Page 15 of Elven Oath

Aodhan. His name still feels foreign on my tongue, though I’d whispered it to myself a dozen times since we’d exchanged vows.

Closing my eyes, I try to make sense of it all. How could this have happened? I had no say, no warning. I’d been dressed and prepared like a doll to be put on display, for a ceremony I didn’t even know was happening until it was too late. And now, I was bound to this man for the rest of life.

I move toward the window, needing to fill my lungs with fresh air. The heavy gown that I’m still wearing swishes around my legs as I cross the room. The jewels at my neck and wrists weigh me down like shackles. Outside, the night sky is dark and endless. There was a cool breeze, but it did little to calm the fire burning in my chest.

Dragons.

The idea of being bound to a dragon, to Aodhan, still seemed unreal. I had grown up hearing stories of their people—some as ancient allies, others as fearsome enemies. And now, the dragon prince was my husband. My husband. Would I ever get used to calling him that?

Hearing soft footsteps behind me, I’m reminded that I’m not alone in the room. My pulse quickens as he draws closer. Turning slowly, I see Aodhan standing just a few feet away. Having discarded his ceremonial robes, he is now dressed in simpler attire, though his presence still fills the room with an intensity that makes my skin prickle. His golden eyes glow faintly in the candlelight as they lock onto mine.

For a moment, neither of us speak. The silence between us stretches thick with tension.

“You don’t have to be afraid,” he says, breaking the silence.

Afraid? I wasn’t sure if fear was the right word. Angry, confused, betrayed; those were closer to what I was feeling. But fear? No. Lifting my chin slightly, I meet his gaze with all the defiance I have left to muster.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I reply, though my voice is quieter than I intended it to be.

He tilts his head slightly, narrowing his eyes as if he is trying to read me. Trying to understand what I’m feeling. I’m not even sure I understood what I’m feeling. There’s a fire inside me. Anger, yes, but something else too. Something I don’t yet want to acknowledge that seems to want to pull me in Aodhan’s direction.

“I know this wasn’t your choice,” he says after a long pause. “It wasn’t mine either.”

That catches me off guard. I had assumed he had wanted this as much as my father apparently did. But hearing him say it wasn’t his choice... it stirs something inside me. A small flicker of understanding, though I quickly push it away.

“So what now?” I ask, my voice sharp from frustration than anything else. “We’re just expected to... play our parts? Pretend this is what we wanted?”

He takes a step closer and I fight the overwhelming urge to take a step in his direction. “I don’t expect you to pretend anything, Vevina,” he says calmly, his voice almost a purr. My body once again fills with heat that now pools to one area. “But we are bound now. Our union is more than just a formality. It’s meant to bring peace between our people.”

I turn away from him, facing the window again. The breeze catching my hair, sends a shiver down my spine. “You expect me to just accept this?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I sweep my hand in the direction of the bed.

He doesn’t respond right away, and for a moment, I think he might leave. But then I feel him behind me, Close enough that I can sense his warmth even without touching. My heart races even faster.

“I don’t expect you to accept anything,” he says, his voice almost a rumble in the quiet room. “But I want you to know that I will not hurt you. I don’t want this to be a prison for either of us.”

His words surprise me. For a moment, the tightness in my chest eases but the heat within seems to burn stronger and a small gasp escapes my lips.

I turn to face him again, and his eyes meet mine, searching before a small smile turns the corners of his mouth. He doesn’t move closer. He just stands there, watching me with an intensity that makes it hard to think straight.

That’s when I notice how deeply he is breathing. As if he smells something so divine, he wants to eat it up before anyone else has a chance to do so.

“I’ve read about it but I wasn’t convinced it was possible. You can feel it too, can’t you?” He asks.

“What are you talking about?” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leans in closer until I can feel his breath on my cheek. “The heat Vivina. The heat that’s pooling in your body, begging for me to touch you. To seal the mating ritual. I can smell it on you.”

My eyes widen at his words, still not understanding what he means.

“You don’t know about any of this, do you, my sweet?” He asks softly, looking deep into my eyes.

“The old texts talk about the soul mating bond between Elves and Dragons. The first step is the formal ritual in marriage.”

He stops talking as I get distracted by his tongue wetting his bottom lip. The thought of biting that lip myself overwhelms me. He chuckles softly and my eyes snap back to his.

“And the second step?” I demand.

He reaches out with his hand slowly, running his fingers down my cheek. I feel a fire burning to lay my head in his hand.

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