Page 8 of The Dragon of her Dreams

Vanya

“BUT...” I STARED ATmy sister-in-law, shocked by what she was telling me.

Kayla juggled Rocky on her lap and laughed. “But what?”

“But we can’t have illegitimate kids. It’s not what happens with fated mates, is it? I’m sure Dad always said...” I pressed my fingertips into my forehead where a headache pounded. My thoughts had been an absolute mess the last few days.

The door to the living room opened, and the rest of the family joined us.

I stood up, facing my parents who were walking into the room with Anselm at their side. “Hey, Dad, I thought you said that you couldn’t have illegitimate kids if you were fated.”

My dad’s face went blank with shock at my unexpected question, then he walked over to the bar for a glass of whiskey.

I stared after him.

Did I say something wrong?

Mom came over to me, took my hand, then sat down on the couch. “Sweetheart, you need to relax. This is a lot to take in for everyone.”

I ignored her placation and turned to Anselm. “Tell me about him. What’s he like?” My heart was pounding like a dragon’s wings reaching for the sky. Higher and faster, until I had to force myself to take a deep breath, for fear I’d suffer a heart attack before the answer was given.

“He’s definitely stubborn, and a bit rough around the edges.” Anselm reached out for Rocky, who went to his father with a giggle and a grin. “But he looks a lot like Damon. Same blue eyes and chin. Same height too, or maybe a bit taller even.”

Mom gripped my hand tighter. “Of course, he’s a bit rough around the edges, he grew up in poverty. Damon’s been rebuilding his kingdom for thirty years, but there were many times when there wasn’t enough food or shelter for the township.”

“He’s very handsome,” Kayla said with a cheeky smile in my direction. “But he’s got a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas, which isn’t surprising, really. I can’t imagine growing up like he did. Thinking he had to keep who he was a secret all those years.”

“It’s amazing that he managed for so long,” Dad added with more empathy than I expected.

I bit my lip to keep from saying anything I’d regret.

“So, he’s coming for the party then?” Mom asked.

I shot straight to my feet, my heart in my throat.

“Vanya! Are you okay?”

I hurried over to the fire, putting my hands out to warm them and settle my nerves. “Yeah, yeah, fine, Mom,” I lied. “I’m just anxious about the party, let alone with a stranger coming.” I turned around, letting the heat of the fire warm my back, and forced a smile to my face.

My dad frowned as he took a sip of the whiskey. “I’m not sure why Damon wants us to invite him. It seems a more than a little bit out of line to me.”

“Oh, honey, don’t be like that,” Mom said, walking over to our father to kiss him quickly. “This is Damon’sson, regardless of his origins, and we should welcome him with open arms. No matter what the future brings, nothing good will come from shunning him.”

Dad frowned. “But the lineage—”

“You know,” Anselm interrupted, “Barry has never really wanted to be king. He and Theo often joke about abdicating and letting Veronica and Iain rule.”

My jaw dropped. “You’re joking?”

“No,” Dad said, horror evident in his tone. “They can’t do that!”

Anselm chuckled. “I’m serious. They’re great guys, but they’ve never felt like being king was for them. Veronica’s the strongest of the three, and with Iain at her side, they would make good rulers. I think part of them hopes that in time he’ll step up and want to be king, so that they can get their wish.”

“But Iain doesn’t even want to be King of the North!” I exclaimed. This was getting out of control. How was everything suddenly so up in the air? It was like a cosmic earthquake had rocked the great dragon shifter families, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. “Dad! Surely, this can’t happen?”

My father rubbed his jaw as though he were thinking about it properly. “I don’t know what can happen, Vanya. I was the only son, the only heir. I knew I was going to be king from the moment I knew how to speak.”

“And I’ve always felt the same way,” Anselm said, shrugging. “But what if this... how do you say his name again, Kayla?”

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