I scrubbed a hand over my hair. “
“Our relationship,” she responded, echoing my tone, “would be well served if your dragon could control itself in the future. I don’t enjoy having my mind invaded like that. Can you, I don’t know, stop him?”
“I’ll do my best,” I said.
“Is that all you wished to talk about?”
“One would think you’re trying to get rid of me, Princess.”
She gave me a tight smile. “That would be difficult considering we’re about to be bound together for life.”
* * *
The entire kingdomtraveled overnight to witness the binding ceremonies. Word traveled fast amongst shifters, and a royal wedding was the most exciting thing to happen in decades. Scores of them were visible through the windows to the balcony where it would take place as I waited in the attached room, my expression reserved. Thoughts of the previous night kept replaying repeatedly, despite my best efforts. Seleste and Darius’ binding ceremony happened first, which made the day drag.
I sensed the moment she walked through the door with her ladies in attendance. I couldn’t help but look, it was as though my dragon had become sentient and taken control of my body. My head turned, and our eyes met. I felt the connection, the blending of minds, like a wave of warm spring air over my exposed skin. It would be easy to dislike her if she were more like my first mate. Maybe once I got to know her more, I’d find they had more in common and this… obsession of sorts would resolve itself.
Elena’s eyes widened at my attention and I sensed her body stiffen underneath the flowing white material of her dress. She’d worn my colors instead of the traditional Darkmoore red. I appreciated seeing her in Dragon-Clan colors more than I should. She tensed long enough to be sure I wouldn’t try to ensnare her in more visions, then ignored me, which only intrigued me more.
She didn’t want to be my mate, but she wouldn’t run from her fate either. I’d told Alaric I didn’t want a bride with a backbone—but maybe I’d been wrong.
Once the preparations were complete, I’d had enough of her pretending I didn’t exist. We’d have plenty of that after the ceremony.
“Ready?” I asked from behind her. She started, but only for a moment and then turned to face me.
Being this close to herreminded me of how she’d felt in the vision. If possible, she was even more radiant knowing she was about to be mine. Her brown eyes were expertly lined with kohl, making them seem dark and secretive. Something shimmered on her cheeks and painted her full lips. My hands twitched at my sides, and I stopped myself for reaching for her to draw her close.
She nodded and surprised me by holding out her hand. I took it, ignoring the spark of energy that coursed through me as I placed it on my forearm. The blending of minds made one more sensitive to a potential mate. Something I didn’t need consindering how intriguing I already found her. At a signal from Gideon, two attendants pushed opened the double doors leading out to the balcony. A cheer rose from the crowd.
The priest addressed the crowd first, speaking about the grand sacrifices of House Darkmoore and the beauty and bounty of Acasia. Then, he thanked the mighty Dragon-Clan for their protection and loyalty. The crowd cheered once more and bouquets of flowers soar through the sky.
The priest paused his spiel to welcome us forward. She pressed against me as we moved out onto the balcony to jubilant screams from the crowd. She waved with her free hand, a serene smile plastered on her face, then turned to face me as the priest came to stand before us. Her brother, Gideon, wore no expression in the background. I was grateful we’d be going back to the Northlands. I got the impression her brother may be supportive of the match, but he wasn’t a fan of me.
The priest spoke in an ancient language that only the clergy understood, as they passedit down from generation to generation since the Goddess created Acasia. Elena frowned ever so slightly, and I realized she must not know the words.
“I pledge myself to you, heart of my heart and soul of my soul,” I said through our connection in her mind. She glanced in my direction, her frown deepening. “I vow in front of all who will stand witness,that I am yours until the last light of the last day. I bind myself to you, heart of my heart and soul of my soul. I will fight for you, I will die for you, and I will love you until the last light of the last day.”
I’d vowed these words once before, when I’d been much younger and more receptive to adhering to them. Once I realized they were empty promises, I no longer gave them any weight. It didn’t seem to be the same for Elena, who must no doubt be thinking of her parents, who’d married for love, much to the chagrin of the Council. Royals rarely married for reasons other than for the crown. She’d do well to learn that sooner rather than later.
Her voice rang out clear and strong over the clamor, “I pledge myself to you, heart of my heart and soul of my soul. I vow in front of all who will stand witness that I am yours until the last light of the last day. I bind myself to you, heart of my heart and soul of my soul. I will fight for you, I will die for you, and I will love you until the last light of the last day.”
Despite my feelings about taking another mate, I liked the sound of her promises. My dragon liked them even more. A growl, borne from the most primal depths inside of me, erupted from my chest and reverberated through the space between us. I used my grasp on her hand to yank her against my chest. She frowned up at me and opened her mouth to admonish me, no doubt, when I cut her off mid-thought with my lips.
She made a sound of protest, but didn’t move to back away.
Her hands came to my shoulders, and the whole celebration silenced. The only thing I heard was the sound of our vows echoing around us. Her voice and mine, combined, the tones blending together to become one. I felt her knees give. My arms tightened around her and lifted her off the ground and pressed her to me.
It wasn’t a few moments later that she realized I never set her back down.
She broke away from me to look down and saw that we are soaring above the audience, my large ice-blue wings keeping us aloft. Her hands tightened on my still-human shoulders and I chuckled.
“Don’t be afraid, Princess. It would not serve me well to let you come to harm and break my vows so soon.”
“If you don’t put us down, I’m afraid I may have to,” she told me, though her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Trust me,” I said.
She closed her eyes again, and I remembered even though she was a member of the Avian-Clan, she’d never taken wing. The wind rushed by and she huddled closer to my warmth. What a sight we must be, a half-dragon and princess flying above the kingdom. If the citizens wanted a spectacle, we were giving them more than they expected.
