Just then the door opens and Master Harmer is announced.
“Forgive me, Light of the Sun. I have come to make sure you are fully prepared to meet Prince Aurelion.”
“As prepared as I can be, I think.”
His brows furrow, and he lets out a small cough. “You read the files, Highness?”
“Yes.” I scanned them, anyway.
“Then you know he is a dragon shifter not human?”
“Yes.”
“And you know about the ritual?”
“The ritual?”
“Ah. This is a delicate thing, but dragons rely on scent to choose a mate. A very particular scent…”
The way he trails off lets me know this is not just a matter of wearing the right perfume. “What scent?”
He coughs. “The scent of a mate’s private parts.”
My brows shoot up and, instinctively, I bring my legs together. “No.”
“This is important, Light of the Sun. He has offered for you on the condition that you are compatible. But he must first check your scent to make sure.”
“Am I choosing or is he? What is the point of submitting myself to this ritual if I do not like him?”
“Forgive me, Highness, but when has this been about liking? You can refuse him, but Tarquenor is a powerful neighbor. It would have to be done… delicately… if at all.”
What is he saying? Am I trapped in this marriage already, whether I like it or not? Does that really change anything? I’ll have to marry someone. And I can’t see how I’ll ever like anyone as much as Kaelun.
I sigh. “Very well. I will participate in the ritual. May as well get it over with I suppose.”
Prince Aurelion is not at all what I expect. He’s tall and his features are sharp, but there’s an almost feminine prettiness to his hard edges. His hair is long and deep, glossy black, and his skin is red. His lips are full and his cheekbones high, giving his face a striking beauty. Even his eyes look golden. They flash in the light as he watches me like he’s ready to pounce at any moment. Two horns spiral from the top of his head, and two wings sprout from his back, deep-red tipped with black claws.
He seems dangerous.
“What a pleasure it is to meet you, radiant one.” He gives a clipped bow that is just low enough to speak of respect but retains enough pride that I’m left in no doubt as to how he views his status compared to mine.
I return the gesture. “Your Highness. We are honored you were able to visit us so quickly after receiving my message.”
He smiles. “We are such close neighbors, it was hardly an imposition. But if I had not heard so many rumors of your beauty, perhaps it would have taken me a little longer. I’m sure the rumors do not do you justice, however. You have a lovely figure.”
I acknowledge his compliment with another dip of my head, but nothing more. It can only be empty words. There can hardly be rumors of my beauty when custom dictates no one looks at my face.
No one except Kaelun.
“I understand there is a certain ritual you wish to perform.”
His eyes flash as if they’ve caught the light, and the curve of his lips extends into a smile. “There certainly is.” He doesn’t ask for permission.
“If you would care to join me, my servants have prepared a room for us. And when that is done, I am sure you must be hungry. You will wish to eat and refresh yourself after your long journey.”
He leans closer and his gaze falls directly onto my face, breaking protocol. I almost chide him, but he speaks in a lowered voice and what he says raises goosebumps all over my body. “I am hungry.”
I know he is not talking about the offered refreshment. Flustered, I look away, moving toward the door. “This way please.”
