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The thought nearly makes me laugh. The guy is aprincefor crying out loud, and he’s a dragon shifter. Dragon shifters, particularly their men, are very attractive. They’re not short, like fae men. My father and brother both stand at about five feet and five inches tall—and they’retallfor fae. Even my own five feet two inches is tall for a fae woman. But I’m pretty sure all dragon shifters are at least six feet tall.
Height aside, they’re supernatural. All supernaturals are attractive. And I have a feeling this dragon prince is probably too gorgeous for my own good.
Which is the real problem—what if I’m attracted tohim, but he’s not attracted to me? Did he think Poppy was pretty? My sister and I look nothing alike. What if he’s disappointed to be marrying me instead of her?
“Wisteria,” Father says, breaking me out of my mental breakdown.
I blink, slowly taking a breath. “Sorry. I was just… thinking.”
Overthinking is more like it.
His eyes soften as he grabs ahold of my hand. “I am sorry for the position that Poppy has put you in. You were born for greatness. It’s why the council is so set against this marriage. But I also know you’re going to handle this like you do everything else—with all you’ve got. You won’t run away from your duty.”
My heart softens. “You’re right. I won’t run away. I just wish the council could see that Cypress will do an amazing job. He’s going to be a great emperor.”
“He’s still young,” Father says, neither confirming nor denying what I’ve said. “And he’s going to have to work hard to convince the council that he’s good enough to rule the fae.”
Cypress will have a lot on him, but I know he can handle it.
“How are you?” Father asks as the car comes to a stop in front of a circle drive.
Somebody walks over to open the door for us. They stand by the door, waiting for us to get out. Neither Father or I move.
I lick my lips, which suddenly feel dry. “I’m okay. There are worse fates than marrying the dragon crown prince.”
Father cocks his head to the side, carefully studying my eyes. “You’re happy.”
I nod. “I am.”
He slowly shakes his head. “Nothing gets you down, does it?”
How do I tell him that I’mexcitedby the fact that I don’t have to be the empress? I don’t want the responsibility that he carries. As much as I hate leaving the burden to Cypress, I equally love that I am free.
Father climbs out first and holds his arm toward me. I link mine through his as a servant guides us up a stone staircase that leads to a large glass door. He opens it and bows to us as we walk inside. Once we’re in the foyer, the servant leads us through the large, open mansion, toward the back of the house. I’m surprised when he opens the back door and motions us out onto a large courtyard.
The sound of waves crashing onto rocks instantly calms my racing heart. The smell of salt water is strong. I watch a teenage boy dive into a large swimming pool, and an older guy is sitting at a table, splitting his attention between some papers in front of him and the boy in the pool. The servant leads us right toward them.
The older guy at the table looks up and slides off his sunglasses, putting them onto the table. He stands up, slightly bowing. “Emperor Emrys, it’s a nice surprise.” His gaze flickers to me and he bows again, slightly deeper this time. “Imperial Highness.”
“Just Emrys,” my father tells him. “I’ve told you many times, there is no need for formalities between old friends.”
“Of course.”
“King Basilicus, you know my daughter, Wisteria,” Father says.
“It is a surprise that you brought your daughter.” King Basilicus looks curiously from me to my father. “I know the fae don’t like to let her leave the castle very often.”
It’s a nice way of saying that I’m a prisoner. Becausethe fae are paranoid and think something horrible will happen to me if I leave the safety of the stone walls.
I glance out at the ocean below, my heart soaring. The sun reflects off the surface, making the teal blue shade of the water sparkle. I never thought I would see something like this in person.
“I’m surprised you didn’t bring Poppy. The wedding is only a week away,” King Basilicus says.
My stomach tightens at the mention of the wedding.
“That is what we are here to discuss. Where is your eldest son?” Father looks around the courtyard.
King Basilicus pulls his phone from the pocket of his shorts, which draws my attention to his outfit. He’s got on a pair of blue swimming trunks with flowers on them. His t-shirt is plain white and he’s wearing a pair of flip flops. Surprisingly appropriate for the current setting, but it makes me feel very overdressed.
