"Sophie, I'm here." Silei held her tightly, his heart finally at ease.
"I knew you'd come for me. You're my prince." Gazing up at his weary face, Sophie's eyes shimmered. "I missed you so much! I thought I'd never see you again!"
Catching a crystalline tear, Silei smiled tenderly. "Silly girl, why cry? I told you I'd come."
Nearby, Elder Gustav watched Hall's triumphant grin with amusement. "Hall, what are you scheming?"
"A wedding feast soon!" Hall whispered gleefully, nodding at the embracing couple.
"Are you *certain*?" Gustav eyed the unfamiliar youth. *This must be the outsider Sophie mentioned.*
"Doubting me?" Hall finally noticed Gustav's odd expression.
"Do you *know* that boy hugging Sophie?" Gustav jerked his chin.
"Uh..." Hall scratched his head. "New hatchling?"
"Or an *outsider*?" Gustav sighed. *Does love—or family—make all fools?*
"Outsider? You mean—?" Hall scrutinized Silei. Strong, yes—but not a whiff of dragon aura.
"*Who are you?*" Hall teleported beside them, yanking Silei up by the collar.
"Sophie's beloved." Silei met his glare evenly. *No one separates us—not even her uncle.*
"Uncle, *let him go!*" Sophie pounded Hall's arm, frantic as Silei dangled midair.
"You *know* him?" Hall frowned.
"*Obviously!* He's my *husband*!" Sophie glared.
"*Husband?!*" Hall's grip slackened. The pieces clicked.
"*You!*" Roaring, he slammed Silei to the ground and lunged.
"*No!*" Sophie shoved Hall aside, shielding Silei.
"You—?!" Hall's veins bulged. *She pushed me? Is her power awakening?*
"*How dare you hurt him!* Being a dragon doesn't scare us! I call you 'uncle' only for Dad's sake—otherwise, *hmph!*" Sophie's fury burned. *Death means nothing if Silei's with me.*
"Sophie." Gently pulling her behind him, Silei faced Hall calmly. *I can't win—but I won't yield.*
"Boy! Don't think fathering Sophie's children grants you immunity!" Hall hissed privately.
"*What?*" Silei nearly choked. *What absurd misunderstanding is this?!*
"Want Sophie? Pass *three trials*! Prove you can protect her!" Hall announced loudly, rallying the glowering bachelors.
After huddling with Gustav, Hall smirked. "First: Tonight, defeat a dragon Sophie chooses!" *Let's see him best a dragon.*
"Second: By tomorrow's sunset, build a house *entirely of gems*!" *No dragon would donate their hoard!*
"Third: Steal my crown from its hidden vault!" *Impossible—only Bradlee and I know its location!*
"Strength, wealth, wit—all needed to wed a dragon!" Hall gloated (though Gustav devised the trials).
"I accept." Silei squared his shoulders. *The gem house? Sophie's Phoenix Pouch has jewels. The other trials... I'll fight to my last breath.*
"Bold!" Hall grudgingly admired him. *If he conquers the impossible... perhaps he's worthy.*
"Sophie, choose." Silei squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Nodding, Sophie approached the eager dragons.
"Too tall... unfair advantage."
"Too stocky... hard to topple."
"Too muscular... wasteful fabric consumer!"
After rejecting dozens of flawless candidates, Sophie groaned. *No sickly, scrawny, or stunted dragons? Not even a dwarf?!*
Resigned, she sought the most gullible.
Stanfer? *Claims he's lazy... but looks fit.*
Leonel? *Polished... but is he cunning?*
Her finger finally landed. "*You!*"
Leonel nearly wept with joy. *She chose me! Twice kissed her hand—surely fate!*
Stanfer wilted. *She stood before me so long... yet picked that phony!*
Winking at Silei, Sophie whispered to Leonel, "Dearest Leonel... though I *hope* you lose... if you win, I'll honor our deal. If you'll accept a heart once given to another..."
"*Yes! YES!*" Leonel trembled with rapture.
"Here—my homemade honeycake for luck!" Sophie offered a golden biscuit from her pouch.
"Thank you! I'll fight with *all my strength*!" Leonel devoured it reverently.
*Eat up, eat up!* Sophie beamed as he swallowed.
**What secret does the honeycake hide—and can Silei survive the coming duel?**