Page 57 of The Cursed Queen

"For what?" I asked in confusion.

"For protecting Ryu. He told me what happened. How you helped him avoid the dragon riders, and even block a surprise attack from hitting him. I'm glad you were there with him."

That only furthered my confusion. He was glad I was there for Ryu? Thinking back on it, Drayce did seem to fuss over Ryu as soon as we arrived back in the den that day. Maybe he and Ryu were close.

"Well, Ryu is one of my mates, so of course I'd help protect your friend," I said.

Drayce shook his head. "Actually, he's not my friend."

"Oh?" I arched a brow.

"He's... Ryu and I, we're... lovers."

I blinked several times, unsure if I had heard properly. "Lovers. You and Ryu? As in, you guys are fucking?"

Drayce coughed into his fist at that comment. "We are."

Oh shit, I was fated to two men who were already in a relationship with each other. Of all the things Drayce could've said, him and Ryu being lovers were far from what I was expecting. Why hadn't Ryu told me the other day? And why was I fated to them both if they already found love in each other? My mind wandered, imagining what it would look like to see thetwo men together. Drayce seemed more on the dominant side, so he'd likely be the one to overpower Ryu. Fucking him. Ryu underneath him, quivering and begging for more.

Heat began pooling beneath my legs, and I felt ashamed. I shouldn't want to see it play out in person. That should've been a private, intimate moment solely for Drayce and Ryu. I could never intrude on their moment.

"I see," I said when I realized I'd been silent for too long.

"Does that change how you see us?" Drayce asked.

I furrowed my brow, then shook my head. "No, of course not. Honestly, I think it's beautiful. You two together, I mean. But—" I paused, unsure how to ask what it meant for our fated mate bond.

"You're curious about what it means now that Ryu and I are your fated mates," Drayce rightfully guessed.

"I don't want to come between you guys," I said truthfully. "It wouldn't be fair. I don't want to be the reason the two of you can't be together."

I thought about my birth parents. Lady Calida and King Alphonse couldn't be together because Calida was fated to Lord Igneel, and the decision pained them both. Their separation ultimately led to my father taking Verania as his queen, while Lady Calida mated with Lord Igneel. If I chose one of them to be my mate, what would it mean for their relationship? Would they be crushed?

I couldn't do that to them. They deserved the chance to be in love with each other. To live their life together in a way my parents never got the chance.

At my words, Drayce's expression softened. I assumed he too was worried about what us being fated would mean for his relationship with Ryu. "You're too kind, Princess."

I wish I could tell him about my parents, but Drayce and my other mates believed Lord Igneel sired me.

"Let's just say I know what it means to not want to be apart from someone you love. You and Ryu clearly have something special together, and I never want to tamper with it. No fated bond is worth it."

Drayce stepped closer to me, then pinched my chin and lifted my head to meet his softened gaze. The setting sun gave the tall, dark man a golden aura surrounding his form. He looked ethereal in that moment. Beautiful. His lips looked plump and kissable, and the urge to find out was flourishing. I wanted to back away before I made it happen. Kissing him would go against what I just said about wanting Drayce and Ryu to stay together.

"I'm starting to see what Ryu sees in you," Drayce said in a lower octave tone. His breath tickling my face.

"What do you mean?"

"Ryu insists that we still try to build a connection with you, and after the other day, he feels he understands why he's fated to you. You're both hybrids who've been outcasted from your own home. Despite how poorly you've been treated back in your old kingdom, and here in the den, you still try to find the good in people. You have a pure and open heart, Sera."

His words had me blushing profusely. I didn't think I was doing anything special. I was merely doing what I felt was right. Ryu didn't deserve to be looked at differently for being a hybrid, and that druid knight deserved a chance to change his ways and hopefully do the right thing. Though the latter had failed, I at least knew I tried to reason with him.

But if Ryu was happy with Drayce, he was he wanting to explore our fated connection? Surely, he'd want to continue being with Drayce, didn't he?

"Why does it matter if Ryu and I are fated and hybrids? You and he belong together," I said.

"I agree with you, but Ryu wants us both to have a fair chance of getting to know you and explore this bond between us. Whatever or whoever you choose, at least we know we'd given it a chance, and you chose what is right for you."

Now I did back away from his hold. "Absolutely not. I refuse to impede yours and Ryu's love. It wouldn't be right."

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