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A pair of nearby water dragons who had been trying to drown a raging fire in a pair of rose bushes looked disappointed to have their fun ended so easily.

“So this is the power of a space and time anomaly.” Terra touched the wood of the wrap-around porch’s banister and Rowan could feel the cabin’s approval roil through their link.

Rowan smiled and turned the knob of the front door. What awaited on the other side took her breath away.

There were no walls or ceiling, just a glowing glass bridge that led the way to a giant stone pedestal. She had to get close tomake out the scenic carvings of mountains flush with pine trees, the view of waves crashing on a glittering shore, and a field of tall prairie grass lazily blowing in the wind. Carefully, Rowan peered down at the endless void underneath the glass. Were those stars?

“It’s been ages since I’ve seen one of these.” Terra’s voice echoed in the room as she entered behind her.

Rowan raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“A teleporter. It allows those without magic to phase, even in between dimensions.” She touched the top rim. Inside the bowl, there were millions of shining particles that reminded her of small nebulas.

“It’s beautiful.” Axel peeked in from the other side, Miasma stood, clutching onto the warrior’s arm for dear life. Her eyes avoided looking down. Was the good doctor afraid of heights? Why had she entered the room? Rowan didn’t have time to contemplate further as Terra explained.

“They only work in places like the Traveling Cabin, anomalies of time and space. Like the Traveling Cabin, most places like that are particular of who they allow to enter. That’s why they’re so rare.” The earth-dragon played with a wooden bangle on her wrist as she tilted her head up. “This could help you get into Alessandro’s hoard even without his invitation.”

Rowan gripped the side of the bowl before taking a step back. “If he has lost total control, what’s the best way to calm him down?”

Terra raised an eyebrow. “Princess Rowan, you’re the best way to calm him down. His dragon wants you as his mate. He won’t harm you.”

“But what if the dragon wants to mark me? Your king made it clear to me that if he had it his way, he would prefer not to.”

Terra took a deep breath and glanced around the room. “May we have a word in private?”

Axel shot her a questioning look, and Rowan gave a small nod.

For a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue. Rowan had never seen her sister so protective. It hurt her pride to know it was because she’d allowed herself to get so injured.

But, she let whatever she was going to say slip away, leading Miasma, who’d shut her eyes and dug her face into her sister’s shoulder, obviously uncomfortable with the height, back out onto the porch.

Stone looked like he also wished to dispute, but Terra shot him a simple look and that was enough to encourage him to leave.

“He told me you were his adopted sister.” Rowan took charge of the confrontation she felt building in the woman. She searched for a flinch, a tick of a muscle, but the title elicited only relaxation from the woman. “But when you walked up with Stone at your side through the neighborhoods, I saw the way the dragons were with you. I understood, you’re more than a sister to the king. You’re his queen.”

With the wind taken out of her sail, Terra’s jaw looked slack. “Our relationship is not like that.”

Rowan crossed her arms. “Terra, my father is one of the greatest kings of the Eastern Elven Kingdom. I know what it looks like when subjects lay eyes on their leader. You fill that role.”

Terra squared her shoulders. “I can see where you might get that idea, but it isn’t like Alessandro and I have ever had anything but sibling love for one another. When I was born, my mom anddad had already taken him in and considered him their own. He is as…” The earth-dragon searched for the right words, “…annoying and as overprotective to me as most brothers are to anyone else.”

Rowan nodded, “Okay, so as his sister. I need you to help me protect him from a decision he really has no control over. How do I calm him down without giving him my neck?”

Terra let out a groan and Rowan watched, surprised as the facade of a cool and collected dragon fell as she grasped Rowan’s shoulders and shook her. “Listen to me. He wants you. Both his dragon and his more sane side. What he’s worried about is burdening you!”

Rowan’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Gods, you two are going to be the end of my sanity!” She growled as she let Rowan go and began pacing the width of the bridge. “Once he marks you, I won’t be able to say anything, so let me get it out now. Only you affect him the way you do. I was there on the mountainside. You want him as much as he wants you. I knew as soon as you two came together that anything that would get between you two would turn to dust. Even your stubbornness. I know you’re not a dragon, so it might seem like everything is going too fast, too hot and that it’s terrifying but, as a succubus you also have an alternate being inside you that lives for those base desires. Maybe ask what the fuck she wants instead of letting your stupid little insecurities have their way.”

Tears forming in the woman’s eyes startled Rowan. “When we are without a mate, we are constantly battling with our base desires. It would be pure anarchy if we allowed our beasts to have their way. Alessandro himself is always fighting his beast unless they’re in the middle of combat. It’s been decades since he last knew real peace. You bring that to him. So as a littlesister, I am begging you, don’t be afraid. He’ll take care of you. I vow here and now that if you take the crown to stand by his side, I will protect you. And if this doesn’t sound like something you’re interested in because you decide to hold on to your stubbornness, if you really don’t want it, Alessandro won’t mark you. Trust me.”

Well, that wasn’t as comforting as Terra was trying to make it seem, but as a little sister who would do anything to see her sisters happy, it was moving. “I’ll trust your judgment, but if I come out with his mark, know that my first order as his queen will be to make you take all the responsibility, while I only take advantage of the perks.”

Terra snorted, “I’m telling you, it will only happen if you want it.”

That was kind of the problem, wasn’t it? Shedidwant it, consequences be damned.

Terra gave a soft smile as if reading her mind, “Just picture him in any moment you bonded. It should be enough to take you right to him.”