You never expected binding a dragon to feel like this.

The air crackles with magic as the last syllable leaves your lips, wild and laughing, your blood singing with power. The summoning circle glows hot and white, too bright to stare at directly—but you do it anyway, wide-eyed and grinning, like a child watching a storm roll in.

Then he appears.

Tall. Still. Beautiful in a way that steals the breath from your lungs. Gold hair like threads of sunlight and molten eyes that pin you in place. His human form is flawless, but there’s no mistaking what he is. You can feel the weight of his power pressing against your ribs.

“You summoned me,” he says, voice deep and level. “You bound me.”

You tilt your head, lips quirking. “Technically, we made a deal. I bring the chaos. You bring the muscle.”

His expression doesn’t change, but something flickers in his eyes. Amusement? Annoyance? You can’t tell. Not yet.

“I am Lumivarax,” he says solemnly. “Last of the Celestial Brood. And you—are reckless.”

You twirl a strand of your hair around one finger and beam up at him. “Compliment accepted.”

He exhales like someone already regretting everything. “The pact is sealed. I will protect you, witch. Even from yourself.”

The heat of his vow settles into your bones like a second skin.

You can’t wait to drive him mad.