The Crown's Fire - Chapter 303

Chapter 303: Protective Dome
Apollo grunted as he and Cora rushed toward Aurum, the weight of their duty hanging heavy in the air. “What a way to spend our honeymoon,” he muttered, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

Cora laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She leaned in, kissing him deeply, her lips warm and tender against his. As they pulled apart, she whispered, her voice full of promise, “We’ll make it up to each other after this fight.”

Another quick peck followed, her gaze locking with his. “Don’t overexert yourself today. And let’s name the green dragon spirit inside of you Zane, because it’s given you another life to be with me.”

Apollo grinned, his heart swelling with love for her. “Zane it is, then. You heard my wife,” he said, speaking to the spirit within him. “From now on, I’ll call you Zane, and I’ll make sure you protect me so I can return safe and sound for our honeymoon.”

Zane growled softly within him, an acknowledgement of Apollo’s words. Apollo chuckled, the bond between them already beginning to form.

[You should mark her now to form a bond,] Zane’s voice echoed inside his mind.

Apollo hesitated, his brow furrowing. “But how can I mark her now? She’s about to fight two dark dragons. Won’t that make her weak if we do it now?”

Cora remained silent, letting Apollo talk to his dragon spirit. She simply smiled and began to wear the armor her servants had prepared for battle.

“Apollo,” she called, her voice calm but firm. “Come here and mark me already. We need to establish a bond so we can communicate our thoughts. I’ll be fine, don’t worry. I heard the dragon energy will course through me too once you mark me.”

Apollo opened his mouth to argue, but paused, seeing the determination in her eyes. He cursed under his breath, frustrated with his own uncertainty. “I don’t even know how to show the dragon fangs…”

Cora chuckled softly at his adorableness, moving closer to him. She tilted her neck to the side, offering herself to him with a quiet confidence. As she pulled him closer, she whispered into his ear, “Let your instincts take over. Trust Zane.”

Apollo’s breath hitched as he felt her skin against his, the heat of her body fueling his need to protect her. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer, and as he lowered his head, he licked the delicate skin between her neck and shoulders.

“I should be enjoying this union with you right now…” he murmured, his voice rough with desire, “But for now, I’ll own you like this.”

Cora closed her eyes, a shiver running through her body at his words and touch. She felt the sting of his bite against her neck, sharp yet soothing, as he claimed her in the most intimate of ways.

He held her still, his fangs withdrawing after a brief moment. He gently rested her body against his chest, his arms wrapped around her in a protective embrace.

[It’s done, Cora. Can you feel our bond?] Apollo’s voice echoed in her mind, the connection between them now solidified.

Cora smiled, her heart swelling with the depth of their bond. [Yes, let me have a minute to gather myself.] She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of their connection, and the strength she knew it would bring them in the battles ahead.

“Let’s go and fight. I’ll drop you at the castle to help Master Kasper. Remember, we must save Asura,” Cora reminded Apollo, her tone firm as she pulled away toward Mount Aurum.

Apollo climbed up behind her, adjusting himself for the ride, and grumbled, “The timing of this attack is terrible. Can’t they at least wait for me to master my dragon spirit? I can’t even shift like Ezekiel yet!”

Cora chuckled at his familiar complaints, the lightness of her laugh momentarily cutting through the tension.

“Just focus on fighting and protecting the Zionians on the ground,” she teased, glancing back at him with a small smile. “Save as many lives as you can, Apollo. That’s what matters most right now.”

Apollo sighed, resting his hands on her waist for balance as they ascended. “Fine. But don’t forget to watch your back too. You’re not invincible, Cora.”

“Neither are you,” she quipped with a smirk, her eyes already scanning the horizon for signs of battle.

As they flew, the sky darkened with ominous clouds, and the distant roar of dragons echoed, mingling with the sounds of chaos.

The battle at Zion raged on, with fire and shadows clashing in the skies and screams echoing through the city streets. Luis mounted his dragon Jade was already fighting the dragons with Snow.

“Asura was not with Snow,” Cora muttered as Cora veered Aurum toward the ground, Apollo leaped off, landing with a heavy thud amidst chaos.

“I’ll check on her,” Apollo said, scanning the chaos around him. His sharp gaze quickly locked onto the fiercest part of the battle. The castle courtyard was under siege, with Master Kasper fiercely fending off a swarm of magic wielders. They hurled destructive spells with relentless precision, leaving him no time to recover.

Apollo’s heart raced when he spotted Lady Asura nearby, desperately struggling to defend herself. Blood stained her robes, and her labored breaths betrayed her exhaustion. Suddenly, a powerful blast of dark magic hurtled toward her, the malicious energy crackling ominously in the air.

“NO!” Apollo roared, sprinting forward.

With a surge of power, he called upon Zane, the green dragon spirit within him. An emerald glow enveloped his body, and an ethereal barrier erupted around Asura just in time. The blast collided with the barrier, shattering harmlessly into sparks.

Asura looked up, her eyes wide with relief. “Apollo!”

“Stay behind me!” he shouted, his voice firm but reassuring.

Another volley of spells came their way, and Apollo raised his hand, channeling Zane’s energy. A protective dome of green light expanded, shielding them both. The energy hummed with life, solid and impenetrable.