Page 62 of Court of Secrets and Flames

“She’s almost ready to clutch. Two eggs.”

My words draw out even more gasps as excitement ripples through the courtyard.

A pleased expression softens the harsh edges of Jasper’s royal mask. “And what about her mate? The orange dragon. Did you name him as well?”

I bob my head. “Yes, Your Majesty, I named him Chirean for the flower. The way he opens up to me, one tiny petal at a time, until the full, intricate, and beautiful bloom is exposed.” Happy sighs follow my explanation. I shrug, causing my wings to tilt as I accidentally activate muscles I’m still not used to. “Also, he’s orange like the flower.”

No need to include the tiny little detail of the flower’s Aclarian origins.

The king takes my hand and raises it to his lips. “Truly, Tirene is a blessed kingdom. May the gods continue to smile on House Barda.”

Whispers of awe and speculation about my sudden emergence into dragoncalling weave through the air like tendrils of magic.

“Such a strong bond,” a mustachioed noble’s voice carries the weight of grudging respect, “to have a brooding dragon confide in her.”

“And a mated pair! Just like the stories of old.”

The silken rustle of wings underscores her words.

King Jasper steps closer, the regal spread of his gold and green streaked wings casting a shadow over me. The glance he bestows upon me is part satisfaction, part apology. I frown,not understanding the silent message until his announcement comes.

“Now, you already know I shared a story the other night about how Lark was stolen from Tirene as a young child, but what you don’t know is that I left off the best part.”

Goose bumps pimple my flesh. I really, really don’t have a good feeling about this.

“What I didn’t tell you is that my father, King Rex, came to an arrangement with Lark’s parents shortly after Lark was born.”

While he pauses for effect, my horror grows. Ziva save me. This better not be headed in the direction I think it is.

“Agreeing that we would make an excellent match, King Rex betrothed Lark to his oldest son, with the understanding that once she came of age, we’d be wed. Obviously, circumstances messed up the timing, but I’m happy to announce that the wedding plans can finally commence.”

The world tilts on its axis as the full weight of King Jasper’s story starts to register and my suspicions prove correct.

Murmurs sweep through the crowd, voices slowly rising. Faces gawk at me as the king’s declaration sinks in.

Holy shit. Me, marry Jasper? Become the future queen of Tirene? Please tell me this isn’t happening.

This. This is the secret he’s been keeping from me. I knew there was something. I just never would have guessed in a thousand years what.

Oh, but it gets worse as the king continues.

“And if Lady Lark is half as good at bearing sons as she is at taming dragons, perhaps the gods will smile on House Barda even more and grace our royal family and kingdom with future generations of dragoncallers!”

While the crowd roars, my stomach churns like I just ingested a raw goat. What the actual fuck? Disgust andanger inject me with the desire to beat the ever-loving snot out of someone, except I can’t because that someone is the godsforsaken king.

My fingernails gouge my palms as I crane my neck to meet Jasper’s eye. Since I can’t beat him upside the head or start cursing that I hope his babymaker falls off, I do my best to call him out with the force of my glare.

Just when things were starting to look up too.

I guess the other shoe finally dropped.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The king has the nerve to stand there and meet my ire with a bland expression. “Would you allow me the honor of escorting you back to the castle?”

Oh good. He’s going to pretend he didn’t just announce to all of Tirene that he plans to breed his future wife like a prize broodmare. A fact that would be alarming even if the broodmare in question wasn’tme.

I regard the elbow he offers with the same enthusiasm I’d show a venomous snake while I struggle to rein in my temper and muster a reply that won’t land me in shackles.

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