The Crown's Fire - Chapter 260

Chapter 260: Dragon Fruit
Ezekiel had just returned from gathering another clue regarding the dragon eggs their enemies possessed. He wanted to see Katelina immediately, but she was currently in a session with Elen. With a sigh, he turned his steps toward the training grounds to check on the progress of the dragons and their riders under Kasper’s guidance.

At the training grounds, Ezekiel spotted his cousin Apollo lingering on the sidelines, watching Cora from a distance. He approached and sat beside him.

“Aren’t you needed in Ebodia?” Ezekiel questioned.

“Of course I am, but I need to be here to spend time with my woman,” Apollo replied shamelessly.

“Aren’t you needed in Ebodia, Your Majesty?” Apollo countered with a smirk, only to instantly press his lips together when Ezekiel glared at him. Then he chortled, “Kidding aside, when do you plan to return to Ebodia? I thought you’d leave by tomorrow?”

“I’ll delay it for two more days,” Ezekiel said. Apollo simply nodded.

“Let’s say… Do you think you can allow me to ride on your back in your dragon form? I need to practice without Cora knowing. I don’t want to mess up and end up funny in riding Aurum with her,” Apollo suddenly asked, his gaze fixed on Cora, who was laughing and enjoying her ride on her dragon, Aurum.

“Why not, but on one condition,” Ezekiel replied with a smirk.

Apollo blinked at him with a pout and sniffed, “Why do you need to have a condition? We’re from the same Ward blood! I’m like your younger brother.”

“Fine… Never mind. Khal won’t let you ride him since you’re not his dragonrider unless I intervene,” Ezekiel scoffed.

“Fine! What’s your condition, My King?” Apollo scoffed back with flaring nostrils.

“You’re good at finding missing things. My wife lost her journal, and I want you to find it. You can ask Cora for more details about it since she’s always with Kate when that journal was in her possession,” Ezekiel informed him.

To others, Apollo might seem like a happy-go-lucky Duke who just roamed around. But Apollo was more than that. He had a lot of connections, especially with the ghost market and black market, where many transactions and negotiations happened. The problem with Apollo was his laziness. He would do the job if tasked, but not prioritize it unless he felt like it.

“Alright! Consider it done!” Apollo remarked before standing up and added, “I must leave now. Please tell Cora that I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Ezekiel simply nodded and watched as Apollo left.

His eyes darted back to the training grounds. He smiled, seeing how Katelina’s brother Levi was doing great despite his young age.

“Brother-in-law!” Levi called out, running towards Ezekiel as soon as he dismounted his dragon, Ember. “Did you see me flying Ember?!” he asked enthusiastically.

Ezekiel lifted Levi and sat him on his lap. “Yes, and you’re doing great. I’m sure your sister will be delighted to see how well you’ve progressed.”

Levi’s eyes sparkled. “Also, look at my hair! It all turned silver-white now, like my sister’s. Master Kasper said this happens because Ember and I already formed a strong bond.”

Ezekiel nodded and ruffled Levi’s hair. “Either way, you both look cute in black and this color.” The boy giggled, and Ezekiel laughed too.

That was the sight Katelina walked into. She had just finished her session with Elen and, upon learning from the guard that Ezekiel was at the training grounds, she headed straight there. The scene of Levi and Ezekiel laughing together took her breath away.

“Levi found a brother and a father in him. His Majesty is treating him so well,” Asura whispered beside her. Katelina’s heart swelled. Every day, she was falling deeper and deeper in love with Ezekiel.

“That’s true, and I never felt this fortunate in my whole life, Asura. I often keep pinching myself just to make sure it’s not a dream…” Katelina replied, her heart filled with contentment.

She winked at Asura and walked towards her brother and husband. “Look at you, all sweaty. You should go with Asura and get changed,” she commented.

Levi quickly got up from Ezekiel’s lap and said, “Brother-in-law, let’s have dinner together later. I have something to tell you and sister.”

Ezekiel nodded, and Levi hugged Katelina before quickly running towards Asura.

Katelina sat beside Ezekiel and comfortably rested her head on his shoulder. Soon, the night would take over the sky, and they were in this position when it started to snow.

“How is the search going?” she asked, raising her hand and opening her palm to catch some of the falling snow.

“Today, I found no clues, but tomorrow morning, hopefully, I can find something,” Ezekiel informed her.

“Can I ride with you tomorrow? I feel a bit stuffy in the camp. I can postpone my session with Elen and have it once we come back,” Katelina asked.

Lately, she had been feeling very sleepy and lazy, so she wanted to move a bit.

“But is your body already fit to travel? Won’t you need more rest?” Ezekiel muttered as he grabbed one of her hands and gently kissed it.

“I’m doing well now, Kiel. I want to spend more time with you too…” Katelina murmured.

Ezekiel chuckled and said, “Alright, let’s go together tomorrow.”

“Kiel…” Katelina mumbled.

“Yes, what is it?” Ezekiel asked, his voice gentle.

“I’m craving a dragon fruit. I asked Asura if there’s an available one here, but she said it’s not the right season for it,” Katelina muttered, salivating at the thought of eating it.

“That’s true. It’s in season during summer, but maybe we can try getting one from another continent that’s experiencing summer right now. Let me check with Lurio and Kasper later to see where I can find one,” Ezekiel commented.

Katelina stood up and pulled him up as well. “It’s getting dark now. Let’s go back to our camp.” But Ezekiel pulled her onto his lap instead and buried his face in her shoulder.

There was only silence for a moment as they absorbed each other’s warmth. Katelina could feel the longing and desires Ezekiel was suppressing for her. “I’m sorry… I need more time, Kiel. I promise I won’t take too long in overcoming everything,” she murmured.

“There’s no rush, Kate. What’s important to me is that you heal fully from the trauma Devon caused you. I can wait, even if it takes forever,” he said with a chuckle.

Katelina pouted and snorted, “It won’t take forever. Do you think I’m that weak? Just wait until all my memories are back, and I’m sure I’ll be back to the old me who can’t be affected by my past!”

Ezekiel smiled warmly, lifting her chin to look into her eyes. “I know you’re strong, Kate. And I believe in you. We’ll get through this together, and I’ll be by your side every step of the way.”

Katelina nodded and then gave him a smack on his lips before she got up from his slap and quickly walked ahead blushing. Ezekiel quickly followed her and grabbed her hand so they held hands while walking.

As they walked back to their camp, the snow continued to fall softly around them, blanketing the ground in a pristine white. Katelina leaned into Ezekiel, feeling the warmth of his body against the chill of the night.

“Kiel,” she said playfully, “do you think we can find a dragon fruit that’s bigger than my head?”

Ezekiel laughed, “I think we can find one that’s twice as big as your head. But I hope you’re not planning on eating it all by yourself.”

“Oh, I might just share a little bit with you,” she teased.

“Hmm, seems like my wife is truly craving for this fruit. I have to make sure to get you this!” Ezekiel remarked, making Katelina chuckle.

“How about I go with you if ever Lurio and Master Kasper happen to know where there’s an available dragon fruit?” Katelina continued.

“Alright, I guess we can do that since we’ll use Kasper’s teleportation spell,” Ezekiel answered, but he suddenly frowned and stopped walking to face her.

“What’s wrong?” she asked worriedly, seeing how he was intently looking at her. “Do you feel weird? Like having morning sickness? Nauseous?”

Katelina creased her forehead and said, “No. I feel fine. Just a bit sleepy and lazy lately, and that’s understandable since I’ve been using energies in forming dragon bonds for others. Why?”

There was a pause before Ezekiel said, “Let’s have a healer check you still.”

“But I’m not sick. I’m just usually like this… Crave for something every time winter comes,” Katelina murmured.

“You do?” Ezekiel asked, blinking, and she nodded. “Last time I remember, I craved pomegranate…”

“Alright, but we’re still seeing a healer just to be sure. No arguments.”

“But why?” Katelina pondered.

“What if it’s a sign of early pregnancy?” Ezekiel said with a wide smile.

Katelina’s eyes widened, and then she quickly said, “There’s no way. I mean, I told you I crave fruits whenever winter is approaching.”

For some reason, she was feeling nervous at the thought that Ezekiel’s guess might be wrong. What if she wasn’t pregnant? Both of them would just feel disappointed.