Page 7 of Dragon King's Cursed Mate

A huge group of people gathered around the trio as they walked into the courtyard. Everyone stared at them.

Dain held up his hand. “This is the Oracle, Seraphina Nightbane. She has joined us.”

Her eyes opened wide as almost everyone bowed before her.

“Please, I’m one of you. No greater,” she said. “I’m your friend, and thank you for your warm welcome.”

One of the dragon shifters who did not bow stepped forward. “I’m Valon.”

She studied him for a minute. “You’re a seer.”

He smiled slightly. “I am. Welcome, Oracle.”

Valon studied her for a second and said, “You carry more than a prophecy, Oracle, and it may cost us everything.”

4

Dain

Valon’s words sent a cold shiver down Dain’s spine. He didn’t need to ask what he meant—the curse. Any dragon shifter who mated with an oracle was doomed to madness. Still, the moment he saw her, he’d known. She was his.

Shaking his head, Dain reminded himself that now was not the time to think about fated mates. Not now. We have to figure out how to get rid of Malakar, take my throne back, and save the people from him. Then we can worry about mating, curses, and madness.

Valon saw Dain’s injury and touched it. Since it was a simple graze, it healed quickly.

“Thanks,” Dain said and slapped him on the back.

“Simple spying excursion, huh?”

Shrugging, Dain replied, “What can I say? Trouble seems to find me wherever I go.”

Valon looked at Seraphina and nodded. “I’d say you did find some trouble.”

“Or a strong ally.”

Dain dove into his tent and quickly dressed. When he popped back out, Seraphina was surrounded by people who were either peppering her with questions, trying to touch her, or simply gawking at her. Her poise and gentleness made his chest tighten with admiration—and something deeper.

She smiled and greeted each person as much as she could. He knew that she’d had a harrowing morning, yet she was very gentle and polite to everyone.

Finally, Dain intervened. “People, Seraphina is going to be with us for a long time. As she said, she’s here as your friend, and I know you’ll all get a chance to talk to her. She’s had a bit of a stressful morning, so please, give her a chance to breathe.”

She looked at him gratefully and smiled.

A warmth built inside of him and he had an overwhelming need to take her into his arms. He longed to run his hands over her curvy body. Dain felt his cock twitch as he tried not to look at her.

Now’s not the time for that—maybe never. I can’t afford to lose my mind.

“Follow me,” he said instead.

She walked with him to the temple, looking around at the walls, stopping to study a couple of the pictures carved into the wall. Her finger traced one of them, and Dain thought he saw it light up for the briefest of seconds. He exchanged glances with Valon, who nodded. Valon had seen it, too.

“I believe you are protected here,” she said. “There are other magical forces in play that I cannot see yet.” Seraphina looked at Dain. “You were led here.”

He nodded.

“It’s been hidden for a very long time. Unless you’re betrayed again, you’ll be safe here.”

Everyone sat on the marble floor, with veins of silver and gold running through it, that seemed to have been untouchedby time. Inscriptions of an ancient language were etched on the outer edges of the floor, but even Valon was unable to translate them.

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