RISE OF THE FORSAKEN DRAGON HEIR

A GIFT UNWORTHY OF THE SAINTESS

“How dare you give the Emerald Saintess something so worthless?” Tristan Sterling snapped as he stepped between David Myles and Janet.

Before David could answer, Tristan who was Janet’s cousin shoved his shoulder and knocked the small velvet box from his hand. The necklace inside it fell onto the polished marble floor of Sterling Hall, and laughter immediately broke out among the guests.

David stared at the necklace for a moment before bending to pick it up. It had taken him weeks to find the right emerald and have the silver chain made to his design.

Tristan looked down at him and laughed. “Silver and an ordinary emerald? You brought this into the Sterling estate? Even one of our low level staff could afford something better.”

“It wasn't bought to impress you,” David said as he rose. His voice remained calm despite the heat building inside him. “I designed it for Janet. Whether you understand its value doesn't matter.”

Tristan gave another laugh and turned toward the Janet who was seated beside the Sterling patriarch. “Unfortunately for you, David, Janet Sterling isn't an ordinary woman. She's the Jewel of Life of Asterion, the Emerald saintess and life force of the Sterling family. If you intend to marry her, you should at least learn what kind of woman you're dealing with.”

Janet lowered her eyes, clearly uncomfortable. At twenty-seven, she was already one of the most admired women in Asterion. Her long white hair rested over her shoulders, while her green eyes carried the unusual brightness associated with the Emerald Dragon. Yet her beauty was only part of what made people stare. Her healing gift had earned her the title Emerald Saintess, making her the brightest healing talent of her generation.

Tristan stepped before her and opened a black case. Inside rested a platinum bracelet built around a glowing green crystal. “This is the Heart of Elysia,” he announced proudly. “It stabilizes Dragon Energy after extreme healing. There are fewer than twenty of these in Asterion. A woman like you Janet who spends her strength preserving other people's lives deserves something capable of protecting hers.”

Janet smiled as Tristan fastened it around her wrist. “Thank you, Tristan. It's beautiful, but you really didn't have to spend this much on me.”

“For the Jewel of Life?” Tristan straightened and glanced deliberately at David. “Anything less would be embarrassing.”

More laughter followed. Another Sterling relative presented Janet with an Emerald Dragon crystal used to improve control over healing energy, while a senior executive announced the creation of a private medical research fund in her name. Each gift received applause, and with every round, David's necklace seemed smaller in his hand.

Janet eventually leaned toward him. “David, don't let Tristan bother you. You know how he is.” She touched his arm and gave him the warm smile he knew so well. “I don't measure what you give me by its price.”

“I know.” David placed the necklace back inside its box. “I didn't come here to compete with anyone. I only wanted to give you something that came from me.”

Later, champagne glasses were raised as the birthday toast began. Janet's mother, Victoria Sterling, stood near the head of the long table, but instead of offering the expected blessing, her attention settled on her daughter. “Janet, since we're celebrating your future tonight, perhaps you can finally explain something I've never understood. Why did you choose David Myles?”

Janet's expression tightened. She glanced toward David before answering. “Because I love him, Mother. David has always cared about me, and he has never treated me differently just because I'm the Emerald Saintess.”

Victoria's sister laughed softly. “Love? Janet, you're talking as though you're some ordinary girl choosing a husband from university.”

Janet frowned. “What's wrong with wanting someone who actually cares about me? David is also a good cardiologist. He's helped Sterling Hospital more than this family gives him credit for.”

David finally spoke. “I've never claimed to have Dragon healing abilities, Mrs. Sterling, but everything I've achieved in medicine came through years of study. I've treated difficult cases at Sterling Hospital, and my results—”

“You are nothing but a mundane doctor,” Victoria interrupted. Her words immediately drew several amused smiles around the table. “If we're going to discuss your achievements, David, let's describe them accurately. You're a mundane doctor working in a hospital filled with people who can manipulate life itself with special dragon powers.” She paused.

"Tell me David what makes you special?" She asked already aware of the fact that David had no special powers.

David's jaw tightened, but he remained seated. Victoria wasn't finished. “And should I remind everyone how you got that position? Janet recommended you. Without my daughter, would someone from the useless Myles Family have been allowed anywhere near one of our most important cardiac departments?”

“Mother, that's unfair,” Janet said. Her embarrassment was becoming obvious. “I helped him get the opportunity. I didn't pass his examinations for him.”

Victoria turned back to her daughter. “Then answer one question. What significant thing has David ever done for you that you couldn't have obtained without him?”

Janet opened her mouth, but her mother raised a hand before she could speak.

“You are the Emerald Saintess,” Victoria continued. “Do you understand what that means? Your ability could determine the future of this family. Powerful people will want your loyalty. Others may want your blood. Some may eventually want you dead. And you're planning to marry a man who cannot even awaken a Dragon talent.”

Janet's aunt nodded. “What happens when someone comes for her, David? Will you perform heart surgery on them?”

The table erupted with laughter. Tristan leaned back comfortably in his chair, enjoying every second of it. “Perhaps Janet can protect him instead. Imagine that. The Jewel of Life fighting off assassins while her husband hides inside the hospital.”

David slowly placed his glass on the table. He could have answered them, but anger wouldn't change what they saw when they looked at him. A mundane man. A Myles. A descendant of a family whose Dragon power had disappeared generations ago.

Then the enormous doors of Sterling Hall opened.

Conversation faded as four broad-shouldered men in black military uniforms entered first. Behind them walked a tall man wearing a fitted black coat over dark ceremonial armor. A crimson dragon crest spread across the left side of his chest, and several military decorations rested beneath it.

People began standing.

David recognized the crest before he recognized the man.

Ashford.

The Ashford Family possessed the Inferno Dragon and commanded the strongest military power among Asterion's Seven dragon Houses. Even families with their own Dragon wielders treated Ashford forces carefully.

The fallen Myles Family itself had depended on Ashford protection for years.

David turned toward Janet.

She had straightened in her chair. Her green eyes followed the newcomer as he crossed the hall, and there was something in her expression David hadn't seen during the entire gift ceremony. Interest. Admiration. Even excitement.

“Mother, who is that?” Janet asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

Victoria smiled as though she had been waiting all evening for that question. “That is Donald Ashford, heir to the Ashford Dragon Family empire.”

David looked from Donald to Janet. The difference was impossible to ignore. Donald carried everything her family had spent the evening telling her David lacked: power, bloodline, protection, military authority and a name that commanded respect.

David reached across the table and gently took Janet's hand. “Janet, you don't need to agree with everything they tell you. Whatever they're planning, remember that this is your life.”

Janet's smile disappeared. She frowned at David, glanced toward the approaching Donald, and then looked down at their joined hands.

She pulled her hand away from Ethan's grip.

David's heart jumped at the small movement. He stared at her empty hand, then slowly raised his eyes to her face.

For the first time since their engagement, David wondered whether everyone in Sterling Hall knew something about his future with Janet that he didn't.

What was going on in Janets mind?