“Ours,”myDrakecorrects, his voice warm and satisfied.
I let out a quiet breath, the corner of my mouth lifting.
Yes, ours.
Our wedding was only a few weeks ago, but our union already feels like something carved into the bones of the world itself—inevitable, unbreakable.Theentire kingdom turned out for it, filling the courtyard with music and laughter and more people thanIever thoughtI’dsee in one place.Mygrandfather stood beside me, proud and steady, his hand on my shoulder asItookElowen’shand in mine.
She was radiant.Notin the way court ladies try to be, dressed up and polished until they all look the same—but in her own way.
Her curls were half-tamed for once, threaded with tiny silver ornaments that caught the light, and her eyes…those bright green eyes that once made her feel like an outcast…they shone with something stronger than magic.
In themIsaw confidence and belonging and love.Shestood before the entire kingdom and did not falter once.
My queen.I’mso fucking proud of her.
The thought still hits me sometimes, sharp and unexpected.She’sreally mine andI’mreally hers.ButInearly lost her—nearly let her walk away becauseIwas too damn afraid to tell her the truth.
I tighten my grip on the stone ledge, exhaling slowly.
“Fool,” myDrakerumbles.“Wealmost lost her.We’relucky she’s braver than you gave her credit for.”
“Yes,”Imutter under my breath.“Iknow.”
I’m very aware thatIwas given a second chance andIwon’t waste it.
My grandfather has already begun teaching me what it means to rule—long days in council chambers, listening to disputes, learning the weight of decisions that affect more than just my own life.Hesays he’ll step down soon, that the kingdom needs a younger hand at the helm, but he’s in no hurry to leave me unprepared.
I’m grateful for that.
There’s more to being a king than strength and instinct.Morethan fire and steel.AndthoughImay have both,I’vestill got much to learn.
But there is one duty he reminds me of more than any other—Ineed to provide the kingdom with an heir.
I glance back over my shoulder now, my gaze softening instantly.
Elowen is stretched across the bed, half-curled into the silken covers, her hair a wild spill of red against the pillows.She’swearing one of the softer gowns the seamstresses made for her—loose and comfortable, clinging just enough to the curvesIknow so well.
She catches me looking and smiles, slow and warm.
“You’re staring,” she murmurs.
“Can you blame me?”Iask, crossing the room toward her.
Her cheeks color faintly, but she doesn’t look away.She’snot afraid—not since theBonding.Notsince she truly accepted what we are to each other.Whatshe is to both of us, both me and myDrake.
She used to fear the idea of bearing a child—of being pregnant for all to see.Butnow…now there’s a different kind of anticipation in her—a quiet eagerness.
She wants a family…with me…with us.MyDrakeandIboth breed her regularly, trying to get her pregnant and she welcomes us both equally, spreading her thighs for my cock and his with eager pleasure.
Gods help me,I’venever wanted anything more than to see her belly swell and know she’s carrying my child—ourchild.Hewill look human but he’ll have aDrakeinside him, just likeIdo and he’ll be able toShiftwhen the time is right.
MyDrakestirs at the thought, a deep, pleased warmth spreading through me.Hefeels it too—that pull toward the future, toward building something lasting with the woman we both love so much.
Elowen shifts asIsit beside her on the bed, her hand coming to rest on my chest.Themoment her skin meets mine, the connection between us flares brighter, clearer.
“You’re thinking too much again”,she says softly—not aloud, but in my head.Thewords brush through my mind like a whisper.
I huff a quiet laugh.
