Page 41 of The Royal Marriage Alliance

“Are you saying I’m not easy to like?”

I snap my head up, looking at him. When I see the smile playing at the corner of his lips, I relax.

He’s just teasing me.

“It’s different with you.” I try to put it into words, but I know anything I say won’t truly convey what I’m feeling. “I wish I could’ve gotten to know you before we got married. I feel like we got put into a strange situation and I’m not sure what to do or say. Ilikeyou and I think you’re attractive,but I haven’t spent very much time with you. I don’t even know what your favorite food is.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You’ve hung out with my family—we’re dragon shifters. My favorite food is anything. I like food.”

I should’ve guessed that.

“But I am glad you think I’m attractive. I was curious,” he says.

I glance out the window, wanting to look anywhere but at him. “Where are we going?”

“I thought we could eat breakfast at my favorite cafe. They have a deck that hangs over the cliffside and there are epic views of the island. I think you’ll like it.” He reaches over the center console and casually grabs my hand. He is so calm with his movements, like he’s done it hundreds of times before. “After, I thought I could take you to a local bookstore.”

I turn to look at him. “Really?”

“You just told me you prefer books over clothes.” His thumb gently traces the side of my hand, making my stomach flip. “The bookstore is in an old church. It’s three stories tall and has these awesome stained glass windows. There is even a coffee shop inside, if you like coffee. Or tea. They have tea too. I know fae are really into their tea.”

“I prefer coffee,” I admit. I might enjoy tea more if it didn’t remind me of all the fae socials I was forced to attend back home.

When we arrive at the restaurant, my breath gets caught in my throat as I look around.

This island is absolutely beautiful. From this peak, I can see all sides of the island and the water surrounding it. I spot a large boat off in the distance and I watch it, wondering what it’s like the be on the open sea.

“I’ve never been on a boat,” I tell Stellan when he stepsup beside me.

“That is another thing we’ll have to change,” he says.

I hope he means it, but even if he doesn’t, this life is already more than I ever imagined for myself. I have so much freedom here—freedom that I didn’t dare dream of back home.

I hear a loud whooshing sound and I look up and see a dragon shifter flying toward us. Before I can blink, Stellan shifts and takes off to meet the dragon in the air. He’s so fast I don’t even have to throw up a shield to protect myself.

Stellan is… powerful. I’ve always felt it, but when he’s shifted, I can feel it all the way to my bones. I get why the other supernaturals went to war against the dragons. Nobody can match their strength or speed.

I’m watching the fight, so I don’t hear anybody sneak up behind me. I don’t know anybody is there until I feel a sharp pain on the left side of my back. I throw up a shield, knocking the person away from me. Before the person—definitely a dragon shifter—has a chance to run, I shoot my magic at him, knocking him out.

When I blink, Stellan is instantly at my side. “My father and our guards are on their way.”

I look behind me, seeing the dragon he was battling lying on the ground. Instantly I can tell that he didn’t fair as well as the guy who attacked me. I’m not even sure if the guy is still breathing. I look away, not wanting to know.

Stellan gasps. “Your back.”

“It’s fine.” I try to reach for the knife, but it’s at an awkward angle that I can’t reach. “Can you pull it out?”

“No,” he practically hisses at me. “Wisteria, it’s iron. How are you even still standing? If I pull it out, you’ll bleed to death. At this angle, it may have nicked your heart.”

“Stellan.” I use a firm voice, shooting him a look that hopefully says I mean business. “Pull the knife out. Now.”

He huffs but does as I say. He’s really careful with his movements, though I personally wish he’d just yank it out quickly. Him taking his sweet time only makes it worse. I try not to wince, but it hurts. Once the knife is out, he presses his hand to my back, like he’s trying to stop the bleeding. I can already feel the wound healing.

“How are you okay?” Stellan asks.

I turn around and see that his eyes are wide—with shock or panic, I’m not sure.

“Iron doesn’t affect me,” I calmly explain, then groan as I look at my blood stained dress. “Natalia is going to be somadwhen she sees my new dress is ruined.”

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