Page 5 of Dragon King's Cursed Mate

“I guess Malakar believes that curses don’t affect him,” Dain said. “He’s taking a huge chance.”

“His ego is going to be his downfall,” Kael said. “That will help you if the oracle’s prophecy is correct.”

“Kneel, Oracle,” Varik demanded.

With her lips slightly upturned as though she was amused by the situation, she gracefully knelt and placed her head on the chopping block. She reminded Dain of Queen Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. She gracefully knelt and accepted her fate without a fight or tear. The only difference was that at least the queen was given the dignity of kneeling upright instead of laying her head on the block.

Her silver eyes swept the crowd once more and locked eyes with him. She smiled widely and whispered, “You came.”

No one else heard her words, but they echoed in his soul as they swirled around him like a tornado. His heart stopped, and his soul screamed out that she was his fated mate.

Remember the curse. Any dragon shifter who loves the oracle will surely go mad.

He shook his head to dispel the thought. That didn’t matter right now. What mattered was that she was about to be killed for displeasing the so-called king.

The executioner stepped forward and raised his axe. A look of peace overcame Seraphina’s face.

Dain grimaced as the dragon inside of him made his decision. “Follow my lead,” he yelled as he shifted, ripping his clothes to shreds and shooting into the air.

3

Seraphina

Seraphina’s heart raced a million miles an hour, and her breath caught in her throat. She forced herself to hold her smile and remain regal and calm. Although she believed in her own prophecies, she also admitted that she was human, and it was terrifying to kneel in front of the chopping block that was covered with blood stains from past victims, most of whom were killed for displeasing King Malakar.

You are the Oracle, and you will not show any sign of weakness to King Malakar or the people. They cannot lose faith in your prophecy. You’ve also put a chink in the man’s confidence.

She knew the fact she’d told King Malakar that he would lose his throne to the rightful king would help undermine his confidence. It wasn’t a huge crack, but then even the smallest crack in a wall could make it fall. At least she had that if the axe did fall.

The sun was hot and seemed to sear the back of her neck as she slowly moved her long braid out of the way of the axe’s target. Whispers filled the air as the mundane people and shifters watched intently to see if King Malakar would actuallyexecute an Oracle. As Oracles received divine messages from the fates, they were protected by the fates and the gods and goddesses. He would be punished.

King Malakar believes he’s untouchable by gods, the fates, or humans in any form. His corrupted soul has rotted his brain. It is the same—every evil leader will fall because of his own hubris.

Her eyes frantically scanned the crowd, searching for the one she’d seen in her visions. Finally, she saw him, hidden deep in the shadows, wearing a worn gray cloak with a hood pulled low over his face.

Her heart skipped a beat and butterflies filled her stomach. A bolt of electricity exploded inside of her, and it took all of her willpower to not jump up and celebrate.

Seraphina recognized Dain, the one true king of Wyrmhaven and the man who would save her.

She inhaled deeply to calm her nerves.Everything has to go just as you saw it. Stay still.

“You came,” she whispered.

No one else could possibly hear her words, but she saw them circle around Dain like embers caught in a storm.

He stiffened and his gaze locked hers. Recognition flashed across his face, and his jaw dropped as realization set in. She saw the truth in his brilliant cobalt-blue eyes. His soul connected to hers, and he knew she was his fated mate.

The curse will prevent your love.She took a deep breath.Let’s worry about that later. Right now, I need to keep my head attached to my body.

Everyone in the crowd gasped when the executioner raised his axe. He hesitated for just a moment. “I’m so sorry, Oracle.”

Her eyes never left Dain’s as she said, “You are forgiven.”

Suddenly, chaos exploded in the square as two dragons burst into the air. People ran screaming in different directions as fire,ice, and lightning snapped in the sky. King Malakar and Varik stood frozen, watching the display disbelievingly.

The shifters in the crowd and the king’s royal defenders didn’t have time to process what happened and shift. Everyone stared dumbfounded as the executioner instantly froze solid in a block of ice. Talons curled around her arms, lifting her off the chopping block and platform.

“After them!” King Malakar screamed.

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