Page 3 of Marked Dragon

Eva stopped and stared at me, her eyes full of fear. I wrestled myself under control. I didn’t want my sister to be afraid of me.

“It’s fine,” Drake said and winked at me. “It’s great that my futurewifeand mymistressget along. Hell, if I’m lucky, they’ll both be pregnant at the same time at least once.”

Bile inched up my throat, but it didn’t burn thanks to my new dragon shifter form. He could saywifeall he wanted, but there was no way in hell I’d ever say, “I do.” There was only one person I was willing to marry, and it was most definitely not Drake.

I kept my expression neutral as I extended my hand to Eva. She hesitated before hurrying over to clutch my arm.

Ladon flanked my other side while Yellow Eyes moved to my sister’s other side. Drake followed us, and the other three guards took up the rear.

Of course, he’d put himself in the middle. He wouldn’t risk not being completely protected.

We headed to the chateau, and I held tight to Eva. I didn’t know how to protect her, but I hoped holding her to my side would bring her some comfort. I’d meant to save her from this hellish future, but instead, I’d gotten us trapped in it.

Thorn, please tell me you won’t do anything rash,I connected with him. I needed to hear his promise, but I was also desperate to just hear him.

I won’t, he answered.But I won’t stay back, and hope Drake and the king develop a conscience. I’ll determine a way to get you and my parents out of there today.

I nearly sobbed. He and I had agreed to figure out the plan together. Then I’d seen Eva’s text, and I’d called her and run off alone, getting us into this mess.

Falkor had promised Thorn that his parents would be freed tomorrow morning if he turned himself in.

I didn’t believe him. If Thorn came, Drake would kill him along with his parents. Thorn was in a time crunch, and though I didn’t want him to risk his life, how could I ask him not to? I had done the same, though my life wasn’t at stake—just my freedom.

The gigantic sunflower-yellow chateau with gray trim came into view as we exited the woods. The sizable terrace was immaculate with the greenest grass I’d ever seen. The beige, slanted roof gave the chateau a regal appearance.

Ladon and Yellow Eyes herded us to the right, away from the terrace and back entrance. When I’d flown over the estate on my way here, I’d noted that the house looked like two separate homes that were connected. He’d told the guards to take us to the guest home, so my observation appeared to be accurate.

When the other portion of the chateau came into view, I noticed the houses were connected by an enclosed walkway. The back of what I assumed was the guest side had a smaller terrace that was just as nice with a wooden door leading into the home.

As we stepped onto the gray-painted wood terrace, the back door opened, and an older man in a suit stepped outside. He was bald with gray hair at the base of his skull. Shadowy hazel eyes glanced at Eva and me before locking on Drake. “Your Highness, I’ve had both bedrooms prepared. I’ll have maids assigned to the suites as requested.”

“Make sure it gets done, Sinclair,” Drake snarled, not bothering to thank the older man.

My feet stilled. Going into this house would make it all official, and everything within me screamed not to enter.

“Move,” Drake muttered. “Now.”

My chest constricted as I entered with Eva and looked at the place that could very well be my home for the foreseeable future.

The interior was gorgeous with dark cherry wood floors and off-white walls. There was a white painted fireplace with a roaring fire. A breathtaking painting hung over it. Mesmerized, I walked past an obnoxious white couch that was clearly never used and a glass coffee table to stare at Mom’s most favorite painting in the world.

It was a replica of one ofWater Lilies, a series of oil paintings Claude Monet had created over one hundred years ago. Mom had said that the way he painted the faint ripples in the water, washing over the leaves, made her hear the faint rush of the breeze. My chest constricted at the flood of memories.

“I saidmove!” Drake bellowed.

I turned my head to find Eva stumbling over her feet again.

My dragon roared. Oh,hellno. This wasn’t happening.

CHAPTERTWO

I pivotedpast the coffee table, hot rage boiling within me. Eva wobbled and fell backward.

I managed to reach her and wrap my arms under her armpits before her ass could smack onto the wooden floor.

Drake hadn’t even tried to help her.

She gripped my arms, and I helped her back onto her feet. When she was steady, I spun toward Drake and snarled, “What thehellwas that?”

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