Page 94 of The Royal Marriage Alliance

“You wouldn’t rather pick your wife?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Picking sounds complicated. I’d rather let somebody else choose.”

I grin. “I would be happy to help you choose a wife, cousin.”

“Don’t look so pleased.” Venali wrinkles his nose. “I’m not sure I’d like you picking my wife—you’re too mischievous. You’d probably choose a girl who would most likely annoy me to death.”

“You do need a strong willed girl.” I tilt my head to the side as I study him.

Venali turns to look at Stellan. “Save me from your wife.”

I look at Stellan and he grins adoringly at me.

Venali snorts. “Is it too late to turn the plane around?”

Stellan

Wisteria’s head is on my chest as she sleeps soundly. Venali is quiet, taking turns between looking out the small airplane window and watching Wisteria.

I’m curious about the elf prince. The more time I spend with him, the more I see the similarities between him and Wisteria.

From our conversation, I now know that Venali is an only child. His parents were killed at the same time as Wisteria’s mom. Which is why he is now the heir—the only heir, except for Wisteria.

My wife doesn’t need the weight of a second crown, but it seems that Venali is very dedicated to his people.

“Are the people from your court going to hate that I’m a dragon shifter?” I ask.

Venali turns to me, his eyes widening. “Uh… to tell you the truth, I’m not sure. I don’t think they will hate you for being a dragon shifter, but they likely will hate you for marrying their elven princess. Wisteria is beautiful, and the elves lack daughters.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Elveslackdaughters?”

He nods. “I don’t know why, but about eighty percent of elves born are male.”

“Interesting.” I push the hair from Wisteria’s face, studying her more carefully. “I can’t blame anybody for hating me for marrying her. She’s incredible.”

“She is. I wasn’t expecting it. When Grandfather asked me to retrieve her, I dreaded it. I thought she would be like most fae.” He wrinkles his nose. “Most fae are despicable.”

How doeseverybodyknow so much about fae when Iknew next to nothing before marrying Wisteria. Then again, I dreaded my marriage. I avoided any topic related to the fae. Had I known how well my marriage would turn out to be, maybe I would’ve researched a little more.

I turn my attention out the window when I notice the plane starts to make a circle.

Elves, as it turns out, live in a rural town in Montana. For some reason, I expected them to live in some old European country in some huge castle, but I suppose Montana is a great place for them to stay hidden. They have a small town that is a mix of humans and elves, with a system similar to the dragons. All of the townsfolk are compelled to forget any supernatural things they see.

My gut twists as the plane makes its descent toward the small airport wedged in a valley between two mountain peaks. I vow to myself that I will protect Wisteria at all cost, even if it’s her family that she needs protection from.

I shake Wisteria’s shoulder lightly to wake her. She slowly stirs, her bright purple eyes looking up at me. She smiles widely, her eyes flashing light pink. My heart expands when I see the love in her eyes.

Unable to resist, I bend over and give her the softest of kisses. She runs her fingers through my hair, and I can hear her think about how soft my hair is. Her thoughts, as always, make me smile. I never thought I would have a mate bond. Hearing Wisteria’s voice in my head is one of the best feelings ever.

“I love you,” I whisper to her.

Venali groans. “You two are disgusting.”

Wisteria chuckles at his discomfort, but she keeps her eyes on me. “I love you.”

Because of our mate bond, I canfeelhow true her words are. Any discomfort I was feeling previously is gone, replaced by an overwhelming ache in my chest. I neverknew a love like this could exist. But right now, I have to stay focused. We’re on our way into a potentially dangerous situation and I have to protect my wife.

Wisteria leans forward and kisses me one last time before sitting up. She flashes me a grin when she sees the disgusted look on Venali’s face.

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