Page 29 of To Spark a Dragon's Love
Led to the Slaughter… Er—Altar
Cold sweat chilled the back of my neck when I saw Harper standing at the end of the aisle. I’d thought he’d have someone off to the side to take her away from the ceremony after she played her little part. It would’ve been better to have her anywhere else, playing dress-up and make-believe while I played my role here. I didn’t want her to witness this—didn’t want her to think it was reality.
It sure looked romantic, with the sweeping fabric lined over the arch and laced through the white chairs to form a barrier between the crowd and us.
And Malachy was the picture-perfect end point, standing on the steps to the circular platform with his longer hair braided Viking-style, adding a rough look to his pressed suit and polished loafers. He even managed to make it seem like he couldn’t take his eyes off me. The way his jaw clenched; the desire burning in his gaze.
He sure knew how to put on a good show.
I just didn’t want Harper to see it.
“Lean into the bond,”Ember had told me last night when I explained that I had no clue how to read this dragon-man.Supposedly, we could feel their emotions as if they were my own. But that couldn’t be right. All I felt was nervousness and fear along with my own projected need.
I doubted anything made Malachy afraid.
Except he did break our eye contact to glance at Harper.
That made me smile.
Ember and Riley had explained more about the bond, like how we had a telepathic connection, but Malachy hadn’t used it so I wasn’t about to start. It was another reminder that our whole mating bond was transactional—fake. We were doing this to serve a higher purpose.
They’d all joked that Malachy was some god-like celebrity as the guardian and he’d warned me that everyone would be watching, but I hadn’t realized how true that was until I saw it with my own eyes.
There were so many people.
Don’t you dare let them see you fall.
I raised my chin higher as I walked, feeling their stares on me. I’d gathered my hair up into a mess of curls, pinning it with flowers and braids in a crown on top of my head. Though I’m sure no one was looking at my hair. The claiming mark and tattooed rune were proudly on display.
Malachy seemed pleased about that.
I guessed I was doing my job well.
And this aisle walk was taking forever.
It made Malachy’s attention on me that much more potent. That intensity must’ve been hard to fake. He watched me like I was mesmerizing. Beautiful. I should’ve told him I looked better in purple than red. Miss Grace had been a lifesaver helping me to alter the gown she’d made. At least I felt like myself on this march of doom.
I really hated this. The yearning in my chest seemed to grow each step I took closer to Malachy and the illusion of what might’ve been romantic if it happened to anyone else but me.
No matter. I could handle it.
But I should’ve had a talk with Harper to let her know it was all pretend so she wouldn’t think this was how true love was supposed to be.
Riley and Lucan clasped hands at the dais, stepping to the left side of the circular platform. They didn’t look at anyone but each other.
Tears filled my eyes.Good for you, girl.
“My queen.” Malachy extended his arm.
I smiled at him before I took it.
“You can go back inside now, honey,” I whispered to Harper. “See if Agatha will let you get a snack from the kitchens.”
“But I want to stay with you.” Harper clung to my dress.
Uh-oh.I looked up at Malachy, hoping he would read the apology on my face and was shocked to see the apology written on his.
“She’s fine,” he whispered back.
