Page 10 of Billionaire Dragon King’s Rejected Mate

Randi pointed out rides she wanted to try and debated between the tall spiral slide and the lazy river. She talked easily, quite animated, while the snow cone turned her tongue bright blue.

Chance listened, or at least pretended to. Inside his head, pieces were clicking together far too quickly.

Why lie?

If she knew what that crest meant, pretending it was a random dragon tattoo made no sense unless she didn’t want him to recognize it. Unless she didn’t want anyone to.

A knot tightened slowly in his chest. Because if she carried the crest of Stagholt, then she belonged to the same kind of world he’d spent his life trying to escape.

A world of thrones, of blood, and of fathers who believed mercy was weakness.

His gaze drifted across the bright waterpark and saw something else entirely.

Mountains, cold castles, and the day everything in his life broke.

Memories broke through the sunshine and everything around him faded away as they played through Chance’s mind. He had been fourteen when the execution took place.

The great hall of Noriveille had been silent enough to hear the torches crackle along the walls. Elders lined both sides of the chamber, their expressions tight with unease. At the center of the room, his older brother stood shackled.

Roderick.

The heir. Or who would have been the heir.

Chance remembered the way his brother’s shoulders had trembled, but with exhaustion, not fear. Roderick had always been gentle and thoughtful. The sort of prince who listened before speaking and who had all the makings of a great king.

The sort of prince their father despised.

King Gunner sat on the iron throne at the far end of the hall while his massive hands gripped the ornate carved armrests.

“Noriveille does not bow to weakness.” His words had echoed off the stone.

Roderick lifted his head.

“I’m not weak,” he spoke quietly. “I just refuse to rule with cruelty.”

Chance had held his breath. For just a moment he thought their father might listen.

Instead, King Gunner stood. “Then you refuse to rule at all.”

The sword fell minutes later. Chance had watched his brother’s blood spread across the marble floor.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Because defying the king meant joining Roderick.

Chapter 4

Randi

Water splashed nearby as a group of teenagers cannonballed into a pool.

Randi nudged Chance’s arm. “Hey. Earth to Chance.”

She watched as he blinked and felt like she had dragged him violently back into the Florida sun.

“Sorry,” he said. “Lost in thought.”