerability in Taehyung’s eyes held him captive. “Taehyung…” he said softly, his voice trembling.

Taehyung released his wrist, taking a step back as his expression hardened once more. “Be careful with him,” he said, his voice cold but edged with something unspoken. “He doesn’t know you like I do.” 

Before Jungkook could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, his emotions a tangled mess of confusion, frustration, and something far more dangerous.

As he watched him disappear into the distance, Jungkook couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them—and he wasn’t sure if he was ready for what came next.

 

The training grounds stretched vast and magnificent under the morning light. Towering walls of stone enclosed the expanse where dragons roamed freely, their enormous forms dominating the space. The smell of damp earth, tinged with the faint aroma of wildflowers, lingered in the air. 

The rustle of leaves from the surrounding forest mingled with the occasional roar of a dragon, their deep, resonant cries carrying across the grounds like thunder.

Jungkook had risen early, dressed in his comfortable training attire that allowed him a full range of movement. His mismatched eyes scanned the grounds as he approached the center, where Mili and Spark awaited him. 

These dragons, each towering as tall as a two-story house, were a sight to behold—majestic, powerful, and deeply bonded to their guardians.

Yoongi joined him shortly after, his calm presence grounding as always. Niki, the nature dragon, followed closely behind him, her emerald scales shimmering in the sunlight. 

Nyla appeared moments later, her excitement evident as she bounded toward Yoongi and Niki. It was rare to see Nyla in a light-hearted mood, and Jungkook smiled at the sight.

“Ready to head to the forest?” Nyla asked Yoongi, her green eyes sparkling. He nodded, his usual calm demeanour unchanged. “It’s the perfect environment for Niki and you to hone your powers. Let’s make the most of it.”

Jungkook watched as Nyla and Yoongi led Niki toward the forest, their figures disappearing into the dense greenery. He knew the forest suited their abilities well—both of them deeply connected to the natural world, their powers thriving in its embrace.

 

Left alone with Mili and Spark, Jungkook exhaled deeply, focusing his thoughts on the training ahead. These dragons were extraordinary—giants of the sky and the earth—and yet, they carried a gentleness with him that few others ever witnessed.

“Mili, ready?” he called out, voice steady yet warm.

The fiery dragon snorted softly, her glowing amber eyes meeting Jungkook’s. Despite her imposing size and strength, there was a bond between them that went beyond mere companionship. Spark, the lightning dragon, flicked his tail, his crackling energy weaving through the air like threads of light. 

Both dragons were attuned to Jungkook, their movements fluid and synchronized as they began their drills.

 

The session continued smoothly for the first hour. Mili unleashed bursts of controlled fire, her precision evident as flames danced around the targets Jungkook had set up. Spark followed with strikes of lightning, each bolt hitting its mark with uncanny accuracy.

Jungkook moved between them, his commands clear and decisive, guiding the dragons with the ease of someone deeply bonded to their souls.

But as the training progressed, Jungkook became aware of a presence—familiar yet unexpected. Turning his head, he spotted Varian approaching the grounds, his green eyes gleaming with interest. He carried himself with his usual confidence, his strides unhurried as he made his way toward him.

“Jungkook,” he called out, his voice smooth as honey. “I couldn’t resist watching you work. It’s… mesmerizing.”  Jungkook rolled his eyes, though his lips curved into a small smile. “You’re flattering me again, Varian.”

“Only because it’s true,” he replied, stopping a few paces away from him. His gaze flicked toward Mili and Spark, his admiration evident. “Your dragons are extraordinary. I can see why they’ve bonded so strongly with you.”

“They’re remarkable creatures,” Jungkook agreed, his tone warm as he glanced at his dragons. “But the bond isn’t just about strength—it’s about trust.”

“And you’ve earned theirs completely,” Varian said, his voice softer now. “It’s impressive, Jungkook. Truly.”

 

Unbeknownst to them, Taehyung was watching.

He stood hidden among the shadows of the surrounding trees, his piercing crystal-blue eyes locked onto the scene before him. Every interaction between Varian and Jungkook stoked the fire of his anger, the sight of their easy rapport scraping against his patience like a blade. 

Jungkook was speaking to him again—laughing, smiling—and it was as if every warning Taehyung had given him had been ignored.

His jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists as his emotions surged uncontrollably. But before he could step forward, Mili noticed him.

The fiery dragon turned her head, her glowing amber eyes locking onto his figure. She let out a low, rumbling sound—a mix of recognition and excitement—as she broke into a lumbering run toward him. Her enormous form shook the ground with each step, but her movements were surprisingly graceful for her size.

 

Jungkook turned at the sound, his expression shifting to confusion as he watched Mili approach Taehyung. “What…?”

Mili stopped in front of him, lowering her massive head as if in reverence. Taehyung hesitated for a moment before reaching out, his hand brushing against her warm scales. The dragon let out a soft, rumbling coo, her eyes closing briefly as she leaned into his touch.

“You recognize me, don’t you?” Taehyung murmured, his voice soft but edged with emotion. “You’re smarter than he is.”

Mili cooed again, her massive tail swaying slightly as she followed him. Taehyung turned without another word, his movements deliberate as he led the dragon away from the training grounds.

 

Jungkook watched them go, his thoughts racing. Mili’s reaction to Taehyung was unexpected—he hadn’t realized the dragon had bonded with him in some way. And now, watching them disappear into the distance, he felt a strange mix of emotions he couldn’t quite place.

 

Taehyung led Mili to the secluded area where all three dragons lived—a vast space filled with makeshift beds and natural features that suited their needs. The fiery dragon settled onto her bed, her massive form relaxing as she curled up like a sleeping cat.

Taehyung sat beside her, his hand resting on her scales as he leaned back against her warm body. “You see what I have to deal with?” he murmured, his voice low but filled with frustration. “He doesn’t listen. He refuses to see what’s right in front of him.”

Mili let out a soft coo, her eyes half-closing as if in agreement. “He talks to him, laughs with him—as if I haven’t warned hIM enough,” Taehyung continued, his tone darkening. “It’s infuriating.”

Mili shifted slightly, her tail curling protectively around Taehyung. He sighed deeply, his anger giving way to a quieter vulnerability as he stroked her scales. “You can feel the bond to like I do, don’t you? He can’t or don’t want to accept it. He’s being bad. Reckless. He needs to learn… to never ignore my words again.”

The dragon let out another soft sound—a rumbling noise that seemed almost comforting. Taehyung allowed himself a small smile, his fingers trailing along her side as he closed his eyes briefly.

“He’s lucky to have you,” he murmured. “Loyal, strong… unyielding. If only he could be the same.”

Mili’s coo deepened, her warm breath washing over him as she curled closer. Taehyung stayed there, his emotions raw but calmed by the dragon’s presence. For now, he could pretend the storm in his heart was at peace.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR NEXT CHAPTER:

https://novelreadingislife.blogspot.com/2025/05/chapter-44-bound-and-torn-by-prophecies.html

.

.

.