Page 33 of The Wrong Bond (Wolf Billionaire #4)

DRAKE

My heart twisted inside my chest as I walked down the long corridor leading to the Great Hall. The dawn’s rays peeked over the hilly horizon beyond the windows and gilded everything in dusty lavender hues.

Blue eyes, the radiant shade of sapphires, plagued my mind, erasing all other thoughts. The female werewolf I had encountered last night not only possessed my waking hours—she visited me in my dreams the night before. Her shapely body had drawn my mouth to flooding with moisture in want of her. Her scent of jasmine and spring rain had caused my cock to go hard.

I was no idiot, not by a long shot. When I had laid eyes on her at the summit, I knew who she was to me, what she was meant to be—my mate .

And when I’d held her last night in the elven gardens—hell, nothing had felt more perfect. Had been more wrong…

Dammit…

I couldn’t be with her. She was the enemy. Her kind had rended my soul in two when they had snuffed out the life of my best friend. Gallax was as close to me as my own kin. We had ridden into battle together on numerous occasions; we had saved each other’s asses too many times to count. Then, we had ridden into one battle, which he didn’t walk away from. Instead, his lifeblood had soaked the hard earth as he had died in my arms. He had shielded me from a werewolf lunging for my throat and had gotten his throat ripped out instead.

My heart squeezed impossibly tighter as I thought back to his final words.

“Promise me,” he’d rasped, blood bubbling from his mouth. “Promise me you’ll look after my sister. She has no one left in this world.”

I had squeezed his hand tightly and had sworn, “I’ll do more than look after her. I’ll marry her.”

I’d watched the relief that had washed over his bloodstained face. Then, his eyes had turned glassy, vacant, as his last breath passed from his lungs. With that, he’d gone forever still.

Both Gallax and I had known how his little sister, Rosalana, had bore a crush on me for many years. Though I hadn’t returned her affections—viewing her as no more than a little sister—I knew it would make my friend happy if I were to be bonded to her by a marital bond. The relief in his eyes at my declaration had proven it.

Yet now…now that I had found my life mate…

“Shit,” I hissed, raking a hand through my dark hair.

“Drakegeon,” a deep voice called from further down the corridor.

My head snapped up, my gaze landing on my father. King Tridar loomed ahead, his brow hardening, nostrils flaring. His eyes flashed.

Lips peeling back, he growled, “Follow me.” Then, he whirled on his heel and stalked away down an adjacent corridor, his cape billowing behind him.

My heart pitched into my stomach.

What the hell was that all about?

Back muscles rigid, I followed after my father. Rounding the bend, I spotted him at the door to his quarters. He opened the wooden door and gestured for me to enter first. Raising a brow at him, I swept past, and my father trailed me inside, closing the door behind himself with a solid thwack.

My gaze did a quick sweep of the room. Soft light slanted in through the bay windows at the far right of the room, the window seat beneath it unoccupied. The large king bed was made, the thick crimson covers tucked neatly over the corners of the mattress, beneath the bed’s frame, spanned an elk’s pelt that covered most of the hardwood floor. An oak dresser stood at the far side of the room, and to the left of the room spanned a luxurious bathroom with marble flooring and a deep freestanding tub. There was no sign of my mother anywhere. She must have stepped out.

“What is this about?” I demanded, my scalp prickling.

My father circled me, his hands firmly clasped behind his broad back. My eyes tracked his every move, my body coiled up as tightly as a viper’s. Finally, King Tridar stopped before me; his eyes narrowed to thin slits.

“Why the hell do you smell of werewolf?” The words were hardened in steel. His nose wrinkled as he inhaled deeply. Anger twisted his dark face. “A female werewolf’s scent clings to you.”

Horror sank its talons into me. Disbelief followed soon on its heels. I did a quick mental scan of the bond. It had not gone full circle, remaining in a horizontal line. The cords glowed brilliantly, mine a lavender fire…the female’s a brilliant crimson flame with tongues of gold. Relief coursed through my veins. We weren’t permanently bonded. My brows slashed over my eyes.

Can he scent the mating bond? But how?

My father must have read the questions plainly reflected on my face, for he said, “As your King, I have the power to see the bonds that closely tie my people together. That includes your bond.” The King stepped closer, stopping when he was a hair’s breadth away, forcing me to stare into his violet eyes, a mirror of my own. “As your father…I sensed something amiss with you the moment I saw you. Took a whiff and put the pieces together.”

“There are no pieces to put together,” I growled, clenching my fists.

“Don’t play games with me,” King Tridar hissed, his shoulders taut with restrained anger. “I know you’ve lain with a female werewolf.”

My eyes snapped wide. “The hell I have,” I snared. My blood boiled at his accusation. Did he think so little of me to betray our people—betray my promise to Gallax? I was in a relationship with his sister, for stars' sake! Promised to her through an engagement.

King Tridar scoffed. “Please.” He came nose to nose with me. “I can smell her on you!”

My mind flashed back to my having embraced the female in the gardens. Her brilliant sapphire eyes had fluttered close as she’d leaned into my touch and awaited my kiss. Even now, my damn mouth flooded with moisture for her lips—to taste her, relish the feel of her ample curves pressed against all my hard places.

Arousal stirred within me, percolating like a volcano about to blow.

I clenched my jaw hard, pushing down the desire that rode me hard. “You can smell her because we held each other,” I admitted, the words bitter on my tongue. “But I did not sleep with her!” My gaze implored his. “I’d never betray my people like that. It’s unthinkable to do so.”

My father peered into my eyes as if searching for the truth. I felt his penetrating gaze straight to my gut. I held his gaze unblinking. Stepping back a fraction, the king allowed me my space. I felt my lungs swell with oxygen as if they were starved.

Heaving a deep sigh, my father said, “I believe you, son.” His lips thinned. “I know how deep your hatred runs for the werewolves.” His brow furrowed in confusion. “But that still doesn’t explain why a female werewolf’s scent clings to your skin like a cape.”

My jaw twisted as I considered my next words. Could I really tell my father the truth? That I had found my mate in the enemy. King Tridar was a just and fair leader, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a highly dominant male with a quick temper.

I inhaled a steadying breath and straightened to my full height. “I met my mate here. It’s…,” I paused a heartbeat, eyeing my father. Cold realization rinsed his face, his eyes widening, mouth parting. Bile punched up my throat. “It’s the werewolf princess, Ember Vaughan.”

Silence drenched in tension blanketed the two of us. King Tridar shook his head slowly. “It can’t be,” he murmured. “Are…are you serious?”

I dropped my head, tugging at the strands of my hair in agitation. “I wish I weren’t, Father, I do. But the female is my mate.”

My father whirled away, his back ramrod straight. He placed his hands on his hips and dropped his head. For the first time since knowing my father, he was at a loss for words. A pang stabbed at my heart at seeing him reduced to this because of me and my bond with the enemy female. My fists trembled with the urge to slam them into something. The dark powers within my core swelled, seeking a release.

My father turned sideways. Rubbing at his chin, he angled a look at me that was calculating.

The fine hairs at the nape of my neck lifted.

What the hell is he thinking?

“This could work…,” King Tridar murmured. He gave a slow, contemplative nod. “This may be just what we need after all these centuries.

I raised a brow eyeing him through narrowed eyes. “What? What is it?”

My father slid his gaze toward me as if he realized I was still in the room. He straightened and faced me. Drawing near again, he said, “We must hurry if we’re to make the summit on time.” With that, he swept past me and exited the room.

I whirled, gaping at my father’s retreating back. “What could work?” I demanded. Hurrying after him, I drew up alongside my father, my long legs matching his quick strides. “Father, what in star's name were you saying back there?”

“Don’t take that tone with me.” He warned, narrowing an eye at me. My jaw clenched. He looked ahead again. “Besides, you’ll find out soon enough.”

Cold dread snaked down my spine. Whatever my father was planning, I knew with every bone in my body that I would not like his idea. Yet, it was too late to press him for any further information, for the King swept into the Great Hall. All eyes swiveled to him and then on me soon after as I followed my father to our section of the terraces. Everyone was already seated. Raised brows and narrowed eyes from the werewolves revealed they were not pleased with waiting.

To hell with them.

My gaze connected with Nazarril’s, the king of the elves. He stood on the minstrel balcony as he’d done yesterday—overseeing this summit like some benevolent angel. His eyes narrowed a fraction; lips pursed at the corners—obviously not pleased that we were late. A quick glance at the giant clock on the opposite wall indicated we were only two minutes late. King Nazarril cleared his throat as we took our seats. Further hinting at his irritation.

I glared openly up at him.

Hell, what a prickly son of a bitch.

“Careful there, little brother.” A soft snicker. “Wouldn’t want to see you turn into a pillar of ice.”

A glance out the corner of my eye showed my brother, Solarus, eyeing me with a devious grin. Undoubtedly, the bastard would like to see me get into an altercation with another royal for the pure hell of it. He was mischievous that way. As the middle sibling, I figured he’d been overlooked as a child and formed a twisted ideal of what it meant to entertain oneself.

Everyone knew of the elf king’s power over the ice element. Many feared being turned into an ice pillar and suffering for centuries, unable to breathe yet still being held alive, encased in ice under his magic. Whispers across the lands said it was an unfathomable suffering to undergo. I found such fears oddly amusing. Course, having elemental fire brought a certain immunity to ice.

I scoffed under my breath. “Please,” I grumbled. “My elemental fires would roast him before he could even lift a finger at me.”

Sol leaned closer, his warm breath fanning my cheek—shoulder-length raven hair brushing my shoulder. “Want to wager a bet on that? Five hundred Earo, you walk with an icicle up your ass for a week.”

I flipped him off. A dark chuckle met my ears, only to be cut off with a grunt. Alaria must’ve socked him in the side again. I smirked. Our little sister always did know how to rein Solarus back in. She might as well have placed a bit between his teeth.

Movement out the side of my eye snagged my focus. I turned, and my blood began pumping through my veins like pistons. Ember Vaughan stepped into the Great Hall. Murmurs undulated from the werewolves already seated, yet I paid them no mind. I couldn’t tear my eyes from the female before me. My fingers twitched as if they remembered the feel of her soft curves as I held her tucked against me the previous night.

She walked with her shoulders rolled back, chin slightly notched with authority. Her soft auburn waves cascaded down her back like crimson ribbons of the finest silk. My hands itched to sift through them, measuring their softness. The soft lavender gown cinched in at the waist accentuated the flare of her hips, the mound of her breasts rounding to tempt me beneath the heart-shaped neckline.

Desire pooled low in my gut. I unsheathed my phantom claws, weapons of shadow, the talons pricking my thighs in an attempt to cool down my building lust. Now was not the time to get a hard-on. Ember strode past the noble wolves and took her place in the row behind her parents. Then, I spotted the dark crescents that clung to the skin beneath her eyes, the way her shoulders hunched forward once she’d sat, as if weariness seized hold of her limbs and robbed her of strength.

A notch of concern flared within my chest. I almost shot to my feet—demanded to know what was wrong, except…I did not have the right to be concerned with her, nor should I be. A fae didn’t inquire about his enemy’s health. I remained in my seat, stiffened, biting the inside of my cheek till I tasted the iron tang of blood.

“Now that we’re all in attendance,” the elf King said, shooting a crossed look at Ember. She ducked her head in embarrassment, and my talons flexed, yearning to disembowel the bastard for making her feel uncomfortable. “Shall we begin the summit?”

“I have an announcement to make,” King Tridar spoke up.

King Asar of the werewolves scowled at my father. King Tridar sensed his piercing stare and held his glare with a cool expression. “I believe, King Asar, that you will want to hear what I have to say.”

Tension percolated to stifling proportions amongst both kings. This resulted in their people present casting each other dark gazes, soft snarls, and bared teeth. After a long pregnant pause, King Asar said in a dark voice, “Get on with it.”

Growls of incense peaked from the shadow fae, but King Tridar decided to ignore the cool command. He rosed to his feet, commanding the room’s whole focus. All eyes riveted to the King of the shadow fae. Then I saw his gaze flicker to Ember Vaughan for a brief heartbeat. My veins filled with ice.

“For centuries,” King Tridar began. “Our people have been at war, with no hope of ever having peaceful relations with each other.” His gaze roved over each werewolf on the opposite side of the Great Hall. My heartbeat rang in my ears, nearly drowning out his words as cold realization chilled me.

Shit, shit, shit!

“We had no reason for seeking peace,” King Tridar continued. “Until now.”

His earlier words echoed in my mind like a twisted mantra.

Besides, you’ll find out soon enough…

My mouth emptied of moisture.

Turning his gaze to Ember Vaughan, King Tridar announced in a booming baritone, “I hereby give my son, Prince Drakegeon Ashar Evenus, to Ember Vaughan, as a mate.”

The whole room erupted into chaos. Voices yowled in protest from the werewolves. Even the shadow fae nobles snarled in outrage. Some werewolves rocketed from their seats, their claws unsheathed, and a few Shadow Fae shot up, their eyes glowing with menacing power.

King Azarril’s voice boomed over the Great Hall. “Silence! Order in the Hall!”

I felt my own body respond to the stifling dominance and bloodlust that permeated the air, so thick that I tasted the acrid bitterness on my tongue. My gaze swung to Ember. Her face was pallid, and her jaw slackened; she gaped at my father. Her eyes were rounded with terror, but whether it stemmed from the declaration of mating or the impending violence was unknown. Then, her gaze collided with mine, and held it. We stared at each other across the Great Hall, oblivious to all else, as if we were the only two people in existence in the world of Lanair.

Then, the temperature plummeted to near-freezing. The shrieks of anger ebbed as Lanairs’ heads whipped about in search of the source. I blinked at the ice that began to film a thin sheet over the walls—icicles hanging from the chandeliers like talons from a bird of prey.

My head spun to the left. The frigid glare from the elf king spoke of death.

One by one, the Lanair caught sight of the penetrating glare of the elf king and ceased their protests. The yowls and snarls of rage died on their tongues under the icy weight of his gaze.

“Hear me,” King Tridar spoke when a hush fell across the room. He faced the elf king, and shock claimed me as I watched his eyes widen imploringly toward King Nazarril. The king gave a slow nod.

“We are all listening,” King Nazarril murmured. He fastened a narrowed glance at King Asar. “Aren’t we, King Asar?”

The king of the werewolves' features were botched red, the tendons of his neck in stark relief. His chest heaved with restrained rage. Claws were slicing in and out as if wishing to sink into my father’s throat. One glance at the queen, the alpha female, didn’t bode any better. Her upper lip was peeled back as wicked incisors bared at the shadow fae king. Only Ember appeared to be the calmer of the two royals, though I assumed that it was primarily due to her being in shock.

I wasn’t in much better shape. Anger blazing in my chest like a furnace.

Why did my father drop this shit at the Great Hall? Is he trying to start a star's damn war?!

“King Asar,” my father spoke to his fellow king. His chest heaved with a bracing breath. “I ask that you let me explain.”

Plain shock colored his face. He blinked owlishly. Queen Lunatha looked at her husband.

“My King,” she hissed. “You can’t possibly consider entertaining him.”

King Asar dropped his gaze to the floor. Queen Lunatha spoke again, her tone more urgent, when her husband held up a hand to silence her. She closed her mouth with an audible snap. The silence was deafening as we all waited for what the king would do. After a long moment, he slowly lifted his head.

“I’m willing to listen, but —” he jabbed a finger at the king of the shadow fae. “That doesn’t mean I will agree to anything.”

King Tridar nodded. “Duly noted.”

Casting his gaze not only on the king but the rest of the werewolves in attendance. “I have learned of my son finding a life mate in Princess Ember.” He stretched out his arms from his side and exclaimed, “What could be a better solution to peace than an alliance? An alliance between our children who—” my father’s gaze dropped to me. “Are already fated mates.”

“You have no right to stand over there spouting such nonsense,” Queen Lunatha hissed, a low grow rumbling from her throat. Her eyes went amber. “How dare you claim my daughter is…m-mated to your son!”

“Tell her,” King Tridar told the king of the werewolves. “You know as well as I do the truth.”

Queen Lunatha stilled. She slowly leveled her gaze on her husband, who refused to meet her questioning look. “What is he speaking of?”

King Asar swallowed thickly. My eyes narrowed.

He knows…my father knew of the bond—he could sense it. Can the werewolf king see the thread of fate as well?

Then, King Asar turned to his daughter seated behind her parents. She flinched as he stared at her. Her tongue flicked out to lick her lips, lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came out.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” The king asked her, his voice a low rasp, yet I could hear it clearly as it echoed throughout the Great Hall.

Ember’s face paled even more, the light dusting of freckles along the bridge of her nose even more pronounced. “I…I…” her voice trailed away, and she slammed her eyelids closed. A shudder racked her body.

A sharp pang pricked my heart for her. To be a spectacle for all these Lanair…the temptation to leap from my seat, haul her into my arms, and bolt was strong.

King Asar sighed heavily. With a slow shake of his head, he slowly faced the king of the shadow fae. “I can see it.”

King Tridar gave a curt nod. Keeping his gaze fixed on King Asar, he said, “Won’t you tell your mate?”

The werewolf king flinched as if he’d been struck a blow. Queen Lunatha’s gaze flitted between the two kings.

“My King,” she said to her husband. “What is he talking about?” Panic crept over her features. “Tell me.”

Whispers began to peak from both sides, the shadow fae and werewolves murmuring among themselves. Queen Lunatha whirled on her daughter when the king refused to offer her a reply. “Ember, what is your father not telling me?” Ember bowed her head. The Queen hissed, “Have you mated that fae?”

She uttered the word ‘fae’ like a curse, but I honed in on the black despair shadowing Ember’s gaze under her mother’s heated glare.

Enough was enough.

I rose to my feet and addressed the Queen. “She has not been touched.”

Queen Lunatha spun, her gaze drilling into me, but before she could retort, I said, “I discovered we are fated mates yesterday at the start of the summit.” I pinioned both royals of the werewolves with my dark glare. “Ember did nothing wrong. I pursued her. I spoke to her. She told me we can’t be mates.”

Let me take the heat. Keep your filthy mouths off Ember!

Gasps of shock and outrage pealed from my people. Beside me, my own siblings stiffened. I could handle taking the heat for wishing to be with the enemy, but I’d be damned if I let Ember fall with me. She didn’t deserve that.

“What say you, King Asasr? “ The elf king asked the werewolf king. All eyes swung to him.

He stared at my father with a look of disgust and despair. He heaved a sigh, then turned to the elf king. “I request a break to mull over this recent…discovery.”

King Nazarrill turned to my father. “Do you agree to this?”

King Tridar nodded. “Yes. I understand.”

The elf king nodded. His voice echoed across the Great Hall as he announced, “This meeting is adjourned then. We will meet back here in two hours. Dismissed.”

I found myself pacing my quarters, drowning in my thoughts, when a soft knock sounded at my door. My body froze, my eyes flitting to the door.

After a moment, a feminine voice laced with worry said, “It’s me.”

Irritation sparked in my gut. I didn’t want to see anyone right now. Yet, guilt gnawed at my chest. Rosalana didn’t do anything to warrant my sour mood.

“Come in.”

The door flew open to reveal my late friend’s sister on the threshold. Tears shone in her silver eyes. Her willowy frame trembled at the beginning of a sob. I stepped toward her.

“Hey,” I told her. “What’s wrong?” I winced. I wanted to drop-kick myself. What the hell was I saying? To Rosalana, to my people, the world had gone belly up.

Rosalana shot forward, wrapping her arms around my narrowed waist and burying her face into my chest. “You idiot!” She cried, sobbing openly.

I swept my hand over her dark brown hair, the wavy mass flowing down her back like liquid. “I…know today has been rough..,” I cleared my throat and said. “But you have nothing to worry about.”

She whipped her head up, looking at me through eyes glinting with suspicion. “Are you sure about that?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her fingers dug into my back like she meant to keep me with her by force. “I heard you. Though I was all the way up top, the commoner row as you know, I still heard you tell Queen Lunatha that you…” her lower lip trembled. “You pursued the werewolf princess.”

I fought back a wince.

Stars dammit…

“Tell me that isn’t true.”

I squeezed Rosalana’s shoulders, not quite finding the words to refute her.

Rosalana shook her head in disbelief. She shrank back, wrenching herself out of my hold. “Oh stars…you…you love her .” She spat the words like Ember was an abomination. And yes, to our people—her kind was.

I shook my head fervently. “No, I don’t.”

Freaking Liar.

But I needed to say anything at this point to keep Rosalana with me. I couldn’t lose her and break my promise to Gallax. I was a male of my word, and I’d be damned if I broke it now.

Rosalana’s voice pitched, her eyes rounding in near hysterics. “You’re going to marry that female, aren’t you?” She sniffled, flashing an accusatory glare at me. “I thought I meant something to you. I thought what we had was deeper than any bond. Was it all a lie?”

I drew Rosalana into my arms. She writhed in my grip, kicking out—her foot connecting with my shin. But I held firm. I wouldn’t let go. I lost Gallax. I wouldn’t lose his sister. Though my insides clenched as if I was being ripped apart. My body craved Ember; my heart ached for her. Yet, my mind warred against the strong pull of my emotions, wanting to stay loyal to Rosalana.

Bowing my head, I buried my face in her hair.

Shit…

“I won’t marry her,” I told Rosalana. Those four words nearly shattered what was left of my soul. “I promise.”

“Are you certain?” Rosalana’s voice was timid and hesitant. She drew back from me just enough to look into my eyes. “The king seems like he insists upon it.”

“I know he does. But I’ll find a way not to go through with it.”

Rosalana ducked her chin in defeat.

“Hey,” I told her, hooking a finger under her chin and angling her head back to peer into her eyes. “I promised, didn’t I? You know how I am about keeping my word.”

She nodded after a moment’s pause. “I know.” She gave a small smile. “But I can’t say I’m completely relieved yet.”

I rubbed her shoulders and gave her a soft peck on her brow. “Feel better?” I asked, cocking a brow at her.

Her smile widened. “Much.”

“Good,” I said. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Sighing, I said, “The summit is about to resume. We’d better get back.”

Rosalana gave a shaky nod. I made to slip past her when she caught my hand. I glanced over my shoulder at her. She blinked back her tears in an attempt to appear brave for the hellhole we were about to face.

“Promise?”

I forced a grin that was too tight. “Promise.”

We entered the long corridor and walked side by side, not bothering to speak. I couldn’t have voiced anything anyway. My eyes were on the floor, and my heart pounded against my chest with each step I took that brought me closer to the Great Hall. As we neared the doors, a figure in a lavender dress reached the junction at the same time. My head whipped up, my eyes snagging on the sapphire eyes that captivated me so thoroughly.

Ember.

Beside me, Rosalana flinched. Her body went rigid as she glared at Ember. The female werewolf’s gaze slid toward the shadow fae female. Yet, instead of open hostility like I was expecting, I saw a bleakness that shadowed Ember’s dull gaze. She dipped her head in a polite nod and entered the hall first. She never looked back at us.

I stood as if my feet were rooted to the floor. All comprehension flew out of my mind, my thoughts a jumbled mass. I yearned to go to her, yet I knew I couldn’t. My hands felt numb at my sides; the need to touch her, to hold the female, a burning ember inside my chest. I swallowed and inhaled a steadying breath. Glancing at Rosalana, I saw her still glaring hard at where Ember once stood.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s go in.”

Guiding the female into the Great Hall with my hand on the small of her back, we quickly took our seats.

As soon as I sat, my siblings pounced.

“Hey,” Solarus hissed. “What the hell is going on?” I remained silent, my gaze fixed toward the ceiling. I didn’t want to look at anyone or anything. But Solarus wasn’t having it. He gripped my shoulder and shook it. “Drake, man, answer me.”

I whirled on him, talons slicing out. “What the hell do you want me to say?” I hissed.

On Solarus’ other side was our little sister, Alaria. Her soft brow furrowed in a frown. “You can start by telling us when you were going to tell your siblings you’d found your fated mate.” Hurt flashed in her eyes and sent a jab straight through my sternum.

My gaze softened as I stared at my little sister. “I couldn’t tell you, Alaria.”

She licked her lips, her gaze dropping to the ground before flitting up to meet mine. “Why?”

I clenched my jaw, looking away. “Because I didn’t want it to be true. A part of me hoped this couldn’t be, that it would all die down.”

A pregnant pause. Then, understanding dawned in her eyes. She gave a slow nod. Solarus and Alaria exchanged a brief glance. So much was exchanged in that look. Solarus turned back to me.

“We’re here for you either way,” Solarus said. He gave a firm nod of his head. Alaria nodded behind him.

A knot had lodged in my throat. Swallowing didn’t loosen it. “Thanks.”

Nazarril, the elf king, began the meeting. He turned to King Asar. “Well, what say you?”

King Tridar sat in his seat, awaiting his words. My breath became stuck in my lungs, refusing to dislodge.

King Asar pushed to his feet, almost swaying where he stood. His shoulders seemed to slump under an unbearable weight. He seemed to have aged years in the span of hours. Straightening, the king said, “It has been decided.” His neck tendons grew distended as he swallowed. “We agree to the union between Prince Drake and Princess Ember.”

The world spun on its axis, and a sense of weightlessness descended on me as if I were falling into an abyss. Gazing across the Great Hall, my eyes found Ember’s. I read the same bleak resignation that shone from my own eyes.