“I know.”
“Of course you do.” Draven dragged a hand down his face, feeling every hour of lost sleep in the gesture. “The moment she walked into my office, everything inside me turned upside down. My dragon recognized her instantly, and I—” He cut himself off, frustrated by his inability to articulate the overwhelming rightness he’d felt.
“And you can’t stop thinking about her.” Her voice held gentle understanding rather than judgment.
“I can’t breathe when she’s not around.” The confession tumbled out before he could stop it. “Last night, I dreamed about her voice, her presence, the future we could have together if she chose me willingly. But she’s here to help me, not to become mymate and queen. How am I supposed to maintain professional boundaries when she’s literally the cure to my condition?”
His mother leaned forward, her expression softening. “The same way your father did when he first met me.”
Draven’s head snapped up. “What?”
“You think our love story was simple? That we met and instantly fell into each other’s arms?” Her laugh held bittersweet memories. “Your father was convinced I was too good for him, too intelligent and too independent. He spent weeks trying to court me properly while I wondered why this powerful dragon king was suddenly acting like a nervous adolescent.”
“But that’s different. You weren’t his therapist.”
Her eyes sparked with old fire. “No, but I was his political advisor during a crisis that nearly destroyed the northern border. The power dynamic was just as complicated.” She paused for a moment. “Take things slow, Draven. Let her choose you.”
His dragon snarled at the suggestion, demanding immediate action. The beast inside him wanted to storm into Lila’s suite, claim her, and be done with this maddening dance. But the human part of him—the part that had learned strategy and patience from this very woman—recognized the wisdom in her words.
“We don’t have much time for all that.”
“You’d be surprised how quickly things can progress if you’re vulnerable enough with her.” She reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. “I have a feeling she will choose you, Draven. But you have to give her the chance.”
Hope flared in his chest, bright and dangerous. “You really think so?”
“I’ve seen the way she looks at you. There’s recognition there, even if she doesn’t understand it yet.” Her grip tightened on his hand. “But you must be cautious. Observe her reactions, bemindful of her human ways, and for the love of the ancestors, don’t let your dragon take control. Most importantly though, consider kingdom safety.”
The reminder hit him like cold water. “The council.”
“Some of our people may not take well to a human psychologist residing in the castle, and they certainly won’t accept a human mate for their king without significant persuasion.” Her voice turned grave. “You’ll need to manage the political ramifications carefully.”
Draven’s jaw clenched as images of council meetings and noble objections flashed through his mind. The last thing he wanted was to drag Lila into the snake pit of Dominion politics before she’d even decided whether she wanted to stay with him.
“I don’t want to think about political drama right now.” He pulled his hand free and got up from the table. “I just want to focus on building trust with her, on growing the mate bond.”
“Understandable, but you can’t ignore?—”
“I know.” The words came out sharper than he’d intended. He softened his tone, recognizing the concern in his mother’s eyes. “I know, Mother. But one crisis at a time.”
She nodded slowly. “Just remember that the kingdom’s stability depends on your choices. Whatever develops between you and Lila, it will affect more than just the two of you.”
Draven drained his coffee in three long gulps. His therapy session with Lila loomed ahead like both a promise and a threat. Today, he’d have to be vulnerable with her, let her see the broken parts of himself he’d spent years hiding from everyone else.
“I need to go.” He stood abruptly. “She’s expecting me for our session, and I can’t be late.”
“Draven.” His mother’s voice stopped him at the door. “Trust yourself. Your dragon recognized her for a reason.”
He met his mother’s knowing gaze, drawing strength from the confidence he saw there. His dragon stirred, eager to seetheir mate again, eager to feel the calm that only her presence could bring.
Two weeks to convince her to stay.
The urgency pulsed through his veins as he strode through the corridors toward his office, where Lila would be waiting. His heart hammered, part anticipation, part terror. Today, he’d start showing her who he really was beneath the crown and the carefully constructed walls.
Today, he’d begin fighting for his future.
SEVEN
LILA
