They Called Me a Lizard, Then I Awakened as a Dragon

At my coming-of-age ceremony, I failed to shift. I was the heir to the Silver Serpent tribe, but all I could grow were a few ugly scales. My fiancé and my best friend stepped in front of me and roared at the crowd. "Shut up, all of you! Anyone who dares mock the heir is making an enemy of us!" While I was still downcast over my failure to shift, I overheard my best friend complaining to my fiancé that someone with inferior blood like mine had no right to hold on to the position of heir. She promised to help him take my place. Before long, rumors swept through the tribe that I had betrayed the Beast God and was nothing but a lowly lizard. My fiancé tied me to a stake in the ceremonial square and raised a torch to burn me alive. No one knew that the fire wouldn't take my life. Instead, it would burn away the final shackle that had sealed my superior bloodline. Chapter 1 "She failed... she failed!" "Holy crap! The chief's heir can't even shift!" Everyone in the tribe had once looked at me with reverence and expectation. Now their eyes held nothing but horror and contempt. The high priest's hand trembled around his staff as he stared at my neck, where a few dark greenish-black scales had emerged. They looked like the scales of something... not a serpent. My fiancé, Kael Mercer, the fiercest warrior in the tribe, strode onto the platform. He pulled off his cloak and wrapped it tightly around me. "Don't be scared, Lia. One failed attempt means nothing. You'll always be my fiancée and the heir to this tribe." The deputy chief and my closest friend, Vivian Hart, followed right behind him. Her eyes were red-rimmed as she stepped in front of me and roared at the crowd below. "Shut your mouths! Anyone who dares mock the heir is making an enemy of me!" I leaned into Kael's arms, and my racing thoughts finally began to settle. I still had Kael and Vivian. My foster father, Rowan Vale, had been in a coma for two weeks. The healer said his life force was fading by the day. I had to become chief. Only then could I use the tribe's resources to get the medicine that might save him. Back in my tent, Kael and Vivian stayed by my side. "Lia, don't overthink it. Just rest. The ceremony probably failed because Rowan's coma has been weighing on you too much." Kael tucked the blanket around me, his voice as gentle as it had been for the past ten years. Vivian brought over a bowl of calming herbs. "He's right. Drink this. Kael and I will handle everything. Just focus on getting better." I nodded and drained the bitter medicine in one gulp. Sleep came quickly. Drifting between waking and dreaming, I thought I heard low voices outside the tent. My mind was hazy. I couldn't make out the words. I caught only a few fragments. I struggled to sit up and lifted a corner of the tent flap. In the moonlight, Kael and Vivian stood behind a tree not far away. Vivian sighed and took Kael's hand. "Seeing her stand up there so helpless broke my heart too. But Kael, you're the sharpest blade. You deserve the finest sheath. It hurts me to see you always taking care of her. You need someone who can fight beside you, not someone you have to carry." Kael's voice was thick with pity. "Lia's body is too fragile right now. Being chief means facing bloodshed and danger. Her failure to shift must be a sign that the Beast God doesn't want her to carry such a heavy burden. If she becomes chief, it'll only get her killed." He clasped Vivian's hand and sighed. "The tribe needs someone strong enough to lead it. Viv, we both know that. Once we're in control, we can give her a safe, quiet place to live and keep her away from all this danger. That's the best protection we can give her, don't you think?" Vivian wrapped her arms around Kael. "I'll stand with you. Together, we'll look after Lia." They smiled at each other in the moonlight, looking exactly like a pair of secret lovers. My blood ran cold. I lowered the tent flap and retreated into the darkness. So that was it. No wonder Vivian had been urging me to rest lately. No wonder Kael had been stepping in for me at every turn. In their eyes, I was already a useless figurehead they could replace whenever they pleased. I closed my eyes, feeling the dull sting in my palm where my nails had broken the skin. What a joke. Only moments ago, I'd been grateful to have them. It didn't matter anymore. As far as I was concerned, I no longer had a fiancé or a best friend. All that mattered was becoming chief and saving Rowan. I could settle everything else later. Chapter 2 It was the twenty-sixth day of Rowan's coma. Kael and Vivian came to my tent together. Kael sat across from me, with his usual gentle smile. "Lia, you haven't been well lately, and there's a lot going on in the tribe. Why don't you hand over the chief's seal? Vivian and I can take care of everything for you." I didn't move. I just looked at him. "The seal is inside my body. It would have to be cut out." "I know." Kael's smile faded a notch. "That's why I brought the healer." The tent flap opened. The healer, Silas Reed, walked in carrying his medical kit, with two guards behind him. Vivian let out a soft sigh, her eyes glistening. "Lia, I know you can't bear to give up the seal, but look at what's happening now. You failed to shift, and the tribe is already talking. "You're a lizard. Holding onto the seal only brings shame to the tribe. I'm doing this for your own good. Once the dust settles, I'll give it back. I promise." "A lizard?" I laughed without humor. "Who told you I'm a lizard?" "Don't blame Vivian for speaking out of turn," Kael said. "Everyone saw those scales on you. I've kept the rumors under control, but I can't hide the truth forever. "If you insist on keeping the seal, I'll have no choice but to tell the tribe the truth. You can't even shift. You have no right to remain the heir." I stared at him. His words cut deep. So this was the love he'd always claimed to have for me? His love meant nothing. "I won't hand it over." I spoke slowly, stressing every word. "Rowan is still lying in that bed. Until he gives the word, no one is taking this seal." Kael's face went completely cold. Vivian stepped forward, tears streaming down her face. "Lia, stop being so stubborn! I'm your best friend. Would I ever hurt you? You can't even shift. Keeping the seal will only make you a laughingstock. You'll bring shame to the entire Silver Serpent tribe..." She broke off with a sharp cry. Before she could finish, she staggered back two steps. "You... you pushed me?" Kael's face changed instantly. He caught Vivian and steadied her. "Are you alright?" Vivian shook her head, biting her lip as she looked at me. "Lia, I know you're upset about what I said... but I really am doing this for your own good. You can't even shift properly. What good will the seal do you? Just hand it over and live a quiet life as a commoner. Wouldn't that be better for everyone?" Kael whipped his head toward me, his eyes icy. "Aurelia Vale, you've gone too far!" The next instant, he was in front of me. One hand clamped down on my shoulder while the other pressed directly over the seal on my chest. His fingers curled into claws. His nails shot out and drove deep into my flesh. Pain exploded through my chest. "Arghhh!" I heard my flesh tear. Kael ripped the blood-soaked seal from my chest. It was a polished greenstone seal carved in the shape of a coiled serpent. It was covered in my blood and glowed faintly green in the firelight. I collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from my chest. Vivian rose to her feet. Not a single tear remained on her face. She walked to Kael's side, took the bloodied seal from his hand, and wiped it clean with a handkerchief. Her voice was soft and sweet. "Kael, you were right. Lia is so stubborn she wouldn't cooperate. Good thing you were clever about it." "You..." I pressed my hand over the wound, my vision darkening from the pain. "You two..." Vivian crouched down and leaned close to my ear. "Lia, be a good girl and lie still. Rest up with your foster father." She straightened, putting that pitiful, innocent look back on her face. Then she addressed the guards behind her. "The heir is badly wounded. Please see that she rests. No visitors without my orders." The tent flap fell shut, blocking out the light. I lay on the cold ground, the hole in my chest still oozing blood. It hurt. But the betrayal hurt even more. I closed my eyes. Blood soaked through the blanket beneath me. As consciousness slipped away, I remembered the last thing Rowan said before he fell into his coma. He had told me, "Lia, there is something inside you more important than the chief's seat. When you're ready, you'll know." A jolt of searing pain shot through the wound. 'Dad, I'm ready now.' Chapter 3 When I woke, my chest was already wrapped in bandages. The smell of blood mingled with medicinal herbs. The tent flap opened. Kael walked in carrying a bowl of medicine. He sat on the edge of my cot and reached for my forehead. "The fever's broken. Silas says the wound should heal in a few more days." His touch was gentle, as if he hadn't been the one to tear open my chest the night before. I pulled away from his touch. Kael sighed. "Lia, don't blame me. I did it for the tribe. Rowan is in a coma, the tribe has no leader, and Vivian and I..." "So you two are together now?" I cut him off. Kael froze. He was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Vivian and I aren't what you think! But you can't shift, Lia. I can't marry you anymore. You have to understand. I'm doing what's best for the tribe. As the judge, I have responsibilities too." "Enough." I closed my eyes. "I don't want to hear it." Just then, the tent flap flew open. Vivian burst in, drenched in blood. Her clothes were torn, her hair was a mess, and fresh cuts covered her face. She stumbled toward Kael, clutching the hem of his cloak, and screamed through her sobs. "Kael! Save me! Aurelia... she sent people to kill me! She said I stole her seal, called me a traitor! Her people set fire to my tent tonight. I nearly burned alive! I'm so scared... Lia, I'm sorry... I'll never take your seal again. I'll give it back, please!" She pulled the seal from inside her clothes and held it out to Kael in trembling hands. Kael immediately steadied her, frowning deeply. "Calm down. Tell me what happened." Vivian threw herself into his arms, sobbing so hard her shoulders shook. "We agreed, didn't we? We only took the seal because we wanted to help her. And now she hates me for it... Kael, I regret everything. I never should have agreed to help you run the tribe..." Kael's expression grew darker by the second. He turned to look at me. Whatever warmth had been in his eyes was gone, replaced by cold suspicion and disgust. "Aurelia, is what Vivian said true?" I sat propped against my pillow, watching this absurd performance unfold. Vivian's face was half-buried in Kael's chest, but I could still see the small, triumphant smile she gave me. "I didn't send anyone to kill her and I didn't spread any rumors." "Liar!" Vivian jerked her head up, eyes red, and screamed at me. "If not you, then who? Lia, for ten years I've given you everything. What did I ever do to deserve this? How could you treat me like this? "When you failed to shift, I shielded you! When people talked behind your back, I stood up for you! I did everything for you, and you repay me like this!" She buried herself back in Kael's arms, whimpering softly. "Kael, she really is a lizard. Cold-blooded and vicious." Kael held her tight and looked at me, his eyes cold. "Aurelia, for old times' sake, I've tried to stop the rumors about you being a lizard from spreading. And this is how you repay us? By framing Vivian? After everything she's done for you, don't you feel even a little guilty? "I told you, I didn't do any of it." "Then explain her wounds!" Kael's voice rose sharply. "Are those injuries fake? Do you think I'm blind?" I looked at him standing protectively in front of Vivian and almost laughed. This man had torn the flesh from my chest last night, and today he had the nerve to question my conscience. "Kael, I am a Silver Serpent. Believe it or don't. When Rowan wakes up, the truth will come out, and you will regret this." Kael's pupils contracted, as if my words had struck a nerve. Vivian immediately started sobbing in his arms again. "Kael... she's still lying... everyone knows Rowan is in a coma. He's never going to wake up... she's just stalling for time..." Her tears did the trick. Kael's expression hardened once more. He patted Vivian on the back and told the guards, "Take Vivian to have her wounds treated." At the tent entrance, Vivian suddenly turned back and gave me a teary look. "Lia, I truly don't understand why you would do this to me. You were my closest friend. If my kindness means nothing to you, fine, but why try to take my life?" She lifted the flap and left. Kael stayed behind. "Aurelia, I'm giving you one last chance. Apologize to Vivian. Admit publicly that you spread those rumors. Admit that you hurt someone out of jealousy. Do that, and I'll let it go. "You should learn to be grateful. After everything Vivian has done for you, you can't even manage a simple apology?" "I won't apologize." I spoke one word at a time. "I won't admit to something I didn't do. And Kael, your idea of gratitude is ripping open my chest and stealing my seal? I don't understand your logic at all." Kael stared at me for a long time. He finally turned and walked out. As the tent flap fell, I heard him mutter, "Hopelessly stubborn. I should have known you'd never be grateful." I closed my eyes as another wave of pain hit me. But it wasn't the wound that hurt the most. What Kael had done hurt far more. Whatever love I'd had for him was finally gone. The cure... the cure was still on its way. Three days ago, I had sent someone I trusted to the Northern Wastes to find a rare herb called serpentgrass. Once it arrived, Silas said there would be a thirty percent chance of Rowan waking. Even at ten percent, I would have taken the chance. I pressed my hand over the bandaged wound and whispered, "Dad... wait for me." Chapter 4 I was jolted awake by screaming. Dawn had barely broken. Wails tore through the air outside my tent. I dragged myself up and opened the tent flap. In the distance, a crowd had gathered near Rowan's tent. My stomach dropped. I stumbled outside and ran. The wound on my chest split open. Blood seeped through the bandages, but I didn't stop. I burst into Rowan's tent and came face to face with Silas, his face pale and his body shaking. He saw me. His lips trembled for a long time before he managed a single sentence. "Miss Vale... the chief... he's dead." For a moment, I couldn't breathe. Rowan lay on the bed, his face bluish gray, with a streak of fresh blood at the corner of his mouth. His expression was frozen in his final moment, as though he had wanted to say something but never got the chance. On the small table beside him sat a bowl of medicine, half finished. Someone had poisoned it. And three days ago, I had sent someone to gather serpentgrass. I stood rooted to the spot, my whole body turning cold as my mind went blank. Then I heard footsteps behind me. Vivian entered with a dozen tribespeople, her eyes red. In her hand was a piece of cloth holding a single dark greenish-black scale. "Everyone, listen!" Vivian's voice quavered, as if she were struggling to hold back her grief. "I can't keep this secret any longer. Aurelia... she isn't one of us. She isn't a Silver Serpent." She held the scale up for all to see. "Look carefully. I found this under Aurelia's pillow! These are the same kind of scales that appeared on her when she failed to shift. They're lizard scales! Silver Serpent scales look nothing like this. Even the pattern is different! She's a lowly lizard who snuck into our tribe!" The crowd erupted. Vivian burst into tears. "I treated her like my best friend. I've been hiding the truth to protect her, and this is how she repays me? She sent people to burn down my tent! She was jealous because she couldn't shift, so she tried to get rid of me. She even tried to take back the seal so she could stay in power!" She turned to me, tears running down her face. "Aurelia, you're nothing but a lowly lizard who's been pretending to be a Silver Serpent all these years. What were you really after? And what about Rowan's death? Did you poison him because you were afraid he'd wake up and reveal the truth about you?" The crowd exploded. Someone jabbed a finger at my face and screamed, "Lizard! She killed the old chief! Burn her!" "She's a spy! No wonder she couldn't shift!" "Rowan wasted years raising her! Ungrateful wretch!" The crowd grew louder, their angry stares piercing me like arrows. I looked past them to the edge of the crowd. Kael stood there, expressionless. I had expected him to step forward and say something, even if it was only for show. But he just watched. From start to finish, he said nothing. I found myself laughing, until tears filled my eyes. "Kael," I called to him across the surging mob, "have you lost your voice? You know Vivian took my seal by force. And now you don't have a single word to say?" Kael's lips moved. He finally spoke. "Aurelia, the evidence is right in front of us. Vivian has a lizard scale that she says came from you, and witnesses saw your people set fire to her tent. How am I supposed to defend you? I thought you had simply failed to shift. But now I don't even know what you are anymore. How can I trust you?" Vivian quickly turned to the crowd. "She's still trying to make excuses! If we let her go, who knows who she'll hurt next? We can't let a lizard spy stay among us. Burn her at the stake!" "Burn her! Burn her!" The chant thundered through the square. Two guards seized my arms and dragged me toward the stake at the center of the square. The wound on my chest tore wider. Blood ran down my clothes, leaving a red trail behind me. They tied me to the stake. Vivian stood beside me and leaned closer, lowering her voice so only I could hear. "Lia, I can't believe I ever called you my friend. You're such a fool." She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing my ear. "You're going to die anyway, and dead people can't tell their side of the story. Rowan learned that the hard way... I was the one who brought him that medicine." I snapped my head toward her. She gave me a tender smile, stepped back, and shouted to the crowd, "Light the fire! Burn the lizard!" The rough hemp ropes dug into the wound. Blood beaded between the knots. Dry wood was piled around the bottom of the stake. A guard walked toward me with a burning torch. I looked up at the sky. It was gray. The clouds hung low, as if rain were coming. Dad, I'm sorry. I couldn't save you. I couldn't protect the seal you left me. I don't even... know who I am anymore. Vivian screamed at the guard, "Light it!" The torch fell. The wood burst into flames. Fire roared upward and filled my vision with blazing red. The heat burned my skin. It felt like thousands of needles stabbing every inch of my body. I threw back my head, unable to hold it in any longer. A scream tore from my throat! It was not the cry of a serpent. It was not a human voice. Something ancient echoed through my scream, as if a power buried deep in my blood had finally awakened. The scales on my neck, always cold until now, blazed with heat. I heard bone and flesh tearing apart across my back. Enormous wings spanning more than thirty feet burst from my back! "Aargh!" The flames scattered as my wings beat them away, sending arcs of fire spinning through the air. I broke free of the ropes and rose slowly into the sky. The scales on my wings caught the sunlight and glowed gold. Below, the crowd screamed. "A dragon... she's a dragon!"