Page 18 of Conning Her Dragonkin Boss (Mated to the Monster: Season 3)

DRAGON & MATE

Sunny Adlawan

The lights blaze like stardust, casting a soft, golden glow over the stage.

Hundreds of eyes are on us, the crowd silent with anticipation.

I stand tall, dressed in my warrior-princess armor, my cape flowing behind me, golden embroidery catching the light.

And beside me?—

Khanner.

My dragon knight.

His dark tunic and plated armor gleam, his golden eyes locked on mine, unwavering.

The announcer’s voice booms through the arena.

“Before the gods, before the kingdom, before the very stars that light our skies—do you swear your vows?”

A shiver runs down my spine.

I know this is a performance.

A carefully orchestrated, romantasy-themed event.

But Khanner isn’t acting.

His fingers tighten around mine, his voice steady, deep, and reverent.

“I swear.”

His words resonate through me, a vow that feels far more real than it should.

The announcer turns to me, eyes bright with theatrical drama.

“And you, my lady? Do you take this knight as your sworn protector, your fate-bound soul, your mate?”

I should be playing my role.

I should be reciting my scripted lines.

But as I look into Khanner’s eyes, something inside me shifts.

I don’t want to play a role.

I want this to be real.

I take a breath, my heart pounding.

“I swear,” I whisper.

Khanner lets out a breath, low and satisfied.

The crowd erupts into applause.

We are crowned dragon and mate once more, our reign sealed with a ceremonial kiss.

His lips brush mine—soft at first, teasing, reverent.

But then his hand cups my face, his thumb skimming my jaw, and his kiss deepens.

The world falls away.

There is only him.

Only us.

Later, when the celebration begins, I let Khanner pull me onto the dance floor.

The music swells around us, a slow, elegant melody.

His hands settle at my waist, firm and grounding.

I glance up at him, my thoughts still tangled in what happened earlier.

“How real was that for you?” I murmur.

Khanner’s lips twitch.

He doesn’t even pretend to misunderstand.

“Very real.”

I bite my lip. “So… what about an actual wedding?”

His gaze flickers with amusement, but his hold on me tightens.

“Sunny,” he murmurs, his voice low, rough, utterly devoted.

“I already consider you my mate.”

Warmth floods my chest.

“But,” he continues, his golden eyes glinting under the lantern-lit ballroom, “if you need a ceremony, I will be honored to have one.”

My breath catches.

There is no hesitation.

No doubt.

Only certainty.

Only Khanner.

My dragon.

My mate.

He twirls me under the lights, his laughter low and rich as he pulls me back against him.

And as the music carries us across the dance floor, I realize?—

This is perfect.

This is ours.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.