Page 56 of Billionaire Dragon King’s Rejected Mate

“Good Bryn or bad Bryn?”

“Good. Definitely good.” Randi stepped forward and pulled her into another hug. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I wanted to do it in person,” Bryn said into her shoulder. “And also I was afraid you’d hang up on me and then immediately book a flight just to yell at me for not saying it sooner.”

“I still might do that,” Randi said and pulled back. “I can yell now if you want.”

Bryn laughed. “See? This is why I waited.”

“This is kind of perfect.”

“Okay,” Bryn said and clapped her hands lightly like she needed to shake off the emotion before she started crying. “No more standing around. We have more things to talk about.”

Chance opened the back door for her, giving her a small, knowing smile as she slid into the seat. “You good?”

Randi smiled. “Yeah, I am. Everything is actually really good.”

And as the car headed toward whatever came next, that feeling stayed with her. They drove to the castle where Sven waited for them. Randi stared out the window as the mountains rose in the distance, jagged and commanding against a pale, unforgiving sky. Something in her chest tightened at the beauty, both isolating and fiercely alive.

Cold. Brutal. Beautiful. It hadn’t changed.

They spent the night at the castle where Randi caught up with her sister while Chance and Sven spent time in private chambers while they discussed the issues that needed to be addressed. Parting the next day was hard, but Bryn pulled her tight.

“You’ll be back. Just be safe in the meantime.”

They reached Noriveille midday and headed for their hotel. Despite their intentions of maintaining a low profile, people recognized Chance. No, they recognized Chauncey.

The name struck her every time she heard it, spoken with familiarity by townspeople and shop keepers alike. Even Chance was surprised at the recognition since it had been years since he had last stepped foot in the town. It was as though Chance had never existed at all and Chauncey had never left town.

“Chauncey,” someone called, a nod of acknowledgment following.

“Your Highness,” another added with more formality.

“I hate that word,” Chance mumbled under his breath. Randi squeezed his hand.

She stayed close to him, her awareness heightened not just by their surroundings but by the shift in him. He carried himself differently than he had in Tampa. Here he was straighter, more contained, and every movement was deliberate in a way that reminded her that this was not just where he came from, but what he had been shaped for.

It became clear very quickly that they were going to have to face his father. Most of the people expressed hope that Prince Chauncey had come home to save them all.

It really made Randi wonder exactly what King Gunner had been doing to make all of his subjects afraid of him and praying for his overthrow.

They waited until the following morning to seek out Chance’s father. The palace loomed stark and imposing that seemed to hold the cold in. As they stepped inside, the change in the atmosphere was instant. The air was thick with judgment and hostility.

Randi felt it in the way conversations quieted as they entered. The guards followed their movements. They weren’t curious, but assessing and unmistakably disapproving.

“Stay close,” Chance murmured under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear, though he didn’t look at her as he said it.

As if she would do anything else.

The court gathered quickly, drawn by their arrival, forming a silent, watchful presence that lined the edges of the great hall.

And then King Gunner stood right in front of them.

Randi felt the oppression in the room before she fully focused on him. The weight of his presence commanded attention, and when her gaze settled on him the first word that came to mind wasn’t power.

It was cruelty.

“Chauncey,” he said in a tone that was condescending and bitter. “You return.”