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I shrug, trying not to let my emotions show. “Fae are known for their beauty.”
She nods. “The other sister wasn’t as pretty.”
If I agree with her aloud, Natalia will use it to her advantage, so I say nothing at all. Though, she is right. Wisteria is gorgeous—even by fae standards. There is something almost ethereal about her, though I get the feeling that she has no idea how stunning she is.
“I know you.” Natalia takes a step closer to me. “You love deeply and you’re marrying this girl. You won’t take the vows lightly.”
“This is my duty,” I remind her.
“Duty or not, it doesn’t change the fact that you will meet your soulmate someday. And since you’re already twenty three, it will likely be any day now. You know mostdragon shifters are mated long before now.” She raises an eyebrow at me. “When you meet her, anything you feel for this fae girl will go away.”
“I know,” I say through gritted teeth.
She puts her hand on my shoulders. “Listen, Stellan, I’m not scolding you. I’m just reminding you. Your feelings for herwillgo away, but it won’t take away her feelings for you. Fae don’t have soulmates. And if you care for this girl at all, don’t make her fall in love with you. It will only break her heart.”
My eyes widen at her words.
Does Natalialikeher? She wouldn’t be saying this to me otherwise. She would be telling me to guard my heart formysake and the sake of my future soulmate. Instead, she’s warning me for the fae.
“As much as it pains me to admit it, I like her.” Natalia sighs, letting her hand drop from my shoulder. “I want to hate her, but she’s got something about her. She’s really sweet, though maybe a little naive. She knows nothing about dragon shifters. And she really is beautiful. My nieces and nephews are going to be adorable.”
I swallow hard at her words.
Nieces and nephews.
Right, that’s what this alliance is about—heirs. It’s about making sure that dragons stay as strong as they possibly can. Because it’s fae blood that makes us strong. Even now, ten generations later, we’re stronger than we ever were before fae blood mingled with ours. Still, our magic weakens with each generation. This alliance is to ensure that royal blood remains strong.
This is about all dragon shifters, not just me.
And no matter what happens, even when I meet my soulmate, my life and future is with Wisteria. And heartbreak is inevitable for both of us. I’m better off accepting it now.
Wisteria
Due to the need to follow both faeanddragon shifter customs, the wedding is long and—dare I say—boring. It’s a lot of standing and listening. The vows are… intense. Though, I suspect they’re more intense for me, being a fae. I don’t know a lot about dragon shifters, but I do know that no other supernatural race is bound to their vows the way fae are.
As I finish my vows, I realize that there is no getting out of this. I will be faithful to Prince Stellan for as long as I live. Even if the fae were able to somehow find a way to get out of the contract, my vows are unbreakable.
My eyes widen as I hear the officiant declare that we must kiss to make the marriage official.
“We have tokiss?” I whisper to Prince Stellan.
He stares at me with wide eyes. “You didn’t research a dragon shifter wedding ceremony?”
“I didn’t know I was going to marry you until three weeks ago. So, no. I didn’t.” When was I supposed to research? During the council meetings, that lasted sometimes twenty hours a day? Or maybe in between the council meetings, where I would fall asleep while standing in the shower because I was so tired.
Still, I should have researched. Maybe then I would be better prepared.
The officiant clears his throat and gives us a look that says we better get on with the kissing.
I can’t believe my first kiss is about to happen in a room full of strangers who are all staring at us.
This is an odd new world I’m entering, though I suppose I should get used to it.
It’s embarrassing how far Prince Stellan has to bendover to reach me. I’ve never felt short in my life, not being surrounded by fae. We’re all on the short side, but it’s normal to me. But next to Prince Stellan, I feel like a bug—a bug that’s about to get squashed.
I’vereallygot to research dragon shifters if I don’t want to be surprised by their customs.
Stellan’s lips touch mine for the briefest moment before it’s over.
