Page 9 of Dragon King's Cursed Mate

“Thank you.”

Once she finished eating, Dain looked at her sympathetically. “You look exhausted. I take it you couldn’t sleep last night?”

She shook her head. “I was half afraid that someone would murder me in my sleep. It’s not my preferred method of dying.”

“Geez, you’re awfully picky,” Dain teased. “First, you don’t want to get your head chopped off with an axe and now you’re complaining because you don’t want to be murdered in your sleep.”

“Don’t worry, I have a list of other ways I don’t want to die, too. Fire, drowning, buried alive –you know.”

He laughed, led her to his tent and invited her inside. “You can sleep in here until we get your tent set up.”

“Thank you.” She smiled sleepily, her eyes already drifting shut.

He ached to reach out and touch her—to stroke her face, her hair, and to lay down next to her. Dain watched the rise and fall of her chest and listened to her soft sighs. He dragged himself away from her to step outside.

Kael was waiting outside his door for him. “She’s got a tent set up in the corner next to yours. Jasmine and Lily set up some blankets and other things she might need since Seraphina didn’t bring anything.”

“Thank you for taking care of that. I imagine that she’ll sleep for a while. She’s had a rough couple of days.”

Kael slapped him on the back. “I’m glad that we saved her, especially since she’ll be very useful in the future, but you know that’s only going to make Malakar a lot angrier, which is going to make him more dangerous.”

“Good. I hope he becomes so furious that he can’t see straight. The more irate he becomes the sloppier he’ll get. Malakar’s going to be a bigger danger to himself, especially since he was so cocky. It’s happened to the best of leaders—like Napoleon,” Dain said. “Malakar believes that he’s invincible, and he’ll make stupid decisions.”

“He’ll face his Waterloo, and we’ll defeat him.” Kael nodded. “I didn’t like the part where she said that some would die in this war, though.”

“I know, but unfortunately, that’s the risk we have to take. I’ll die to take Malakar down.” Dain gritted his teeth. “Seeing his dead body might be the last thing I’ll ever do, but I’ll die a happy man if that’s the way it has to be. Seraphina didn’t say how long I’d serve as king.”

Seraphina awoke in time for supper. Jasmine made enough for Seraphina and Dain while others made sure that the circle of warriors were taken care of. The people considered it an honor since the circle of brotherhood protected them.

Everyone always mingled in the courtyard in the evening, telling stories, playing instruments, talking, or playing gangs. Seraphina walked around talking to everyone. They were in awe of her, but she exuded a sense of peace that put everyone at ease.

Once she’d greeted each family, she sat next to Dain. “They’re good people.”

“Yes, they are. All they wanted was to be free to live their life. Malakar made it almost impossible to do that.”

“So, I’ve seen,” Seraphina said. “Many of my visitors come to me looking for a way out.”

A comfortable silence settled between them for a few minutes. Dain looked up at the night sky and watched the blood-red moon light up the darkness. He wondered if it was an omen.

“Why were you so open about the prophecy when you know that speaking out would get you killed?”

Seraphina opened her hands, palms up, and set them on her knees as though she was drawing energy from the universe. “Like I said, the fates told me I had to speak out. Every event has to come about a certain way.”

She picked up a bird feather and blew on it. It fluttered away in the slight breeze. “One slight deviation in action and the events that were meant to be would change. It’s the butterfly effect—the slightest ripple in the air caused by the flutter of a butterfly wing will change the world. Malakar had to hear the prophecy.”

She smiled at him. “Part of it, I believe, is that it made Malakar afraid. Prophecies are often self-fulfilled by fear and foolish decisions. You know the story of Oedipus.”

“I do and you’re right. Jocasta and Laius were idiots.” He rubbed his face tiredly. “Will the prophecy change if certain events don’t happen?”

Shrugging, she said, “I’ve never been wrong with a prophecy before. All the pieces are in place for you to regain your throne. It has been foretold and the path is set.” She took his hand and stared deeply into his eyes. “It will not be an easy or short journey. You and your men will face many challenges, but as long as the brotherhood remains strong and stays true to each other, you’ll win.”

Dain felt a warm energy go through him as though he’d swallowed a hot drink and the liquid spread through his entire body. Every cell in his body tingled. He stared into her eyes, which were deep and swirling with emotion. He felt his soul reaching for hers.

I cannot have her. It is too dangerous. I have an army to lead, a throne to recover, and people to save.

5

Seraphina

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