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The Buried Heir Returned Before the Dragon, but the Woman Who Truly Saved Him Had Never Worn a Crown. / Chapter 17 / 20

Chapter 17 - The Judgment of Julian Voss

Down in the valley, the agonizing noise ceased.

Aurelius let out a deep, clear breath of hot air, his blood-red eyes instantly fading back into their brilliant, majestic gold. The dragon landed heavily on the mountain ridge beside the shattered tower, setting a weeping, hyperventilating Julian Voss down onto the grass.

Julian collapsed into a ball, clutching his chest, completely paralyzed by terror.

Dr. Sterling was backed against the ruined wall of the tower, surrounded by Clara and Nathaniel. Within minutes, federal agents and state police officers who had followed the commotion up the ridge swarmed the tower, slapping handcuffs on Sterling and taking custody of Julian Voss.

Federal Agent Harris walked up to Nathaniel, looking at the destroyed acoustic device and then out at the massive dragon resting peacefully on the ridge.

"We monitored the frequency transmissions, Mr. Wycliffe," Agent Harris said, motioning for his officers to lead Julian away. "Julian Voss and Dr. Sterling will be charged with domestic terrorism, attempted mass murder, and animal cruelty under federal wildlife protection acts. They won't see the light of day again."

Julian was dragged past Nathaniel. He looked up, his face pale and covered in dirt, his former arrogance completely destroyed.

"Why didn't you let the beast drop me?" Julian whimpered, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

Nathaniel looked down at him with a quiet, calm intensity. "Because we don't execute people in the dark, Julian. We let the law handle criminals. That's the difference between your family's greed and House Wycliffe."

As the police vehicles drove away with the conspirators, Clara walked up to Nathaniel, taking his uninjured hand.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently.

Nathaniel looked at his burned right palm, where the gold mark was already soothing the scorched tissue. He looked out over Charlottesville, where the people were slowly emerging from the shelters, realizing that the danger had passed.

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"I'm fine," Nathaniel said softly. "The dragon is safe. The valley is safe."

Aurelius lowered his massive head, placing his warm snout beside Nathaniel and Clara, letting out a soft, contented rumble that shook the pine needles from the surrounding trees.

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Chapter 18 - The Broken Crown
Chapter 19 - The Sanctuary
Chapter 20 - The Heir of the Earth

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