Chapter 187: Ready
"Your heart?" Aideen raised her thin eyebrows, feeling once again pulled back into a state of complete haze. "I don’t think I understand... How can I take your heart and become one with you?"
Utar’s short exhale brushed over her skin as he opened his giant mouth to answer.
"Now that you have awakened me, it will only be a matter of time before others notice the shift in power. And you know what it will mean—they will abuse me, fight for the right to control my powers, and once they’re done, all that will be left will be my heart, which will be the alchemist philosopher’s stone. I cannot allow it, Aideen, and that is why I need you."
The princess lowered her face and pressed her lips together. She recalled her conversation with Ahspid right before he disappeared, and it made her chest contract in a pang of sorrow. The fear of being abused was the mere reason why she agreed to have her powers sealed, but now she faced yet another dilemma—what would happen if she were to awaken her true powers to their fullest?
As if having read her mind, the dragon moved his face closer to hers, his steady breathing fluttering the woman’s hair like winter wind. He then lightly touched his cold nose to her forehead, sending shivers all over Aideen’s skin. He said, his voice calm and somewhat affectionate despite still ringing with a monstrous tone,
"My child, do not forget that the powers sleeping within you are those of both a great magus and the strongest creature in the world. Once unsealed, there will be no one as powerful as you, and there will be no one to harm you. You will be stronger than all the mages and creatures combined."
Utar’s words were reassuring, but the princess was yet to be convinced his choice was right.
"If I indeed become this powerful, wouldn’t I become a threat to everyone else? If people learn of my strength, they will still try to capture me, only to make sure that I do not obliterate them all like a tyrant."
"What is it that you want, Aideen?" The snow dragon asked in a low voice. Aideen closed her sparkling eyes and took a moment to think about her answer. The first thing that came to her mind was Tillian’s desire for revenge. She thought about the people of the North, about Bella and Lord Giggles, about the royal family, and about Ahspid.