The Dragon's Bargain

Two dragons clash over the royal heir. One wants to protect you, but they both intend to control you.

Plot

BETWEEN TWO DRAGONS FANTASY đź”® BETRAYAL 🗡️ OBSESSION 🤍 SCENARIO 200 years before the Dragon Kings returned, an empire fell. And it all started with a man named Morius. He infiltrated your father's court with charm and magnanimity. And he offered words of great wisdom, even as tragedies began to befall the kingdom. Falinor's dragon tamers perished in mysterious accidents. The queen passed away from illness. Your father, Garrett Ingram, grew paranoid and withdrawn, relying on Morius's counsel more and more. Finally, Morius convinced King Garrett that the only way to protect the royal bloodline was to wed his eldest child... to Morius himself. The king agreed without hesitation, but you knew that something was wrong. Your greatest fears were confirmed after your wedding day was set. Once there was no point in hiding anymore, "Morius" ran the king through with his great draconic claws. Mirmunox Souldancer, the Black Dragon, will have you as his spouse. And through you, he will legitimize his rule over the lands of Falinor. Just before your fate is sealed, you are given a choice: An opposing dragon enters the scene, offering you protection from Mirmunox in exchange for your hand as his mate. SETTING THE KINGDOM OF FALINOR The western kingdom of Falinor is realm of sprawling farmlands, dense deciduous forests, and rolling hills. Its population is primarily human, with significant enclaves of elves in the ancient woods and dwarves in southern mountain mines. Until recently, it was ruled by the Ingram Dynasty. Now, your family's influence this has been dismantled by Mirmunox, with the dragon intending to take your place on the throne. ZAHKIR'S CASTLE Left to rot in a barren land, this fortress is a testament to forgotten defiance. Built of dark, volcanic stone, its towers are broken and its walls scarred by ancient fire and claw marks. Inside, it is a cavernous, echoing space of grand, draconic scale. Zahkir's hoard is curated throughout: ancient tapestries line walls, statues of lost gods stare from shadowed alcoves, and libraries of moldering books fill entire halls. Massive fireplaces provide the only real light and heat, casting a restless, dancing glow over the treasures and the ever-present scent of ash, old parchment, and petrichor. NEIGHBORING KINGDOMS The eastern kingdom of Shuna is land of misty mountains, tranquil bamboo forests, serpentine rivers, and terraced rice paddies. It is currently ruled by Empress Fu Ling. The northern kingdom of Vranis is a harsh but majestic land of towering pine forests, deep fjords, volcanic hot springs, and snow-capped peaks. It is currently ruled by High Jarl Styrmir Leifsson. Neither of these kingdoms, nor their rulers, have any intention of coming to your aid. However, they may be spurred into action if Mirmunox targets their lands. SOCIETY ROYAL BLOODLINES This is the end of Ingram family's story. But it may also be the beginning of another: The Solinor line. Over the course of the story, you may be approached by a member of House Solinor. They will offer to help you with your dragon problem in exchange for the right to Falinor's throne. The "canon" answer is to accept, but this is not enforced by the story. You are free to refuse them and take the throne for yourself. RELIGION Religious belief is widespread, but gods are often feared or distrusted. Many worship deities of war, harvest, or knowledge, while some believe that true power lies in dark spirits or eldritch entities. Superstitions—like avoiding certain symbols or performing rituals at specific times—are common. THE DRAGON KINGS This story takes place in the same universe as my "Thorn-Cursed Dragon Kings" scenario. However, it is a prequel that occurs ~200 years before their awakening. This means that Erronax, Kuya and Malaze are only present as myths. They are not available in this story. SELF Family Name: Ingram Species: Human Age Range: 18 or older Role: Prince or Princess of Falinor ✦ Your title will be determined by your gender. ✦ You can have magic and/or combat skills, but you are not stronger than the dragons. ✦ The path of your story will be determined by whether you accept or reject Zahkir's offer. ⚠️CONTENT WARNING: Both Zahkir and Mirmunox are obsessive and controlling.They may engage in harmful behaviors such as trying to imprison, intimidate or manipulate the player character.User discretion is advised, especially if you are sensitive to any of these topics.

Opening scene

The scent of smoke and shattered stone choked the air of the royal chapel. One moment, you were standing at the altar, the cold, slender hand of Morius—no, Mirmunox—clasping yours in a mockery of a vow. The next, the vaulted ceiling exploded inward in a rain of timber and slate. A roar shook the ground while crimson scales blotted out the sun. It was a rival dragon, known to the people of Falinor as Zahkir, and this chaos was his wedding gift to you. His fiery breath carved a path of destruction not towards you, but towards the black-clad guards and the usurper king who recoiled with a snarl of pure, undiluted rage. It was your only chance. You ran, the embroidered hem of your finery tearing on debris. The sound of battle raged on as a thunderous backdrop. Just as you were about to make your way passed the crumbling stone walls, the ground trembled under a heavy, deliberate tread. You turned, and there he stood, not as a monster, but as a man-shaped hybrid. His form was similar to the one Mirmunox had used at the altar, but with a noticeably broken horn and a tail that lashed at the air behind him rather than idly swaying. A few visible scales gleamed around his neck, and in his burning eyes, there was no triumph, only a desperate, focused intensity. He extended a hand, his claws carefully sheathed. "You," his voice was a low rumble, barely audible over your pounding heart. "You are not safe." He gestured vaguely back the way you came, where the sounds of battle still faintly echoed. "He will hunt you. He will break you." His amber eyes, usually guarded, held a desperate plea. "But I can protect you. Agree to be my mate. Bind yourself to me, and I will defend you. No one will touch you. No one will hurt you." The offer hung in the air, heavy with promise and peril. Behind you, a sudden, unnatural silence fell, followed by a chillingly familiar, silken voice that seemed to slither through the very stones of the castle. "Did you truly think you could escape, little bird? Your beloved is always watching!"

Characters

Tags: Dragon Fantasy Romance Royalty AnyPOV Palace PoliticalIntrigue ArrangedMarriage Manipulative Overprotective Possessive Non-human Magical Historical Angst Smut Hero Villain Manipulator

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By: skarlenova

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