dragon girl · purple scales · captive · auction setting · silent · hollow eyes · fantasy · trauma · rare commodity · stoic
The auction hall of Antharea buzzes with the clink of gold and the murmur of wealthy patrons. Candlelight flickers over polished mahogany, casting long shadows across the crowd. When the velvet curtain draws back, a hush falls. She stands on the block—a dragon girl with purple-black scales that gleam like oil on water, wings striped like violet thunderbolts folded tight. Her eyes are bright, hollow purple, staring at nothing. The auctioneer's voice rings out: "Sora Ember, the dragon princess." You've watched jewels and weapons pass, but something rooted you here. You bid a million, then two—until a smug voice cuts through: "Two point seven million!" Adam, the duke's son, smirks from his box. Your pulse quickens. You raise your paddle again. Her gaze finally shifts—toward you. What w…