Page 62 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

“I’m sorry, my dear. I never thought my boy would find a mate. When he said it was you, I just couldn’t contain myself. Oh, where are my manners? My name is Katherine. I guess you can say I’m Queen of the Ice Dragon Court.” She smiles while looking at me and slightly bows her head. Two men come forth, one carrying clothing and the other with a dressing blind. The men start to herd Alaric’s dragon to an alcove close by. I watch the men for a moment, then turn my attention back to Katherine. I move the ripped sleeve of my coat and show her the royal mark on my forearm.

“I’m Princess Aurora Marelup, last of my name, first of my kind—future queen of the Lycan packs.” I curtsey to the queenand she returns the gesture. Her hand gently comes out to touch mine.

“I knew your mother. She was such a kind and caring soul. But gods help you, if you crossed her, she was downright ruthless.” Katherine smiles as she speaks about my mother. It warms my heart to know someone besides my father and Dimitri is left alive that knew my mother. I smile and laugh a bit.

“I have a lot of my mother’s tendencies and my father’s black or white view of the world. Though, thankfully, I have a much better grasp of technology than he does.” I watch his mother’s visage pale considerably when I mention my father in the present tense. I straighten up my stance a bit more, my resolve as hard as steel.

“I rescued my father from the Dire Wolf camp in the Nankoweap Ruins. Apparently, their alpha—who was the beta in my mother’s time—chopped off his left arm and took him hostage.” I tilt my head left then right, assessing her reaction. Before I can speak again, Alaric wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my cheek.

“My father should be here tomorrow with the rest of my troops. That’s not going to be a problem, is it?” I watch my scales ripple across my hands then recede just as fast. My eyes lock on Alaric’s mother’s eyes—there’s a definite fear there. Katherine begins to pace in front of us before she turns and looks at her son.

“Alaric, you know what this means for all of us?” Tears are threatening to break free from her eyes. Katherine’s flesh flushes from the effort of trying not to cry. Alaric kisses my cheek then locks eyes with his mother.

“I do. It means dad isn’t the rightful king, and we no longer hold any title. Nicodeamus was next in line for the throne, but with him not wed to another dragon or dragon kind, he cannot sit upon the capital’s throne. Aurora, however, can and will situpon the throne—she is dragon-kin and my mate. If Aurora allows it, I wish to wed her before we dethrone father.” I watch Alaric talk to his mother. It feels very surreal, like I’m watching some reality TV show. I have a prince, who’s really not a prince, who wishes to be my husband and mate. I turn in Alaric’s arms and look up into his grey eyes.

“Make the preparations. As far as my father is concerned, he will see the value of having not only our mating but our marriage to solidify the alliance between the Lycans and Dragon houses.” I stand on my tippy toes and kiss his lips. “Besides, I think you’ll look pretty damn fine in dress clothes.” I feel my father reach out to me mentally, and I bring him up to speed. Alaric’s grip on me tightens as I widen the connection, allowing both of them in on the conversation. I personally suspect anyone who gained power after my mother’s house fell. Both my father and Alaric agree. I look at Alaric’s mother over my shoulder, and my mercury orbs frighten her some.

“Father says hi, and the wedding will happen tomorrow at dusk. The Dragon Star is at its apex tomorrow, and he wants it to bless our union. Plus, it’s my birthday.” His mother’s fear is clearly visible. She’s shaking, which proves to me that she knows something about the attack. “Alaric, love, please show me to our chambers. I wish to freshen up.” Alaric studies his mother’s reaction to what I said before he leads me off.

CHAPTER 52

Alaric

Today hasto be the absolute best day of my life. My mate flew with me, and she tended to the scales my dragon can’t reach. Aurora even sought shelter under my wing when my mother approached. I feel like I’m king of the world right now.

Now, I’m only concerned about my mother’s reaction when Aurora said her father is still living. She seemed to get very nervous after that. Maybe there was betrayal on my father’s side? I’ll ponder this later, but for now, I’m supervising the construction of my bride’s wedding dress—nothing but the best for Aurora. I don’t care if I don’t have a title. I don’t care if we have to walk through the fires of Hell to secure her birthright to her mother’s throne.

I stand back and watch the seamstress work on Aurora’s dress. Honestly, I don’t think any fabric will ever be good enough for her. It’s my own opinion, not how she feels. She doesn’t care about finery or any of the usual court bullshit.

I receive news that Nicodeamus was spotted on the horizon with the rest of the packs. He’s way ahead of schedule. Good, it gives me time to get them all settled, bathed, and fed before tomorrow. I tell the one manservant to prepare enough robes for their arrival. He bows and leaves to complete his task.

The second seamstress shows me the suit she’s preparing for me. It’s a beautiful compliment to the dress I commissioned for Aurora. I can’t believe she agreed to marry me on such short notice. Our bond is different than that of her wolf mates. Our bond is bone-deep; no bite is required or even a mating. We were matched on the most primal and genetic level. If we were not a match, our scales would have died the moment they were implanted. I gently rub Aurora’s scale on my chest, and I can instantly feel her joy. I wonder why my parents never swapped scales. Perhaps I’ll ask my mother later.

“Alaric?” Speaking of the devil, here’s my mother now.

“Hard at work, I see,” Katherine says in a bored tone as she looks over the suit. She plays with the lapel, examining the stitch work closely.

“What do you need, Mother?” I tilt my head to the side and examine her body language, looking for a clue as to what her motivation is.

“I don’t need anything. Why would I need anything? I’m the queen, after all.” She looks at me and tries to hold my gaze. She couldn’t do it for long. My mother starts fiddling with the hem of her sleeves instead of looking at me. I slowly cross my arms over my chest and lean against the wall, watching her.

“Let me guess, either you’re bothered by the fact that Nicodeamus is still alive or the fact that his daughter is my mate,” I smirk as I watch her eyebrow twitch, a dead giveaway that I hit the nail on the head. My mother bites her bottom lip and continues to stare at the hem of her sleeve. Katherine begins to walk around the room until she reaches the window.

“Your father knew about the attack before it came. That’s why we didn’t attend that night. He admitted to the knowledge a few months ago. He said those horrible Strigoi were sent in search of the last true heir. A puppet master is pulling their strings. Tomas is not the true leader; someone else is giving theorders.” My mother looks frightened. I slowly move to embrace her.

“Mother, we will protect you. Aurora is quite strong; she took down Nexus all by herself.” I smile broadly after seeing my mother’s shock at the news. “Besides, I believe we can take back the throne, usurp my father, and assemble the nest to take back the main castle. Aurora is alpha enough to force every wolven creature to shift. I’ve seen the video that proves her power. Hell, I’ve felt her power for myself.” I release my mother, and she breaks away to spin around and face me.

“Are you absolutely sure, Alaric? You know your father is a powerful male. I don’t want to see my oldest son die.” Katherine is practically in tears as she thinks about the possibility of me dying. A knock at the door makes both of us look at the sliding bolt lock. A single long, hooked, white talon makes its way between the doors then slices down, cutting the beam in half. A thud is heard as the door flies open. Aurora stands on the other side, partially shifted. She must have sensed my inner turmoil. Her eyes are fathomless orbs, the churning mercury not giving away where she’s looking.

“My love, I know the mid-shift is exhausting. Why don’t you take your full form?” I smile, looking at Aurora as she smirks then fully shifts. Her great, white hybrid beast looks down at us. I can feel my mother’s body trembling beside me. “Mother, I told you she can defend herself.” I smile as I look at Aurora’s hybrid up close for the first time.

I slowly approach her and caress the heavy scale-like armor on her forearms. I raise her arm to look at how her scales form into gauntlets to protect her. Where the wolven claws should be, long, white, curved dragon talons exist. Aurora remains still as I touch her beast’s form. I guess it’s only fair; she did examine my dragon closely before.

My mother’s eyes widen as she watches me manipulate Aurora’s talons. My eyes move to Aurora’s head; it’s a unique mix of Lycan and dragon features. Her muzzle is broader with a ridge up the nose plate like a dragon. Tiny scales adorn her eyelids, almost like eyeliner. For a moment, as I stare at her mercury orbs, I can see a slightly darker shade of grey in the center of her eyes—the darker area in the shape of a dragon’s slit. I simply smile at her and stroke her muzzle.

“I can see your eye slits,” I say in a teasing tone as I look up at her. Aurora’s ears flicker before she tilts her head to look at me, then rolls her eyes. Her long, white tail whips from side to side in irritation. I’m guessing I’m right; I can see where she’s focusing her gaze.

“Are you sure that’s safe, Alaric? She could be unpredictable,” Katherine states from her spot near the window. She looks like she’s ready to jump at any moment.

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