“Promises, promises.” She stretched, her body sliding against mine in ways that made my cock wake up with interest. “Though we have a Summit to attend.”
Right. The Summit. Reality crashed back in, bringing with it the responsibilities I’d momentarily forgotten. “We have a few hours yet.”
Her hand drifted down my stomach, wrapping around my length. “Then we shouldn’t waste them.”
Fates, this woman would be the death of me. A glorious death, but still.
“My thoughts exactly.” I rolled her beneath me and kissed her until she writhed for my touch.
We made it to breakfast eventually, though later than intended, Fletcher padding after us. He’d slept in the sitting room.
Demi took one look at us in the dining room doorway and grinned. “Someone had a good night.”
“Shut up,” I said, but I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.
Adele’s cheeks flushed.
We sat and staff brought us fresh tea and plates. We served ourselves from heaping platters.
Adele reached for a slice of meat and fed it to Fletcher, who grumbled approval. “Is everything ready?”
“It is.” Demi slid a stack of parchment across the table. “Here’s the final guest list, seating arrangements, and the ceremony schedule. The delegations from Silvervale and Goldwing arrived about an hour ago. Queen Mortiven and King Trevare are settled in the guest wing. I expect the other clan leaders and their advisors will arrive within the hour.”
“Any issues?” I asked, scanning the papers.
“None. They’re being remarkably cordial to each other, actually. Almost friendly.”
That was promising. The last time those two courts hadbeen in the same space, accusations had flown like dragonfire.
Adele set down her cup. “I should review the weather magic one more time. Make sure everything’s coordinated.”
The opening ceremony was scheduled for mid-afternoon in the great courtyard, where hundreds of shifters could gather. As the hour approached, I paced our rooms while Adele dressed in the formal gown Demi had commissioned to our specifications. Deep green with silver embroidery tracing patterns of wind and rain across the bodice, it shimmered like storm clouds.
“Stop fidgeting,” she said, adjusting the circlet in her hair. “You’re making me nervous.”
“I’m not fidgeting. I’m thinking.”
“You’re wearing a path in the floor.” She turned from the mirror, and my breath caught. Fates, she was stunning. Regal and powerful and entirely mine.
I pulled her close. “I need to tell you something.”
“If it’s another declaration of love, I might combust from happiness.”
I laughed against her hair. “Not quite. I just wanted to say that whatever happens today, I’m proud of you. Not for the magic or solving the crisis. For everything you are.”
Her arms tightened around me. “I love you too, you sentimental dragon.”
“Practical witch.”
“Overprotective king.”
Our banter settled my nerves. This was right. We were right. Everything else would follow.
The courtyard was already packed when we arrived. Representatives from seven different courts had gathered, including some I hadn’t seen in years. The air buzzed with conversation.
Demi met us at the entrance. “Everyone’s here. Mortiven and Trevare are in the front section with their delegations. The other courts are arranged by protocol.”
I scanned the crowd, finding Queen Mortiven and King Trevare standing close together, speaking in hushed voices.
