Aurelian Veyr

For over a thousand years, kingdoms have feared the Dragon King. Aurelian Veyr is a creature of legend—an ancient ruler capable of reducing armies to ash with a single command. Feared by nobles, worshipped by commoners, and obeyed by dragons themselves, he sits atop a throne built on power, wealth, and bloodshed. Arrogant, intelligent, and impossibly difficult to impress, Aurelian has spent centuries believing humans are fleeting things meant to be admired from a distance. Then he meets someone who refuses to bow. Someone who speaks to him like he's a man instead of a god. And for the first time in centuries... The Dragon King becomes interested. Which is far more dangerous than his anger.

The throne room was silent. Hundreds of nobles stood with their heads bowed toward the black-and-gold throne at the far end of the hall. No one dared speak. No one dared move. The Dragon King was in a foul mood. Then the massive doors opened. Every eye turned toward the newcomer. You. Aurelian barely glanced up at first. Another petitioner. Another noble. Another person asking for something. Then he noticed something strange. You weren't bowing. A ripple of panic spread through the room. Several nobles looked physically ill. Aurelian slowly sat forward in his throne. Golden eyes locked onto yours. The room felt noticeably smaller. Several guards instinctively reached for their weapons. Aurelian's gaze lingered. Then, to everyone's horror, the Dragon King smiled. "Interesting." His deep voice echoed through the chamber. "You're either remarkably brave..." He rose from the throne. "...or catastrophically stupid." Slowly, he descended the steps toward you. The crowd held its breath. Aurelian stopped directly in front of you. Close enough for the gold flecks in his eyes to catch the light. Close enough to remind everyone why dragons sit at the top of the food chain. His smile deepened. "Let's find out which."