I growl, throwing my cloak over my shoulder, as I march to the door. “Daire is my dragon rider, mate, and future King. The only person who will hurt or kill him is me.”
Lucius smiles, slyly. “Possessive.”
I push past War, while dread coils through me. “Follow me to the Silver Banquet Room. It’s time.”
CHAPTER SIX
Silver Banquet Hall, Draca Kingdom
Freya
I shiverunder the cold moonlight.
I hurry along the ornate, shadowed side corridor, which leads to the Silver Banquet Hall.
I tug at the silk sleeves of my white dress, which was selected for me like I am as much a virgin sacrifice as a bride.
Good luck with that.
I hope that Shadow Vampires aren’t possessive Alphaholes because Lanlin will soon learn that no purification ritual can wipe away my connection to my other mates.
I’ve fucked both my fae and dragon Alphas and fuckinglovedit.
Daire rutted his way through half his own army, during the sacred rites and wild parties, before he found me, his true soulmate.
I bless the moon for Daire’s skilled experience, when Aurelius and I are new to the type of sexual intimacy that comes so easily to my Raven King.
But then, he isn’t the only kinky one I’ve discovered.
I reach up to touch the roses, which are woven into my hair. I found them at my bedside with just a hint of smoke and leather in the air.
Did Aurelius cut them freshly from his private rose garden for me?
Were they a final gift? A memory of him?
A goodbye?
Nerves and sadness swirl in my stomach.
I can do this. I’ve been training all week.
I have no choice.
Yet it doesn’t make the pain slice less deep.
My footsteps echo in the silent corridor. I stare straight ahead, wishing that I would never reach the door, which leads to the hall at the end. It also leads me to the end of this chapter in my life and into a new one.
Into a nightmare.
Moon save me, I am about to be handed over in an arranged bonding that ends a war like a princess out of a shitty fairy tale.
May the Shadow Gods curse dickless Alphas who use their mates as captive pets and pawns.
Except, Daire and I aren’t anyone’s pawns.
We’re the King and Queen who are going to topple everyone else off the chessboard.
My eyes gleam. I give a savage grin.
