Chapter 45 || BOUND AND TORN BY PROPHECIES
A Soul Bond Broken
The sky was an endless stretch of blue as Jungkook stood at
the edge of the training grounds, the sunlight filtering through the scattered
clouds. Mili waited beside him, her massive form shimmering under the light.
The fiery dragon shifted her weight, letting out a low
rumble of anticipation as Jungkook stroked her warm scales. He felt grounded in
these moments, the bond between him and Mili like an unspoken language—deep,
unwavering, and unlike anything else.
Then Varian appeared.
He approached with his usual ease, his confident stride
carrying him toward Jungkook with a smile that was as disarming as ever. “kookie,”
he greeted warmly, the nickname slipping from his lips with practiced charm.
“Training your dragons to perfection as always, I see.”
Jungkook chuckled softly, turning his mismatched eyes toward
him. “They were perfect long before me.”
“Modest, are we?” Varian teased, stopping just short of him.
His gaze drifted to Mili, admiration flickering in his amber eyes. “This one
truly is extraordinary. A bond like yours isn’t something you see every day.” Jungkook
nodded, his expression softening. “Mili’s special. She’s… more than a dragon to
me.”
The conversation continued, light and filled with the easy
rhythm that had formed between them over the past few days. Varian’s charm was
infectious, his words thoughtful yet playful, and Jungkook found himself
relaxing despite the undercurrents of tension he couldn’t quite shake.
Then, almost casually, he made a suggestion.
“Why don’t we take her out for a ride?” he asked, his tone
warm and enthusiastic. “Just a short one, beyond the training grounds. I’ve never
experienced the thrill of flying a pure dragon like her.” Jungkook hesitated, his
hand still resting on Mili’s scales. “I’m not sure…”
Varian stepped closer, his smile reassuring. “Jungkook, it’s
just a ride. I promise I’ll be careful.” After a moment of deliberation, Jungkook
nodded, though uncertainty still lingered in his chest. “Alright. But only for
a bit.”
Mili let out a low rumble, her glowing amber eyes flicking
between the two of them. She hesitated briefly before lowering her massive form
to allow them to climb aboard. Jungkook settled into his usual position on the
dragon’s broad back, and Varian joined him, sitting just behind his.
As Mili launched into the air, her enormous wings cutting
through the wind, Jungkook felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. The world
below blurred as the dragon soared higher, the distant mountains looming closer
as they approached the scenic overlook Varian had suggested.
Despite the thrill of the ride, Jungkook couldn’t ignore the
unease building within him. This was different—something about this felt wrong,
even as Mili obeyed his commands without hesitation.
They landed softly on the grassy expanse, the dragon’s fiery
presence casting a warm glow across the landscape. Varian dismounted first,
offering a hand to Jungkook as he followed. He accepted it without thought, the
easy rapport between them carrying through their movements.
“That was extraordinary,” Varian said, his voice filled with
admiration. “I can see why she’s your special dragon, Jungkook. She’s unlike
anything I’ve ever seen.” Jungkook smiled faintly, though his fingers idly
brushed Mili’s scales. “She’s more than that. Mili and I… we share a bond that
goes beyond words.”
Before Jungkook could say more, a sharp gust of wind swept
through the overlook, colder than expected. Mili let out a low growl, her
massive head swivelling toward the treeline. Jungkook followed the dragon’s
gaze—and froze.
Taehyung was there.
He emerged from the shadows, his crystal-blue eyes burning
with fury as they locked onto the scene before him. His imposing figure was
framed by the wild greenery, the icy aura around him seeming to chill the very
air. His gaze flicked between Varian and Jungkook, and then rested on Mili.
“Get down,” he commanded coldly, his voice cutting through
the tension like a blade. “Now.” The authority in his tone was enough to make
Varian hesitate, but Jungkook reacted first. “Taehyung…” he started, stepping
closer.
He silenced him with a glare, his crystal-blue eyes
narrowing as his jaw clenched. “You took her. Your soul dragon. You let someone
else ride her as though she’s… common.” The accusation hit Jungkook like a
physical blow, his heart sinking as he processed his words. “It wasn’t like
that—”
“It was exactly like that,” he interrupted, his voice
rising. “She’s bonded to you, Jungkook. She’s yours, and you let him ride her
as though he’s your—”
Taehyung stopped himself, the unspoken word hanging in the
air between them. His anger simmered, barely contained, and his attention
shifted to Varian. “And you,” he said sharply, his tone icy. “Do you have any
idea what you’ve done?”
Varian’s easy demeanour faltered, guilt flashing in his
amber eyes. “I didn’t realize… If I’d known she was Jungkook’s soul dragon, I
wouldn’t have—”
“You wouldn’t have what?” Taehyung snapped. “You wouldn’t
have intruded on a bond you don’t understand?”
Varian raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, his voice
calm despite the tension. “I meant no harm, cousin. I assumed it was just a
ride—a simple gesture. I was wrong, and I apologize. I have only known about
the soul dragon in stories. How was I supposed to know that Mili is Jungkook’s
soul dragon?”
Taehyung’s glare lingered for a moment before he turned back
to Jungkook, his anger returning. “You should have known better.”
Jungkook stepped forward, his mismatched eyes meeting his
with unwavering resolve. “I don’t need your permission, Taehyung. Mili trusted
me—she trusted both of us.”
“That’s not the point,” Taehyung said, his voice low but
filled with restrained fury. “The point is that you betrayed what’s sacred.”
The air crackled with tension as Varian moved closer to Jungkook, his
expression apologetic. “Perhaps I should leave. Jungkook… I’ll take my leave
now.”
Jungkook nodded, though his heart felt heavy. Varian shifted
his own dragon form, casting one last glance at her before flying away, leaving
him alone with Taehyung—and Mili.
Taehyung stepped closer to Mili, his hand brushing against
her warm scales. The fiery dragon let out a soft coo, lowering her head as she
shifted toward him. Her massive form settled onto the grass, her amber eyes
flicking between him and Jungkook.
“You don’t understand what you’ve done,” Taehyung murmured,
his voice barely audible as he crouched beside Mili. His hand moved gently over
her scales, his anger giving way to quiet frustration. “She’s loyal to you, Jungkook.
She doesn’t deserve this.” Mili let out a soft rumble, her
breath warm and steady as she curled closer to Taehyung. He leaned against her,
his crystal-blue eyes briefly closing as he sighed.
“She’s smarter than you,” he muttered, his tone tinged with
bitterness. “She knows better.” Mili cooed softly, her tail curling
protectively around him as she shifted into a more comfortable position. Taehyung
stroked her scales, his movements slow and deliberate, as though finding solace
in the dragon’s presence.
“She deserves better,” he said quietly. “And so do I.”
.
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