Page 192 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
This answers the questions of whether he knows and if dragons have mates. I never learned much about the dragons, because everyone thought they went extinct. Almost funny, though, how I was always connected to them.
“The Warrior Princess,” he says with a gentle smile. “Alana.”
“You know who I am?”
“Of course. Your fate was tied to my little brother’s.”
Oh right. It feels so long ago, although it's just been a few weeks.
“I know what you lost,” he says.
“I was about to take her as my chosen mate,” I say honestly. I don’t want to lie to him. He certainly deserves the truth. “I know that you lost much, too.”
“Princess,” Favian leans against the balustrade. “My kingdom is in shambles. We are still rebuilding it. My kind has been weakened; I have been weakened. I don’t have much to offer. There is so much grief all around, my heart hasn’t even begun beating again.”
He is like me, I figure. Well, not entirely like me, because his life has been terrible. He has lived through one nightmare after another. “I’m so sorry,” I say. “I know my pain doesn’t compare to yours.”
“It’s not a competition,” he cuts me short. “All I’m saying is, we both have some healing to do. There is no need to rush into anything. But if you want, I will invite you to my kingdom… to just spend time with us.”
I stare at him, noticing how something in his eyes shifts before his whole appearance changes, and a beautiful young woman stands in front of me. Her features are almost identical to Favian’s. “Oh, princess with the fiery hair,” she reaches out a finger to lift my chin. “I just wanted to catch a glimpse of you.”
With that, she disappears again and Favian shifts back. He groans. “I apologize. We spent so many years imprisoned that sometimes Favia just pushes through.” He pauses. “She is a deity living in my body, and connected to my dragon spirit. It’s... it’s a long story.”
He offers me his hand. “How about you return with me and spend some time in my kingdom. Let’s take the pressure out of this. See yourself as my guest and get to know me.”
I stare at his hand, feeling how Ros pushes for me to take him up on his offer. Before I know what I’m doing, I have reached out my hand to take his.
sixty-two
Epilogue #4 Mates!
*CAELAN*
The werebears have been completely shaken by the war, by the manipulation they were put through by their own leaders. It’s going to be a difficult task to unite them again. Even more difficult to build relationships with other shifters.
Even before the war, the werebears hadn’t been too well liked.
Now, it’s even worse.
With Cailleach’s help, Azadeh was able to pick a trustworthy leader. One of the fucked-up Alphas had a daughter. Yrsa was one of the first to wake up from the spell. She was furious, and ready to seek justice and revenge. She instantly joined the battle on our side. I don’t know much about her, but it takes courage to stand up against your own people.
I like courageous people. So, at least I can respect her for that.
Alpha Yrsa was invited by Ende and Aza for a political get-together along with King Favian. The four of them plan on mending their relationships further. Endellion said he wants to strike while the iron’s hot. Yrsa needs our alliance now, and if we help her, she will grow into a strong ally to us one day.
When I walk down the staircase, Alana passes me, basically running up the stairs and disappearing onto a balcony. Not even a minute later, the young dragon king follows. None of them seem to notice me.
Is that guy hitting on my sister?I frown.Should I intervene?
Before I can turn around and follow the man, a fresh scent hits me. Like the leaves of a conifer tree, and lemon. My wolf rises from his sleep and looks around with a frown.Can’t be, can it?
We will see.
The thought of a mate is so far away for us that we have difficulties adapting to this new reality. To the fact that there is someone out there for us. I follow the scent, arriving just as Azadeh shakes hands with a tall woman. She is clearly a warrior, but dressed like a ranked member of the pack. She has fur draped around her shoulders instead of a coat. When she turns around, I notice a scar marring her face. She has wild brown hair and a stoic expression. There is a hint of vulnerability in her eyes once she sees me, though.
“Oh, good thing you are here, Caelan,” Endellion says. “Let me introduce our guest to you. This is Yrsa, Alpha of the werebear sleuth.”
I stare at her, noticing how the hint of vulnerability is gone, and she just looks serious and slightly annoyed. “It’s a pleasure,” she says.
