Page 30 of Marked Dragon

She was scared, and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

“That is Drake’s best friend,” Queen Mira murmured as they vanished around the corner. “I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of him, once things calm. He lives on the property to the left of the chateau.”

No wonder the guy seemed like a jackass. He was friends with Drake.

All too quickly, Daniel came back and retrieved the queen, leaving me with Jessie, Uther, and Ladon.

Chills ran through me, and they had nothing to do with the slightly cool weather. I had to hang on to the fact that King Arman wasn’t there, which meant Drake would have to wait.

Then a piano began to play the beginning of the “Here Comes the Bride” song, and a violin’s soothing strokes intertwined with the notes.

My breath caught. This was not supposed to be happening.Are you here?I glanced at the sky, expecting to see a dragon. When I didn’t, I glanced around the yard for Thorn. But he was nowhere.

We’re hurrying,he replied.

“You need to go,” Ladon growled from behind me and pushed my shoulder forward.

I had no choice. If I didn’t go willingly, they would force me, and I didn’t want to risk something terrible happening if Drake saw them dragging me down the aisle.

I gripped the bottom of my bouquet hard and took a step onto the rug.I need you to move faster. I’m walking down the aisle.

White-hot rage slammed into me.That bastard.

As I pivoted toward the terrace, I saw a hundred guests on their feet, facing me. I almost choked. With such short notice, I’d hoped no one would come.

Each chair was covered in a white cloth with a sizable royal purple ribbon tied around it. At the other end of the carpet stood a man I’d never seen before. Drake was at his side. Irises covered the terrace, and a white sheet hung behind the man and Drake, blocking the house from view.

Drake gestured for me to come to him, and I forced myself to move forward and not away. Every cell in my body screamed at me to run, but that wouldn’t solve anything. When I struck, the timing had to be perfect.

As I walked past the seated guests, the hairs on my neck lifted. I’d never given much thought about the attention a bride received on her wedding day, but I felt as if the stares might crush me.

An empty chair sat in the front row next to the aisle, with Queen Mira sitting in the next seat. Eva sat beside the queen, and her eyes glistened as they locked on mine.

The empty chair had to be King Arman’s.

I took the last few steps onto the terrace’s wood floor and didn’t look at Drake. Instead, I focused on the man standing before me.

His bronze skin was the same shade as Saphira’s, and his chocolate-brown eyes examined me. Unlike Daniel, his short, dark brown hair ruffled in the wind, giving him a more natural look. He seemed familiar, and after a second, I realized why. This was Saphira’s dad.

Drake straightened his shoulders. “Let’s begin, Errol.”

The older man’s brows furrowed. “But the king—”

“Is late,” Drake said forcefully. “Let’sbegin.”

My breathing quickened, and I tried to control it so Drake wouldn’t notice.He’s pushing to begin now.

We’re almost at another door,Thorn said.

Almostdidn’t cut it. Hell, there was even a song written about it.

Errol spoke, but I couldn’t make out the words. It was as if I were underwater, similar to the shock I’d felt the day Thorn had kidnapped me and I’d learned about dragons.

My knees nearly gave out, and I realized fear was controlling me. I lifted my chin and focused on the piece of glass between my breasts.

I’d have to use it.

Drake turned toward me, and I realized I’d lost track of time. I’d been up here way too long—the vows or claiming would be happening soon.

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