He paused at the cabin door. “My fire madness is gone, Lila. Completely.”
Her eyes softened with understanding. “How does that feel?”
“Like I can finally breathe again.” He opened the door, ushering her inside. “Like I can be the king and the man I was always meant to be.”
“You already were that man.” Her fingers intertwined with his. “You just needed to believe it.”
She was right as always. And he did believe it now.
Tomorrow would bring challenges, but with his mate beside him and his mind finally clear, Draven felt ready for anything.
The evening hours passed in a haze of insatiable hunger. Draven’s hands and mouth claimed every inch of Lila’s body—first under the cascade of hot water in the shower, her back pressed against the stone as he worshipped her with his tongue until she cried out his name. Then in the bed, where he took her with desperate need, her legs wrapped around his waist as she matched his fervor with newfound confidence. Later, on the thick rug before the fireplace with the firelight dancing across their skin, he moved inside her with a primal intensity that left them both breathless.
Each time he thought his desire might be sated, the mate bond pulsated between them, stirring his blood anew. Having her fully his—mind, body, and soul—made him ravenous in ways he’d never imagined. She was his dragon queen now, and his possessive instincts roared with satisfaction every time she called out his name with her pleasure.
Every day with her will be a test of my restraint,he realized as they finally collapsed back on the bed, utterly spent.Especially now that she’s a dragon shifter like me.
When sleep finally claimed him, it was the most restful he’d experienced in eighteen years. No fire madness—just peace wrapped in Lila’s warmth.
The crimson sunlight streaming through the small window felt like an unwelcome intrusion. Draven groaned, reaching for Lila, but she was already out of bed.
“Time to wake up, sleepyhead.” Her voice was gentle but insistent. She was already dressed in a simple black dress, her hair pulled back in an elegant bun.
Reality crashed back like a cold wave.
“The funeral.” He sat up, running his hands through his disheveled hair. The weight of grief settled on his chest again—manageable now with Lila’s presence, but still heavy.
“I’ve laid out your suit.” She gestured toward the chair where the black fabric waited like a shroud. “Oh, and I noticed this morning that my broken ankle miraculously healed.”
“That’s your enhanced healing. One of the perks of being a dragon shifter.”
Draven stared at the suit with distaste. He hadn’t worn formal attire in months, preferring the simple clothes that allowed him to move freely. The thought of being constrained by fabric and ceremony made his skin crawl.
“I hate these things,” he muttered, standing to examine the garment. “Feels like wearing a cage.”
“You’ll look incredibly handsome in your formal wear.” Lila’s fingers traced his bare chest before reaching for his shirt. “Besides, I’ll be there every step of the way today. You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.”
The sincerity in her voice made something in his chest loosen. He allowed her to help him dress, her hands gentle as she adjusted his collar and smoothed the fabric across his shoulders. When she finished, he caught her reflection in the mirror—standing behind him, her eyes soft with love and determination.
She makes everything bearable.
“Ready?” she asked.
He nodded, though his stomach churned with anticipation of what lay ahead.
The drive to the castle passed in contemplative silence. Draven’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter thannecessary, but Lila’s presence beside him kept the worst of his emotions at bay. Through their newly completed bond, he felt her steady calm and her unwavering support.
When they finally arrived at the castle, Jarek waited in the circular driveway, holding an ornate black case. Draven’s crown—a twisted band of obsidian and gold that had sat on his father’s head, and his father’s before that.
“Your Majesty.” Jarek’s usual humor was replaced by solemn respect. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Draven nodded curtly as he and Lila exited the vehicle. The crown looked heavier than usual when Lila lifted it from its case, her hands steady as she placed it on his head. The weight of kingship pressed down on him—eighteen years of responsibility, loss, and leadership condensed into cold metal.
But when Lila smiled at him and squeezed his hands, the burden felt shared for the first time.
She’ll be carrying this weight with me from now on.
They entered the castle together, hand in hand. Black banners draped the walls, but splashes of color caught his eye—vibrant flowers instead of the traditional funeral lilies. Lila’s suggestion implemented with quiet efficiency.
