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I clear my throat. “Uh, sure.”
I’m still not sure what to make of my grandfather, but I know better than to start something with other people around. I’ll wait until we’re alone to question him. And then… we will have to get out of here before they decide to put my husband on trial.
Stellan squeezes my hand as we walk into the hallway. He’s calmed down significantly since he found out I won’tbe the one in trouble. Ironically, he’s fine with him being in trouble. He will gladly take my place in getting punished.
I shake my head at him. Does he not get that I feel the same way about him? I will do anything to protect him.
As we walk down the corridor with my grandfather, nobody says a word, but Venali keeps shooting glances at me. He’s probably expecting me to fight… or bolt out of here. I’m still debating which option would be the best for Stellan.
Stellan, hearing my thoughts, gives me an amused grin.Let the elves try to punish me—they will quickly find out that dragons aren’t weak.
Yes, but elves aren’t weak either. And I don’t want there to be a war because of me.
Because of us, he corrects.
Venali clears his throat. “Are you two talking in your minds again?”
Grandfather looks behind at us as he leads us down the hallway. “How long have the two of you been married?”
“Less than a month,” I answer.
“So you are soulmates?” Grandfather asks bluntly.
“No.” I shake my head.
He comes to a stop at my answer and turns to face us. “But dragon shifters have soulmates.” He narrows his eyes at Stellan. “Have you met your soulmate yet?”
“Stellan doesn’t have a soulmate,” I say quickly, not wanting my grandfather’s ire to be turned to my husband.
“Impossible,” Grandfather says. “Dragon shiftersalwayshave soulmates.”
“Not impossible.” I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “Ten generations ago, the fae and dragons signed a magical contract—an alliance, of sorts.”
“After the Dragon War?” He looks from Stellan to me, his face softening.
“Yes. Because fae blood made dragons stronger, they made an alliance. And it just so happened that the duty of the contract fell on Stellan and me—me, as the emperor’s first born daughter, and Stellan, as the dragon crown prince and future king,” I explain. “So neither one of us had a say in it. And the magic in the contact keeps Stellan from having a soulmate.”
Grandfather nods. “It makes sense.”
“So Stellan can’t possibly get in trouble for marrying me because he didn’t have a choice, right?” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth.
“Even if I did have a choice, I would choose you every single time.” Stellan scoots closer to me, slipping an arm around me. He kisses the side of my head. “Don’t worry—everything will be okay.”
Grandfather doesn’t share Stellan’s optimism, I can tell by the pained expression he gives us. “The law is clear.”
“What kind of punishment are we talking about here?” I shift my weight back and forth as I wait for his response, unable to stand still.
Grandfather and Venali share a look that I don’t like. “The punishment is death.”
My eyes widen. “Death? For gettingMARRIED?”
“Why do you think I didn’t allow your father to come to this castle? I was protecting your mother, but I was also protectinghim.” Grandfather clenches his jaw. “Although, I never liked your father very much. He’s too cunning for my liking. Everything he said dripped with fancy word smithing. It didn’t matter that he couldn’t lie, I still didn’t believe half the things out of his mouth.” His face softens as his purple eyes land on me. “But you are different. Your magic…”
Venali steps forward. “She hasstrongmagic, Grandfather. It’s incredible to witness.”
“You connected your magic?” Grandfather asks, looking at Venali.
He nods. “When I arrived, she was being attacked by a group of dragon shifters.”
