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“As my fated mate, you have the same right to rule.” The words came out before I could stop them.
“That’s too generous,” she said softly. “I get that it’s tradition, but I’m not even sure fated mates are a real thing.”
I was shocked that she could still think that after everything I’d said.
We were made for each other.
Our bodies reacted in ways they didn’t with anyone else.
We deserved each other.
“Fated mates are absolutely real,” I started to explain, but she seemed to now have fully processed what I’d said with an appalled expression slowly taking over her face.
“I can’trule,” she exclaimed.
“Of course, you can, and you will.”
A look passed over her face that made me worry I’d made a huge mistake by saying that. “I’m not sure if that’s a proposal—I hardly know you, and—”
“Let me level with you.” I tried to calm her down as I tied my sash around my waist. It marked me as one of the many princes up for the crown. “I understand if you don’t want this, or feel rushed, but you’re everything I and my country needs. It’s okay if you need time with it, but don’t get scared away because of how overwhelming this is. We can take it slow.” It felt like a lie this time.
I didn’t want to take it slow with her.
Still, my body and mind fought back against the idea of rushing her into marriage.
Tierner tried to force his fated mate into being with him, and it ended with him jailed for almost exposing our people and secrets. I wasn’t going to push her any more than was necessary.
She seemed reassured and took my hand when I offered it to her.
“What is this place called?”
“Crystal Glass,” I smiled. “It’s the last kingdom of its kind on Earth.”
I guided her across the square, our steps lingering so she could take everything in.
“How many people live here? How do you survive without being found…?”
Her voice kept going, questions popping out of her mouth as they popped into her mind. I tried to answer what I could and admitted to not knowing the ones that weren’t as easy for me.
“…Do you like it here?”
She asked this, unflinchingly, while I led her through the arched double doors of the castle.
“I love it here,” I smiled. This question was easy. “This is my home. It has been my whole life and I hope it always will be.”
She nodded and squeezed my hand a little as we kept walking across the entrance hall.
“Are there any other people from outside who move here?”
“My brother’s fiancé, a seer, witch physicians…” I tried to think of anyone else who wasn’t native.
She nodded, and I watched as she studied the people and rooms we passed.
“I can’t believe this place is real,” she said. “My grandmother used to tell me stories about a hidden dragon shifter world, and it feels like I’ve walked into one of those stories.”
“I promise you that both this kingdom and I are very real.”
Her hand squeezed briefly in mine, and I accepted that I’d have to take some action, or I’d wear myself thin by the end of this. Turning a corner, I pulled her away from the main walkway and tugged her into a kiss. I felt her mouth form a soft gasp against my lips, and it urged me on.
