"I actually do."
She clapped her hands together. "I knew it. I knew you found your mate. That's why you've been so mopey around here. I think you've even depressed the castle dogs."
He closed his eyes. There wasn't much that escaped his grandmother. "If Father figures out who she is, he'll have her killed."
Tuva sobered. "Now that you're probably right. When your mother died, something in your father changed. He hardened and forgot a bit about what love was. His kingdom became the most important thing in his world because he lost his mate. He didn't know how else to cope."
"Grandma, if you're here to make excuses for him, I don't want to--"
"Don't you interrupt me."
Properly chastised, he hung his head. "Yes, ma'am."
Tuva snorted. "I'm old, but I'm no ma'am. But you should know that I'd never make excuses for your father. I'm simply explaining. If you have already found your mate, but you marry this girl that your father chose, you will never be happy in your life, and that I cannot stand for."
"What do I do?" He sat down next to her. "I have no idea. I've stayed away from S... the woman I love, for months, because I need to keep her safe. And there's more, but I don't want to put you in the position of having to lie if you're asked."
"I appreciate that, and you're right to keep her a secret. Let me ponder on it, and we'll come up with a plan."
She stood and wandered to the worktable. "This chest is for her?"
"It is. I've been working on it for quite some time. I figured today was a good day to work with my hands."
"She's a lucky lady, Lucas." She cupped his cheek. "Don't give up while we work this out. And don't lose the goal in the details."
He kissed her cheek. "Thank you."
He helped Tuva back up the stairs before he returned to his sanding. This time, though, his heart was lighter. He had a friend who understood, and despite her age, Tuva was quite a force to be reckoned with when she set her mind to something.
Chapter Five: A New Friend
Sarah Hale
Sarah locked herself in her cabin when she got home. The betrayal cut deep, and she collapsed on her bed as sobs overtook her. Any hopes and dreams that she had with Luke were gone. Thoughts of him marrying someone else just created more sobs as pain sliced through her heart.
Where do I even go from here?
The question hung in her mind. Dragons only got one mate. Maybe Luke could be satisfied with someone who wasn't fated for him, but she couldn't. There was no way that she could ever love again.
Feeling her pain, the baby kicked, making herself known.
"Oh, my princess. What are we going to do?"
More tears erupted at the fact that their daughter would never actually be a princess. Her father would never even know she existed.
Sarah sat up and wiped her tears.Feeling sorry for yourself isn't going to help the baby.
Cold water on her face made her feel a bit better. As she headed for the kitchen, her door chimed.
"Sarah?"
It was Drake, her youngest brother and all-around best friend. She felt the tears prick her eyes again and blinked rapidly to hold them at bay.
"Hey, what's up?" She tried to avert her face, but he knew her too well and was instantly concerned.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm fine."
