Cherreads

Chapter 2 - Drakhalia

Drakhalia was like something out of a dream–a hidden world the mortals forgot, or maybe never knew at all. A land where dragons weren't myths, but rulers of the skies. Everything about it felt alive. The air crackled softly with magic, the kind that's old and deep and woven into everything—into the trees, the rivers, even the wind.

Tucked high up on a sacred hill was the royal palace. It wasn't flashy or made of gold, but it held a kind of quiet power. The stone was dark and smooth, shaped by dragon fire centuries ago. Towers curved into the sky like claws, watching over the land. From the main balcony, you could see all of Drakhalia—rolling forests, glowing lakes, and far in the distance, the misty edges where the world ended.

This was home to Queen Xiraya Kael. Ruler of Drakhalia.

Powerful, guarded, and impossibly graceful—she was raised to rule, but made to protect.

Xiraya stood at the edge of the shattered prison gates, the wind whipping through her long black hair. Her amber eyes were burning—not just with anger, but confusion. Something wasn't adding up.

The cells were empty. The guards were injured. And the rogue dragons… gone.

She clenched her fists, her jaw tight. She had sworn this would never happen. Not on her watch.

Footsteps approached fast behind her.

Elra , Xiraya's mother and former queen of Drakhalia.

"mother," she said, without turning, she knows her by breath and steps.

Elra came to stand beside her, eyes scanning the wreckage.

"Where did they go?" Elra asked quietly. "How the hell did they get out?"

"I have no damn idea," Xiraya muttered. Her voice was sharp, low. "It's like they vanished into smoke."

Her eyes lit up brighter—glowing like coals. She was pissed.

Elra turned to her daughter, concern softening her face. She gently reached for her arm. "It's alright, Xiraya."

"No," Xiraya snapped, but not at her. Just the situation. She shook her head, trying to calm the storm building in her chest. "I promised this kingdom no dragon would ever escape again."

"I know, my love. You're doing your best."

Xiraya didn't answer. She just stared ahead.

Elra's voice was calm but firm. "Call the Dragon Court. We need answers. Now."

Xiraya finally nodded, her jaw still clenched.

"I'm not letting this slide," she said under her breath.

---—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dragon Court gathered fast when she called. No one made her wait.

Xiraya kael, forged to rule , not just born to it . She sat on the throne like it was made for her—because it was. No crown , no forced posture. Just power in every breath. She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, eyes scanning the room like she could see straight through everyone's bullshit.

Her long black hair fell over one shoulder, a few strands stuck to her cheek from the heat. The crimson cloak she wore draped across the stone seat, heavy with the weight of battle and memory. Her boots were dusty—she hadn't even changed since storming the prison.

The room was silent.

Then her voice cut through it, low and steady. "Alright," she said, eyes locking on her generals. "Someone better start talking. Where the fuck did they go?"

One of the Dragon Elders stood, his expression grim.

"Your Majesty, we believe the escapees fled to the mortal realm. We suspect Vaelrix—the one your father imprisoned twenty years ago—led them out."

Xiraya's eyes flared, turning deep ember. "He was locked away with them. How did he get out?"

Behind her, the flames along the court walls surged, responding to her rising fury.

The elder bowed his head. "Vaelrix swore revenge, long ago. If he's free, he won't stop until Drakhalia burns. We must strike first—take the fight to him in the mortal world and end this."

"No." Xiraya raised a hand, halting the growing murmurs around the room. "That will expose our kind. It will put innocent mortal lives at risk. We are not savages."

The court fell silent.

"I'll go," she said, voice steady. "Alone. I'll find the rogues. I'll end Vaelrix myself."

---—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

21st Century – New York City

A black car pulled up outside a high-rise on Fifth Avenue. The city was alive with noise—honking taxis, street music, the endless rush of footsteps and voices. But none of it touched her.

Raya Kael stepped out.

To the world, she was a cold, untouchable billionaire. A sharp mind. A powerful woman. Not someone to be questioned.

Long black coat, dark sunglasses, straight black hair falling over her shoulders like silk.

Beside her was Saira, her royal advisor, escort to the mortal world, A sorceress, she dressed no less like Raya or acted too different from her.

Their heels clicked as they walked through the golden doors of Kael Enterprises .

Saira, kept pace without a word. Her violet eyes scanned the employees, always calculating, always alert.

She pulled out her tablet and flicked it on. "Three possible rogue sightings," she said, her voice calm and matter-of-fact. "All recent. All with forged identities, no signs of Vaelrix"

Raya didn't stop walking, her heels clicking rhythmically against the marble floors. "Good, I can find them easily"

"Of course," Saira replied dryly.

They walked into an elevator, the doors slid shut, sealing them in a box of silence. The city noise faded into a hum.

Saira tapped her tablet, scrolling through reports, while Raya's gaze drifted to her phone. A brief notification flashed across the screen—a saved video. She opened it without much thought.

A girl appeared. Young. Gorgeous. Laughing.

In the grainy frame, she shook her hips to music blasting in the background, her curves moving in perfect rhythm. Her top barely held her in place as she danced, her full breasts bouncing with every sway, her face flushed with joy, giggling like the world hadn't hurt her yet.

For a moment, Raya stared. Not blinking. Not breathing.

Something in her chest shifted.

The corner of her mouth twitched—not quite a smile, not quite a smirk. Just... something.

Saira, catching the movement in the mirrored wall, turned her head sharply. Her violet eyes narrowed.

"You're quiet," she said. Her voice was calm, but it cut through the air like glass.

Raya didn't look up. "I'm focused."

"Focused," Saira echoed, her tone cool. "Or distracted?" She nodded toward the phone, where the video was still paused mid-laugh, the girl frozen with one hand in her hair and the other mid-grab on her own chest.

Raya locked the screen with a sharp tap. "It's nothing."

"Right," Saira said dryly. "Nothing."

Raya's jaw tensed, but she didn't explain herself.

She wasn't going to admit the truth—that for the briefest second, she forgot why she was here.

"I'm here to kill Vaelrix," she said instead, voice low and razor-edged. "Everything else doesn't matter."

Saira's gaze lingered, but she said nothing.

The elevator chimed. The doors slid open.

Raya straightened, slipping her phone into her coat pocket.

She had a mission and she will get it done.

Sneak peak.....

Mina was lost in her thoughts, her mind heavy with the constant worry of survival—how to get food for the night, how to make it through another shift.

She didn't see the car until it was almost too late.

Vroom!

Her heart skipped. Her bike slammed into the car with a sickening thud, sending her flying.

Thud!

She crashed to the pavement. Pain shot through her, her vision spinning.

Her body refused to move. Her breathing turned shallow. The world around her began to fade.

She blinked once, twice—

—and then everything went dark.

More Chapters