“You look amazing.”
“Do you think so?” She turns back to the mirror. “It is not too low at the back?”
“It could be lower.” I graze my knuckle across the bare skin there and in her reflection, her lips part.
“You are wicked. Do not distract me. What about you? You look pretty good yourself.”
I tug at my high collar again. “I feel like an imposter.”
Yalina stretches up on her toes to kiss me, but it is only a fleeting peck when I would have more. She draws back. “You are worth just as much to me as any of the others,” she says gently.
My heart swells in my chest, and I forget all about the high collar for a moment.
“Help me with the clasp on this necklace.” She hands me a gold chain dripping with pearls and diamonds and turns again so I can fasten the clasp at the back of her neck. Using the opportunity, I lean in and trail my lips along the path my fingers have taken.
She sighs. “We should go or we will be late.”
“We have time.”
Just then Jah’ruud appears behind us. I catch the swirl of blue and white in the mirror. And then I turn to stare. He wears his hair out, long and flowing down his back. His beard is decoratedwith tiny jewels, and he wears a loose open robe and tight trousers in a rich burgundy. A jeweled belt and sandals complete his outfit. He strikes a pose with his chest puffed out proudly and I look him up and down with admiration. “Very nice. You put me to shame.”
“I needed to make sure I look worthy to stand beside such a goddess,” he says, looking over Yalina’s new dress. “You are even more stunning than usual, precious one.”
The door to the room opens and Aurelion calls in. “Rhkash, are you ready? It is time. Do not let the two vagabonds distract you.”
She laughs as he strides into the room. “Caught out.”
He frowns at us all, but it is quickly transformed into a wide grin. “Are we ready?”
“What will they think of me taking three consorts?” says Yalina.
Aurelion scoffs. “Who cares what they think? You are queen. You shall do what you like.”
He holds out his arm, and Yalina takes it. Jah’ruud and I flank them on either side. Together we make our way to the restored throne room which has been decorated with the flags of Vathira and Tarquenor in honor of today’s celebration. I thought about making up a flag for Emrakai, but in the end, I decided it is better to simply be myself. I’m not Prince Noreth. But from today, despite all my attempts to avoid it, I’ll be known as Prince Consort Kaelun.
I guess fate is still trying to decide whether to laugh with me or at me.
I look around at the glorious celebration, the fine people and dragons in their fine clothes; Even the air smells sweet in the Tarquenorian palace, braziers burn scented petals and spices all day long.
Once again I have landed on my feet. I’m still none the wiser as to who my father was, but I’m learning to control my newfoundpowers. I’ll never know my mother, which is a shame, because I suspect she had some interesting stories. But I have found a family and a purpose and a place to belong, and that is the greatest treasure of all.
Yalina
I blink as I become aware of the yellow morning light through the window, undecided whether to roll over and try to go back to sleep or get up and prepare for the day. Today will be long. After my meeting with my council, I must spend at least a few hours answering unopened correspondence and then Aurelion is flying me out to approve the final modifications on the Fynister Dam.
I have almost decided on rolling over when a large form beside me stretches and draws my attention. Aurelion snakes his arm under me and pulls me into his side, kissing the top of my head. “Good morning, rhkash. Stop pretending to be asleep.”
“I wasn’t pretending,” I protest. Then I look down and spot the enormous bulge in the sheet where his cock is tenting the fabric. “Oh!”
“As you see, I have been impatiently waiting for you.” He reaches down to cup it, and my mouth waters. “It has been an age since he’s been inside you.”
I laugh, pushing down the sheet to reveal my prize. “It has been about seven hours, but I know you will say that is an age. Do you need some relief?”
“Yes,” he pouts.
I walk my fingers down his belly, glancing up to catch his hungry expression. When my hand gets close, I change directions, tracing up and around his naval and back down toward his hip bone.
Aurelion groans. With a swift movement, he catches my hand and brings it to his shaft, closing his larger one around mine and thrusting into my palm. “You missed.”
