Take her to my realm.The dragon pushed.
Not now!I snapped.We need to find the other heirs.
Then why are you standing there like an idiot?he demanded.Get inside. Feed her!
We’re thirty feet from the door, fucker,I reminded him, scanning the tree line.We need to make sure no one’s breached our perimeter.
No enemies near. Scent is clean,he grumbled.Hurry up.
“We’re home, little scorpion.” I brushed a kiss against her temple. “Just a little longer and I’ll get you fed.”
Home.The word tasted different now that I’d found my fated mate. She was my home. The crown I’d taken meant nothing compared to the weight of her in my arms. The throne was necessary to offer me political power to protect her. No one in my kingdom could play politics with me again, and anyone who threatened her would face my dragon’s wrath.
I burn them all. All become ash,my dragon promised.Mate knows. I’m her primary protector.
I ignored the pompous asshole.
“Majesties!” Buck’s voice cut through the quiet. None of my warriors so much as blinked at the sight of my mate clinging to me like I was a tree. “The other heirs have arrived. They’re…agitated.”
I nodded in sympathy, stroking Barbie’s back as she rested against me. Every heir was a handful on their own, and getting all those alpha assholes together was like trying to bottle a lightning storm. Even Cami, who’d stayed behind to keep the house from imploding, would have her hands full.
She and Cassius had feelings for each other, which was part of why she’d withdrawn from the Brides Selection. Other candidates didn’t have that luxury. The stupid Selection was mandatory, forced on us by every king and queen in the realm. But Cami was royalty, and I backed her choice. I needed her clear of the drama to help run the house.
A wave of relief washed over me as I thought of the other heirs. They’d gone back to their courts to face their monarchparents, and they’d returned safely. They were more than allies; they were my brothers.
Rock, Archer, and the team that had followed me back to the academy split seamlessly into two groups. Archer led one team to reinforce the perimeter security while Rock and two other warriors fell in beside Barbie and me as we entered my House. Even on home ground, we moved as if we were still on a battlefield. Paranoia kept us alive. I couldn’t afford to lose anyone else.
“Where is Sy, my sister?” Barbie’s eyes flashed open as she rubbed them with the back of her hand, already motioning for me to put her down.
Reluctantly, I lowered her gently, keeping my arm wrapped around possessively her waist. She swayed slightly, bracing a hand on my shoulder. My dragon watched her with a mix of adoration and concern.
“She’s tall,” Barbie explained, her golden curls bouncing with the movement. “Long, shining white hair, big boobs, and very rude. Has anyone seen her on campus? She should’ve been back by now.”
Her stomach chose that moment to growl loudly. Everyone around us struggled to keep a straight face, but the sound made my chest tighten. I wasn’t doing a good enough job taking care of my mate.
You aren’t!Food for mate. Now!my dragon ordered.
Shut up! You can’t make me feel any guiltier than I already do,I shot back, turning to Rock. “Have the kitchen bring plenty of food to my penthouse.”
“On it.” Rock was already running toward the house. He nearly collided with a white-haired missile shooting out the doorway.
“Barbie!”
The shriek gave me a split-second warning before my mate tore from my side. The sisters crashed into each other, wrapping together so tightly it looked as if they were trying to become one person again.
For a second, I was worried. Then the two of them were jumping, laughing and shouting over each other in a whirlwind of shared energy. It’d been strange as hell seeing them share one body; watching them in two was something else entirely. My Barbie had always been fierce with her emotions, and her sister was no different.
“I was even more worried about you after we separated!” Sy exclaimed, her voice bright and unrestrained. “I have so much to tell you!”
“Me too,” Barbie replied, then wrinkled her nose. “And you should really shower after sex, Sy!”
“What, you haven’t gotten any lately, so now you’re judging me for having a good time?” her sister shot back, grinning. “Some things never change.”
And then they were both talking over each other, each trying to be heard. I wondered if they’d been like this when they shared the same body.
“You are a queen now?” Sy asked. “Rowan and I are refugees at the moment. We’re taking your old room.”
“Fine,” Barbie said, though her eyes narrowed. “Just don’t touch my shinies.”
