Dragon's Challenge - D. R. Rosier Page 0,17

helpless, and his armor was just a shifted thought away.

The fitting didn’t take all that long, but he felt foolish standing there on a stool with his arms out to his sides. Like he was an object, and not a person. He supposed the servants weren’t all that dangerous with the short needles, but some things he suspected he’d never understand in this world.

Chapter Five

He hadn’t been in the throne room all that much, but it was completely transformed for the wedding. Instead of a marble room bare of all but the throne and some artwork, along with two fireplaces to heat the vast space in winter, it was filled with flowers and other decorations. There were also some chairs for the visiting prince and his entourage, as well as the higher nobles of the kingdom who were present.

He’d just left his bonded in the guest room, servants would guide them upstairs and show them the prince consort’s suite, which he was amused to find out held an inner and second attached bedroom with several beds in it, with feminine decoration. It was a little ridiculous to him, did human prince’s call their women into their bed one at a time? On the other hand, it would come in a little handy, April and his shared lovers could have their privacy without an illusion spell while they swapped back and forth.

He wouldn’t see them again until the next day, so he’d spent most of his morning sating their needs and taking the edge off of his own. He’d miss them as much as they’d miss him, even if he’d be more than focused on his new bride that night. April gave into her baser needs at night, so it worked out, and they’d all played together most of the morning until the servants had arrived to bath him and get him dressed. More foolishness, he could bathe him damn self, but he hadn’t fought it until they’d tried to relax him. Besides being sated for the most part, they’d sent him children again. Curvy and beautiful children, but not yet full grown.

He’d also long come to the conclusion weddings were for the bride, so he’d suffer through it to make his bride happy.

He was escorted to the front of the room, and he stiffened slightly as he passed by his sister’s presence and magic. That ended any doubts in his mind that Daca’s new advisor was his sister, who was planning his downfall. He pushed down the stirring rage, and he focused on his soon to be father in law.

Jonas nodded in greeting, and he returned it. The king sat regally in full royal dress including his crown, next to his lovely young queen Sara who was in a purple dress that matched the king’s regalia. The king would stand witness from his throne and dais, but it was a cleric that stood at the foot of the dais that would perform the ceremony.

The cleric wore white robes and he discerned from the symbol that he served Adona, the goddess of procreation and birth. He took his place and turned slightly at an angle and to the right of the priest. He’d been coached quite thoroughly on the ceremony. The cleric returned his nod of greeting.

There was a light murmur of conversation through the room while they waited for the princess to arrive and get the ceremony started. His shoulder blades itched with his back to his sister, but his life magic was swelled powerfully through the room, as well as a little earth magic. He’d sense it if someone decided to throw a dagger at his back.

He focused on the idea that Stephanie would shortly be his. His to love, protect, and cherish, and to start a family with. His to teach the delights of pleasure to and share them with, and only his. The satisfaction and tenderness from all that was like a shield against his desire to turn and end his traitorous sister once and for all.

There was a time and a place for everything, and acting now would hurt his love, and destroy their future. That helped as well, knowing he was protecting his princess’s heart and life by not attacking in that moment. No matter how much Khalea had earned his wrath and deserved her death.

The room quieted as the achingly sweet notes of the violin players started, and the entire room turned as the crown princess entered the room. Her long and straight fine