a P

Goldspire Castle loomed in the distance, perched li

ard the massive drawbridge, o

rds stood like iron statues at the outer bridg

menacingly on the hilt of his broadsword as

oice boomed across

epped out. Every eye turned to me. I wore a

rses to face the towe

f the Dragon King," I announced,

would be welcomed by our Lord himself. As for you--we don't let stray

croll made of cured dragon hide, sealed wi

or entry," I declared,

of the King himself. To defy it is to defy the Throne. Lord Carlisle is a vassal to the Cr

enched his jaw, a thick sheen of sweat appearing on his brow. He was cau

defy the Crown. But we have strict protocols. We must sear

o the carriage and began tossing my few meager belongings and Marth

ehind me, shakin

ing was found, I looked at him calml

lewd, suggestive gesture. "What's the rush, My Lady? We haven't d

ghter. Martha grabbed my cloak, crying in ter

to the captain. I scanned the pale tint of his lips, the slight trem

y voice carrying over their jeers. "Not when you have a her

instantly. The capt

sms at night, and the women rarely survive past forty

d in sheer disbelief. "Ho

hed into my leather waist pouch and retrieved a small, d

hrough the air and popped directly into the captain

ntly drew their swords, fearing I

" one gua

, his eyes went wide as I watched th

ng his chest melted away into soothing warmth. His ragged breathing cleared,

replaced by profound awe and desperation. He d

head deeply. "Generations of healers couldn't fix this! Pl

on unreadable. "Weren't you just

We were forced to do this! It was Miss Audrey. She ordered us to give you a harsh l

dr

corner of my mind. The political waters of this castle were i

and tossed it to the kneeling man. "Give this to you

, My Lady!

ing at the gatekeepers inside t

. I straightened my cloak, lifted my chin, and walked alo

e faint, eerie glow of raw dragon crystals embedded in the high walls. Th

vy shadows, sat a man in a heavy wheelchair

ry air around him ripple with violent, pureblood draconic power. He wore black, s

arlisle. The Mons

man and more like a bloodthirst

k. My newly awakened dragon blood sang with a sudden, dang

his mask did not hide. It was pure, molten gold

angerous rumble that vibrated through my bones. "Are a

f to stand tall against the crushing weight of his aura. "From the mom

de? I don't recall agreeing to play

rward in his

g. "That I am cursed. My previous brides did not survive this castle. And you're the

answered

. "You think wielding that royal scroll secures your life? In th

e, Lord Carlisle," I said, taking a slow step toward him, star

I had caught his attention. I conti

the throne itself. The King couldn't risk you joining forces with a powerful noble

the cold silence

he realm that the fiercest warlord in the kingdom is now tame enough to be fed court scraps. Whi

vanished from Gideon's face. His golden eye w

ng of a doomed pawn--not a discarded bride who could strip bare

hter. A suffocating, violent aura surged from his frame as he

e right to bargain with me? With a single word,

I replied wit

he webs spun in the royal court. You don't just need soldiers, Lord Carlisle--you need a

a few paces fro

simple curse as the public believes. I can smell the f

the air in the hall turned so thick wit

down. I held u

ndle the royal spies. More importantly, with my ancient healing arts, I

elivering my demand. "In ex

widened

"you will lend me your war host and your full might. I want House Beaumont wiped

stare

th terrifying speed, seizing m

gy straight to my core. But beneath that heat, I felt the erratic, j

red softly. "Even the greatest Healers in the real

," I shot back, my voice steady despite his bru

e trembling fear he was so accustomed to seeing. He found not

he released my chin and lean

voice dropping to a smooth, dark hum

deal... my hus

well. Three months. We will see if you

Escort the new lady to her chambers. Put her in the Blackwood Wing. And be clear

to mine. "The deal begins now

hall. As the heavy wooden doors began to close behind me, I

fangs. Let's see ho