“Why don’t you also invite your mother?” The suggestion rolled off his tongue before he could stop it, though he didn’t regret the words.
My queen deserves her family there to witness her triumph.
Lila’s face shuttered, that familiar self-doubt creeping in. “I don’t know if she’d want to come. We’re not exactly close, and she’s always been... distant since Dad died.”
“Of course your mother would want to see her daughter crowned queen. What mother wouldn’t?”
Draven reached for his communicator without hesitation and dialed Gerri’s number.
“Draven, darling!” Gerri’s voice crackled through the device, as energetic as ever. “I was wondering when you’d call. How did the Bondfire Ritual go? Though I suspect I already know, considering you’re both still breathing.”
“Gerri, I need you to bring Lila’s family and best friend to Nova Aurora tonight. All of them—her brother Liam, her friend Harper, and her mother. Tomorrow is Lila’s coronation, and she needs them here.”
A pause that lasted exactly two heartbeats. “Oh, this is going to be fun. I’ll work my special charm, dear. They’ll be there before midnight.”
The line went dead, and Draven set the communicator aside, turning to find Lila staring at him with an expression he couldn’t quite read.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she whispered.
“It would be my honor to host your family for as long as you want them here.” He cupped her face with his large palm. “They should see you become who you were always supposed to be—a worthy queen who deserves all the appreciation and respect in the universe.”
Her eyes brightened with unshed tears. “I should go prepare their guest suites. They’ll probably be as overwhelmed as I was when I first arrived, and I want everything to be perfect.”
Everything already is perfect.
“They’re going to love seeing you step into your power, Lila. Trust me on this.”
She leaned down to kiss him, soft and sweet and filled with promise. “Thank you. For everything.”
As she headed toward the door, Draven allowed himself a moment of pure satisfaction. Tomorrow, his queen would be crowned before her family and his people.
Tomorrow, everyone will see what I’ve known all along—that Lila Reyes was born to be my queen.
The morning light coming in through the dining room’s crystalline windows caught the gold threads in Draven’s ceremonial suit jacket as he made his way toward the assembled group. Despite the lingering soreness from yesterday’s burns, his stride carried the natural authority of a dragon king.
Look at them all together. My mate’s family, here to witness her ascension.
The sight before him struck something deep within him. Lila stood immediately as he entered, her emerald dress flowing like liquid silk as she moved to his side. Her mother, Lisa, bore the same green eyes and gentle features, though years of grief had etched lines around them. Liam possessed Lila’s warmth but with an easy confidence that spoke of someone who’d never doubted his place in the world. Harper’s sharp gaze assessed him with protective scrutiny that reminded him of Jarek’s loyalty.
And Gerri—petite and feisty Gerri—beamed at him with eyes that flickered between blue and gold like twin stars.
“Everyone,” Lila said, her voice carrying calm authority, “this is Draven. My mate and king.”
“Your Majesty,” Lisa began, but Draven raised a hand.
“Just Draven, please. You’re family now.”
Gerri’s delighted laugh filled the room. “Look at you, healing so quickly! Lucky for you that brave mate of yours dove into thatinferno without a second thought. Not many queens would risk their lives like that on the very day of their proving.”
She’s right. Not many would have done what Lila did.
“I’m the luckiest man in the universe to have her as my mate and queen,” Draven replied, his golden eyes finding Lila’s. The mate bond sang between them, warm and steady as a heartbeat.
Lila guided him to the head of the massive obsidian table, her touch gentle but possessive as she helped him settle into his chair. The care in her movements sent satisfaction coursing through his veins—his queen, tending to her king.
“We all got a chance to catch up last night while you were resting,” Lila said, settling beside him. “I filled them in on everything. The mate bond, the coronation today...” Her lips curved into a smile that made his dragon hum with contentment. “And my newfound dragon heritage.”
Liam leaned forward, his eyes bright with excitement. “I still can’t believe my sister is a dragon shifterandabout to become an alien queen. This is like something out of a movie.”
