Ethan remained standing near the entrance longer than necessary.
Partly because his brain had not caught up with reality.
Mostly because the reality currently involved sharing a bed with a dragon queen who looked entirely unbothered by the concept.
Lyssara rested against the pillows, long white hair spilling across the dark fabric like fresh snowfall. One leg crossed over the other as she studied him — calm, patient, predatory.
Waiting.
"You are still there," she observed.
"…I noticed."
"You require rest."
"I require several explanations first."
Her brow lifted slightly.
"About sleeping arrangements, for example."
Lyssara glanced once at the bed.
Then back at him.
"Is there a problem?"
"Yes," he said immediately. "Several."
"List them."
"You're a dragon sovereign."
"Yes."
"I was a porter yesterday."
"Also yes."
"And now we are apparently expected to sleep in the same bed like this is completely normal."
"It is normal."
"For dragons."
"For bonded pairs."
Ethan scrubbed a hand down his face.
"You adjust quickly," she added.
"I'm trying very hard not to scream internally."
Something like amusement flickered across her expression.
"Your heart rate is elevated," she said.
"That tends to happen when survival instincts are confused."
She tilted her head.
"You fear me?"
He thought about it.
The answer surprised him.
"…No."
Not the way prey feared predators.
Lyssara radiated danger — unquestionable, overwhelming danger — yet when her gaze rested on him, the killing pressure vanished.
In its place was something heavier.
Claim.
Recognition.
"…You unsettle me," he corrected.
"Good," she said softly.
"That means the bond is functioning."
Before he could ask what that meant, a sharp pulse tore through his chest.
He sucked in a breath.
Heat flooded his veins — stronger than before, spreading outward from his sternum to his shoulders, down his arms.
Lyssara was in front of him instantly.
He hadn't even seen her stand.
Her hand pressed flat against his chest again.
Cold poured into him.
The burning eased.
"Your body is accelerating its adaptation," she murmured.
"Dragon blood does not enter quietly."
"Feels more like it's kicking the door down."
Her fingers shifted slightly — slow, deliberate — tracing the line of his collarbone.
The contact sent a strange shiver through him.
The system reacted immediately.
Skin Contact DetectedBond Level Increased → 3
Passive Effect Strengthening:→ Mana Circulation Boost→ Physical Resilience Rising
Lyssara's eyes narrowed faintly.
"You feel it."
"Hard to miss when glowing windows start appearing in my vision."
She didn't remove her hand.
Instead, her thumb brushed once across his pulse.
Measured.
Curious.
"Your heartbeat steadies when I touch you," she said.
"That's either romantic or medically concerning."
"Both, perhaps."
Ethan let out a slow breath.
"Is this… necessary?"
"Yes."
Her gaze lifted to his.
"Proximity strengthens synchronization. Synchronization stabilizes your evolving bloodline."
"So if I avoid you, I explode?"
"A crude summary," she admitted. "But accurate."
"…Fantastic."
Another notification flickered.
Dragon Mate Instinct — Active
Bonded partners experience heightened awareness of each other's presence.
Distance may cause agitation.
Ethan stared at it.
"I officially have instincts now."
"You are acquiring many things."
Her hand finally withdrew.
The sudden absence of cold felt oddly noticeable.
Lyssara turned back toward the bed.
"Sit."
That was not a suggestion.
He obeyed before remembering he had free will.
The mattress dipped beneath his weight.
She watched him for a moment.
Then spoke.
"Remove your boots."
He blinked.
"…That sounded dangerously domestic."
"You will damage the bedding."
"Right. Practical dragon."
He tugged them off, setting them aside.
Silence settled between them — not uncomfortable, but charged.
After a moment, Lyssara shifted closer.
Not touching.
Close enough that he felt the cool aura surrounding her.
"You showed mercy today," she said quietly.
"With the hunters who betrayed you."
He shrugged faintly.
"Didn't seem worth the energy."
"You misunderstand."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Mercy from weakness invites predation. Mercy from strength establishes rule."
He considered that.
"Were you disappointed I stopped you?"
"No."
Something warmer touched her voice.
"I was… pleased."
That word did something unexpected to his chest.
"You think like a ruler," she continued.
"You negotiate with dragons. You refuse to kneel. You spare enemies not from softness, but from certainty."
She leaned slightly closer.
"You are not what this world made you believe."
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
No one had ever looked at him like that.
Seen him like that.
The system pulsed again.
Emotional Resonance DetectedBond Growth Accelerated.
Lyssara's gaze drifted lower — studying the shape of his shoulders, the tension still lingering in his muscles.
"You are exhausted," she said.
"Dragon or not, your body remains partially human."
"Comforting."
She reclined slowly against the headboard, then gestured beside her.
"Lie down."
Ethan hesitated exactly three seconds.
Then decided passing out from exhaustion on the floor would be far more embarrassing.
He stretched out carefully, leaving what he hoped was a respectful amount of distance.
It lasted about five seconds.
Lyssara shifted closer.
Then closer again.
Until their arms brushed.
"Personal space," he muttered.
"Is inefficient."
The room lights dimmed automatically, sensing rest.
Quiet wrapped around them.
For the first time since the dungeon…
Stillness.
Then Lyssara spoke again, voice softer now.
"When dragons choose a mate… we listen."
"…Listen?"
She took his wrist gently and guided his hand toward her side.
Right beneath her ribs.
"Feel."
He did.
At first, nothing registered.
Then—
A heartbeat.
Slow.
Powerful.
Ancient.
It echoed against his palm like distant thunder.
"It answers yours," she said.
Only then did he notice it.
His own pulse had begun to match the rhythm.
Beat.
…Beat.
...Beat.
The system flared.
Heartbeat Synchronization DetectedDual Resonance — Initiated.
Temporary Effects:→ Recovery Speed Increased→ Mana Stabilization Enhanced
Ethan exhaled quietly.
"This system really likes announcing things."
Lyssara's fingers were still loosely wrapped around his wrist.
She didn't let go.
After a long silence, she spoke again.
"Today, the world learned you exist."
"Seems inconvenient."
"It means they will come."
"Who?"
"Guilds seeking control. Nations seeking alliances. Hunters seeking glory."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"And those who believe killing you will make them legends."
"…I was having a good night until that sentence."
Her thumb brushed once across his skin.
"They will fail."
The certainty in her voice left no room for doubt.
Another quiet moment passed.
Then she added:
"You are under my protection."
Something in his chest loosened at that.
"…Thank you."
Lyssara studied his face for a long second.
Then, unexpectedly, she moved closer.
Much closer.
Her head rested lightly against his shoulder.
Not heavy.
Just… there.
The contact sent warmth spiraling through his chest despite the coolness of her skin.
Ethan went very still.
"You require warmth to sleep," she murmured.
"You are colder than winter."
"My mana will not harm you now."
She adjusted slightly, finding a position that seemed to satisfy some ancient instinct.
"…Better."
The system pulsed one more time.
Forced Proximity Condition MetBond Growth Rate: Increased During Shared Sleep.
Ethan stared into the dim ceiling.
His life had been simple yesterday.
Carry packs.
Earn scraps.
Stay invisible.
Now a dragon queen was asleep against him.
Calling him husband.
Protecting him.
Synchronizing heartbeats with him.
Outside those walls, the world was already reacting.
Hunters whispering.
Guilds calculating.
Power shifting.
He let out a slow breath.
"Lyssara?"
Her eyes remained closed.
"Yes."
"…Are dragons always this intense?"
A faint smile touched her lips.
"You have only seen the beginning."
That was both reassuring…
and deeply terrifying.
Within minutes, her breathing softened.
Sleep took her easily.
Ethan followed soon after.
And far beyond the quiet residence—
Rumors spread through the city like wildfire.
The man who walked out of a collapsing dungeon…
with a boss at his side.
The porter who married a sovereign.
A new name began passing from hunter to hunter.
Half disbelief.
Half fear.
The Bridegroom of the Frost Queen.