Betrayal, a Dragon Palace, and a Child's Choice
Emery's Loss and the Slaver Encounter
Emery enters the story already broken: betrayed by people she trusted, sold into captivity, and separated from her newborn child. A year of suffering follows before a human slaver nearly claims her life. The attack is interrupted by Alaric, the Dragon King, whose arrival shifts her trajectory from victim to survivor in a single moment.
Service in the Dragon King's Palace
Taken to Alaric's palace, Emery assumes the role of a maid rather than a guest. The setting places her inside a shifter court where power and hierarchy are absolute. Her daily routine brings her into proximity with the ruler himself, yet her status remains low, creating tension between her past trauma and her new surroundings.
Juno's Choice and the Deepening Bond
Alaric's daughter, Juno, has refused every shifter presented to her. She breaks that pattern by selecting Emery as her mother figure, a decision that surprises the court and draws Alaric's attention. As the child begins to heal through this connection, Alaric finds himself drawn to Emery, while hints emerge that their histories intersect in ways none of them yet understand.