Page 8 of Dragon King's Cursed Mate

Dain introduced each of the members of his circle. They all nodded to Seraphina, although it was clear to him that a couple of them didn’t trust her.

“Kael and I rescued Seraphina this morning as the executioner raised his axe. Malakar had sentenced her to death.”

“I appreciate the timely save.” Seraphina smiled. “I was about to panic. I’ve no idea how you managed to shift and get to me so quickly.”

“Practice,” Kael said dryly.

Lucian studied her for a brief second. “What did you do to offend his royal majesty?” The last two words were spoken with great sarcasm.

“I was given a prophecy from the fates and was told that I had to spread the word so the king would hear it.” She grinned. “He didn’t appreciate what I had to say. In all fairness, he did give me the option of joining him and advising him. In return, I could keep my head and be rewarded with great riches.”

“What was the prophecy? We don’t get a lot of news way out here,” Cassion said.

Cassion, the strongest of the group, was an iron dragon and was very commanding. When he spoke, others listened.

“Just that Dain Stormrider would regain his throne and once again rule over Wyrmhaven and the other kingdoms. Oh, and that King Malakar would kneel in front of King Dain.” She looked at Dain. “It will not be easy, Dain. You will have to fight many battles and not all who follow you will survive, although I don’t know who will fall. I have not been allowed to see that yet. The fates will tell me what I need to know when I need to know it.”

Dain looked around at his friends who’d become his brothers in this fight. He couldn’t imagine losing any of them, although Dain was well aware that any of them would willingly give up their lives to see him restored to the throne—not just because they were loyal to him, but because they cared about the people.

She gestured to Valon. “Your sage will likely be able to fill in the blanks that I don’t have when the time comes.”

Kade nodded at her. “You were very brave to defy him. Not many people would have faced the axe and turned down unlimited riches.”

She gazed at Kade with her silver eyes and a slight smile that made Dain’s heart skip a beat. Seraphina looked so calm and collected, and he longed to reach out and pull her close to him.

“I think you underestimate people. I believe there are many who value their souls more than they value riches.” She paused. “I had a vision that Dain would save me, but even if he wouldn’t, I’m not willing to damn my soul to an excruciating afterlife. I’ve made my peace, so I was ready to die.” She grinned and chuckled. “I’m not ready to die and didn’t really want to, though.”

Her comment earned grins and chuckles from everyone, including Darius, a shadow dragon shifter who wasn’t amused by much.

“At least, we know we’re on the winning team,” Kael said. “When we share the prophecy with the others, it will give them the courage to keep fighting.”

“It’ll also undermine Malakar’s confidence. If he knows that the oracle has predicted his downfall, he’ll expect it. The fear will cause him to make mistakes,” Valon said.

“We have a plan for now,” Dain said. “We’ll keep hitting him little by little. We’ll find the weakness and we’ll attack. Keep scouting around and figure out what’s going on and where we can hit him.”

Everyone nodded and left, leaving Dain and Seraphina alone. The room sizzled with the electricity that flowed between them. Her scent of honey, clove, and a hint of orange was delicious and spicy. It was the kind of aroma that made his mouth water.

He pictured them ripping off their clothes and him pulling her into his lap. She would slide down his shaft, massaging his cock with her hot, wet, velvety walls. He imagined squeezing her breasts, sucking and nibbling on her nipples, while she rode him. Dain groaned in the back of his throat as his cock hardened.

Seraphina sat silently next to him, her hands folded in her lap. She turned bright red when her stomach grumbled loudly.

“I’m afraid I wasn’t given breakfast this morning and only had a couple slices of bread last night.”

He held out his hand and helped her to her feet. “Follow me. We’ll find you some food.” As soon as she stood, he dropped her hand as though it was a burning coal.

When they touched, a smoldering ember that he’d forgotten existed burst into life, sending flames of desire shooting through him. Dain wanted to take her to his tent and make love to her right then, claiming her as his mate.

I’ve got to stop thinking about sex. Damn, I’m not a teenage boy who’s constantly horny. Now is not the time for that. There are more important things to do, and I can’t forget about the curse.

“Jasmine, this is Seraphina, and she hasn’t eaten in a while. I wonder if you have something for her?”

“Welcome, my dear. Of course, I have food for you.” Jasmine went to work quickly.

She spread some spicy sauce over a jalapeño tortilla and piled some chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and cheese on top. She rolled it up and handed it to Seraphina.

Seraphina’s eyes lit up. “This is delicious.”

“Thank you. It’s what I made my family for lunch and had enough left for you. I make sure the king gets fed, too.” The older woman gave Dain a motherly smile. “I’ll make extra for you, too. I have plenty.”

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