This wasn’t one of those times.
I wasfloodedwith Alpha dragon idiots not using their heads for more than—I wasn’t sure what. A few of them to have fabulous hair.
They came in hot and heavy and completely over the top andcompetitive. Not listening to me that it was just a meal to get to know each other and I preferred to relax.
Nope, instead, I got steamrolled and their lists of accomplishments like I couldn’t read their bios and resumes. Hell, several of them sounded like they went to the same coach to learn how to interview for jobs they weren’t qualified for.
Except this wasn’t a fucking job to be prince of Thovudin. It was to be my mate.
I wondered if there was a world I could get that through their thick skulls?
Probably not.
I honestly had no hope for Ezerial from Lunaria, Rigel from Selka, Cosmo from Aursenbelle, Wilder from Nevelyn, Natrix from Azure Bay, and Vigor from Clovergarde. Really, I didn’tand couldn’t see a way to bounce back from the disasters that were their introduction meals.
And I was so over having one of these each time I ate, three times a day. Any more of them and I was going to be the first dragon in history to have heartburn. Which would suck more than normal because I didn’t have a damn healer still.
Awesome.
I was dreading Friday morning with Zevran from Goldenbarrow because his father was one of the most sexist Alphas. While the man kept his mouth shut in meetings and to my face, it was no secret he was one of the main people pushing the bullshit my mates would be in charge while I popped out heirs and became queen regent to my firstborn son.
That wasn’t even the fucking law. It was the oldest child. I wasn’t in charge because I was an only child. It was because I was their oldest child no matter how many more my parents had had.
Idiots. Seriously, people were such fucking idiots.
Which was why I had no hope for his third son who was two years younger than me. He was an ocean—or tidal—dragon, so he had the blue-greenish teal streaks in his hair. They worked for him and his curly hair from what Velle had pulled up on social media. Especially with his super light brown eyes.
At least she was working out and taking her job seriously. That was a nice surprise.
And apparently, I deserved another one because I walked in thinking it was going to be a rage-inducing breakfast and instead there were a bunch of smiling faces… Some I didn’t recognize.
“I have so many questions it’s not even funny,” I muttered as I glanced around, shooting Treena, Myriam, Velle, Raquel, and Maple evil looks before focusing back on Zevran.
He chuckled and took it in stride. “Your Majesty, forgive the change of schedule, but the people closest to you agreed with me that this was all stupid.”
“You will have to be more specific on that, if you please,” I replied, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my tone.
I failed from the snickers.
He nodded. “The rapid-fire ‘intro dates’ like we’re all you have on your agenda and we’ll turn into pumpkins if we don’t get on your radar fast enough. This isn’t a contest or a race and one meal—it’s all stupid. Plus, you’re beyond busy, so taking up your time like that when you’re this bogged down is—the goal is to take things off your plate. Not add to it.”
“And you have a plan for that,” I stated, glancing around.
“Yes, but if you—they can leave immediately.” He ignored the frowns of the strangers. “No pressure. This was just something I could help facilitate.”
“And what is ‘this?’” I pushed, having an idea given the rolling clothing racks that were loaded.
He gestured to one of the women. “This is my best friend, Andra. She’s—”
“You left out she was your best friend,” Treena cut in, giving him an annoyed look. “That always goes so well to have a female best friend.”
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but I’m a lesbian,” the breathtaking woman chuckled.
Treena simply raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m not questioning your sexuality nor implying you should prove it, but so was the woman my uncle had an affair with for ten years.”
“I see why you are best friends,” Maple chuckled as she gestured between us. “I like you a lot, Treena.”
“Same, Maple,” Treena said but smirked at me.
