Page 10 of The Dragon of her Dreams

“What are you two talking about?” Anselm asked, turning around to question us, fork in hand.

Kayla gave me a small shake of her head.

I turned back to my brother as I grabbed another bread roll to pick at. “Nothing much. Just my lack of appetite. I’ll be glad when this party has been and gone. You know how I get.”

Anselm shrugged, seemingly satisfied, and went back to his discussions with Dad.

I grinned over at my sister-in-law, wanting to squeal with joy over how happy I was for her and my brother, but from the look on Kayla’s face, I couldn’t allow myself to show it just yet. So, I poured myself some wine and had some sips to keep the happiness locked away inside. I’d soon have another niece or nephew to dote on and spoil, which was the most wonderful news.

As the wine seeped into my soul and relaxed the ache in my chest a little, I turned to listen to my parents chatting about the kingdom and some of the meetings they’d attended during the day. The liquor worked its magic, warming my insides, and pushing away the fear and doubt of what was to come in the next few days. I’d never been one to pine away for my fated mate, but I couldn’t deny that my loneliness of late had become intense. Especially with all three of my siblings being married.

My mind swam with questions. Could this Jaegar really be the man Fate had designed for me? Would I finally be happy and no longer feel so alone? What would he be like? Surely, someone who grew up in the poorest parts of Damon’s Winter Kingdom would be so incredibly different from me that it would be shocking. And tough... God, he’d put my father to shame with how tough he would likely be.

We will have to be compatible if Fate means for us to be together...

I knew so little about my siblings Fated Mate journeys. Thinking back, I’d been shocked at just how quickly Jessa and Carlak had gotten together, and Kayla had just turned up pregnant and slid straight into our family.

Did they all have dreams about their mates before they met? Did they feel like they had a choice in the matter? And how did they bridge the gap between them?

Damn it, I really don’t know anything about love. So much for being the daughter of a great love affair!

I glanced over at my parents and realized I really didn’t know much of the things they’d overcome to be together. Perhaps it was time I asked. I needed answers more than I needed air at this point!

Chapter 5

Jaegar

THEO WALKED UP NEXTto me and bumped me with his shoulder.

I turned to glare at him.

He grinned up at me. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

My answer came on swift wings. “Hell, no.”

Theo laughed loudly and stripped off his shirt. The kid was well built but was still thin. “Veronica’s going to be your biggest hassle. She won’t know what to do withanotherbig brother.”

I looked away from his smiling face and began disrobing. Theo and Barry had already accepted me in a way that was as off-putting as it was mind-blowing. How could they just accept another brother? A bastard of all things? A man who could usurp their throne?

These men make no sense.

“You two almost ready?” Damon asked, stepping up beside us.

I nodded and swallowed hard. My father was a strong, large man who’d brought our kingdom back from the brink of complete destruction. He was respected by all, and I’d spent so many years hating him for not being there for me. It was a very strange feeling to be in his company now and to be wanted.

“Are Dymitri and Lucian coming?” I asked, coughing to clear the tightness in my throat.

“They’re travelling by carriage, as their wives and children prefer it,” Damon said. “So, they left days ago.”

Barry came running up. “Sorry! Forgot something.”

Damon nodded. “All right, you three go... Cass and I will be right behind you.”

Queen Cass was nowhere to be found, and I had to assume that was due to my presence, although she’d seemed welcoming enough toward the end.

“Okay, let’s do this.” I stripped my too-clean body of the new pants I wore and walked through the open balcony door.

Damon’s two other sons ran up behind me, standing shoulder to shoulder on the balcony.

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