Page 38 of The Uncrowned King (The Bastard Duology #2)

A week later…

Derek reclined in the tub, lifted his hand, and let the water dribble from his fingers to drip onto Kora’s spectacular chest as she leaned back against him. Her eyes were closed, but a smile curved her lips.

“We should be getting ready,” she said.

He kissed her temple and rested his head against hers. “We have a little time until the ceremony. Are you sure?”

“You keep asking me if I’m going to change my mind. I’m beginning to wonder if you want me to.”

“Never,” he stated. “I just don’t want to rush you into anything.”

Kora sat up and turned to look at him, splashing water over the sides of the tub. “I love you. I know we’re meant to be together. If you want to wait, we can. But I’m not going to change my mind. Are you?”

“I don’t want to wait. And, nay, I’m not changing my mind.”

“Then you’d better go,” she told him as she stood.

Derek reluctantly rose, letting the water drip down his body. He and Kora had barely left the chamber since returning from Stonemore. He brushed his lips over hers and stepped out of the tub. As he walked to the door, he called clothes to him. He looked back at her before the door closed behind him. She blew him a kiss, which made him smile.

He sighed and headed toward the city’s main area. Derek turned the corner and nearly collided with Rhi.

“Oh! Hi,” she said. “Can’t talk. Must get to Kora.”

Derek chuckled as he watched her hurry down the corridor. He found Brandr and Hector by the pool.

“Cutting it close,” Hector said with a grin.

Derek glanced down at himself. “I’ve never been to a ceremony. Is it formal?”

“As formal as you want it to be,” Brandr replied.

Hector snorted. “Knowing Rhi, Kora will be dressed for the occasion.”

“Which means I need to be.” Derek shifted his weight from one foot to the other, embarrassed that he hadn’t asked. “What should I wear?”

Brandr folded his arms over his chest. “Wear your colors.”

“Aye. It’s what Kora will likely be wearing,” Hector added.

Derek looked at his clothes. “I’m already wearing black.”

“More formal. And add silver,” Brandr said.

It took a bit, but Derek was eventually outfitted in a black leather jerkin studded with silver, over a black tunic. Black trousers and boots rounded out the outfit. Derek ran his hands through his hair. He intended to grow it long again. For Kora.

“It’s time to go,” Brandr said.

Hector slapped Derek on the arm as the two walked away. Derek fell into step behind them as they left the city. Once outside, they crossed onto dragon land and shifted to fly to Cairnkeep. Despite his conversation with Kora earlier, Derek couldn’t shake the worry that she wouldn’t show.

By the time they arrived, he had convinced himself that Kora would change her mind. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice the others until Hector nudged him. Derek looked in amazement at the new arrivals that consisted of Dragon Kings and their mates. Hector introduced him to each couple.

Before Derek knew it, Brandr motioned him over. It was time. Derek walked to the edge of the cliff, the same area where he had attacked Kora. He didn’t want to think about that now. His gaze lifted to find dragons soaring above them to watch.

“Word about the newest King has spread to every corner of our land,” Brandr said.

Derek twisted his lips. “Do the dragons know everything about me?”

“They doona need to know everything.”

Derek met his gaze and dipped his chin in gratitude.

Brandr suddenly grinned. “You might want to turn around.”

He did and found the group had split in two, leaving a large aisle. At the far end stood Kora. The sight of her sent a surge of happiness through him. Then Derek took in her sleeveless black gown. The black lace looked like the veins in his wings. It had a scooped neckline, the bodice contouring to her curves. The skirt flared from her hips down to the floor with a train. She wore gloves that went to her elbows with wings attached that mimicked dragon wings. As she drew nearer, he spotted the tail that curved along her train, complete with a barb at the end like his. All over the gown were small, silver accents.

Finally, she stood before him. Derek couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was the most beautiful being he had ever seen.

“Told you I would be here,” she said with a smile.

He grinned. “You are breathtaking.”

Her head dipped, causing long, silver earrings to swing. They caught his attention, and he realized they were dragons with their wings spread.

“A gift from Con, welcoming me to the family,” Kora told him.

“Welcome, all.” Brandr’s voice boomed around them. “Normally, my father, Con, leads the ceremony, but I asked to conduct Derek and Kora’s. It isna everyday a new King is crowned.”

The crowd cheered. Derek met Brandr’s gaze and smiled.

“It’s now time to welcome Kora as Derek’s mate,” Brandr said. “Derek, do you bind yourself to Kora? Do you vow to love her, cherish her, and protect her above all others?”

Derek grinned at Kora, his entire body bursting with joy. “Aye.”

“Kora, do you bind yourself to Derek, the King of the Dead? Promise to love him, cherish him, and protect him above all others?”

Kora beamed as she declared, “Aye.”

Derek knew what was next, both of them did. Still, Kora sucked in a breath as the dragon eye tattoo formed on her upper left arm.

“The proof of your vows and your love. Everyone who sees this will know Kora has been marked as Derek’s mate for eternity!” Brandr shouted.

The cheers were even louder, but Derek didn’t hear them. There was only Kora as he pulled her into his arms. Sparks flew around him as the edges of the wings attached to her gloves erupted into flames. He’d had nothing for so long. Now, he had friends and a family. A home. But most importantly, he had his mate.

He lowered his head to Kora’s and sealed their future with a kiss.

THE END

Thank you for reading THE UNCROWNED KING.