Page 191 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
Epilogue #3 Mates?
*ALANA*
Weeks after their coronation, Endellion and Azadeh have invited the leaders of the dragon shifters and werebears to a private dinner. Their goal is to mend trust, build new bridges, and ensure a political alliance.
I would have never imagined our kingdom to open itself that way. Not that we were particularly secluded, but most shifters like to stay to themselves. Aza brought so much change to us and the way we think. I believe this is the reason my father handed the crown over so early. He wanted Endellion and Azadeh to be able to take advantage of their momentum.
Aza and King Favian had built a strong friendship due to their connection and the battle they had to join forces for. The same battle that also shook and tore apart the werebears and left them decimated to a low number.
My heart swells with pride for my brother and his mate, and at how modern and forward-looking they lead the kingdom now. My father was a great leader. He was the king everyone needed after the long years of war. But, now we need someone like Endellion and Azadeh, who are able to think far in advance, who are strategists and cunning, and have their secret super powers.
I think Ita would be so proud to be a part of this if she were still here.
Tynan and I regularly go to visit her family. One of her brothers joined the playful warrior training for kids. It’s nothing serious, more like a scouts group, but I think he plans on walking in his sister’s footsteps. Tynan himself has progressed and grown so much, too.
Meanwhile, I feel a bit lost. Endellion handed the horse training completely to me, and I’m incredibly thankful for this task, but I still think something is missing.
“They are here!” Eibhlin calls out to me while running into the stables. Kilah is following her.
“Goddess, you are still only dressed in your working clothes,” Kilah groans.
I smile slightly. She is still the same Kilah, at times, but she has changed too. And I realize that she is okay the way she is. I take her words much more lightly now. “Maybe you can help me find something to wear?” I ask.
Kilah’s eyes widen. “Are you for real? I can dress you?”
“Yes,” I chuckle. “Just find something I’ll like.”
“Oh, you know I’m good at that!” Kilah rubs her hands and pulls me along. She indeed finds a beautiful dark-green velvet dress for me with flowy trousers beneath. “Recently I saw some of Simin’s drawings about the clothes they wear in the desert, and this came up! I got it tailored,” she hurries to explain. “I thought it would look great on you.”
“It’s perfect,” I say, surprised. “It looks like a dress, but not too over the top, and it has pants!”
Kilah looks happy at my words. “I will go and help Eibhlin now.”
“I’ll go ahead,” I say.
I leave my room, closing the door behind me, before slowly walking down the staircase that leads me to the ground floor. Ever since the battle, I try to be more alert of my surroundings. I want to live with more awareness of what’s going on around me.
Once downstairs in the corridor, a heavenly scent hits me. Ros instantly is on alert, raising her snout to sniff out the scent. My heart starts beating faster, and I’m not sure if it’s out of excitement or fear.
I follow the scent of cinnamon, dark chocolate… and the slight spicy scent of freshly cut wood further until I see Endellion, Azadeh… and the dragon king in the hallway. I have never seen King Favian close up. Although we fought in the same battle, we didn’t really meet. He was up in the air, and I was covered in the blood of my opponents.
The young king turns around, my breath catching in my throat. He has earnest features, his cheekbones prominent, and he has piercing blue eyes. His silver-white hair is long. He looks like he’s out of another world.
Mate!Ros calls out.
Favian looks at me, surprised the moment he sees me, and I’m not sure what to do now. All I can think about is Ita, and how I’m betraying her, but at the same time how much I long for a second chance in love.
“I apologize,” I say. “I didn’t mean to interrupt something.”
Before anyone can say anything, I hurry away, my heart beating so fast I’m scared it will jump out of my chest. Goddess, what am I going to do now?
For starters we could stop running away,Ros says.And, go and talk to our beautiful dragon!
I stop once I reach the first floor and head out to one of the small balconies. My mate, Goddess, my mate. I have a mate. I mean, of course I have one. I always knew that, but the thought has been so distant for me ever since shit went down here.
The scent of cinnamon fills the air around me again, and I can feel his presence instantly. “How…” I breathe. “How did you find me?”
“Dragons have a fantastic sense of smell,” he says. “Also, you are my mate.”
