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Alessandro, who looked to be as at ease as a man who’d retired from 50 years in an office job rather than a king who had justupset the whole balance of his kingdom within a short 10 second speech.

“You’re more nervous about this than taking the crown?” Alessandro teased as he took her hand in his.

Rowan scowled, “Well, you already know my family, and get along with most of them.”

He scoffed, “Are you attempting to make how we get along with each other’s family a competition, little elf?”

Some of the apprehension melted at the soft teasing and she grinned. “Just who do you think you took on as a mate?”

He returned her smile and tipped his head to the group who had grown larger the closer they got.

Anya, as warm in real life as in Alessandro’s memories, had her in her arms before Rowan could curtsy.

The new queen consort returned the hug with just as much warmth, her face perfectly cradled on Anya’s ample chest. She felt as if she’d known the woman her entire life from the visions Alessandro had shared. Rowan wondered if Anya felt just as connected to her as she did.

When Rowan pulled away, there was nothing but relief in the earth-dragon’s eyes.

“Of course, we’d seen pictures of you, but I just couldn’t believe it.” The eldest of the three women that had followed Anya gasped, breaking the moment as she fluttered around Rowan, examining Rowan’s wings more closely. “Look at this lovely sheen. What do you use? My wing girl has me on a salmon diet that’s been killing my love for sea creatures.”

“I heard that you and that no-good brat Stone went to Spellcasters together? Were you ever a thing? You kind of look like his type. Of course, the boy doesn’t really have control once a pretty girl looks his way. You’d think he doesn’t know that he’s out of the ugly duckling stage from how he reacts to a little flirting.” Said the middle, both more quickly and more unintelligible.

This earned the woman a growl of warning from Alessandro, who stood behind Rowan like a looming shadow.

“My goodness, you look just like your father.” The youngest one spoke, attempting to break the tension, “‘Cept the wings and tails and horns. Must come from your mom’s side.”

“Ladies, ladies, where are your manners?” Anya asked, shooing them back. “I’m so sorry dear, my cousins are just excited to meet you.”

Rowan smiled. “To be fair, I’d be curious as well. To answer a few of your questions: I am on a strict multivitamin regiment as recommended by my eldest sister who is an amazing doctor and moonlights as an esthetician. I went to school with Stone. We were not a thing, though I always thought he always looked too long at my bestie. She’s a total smoke show, right over there in the blood red dress. And the succubus is a gift from my mother and our ancestors.”

This only encouraged an explosion of more questions from the women, and Alessandro let out a tendril of his power to cow them back in line.

“These are my aunties.” He gestured to each. “Vera, Oksana and Galina.” He pointed to the others behind him, “These are Galina’s children, Alana.” Alana was a pretty brunette with catlike hazel eyes that told Rowan the girl wished she could beanywhere else in the world. “And Helios.” Helios was handsome, with sharp facial features. His hair, while cut short, was as curly and dark as any of his family. His lean frame reminded her of a professional swimmer.

He was carrying a dozing five-year-old half-dragon in his arms. The child had his blue hair picked out into a small afro, dressed in an all white linen two-piece suit. “His son, Ciel and mate, Opal.”

Opal was a harpy, she had white plumage that trailed behind her and over massive thighs that narrowed into scaled legs and clawed feet. Her ice blue hair was up in a tight bun, neat and away from her no-nonsense face of sharp angles. Her eyes were bright as they took Rowan in.

She was on the defensive, ready to lash out if Rowan took a wrong step.

“I heard you were the only one in the Thunder that could relate to my position as an outsider taking a dragon mate.”

Surprise widened Opal’s eyes. “Y-Yes.”

“Would it be okay to have you over for lunch at some point so we could talk?”

The words seemed to create tension in Galina that Rowan hadn’t expected. Opal caught it and narrowed her eyes, irritation clear.

“I would love to.” She answered, eyes unwavering from the woman.

Alessandro pulled Rowan back seconds before the two women were at each other’s throats.

Feathers and hair flew in every direction as the two moved at speeds Rowan found impressive, considering they wore layersof jewelry and dragon garb that threatened the occurrence of a serious wardrobe malfunction.

Terra shot Phineas a look. “You said you took care of it.”

“If you recall, I said she wouldn’t disrupt the ceremony. The ceremony is over.” He grimaced.

Helios sighed and held his child up to Alessandro, who took him without a second of hesitation. Rowan noted that her mate was so large the sleeping child could fit into the crook of one arm.