Elias exhaled. He could not get his father to love and believe him. But at least Elias had the power to hurt him.

  He straightened his shoulders and pasted on a smile. “Well, don’t worry.” He turned and faced his father. “Tomorrow, I will marry Prince Gerard. I will then be part of the royal family of Draconia. I will move to the Castle of the Dragons. I’ll have a whole new family. A whole new life. I will leave you and your family behind.”

  Elias took a step towards his father, smile stretching wider. “Your family will be perfect now that your disappointing son is gone. You’ll have the family you and the empress always wanted.”

  Elias took another step forward. His cheeks hurt, he was smiling so hard. “I can make things even easier on you both. I’ll never visit. Never send letters. I’ll be gone completely from your life. It will be like I was never your son. I’ll remain in Draconia for the rest of my days.”

  The emperor shook his head. “No. That is not what I meant. I⁠—”

  “I think it will be best for all of us.” Elias strode to his dresser and sat. “Now I really must prepare myself for the wedding tomorrow. I want to make a good impression. I want to impress my new family.”

  Elias glanced into the mirror. His father stood staring at the back of Elias’s head.

  “You can leave me now,” Elias said, voice brisk.

  In the mirror, his father sagged. Elias’s lungs constricted. And for a second, the urge to make peace sprang up inside him. But what was Elias meant to do? So many times over the years, he’d tried with his father. It achieved nothing.

  It just left Elias more bruised and battered.

  So he turned his gaze to his own reflection. He picked up a jar of lotion and opened it. He smoothed the lavender-scented cream over his neck. After several moments, his father left and closed the door behind him.

  Elias dropped the lotion onto the table. It clattered. He leaned forward, slippery fingers gripping the dresser. He took deep, shaky breaths.

  “Fuck!”

  After twenty years, he should be used to this. He really should. He met his gaze in the mirror.

  Tomorrow he would marry. Was he really thinking of opening himself up further to Gerard? Of trusting him? Of giving the man the power to hurt him?

  Elias had put up walls for a reason. He’d kept his distance from others to protect himself.

  Was he really considering giving all that up?

  He shook his head. I’d be a fool to trust someone again.

  Chapter

  Thirty-Five

  “You and Prince Elias seem content with each other,” King Alaric said to Gerard as they stood in the small room just off the ceremony chamber.

  The room was quite crowded. It held not only the two of them but the queen consort, a monk, four warrior monks, and four guards from Draconia.

  Some might consider four Draconian guards excessive when warrior monks were already present. Well, it was actually eighteen Draconian guards in total if one counted the six with Elias and then the others standing outside each door leading into the ceremony chamber.

  But Gerard was taking no chances. No one would interfere with his wedding today.

  “Yes.” Gerard smiled. “I am very pleased with my betrothed.”

  “That is good.” The king paused. “But remember, it is important to continue our bloodline. Keep your eyes open for opportunities that present themselves.”

  The queen consort’s face remained blank.

  Gerard didn’t respond. Fire and flames! Is he really encouraging me to fuck around and spread my seed on my fucking wedding day?

  Gerard turned to face the door leading into the chamber. Hopefully the ceremony would start soon.

  Finally, the monk standing at the door opened it. In the ceremony chamber, the grand monk stood on a dais at the front.

  “Dragon Warrior Prince Gerard Drachen,” the grand monk announced. “Accompanying him are King Alaric Drachen and Queen Consort Adelina Drachen of Draconia. They are presenting Prince Gerard Drachen, recognising that he is acting as a representative of the Royal House and the Kingdom of Draconia. His marriage will act as one of the marriages that will seal the peace treaty.”

  Gerard came forward into the large chamber. The tall, barren walls had been made of smooth white marble. Large glass windows allowed in light. But on this cloudy day, the room remained a dull grey.

  No onlookers were present. Only those involved in the sacred binding were allowed. They’d have a wedding banquet afterwards for the guests.

  Gerard walked to the dais and the grand monk. Four more monks, two on either side of the grand monk, stood. They wore beige robes with the white dove. Their copper chains hung around their neck.

  A white wooden table stood before the grand monk. On it were a bowl of ink, a quill, and a scroll.

  In the ancient language of Lorentath, a language that the monks and only a few others spoke, the terms of their marriage contract had been written out.

  Gerard would sign his name and be bound to Elias until one of them died. He took in a deep breath. His chest rising. Soon he’d be bound to Elias for life. He smiled.

  The scroll listed what would be required of them in their marriage, including consummating the marriage, being true to each other, living with their spouse, and not attempting to murder their spouse. Breaking any of those would result in madness, illness, and death.

  Gerard stared at the scroll. As soon as his father had told him he’d be expected to marry someone at the peace assembly, he’d accepted it. He would do his duty for Draconia. But although he knew he’d go to his wedding willingly, he’d not expected to be happy about it.

  Warmth suffused Gerard’s body. The grand monk turned to the door off the ceremony chamber. The door swung open. Gerard leaned forward. His stomach somersaulted.

  Elias wore deep-blue robes that hugged the contours of his body. Gold thread had been embroidered into the blue fabric to look like lightning. His white hair, piled on top of his head, had been curled and twisted elaborately. Gold pins stood out from his hair, and golden chains hung from them. Crystals, shaped like lightning, dangled from each chain.

  Gerard’s breath caught.

  And he is mine. I am marrying him. He will be my husband.

  Gerard beamed. Elias smiled back.

  “Prince Elias Storm,” the grand monk announced. “Accompanying him are Emperor Hugo Storm and Empress Emmeline Aella of the combined Kingdoms of Zephyrias and Voltaria. They are presenting Prince Elias Storm, recognising that he is acting as a representative of the Royal House and the combined Kingdoms of Zephyrias and Voltaria. His marriage will act as one of the marriages that will seal the peace treaty.”

  Elias walked forward, movements fluid and graceful. His blue robes rustled against the floor. Gerard refused to blink. He did not wish to miss a millisecond of watching the vision that was Elias. And Gerard still could not stop smiling.

  He’d only known Elias a few weeks. That really wasn’t enough time to get to know someone. But Elias made him laugh in a way that no one had since his attack. He’d made Gerard feel desirable. He’d thought that would never happen again. He made Gerard look towards the future with joy and hope.

  Elias reached out his hand as he approached Gerard.

  Gerard took it, squeezing. “You look beautiful. As always.”

  Elias’s eyes twinkled. His gaze flitted over Gerard. “You look pretty handsome yourself.”

  And Gerard believed him. It was why that morning, he’d put effort into his appearance. He’d put on his best clothes and even spent time in front of the mirror fixing himself. He’d wanted to look good. For Elias.

  The grand monk cleared his throat. With reluctance, Gerard and Elias tore their gazes from the other and turned towards him. Grand Monk Ferdinand glanced between them, thin lips curling into a smile. His watery grey eyes twinkled.

  “Now that I have your attention, let us continue.” The grand monk drew a long golden needle from within his robes. “For this ceremony, I will need a drop of each of your blood. Please hold out your hands.”

  Elias and Gerard both obeyed, holding out their free hands whilst the other remained held by their soon-to-be spouse.

  The other four monks started chanting in Lorentath. Gerard had no idea what they were saying.

  The grand monk pricked the needle into Gerard’s pointer finger, causing a sharp sting of pain. The grand monk guided the finger over the bowl of ink. Blood dripped into the bowl, and the grand monk released his hand. He turned to Elias. He repeated the same actions. But when Elias’s blood fell into the bowl, the ink began to swirl.

  The grand monk steepled his thin, veined hands before him. “Gerard Drachen and Elias Storm. Today, you sign your names in blood, binding yourselves in unity for the rest of your lives. This cannot be undone. This cannot be reversed. This is not something to be entering into lightly.”

  The grand monk fixed his gaze on Gerard. “Do you understand, Gerard Drachen? And do you consent to enter into this irreversible contract written out onto this scroll?”

  Gerard glanced at Elias. “I understand and consent, Grand Monk.”

  “Excellent.” The grand monk turned to Elias. “Do you understand, Elias Storm? And do you consent to enter into this irreversible contract written out onto this scroll?”

  Elias squeezed Gerard’s hand. “I understand and consent, Grand Monk.”

  The grand monk held his hands wide. “We, the Monks of the Way of the Dove, bear witness today to your union and to this contract you enter into. Now sign your names on the scroll.”

  Gerard had to release his hand from Elias’s. He picked up the quill, dipped it into the swirling ink, and signed his name. Then he handed it to Elias. Gerard held his breath as Elias dipped the quill into the ink and pressed it to the parchment. He signed. No hesitation. Gerard exhaled.

  The chanting in the chamber rose louder and louder. Their names on the parchment glowed.

  The grand monk gestured to them. “I ask you to face each other and place your palms together.” His voice could only just be heard over the chanting that echoed off the walls.

  They turned. They lifted their hands and placed them together. The chanting grew louder. Suddenly a pressure pushed their hands together, until almost the point of pain. Elias’s eyes widened.

  Still, the chanting grew louder. Their gazes met. Elias raised his brows.

  Then it all stopped, the chanting, the pressure. Elias and Gerard dropped their hands in the now silent ceremony chamber. Their names on the parchment no longer glowed. Just plain black ink.

  “The union is completed. You are bound together for this life, Gerard Drachen and Elias Storm,” the grand monk proclaimed.

  Gerard reached forward and tugged Elias into his arms. He pressed a kiss to his forehead. But that didn’t seem enough for Elias. He tilted his head back and leaned up. Gerard lowered his head and kissed his husband.

  Chapter

  Thirty-Six

  “Congratulations to you both.”

  Elias smiled at King Alaric Drachen. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “Yes. Thank you, Father,” Gerard said.

  Elias and Gerard sat at a special table set up for them at the front of the banquet hall. They’d just finished their meal.

  “I am pleased with how the ceremony went. Thankfully there were no difficulties or complications.” The king cleared his throat.

  No doubt he was thinking about the first wedding, where Princess Lantana of Botanial had attempted to kill the king, the queen consort, and Lord Barrett Morton. Back then, Elias had assumed that Princess Lantana had not colluded with anyone else.

  But since the attack on Luther and Onyx, Elias had wondered a few times if there could be a connection between her failed attempt and Warden Flint’s betrayal. After all, both had despised the dragons and the peace treaty.

  However, if they had been working together, there’d been no evidence of it. The letters belonging to Warden Flint had not mentioned Princess Lantana or her attack. And of course, the correspondence had continued after her death, so he wasn’t writing to her.

  As a result, Elias could not see how they would have been working together. Still … he could not help but wonder.

  The queen consort smiled at them. “I’m sure you both will be very happy together.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Elias said.

  The king and queen consort left them. But Elias and Gerard remained seated as Elias’s father and stepmother approached.

  Elias took a deep breath and forced a smile.

  Emperor Hugo grinned. Apparently, he’d pushed aside the negative interaction they’d had the previous night. His father had a short memory regarding unpleasantness. He never liked to dwell on anything. Like his first wife’s death.

  “What an excellent union.” Emperor Hugo looked around. “And what a wonderful wedding banquet!”

  Empress Emeline smiled. “Yes. Prince Elias has found someone who—” She paused, gaze fixing on Gerard’s scars and his eye patch. “—appears so well suited for him.”

  Gerard tensed. Elias placed a hand on his.

  “You look perfectly matched for each other together,” Empress Emmeline said.

  But Elias would not engage with her thinly veiled and honestly rather pathetic jab. He would not make the same mistake again so soon after last night.

  Elias turned to face Gerard. “I am pleased too.” He smiled, not even looking at the empress. Thankfully his father and stepmother then departed.

  Shadow King Lament and Shadow Queen Rue glided towards them. The shadow queen wore a long black dress of lace with silver along the hems. A veil covered her face. The king wore a long black coat with purple buttons. Shadow Prince Wraith and Shadow Prince Harrow came up behind them.

  Not for the first time, Elias wondered if the necromancers intentionally tried to be as off-putting as possible to others. Their names, clothing, secretive nature, and of course their magic all made others want to avoid them.

  Did the necromancers want others to avoid them? Elias could almost imagine meetings where the necromancers gathered and discussed how best to go about deterring others from getting too close. He suppressed a smile at the thought.

  Personally, Elias found them fascinating. He’d learnt practically nothing from reading about necromancy, and he’d had few opportunities to seek necromancers out and speak to them. And when he did manage to talk to a necromancer, they did not open up readily.

  But Shadow Prince Wraith was to marry Prince Konrad. That would mean that Elias and the shadow prince would live in the Castle of the Dragons together. Elias might finally have someone with whom he could talk about necromancy.

  And maybe the shadow prince had books on necromancy too. Elias doubted the man would lend them to him. But perhaps Elias could find a way to “borrow” one or two without his knowledge.

  Tall and lean, Shadow Prince Wraith appeared almost … fragile. Beautiful, but deathly fragile. Like a swift wind would cause him to fall over. He wore a silver metal corset over semi-translucent black robes. His dark clothing and long black hair contrasted with his thin pale face.

  “Congratulations, Prince Gerard and Prince Elias,” the shadow queen said, voice almost a whisper.

  “Yes, congratulations,” the shadow king added, speaking slowly and smoothly.

  “Thank you. And I believe we will soon be celebrating Shadow Prince Wraith’s betrothal to Prince Konrad.” Elias smiled at the man. Although it had been decided, it had not yet been announced.

  It would be the final marriage to seal the peace treaty, and they wanted to make a big deal of it. Whilst Elias and Gerard’s, and all the couples’, courtship rituals and marriages overlapped, the betrothal announcement and courtship period for the final wedding would not take place until the seventh wedding had occurred.

  “Thank you.” Shadow Prince Wraith bowed. And as he rose, his gaze flicked behind Elias, right over his head. He stared and tilted his head slightly, long black hair sliding against his shoulders. His eyes narrowed.

  The shadow king, the shadow queen, and Prince Harrow left. But for several seconds Shadow Prince Wraith stood unmoving. He kept staring behind them as if frozen in place.

  Elias and Gerard glanced at each other and then looked behind them.

  A simple tapestry, with a pattern of gold and white, hung on the wall several feet back. But otherwise, nothing of note stood behind them. Elias and Gerard shared another look.

  When they turned back, the shadow prince stared straight at Elias, black eyes focused and piercing. Elias sucked in a breath. He had to stop himself from leaning away.

  The shadow prince opened his mouth. His gaze flicked behind Elias once more. Then he closed his mouth. He turned away and left without another word.

  “Well, that was fucking strange,” Elias muttered.

  “Hmmm.” Gerard shivered. “He makes my skin crawl. I feel sorry for Konrad. Not that I’m convinced that Shadow Prince Wraith or the necromancers are trying to destroy the peace treaty. But they are odd. And creepy. And I would not want to be married to one of them.”

  Elias watched the shadow prince walk away. “And unfortunately for Konrad, Shadow Prince Wraith seems odder and creepier than most of them.”

  Chapter

  Thirty-Seven

  Elias bit back a sigh. He wanted to leave. After all, it was his wedding night!

  He did not want to sit around making polite small talk. He wanted to be alone with his husband, with his sexy, muscular husband.

  However, more well-wishers kept coming by. And Elias and Gerard just kept sitting and doing their duty. They thanked and smiled and behaved like the princes and representatives of their kingdoms that they were.

  Elias bounced his knee beneath the table, trying to control the restlessness coiling inside him. He dropped his hand beneath the table, reaching for Gerard. He gripped Gerard’s knee and squeezed.

  Gerard shot Elias a glance before quickly turning back to Queen Azalea. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”