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“I’m afraid I can’t say any more.” For a second, it almost feels like there’s regret in Ender’s voice, but then it’s gone when he speaks again. “I’ll be watching. For what it’s worth, I’m rooting for you both.”
With those ominous parting words, the same sheer white light appears and Ender steps through. Before he crosses to the other side, he turns back to me and says, “Your sister is in recovery as we speak.”
And then he’s gone. Leaving me alone with Malix and the knowledge that the last thing I did with my time at Grym Hollow was save my sister.
Chapter 4
Malix
Ender leaves and I’m alone with my human wife for the first time. He called her Rose Briar. A pretty name for a pretty girl. It’s clear that she’s out of her element, even though she attempts to keep a brave face. Still, I can see through the cracks of her facade.
The way her body is coiled tightly, ready to spring into action the moment the situation calls for it, proves her discomfort.
Her flitting eyes scan the room for any signs of a threat.
I think I like her. She at least has some sense of self-preservation, and that will get her far in this realm. Not that anyone would dare touch her. Touching her is a direct violation against me—nobody dares risk my wrath. Especially now. No, my human wife will be safe, as long as she remains by my side.
Now that she’s here, I don’t know what to do with her. I’ve had many romantic partners in the past, but never a wife. I’m not deluding myself that this marriage is anything other than a necessity to save my kingdom, but it will still be a marriage—once the proper paperwork is signed.
Nothing screams romance like legal documents and political bargains.
It’s a good reminder for us, though. Neither of us can afford to delude ourselves into something more, not when my kingdom and people are on the line. Rose has no reason to care for my dragons, which is why I need to make her fall in love with my kingdom. To want to save it.
“Rose.” Her name rolls off my tongue, conjuring up pictures of the dilapidated garden I have neglected since the start of this war. “I’ll show you to our room. You must be tired from your journey.”
“Our room?” She eyes me warily.
“Yes.” I don’t remind her that she is my wife and married couples share rooms. She’ll grow accustomed to my presence in time. She has to. “Follow me.”
I don’t wait for her to respond as I turn my back and leave the hallway. A few moments later, I hear the soft footfalls of her behind me. I sense her reluctance, but she also seems like an intelligent human. She doesn’t want to be left alone in a realm of dragons and I’m her new protector whether she likes it or not.
The castle is far too large and flaunts wealth in every corner. Murals of former dragon kings line the stone wall, sharing glimpses of our history. The footsteps behind me stop and I turn to see Rose staring at a large portrait of my grandfather.
“These are all men,” she says without looking at me.
I study her inquisitive face before I answer, “That’s because the queens have their own hallway. Closer to the gardens.”
She seems to accept my answer and we continue through the castle until we reach the north wing. My quarters alone occupy this part of the castle and it is forbidden for anyone to enter besides a few housekeepers that I have handpicked for the job.
My life is in the public’s eyes. As king, you forfeit any sense of privacy in exchange for power and leadership. When I was a hatchling, I thought it was an easy trade. I didn’t care about privacy. I wanted everyone to know who I was. I wanted control.
Those were the notions of a foolish boy. Privacy is what I hoard in abundance here. Which is why I’m very selective of who is allowed in my quarters. Rose is the first woman I have brought back because this will be her bedroom now too. I’m not used to sharing my space, but I can’t have my wife sleeping anywhere else. We have an image to uphold.
My wife walks in, looking around the darkened room. I have a full wall of arched windows, but the crimson-colored velvet drapes are currently blocking the light from the sun. The fire from the hearth is the only light illuminating this room. For a moment, my wife just pauses and then turns to me with wide eyes, a horrified expression on her face.
“Wait, is there no electricity here?” Rose eyes the room again, probably hoping she missed signs of modern-day technology.
She hasn’t. Technology is rare here and many of the territories don’t have the ability or magic to support mortal modernity. My mom used to speak highly of the advancements of humans, but dragons have always preferred fire and the blazing qualities it provides us. Safety, food, and warmth, just to name a few.
“You won’t find any modern technology here. I trust that won’t be a problem.” Not that she has a choice in the manner.
Rose sucks her bottom lip into her mouth and I get the strange urge to haul her closer, tasting that very lip for myself.
No, I can’t get distracted. I have a battle to win and I need Rose to accomplish that. I can’t get distracted by her too-tight shirt that shows off her pebbled nipples, or the way I imagine her reddish-brown hair wrapped around my fist as she?—
“What about indoor plumbing? Please tell me I don’t have to pee on a rock.” Her questions distract me from my wayward thoughts.
“Why would you pee on a rock?”
