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MARIENNE
I watched my husband, King Magnik of the Black Mountains, die at the hand of another dragon king in mortal combat. It was by far the most traumatic day of my life.
It was also the most liberating.
From the moment my magic began to show itself, my destiny had been set in stone. I’d been all of sixteen at the time; I didn’t know how to control my powers, and I couldn’t hide them.
The power that stirred within me made me a worthy prize. I was to be a royal bride. My parents had fought to make the king wait until I was eighteen to claim me.
For ten long years, I’d been the queen of a clan ruled by a tyrant.
In the town below us, the distant chime of bells rang out. They were still celebrating, ringing in their new king.
The day of Magnik’s half-brother’s coronation had been a long time coming. Hope was in the air, and the entire kingdom felt it. The servants carried the rumors all the way to my tower. This king would be different. Not capricious and power-hungry like the last, and the one before that.
A shiver coursed through my body at the mere thought of Bravadik.
“Erik...” I whispered the more familiar name into the silence.
Only the wind answered me. The silken curtains fluttered, billowing outwards. I collapsed onto the nearby couch, reveling in the soft velvet cushions that surrounded me. This place was my oasis; it sheltered me from the pain of the world outside.
But I couldn’t stay in here forever. Sooner or later, these walls would come crashing down and reality would intrude.
I had to be ready. I had to think.
With a small sigh, I rose from the couch and paced around my room. It was a cozy space, full of books and plush decorations. Colorful rugs covered the floor, and a large lantern hung from the ceiling, casting the furniture with a warm glow.
Magnik himself had told me of Bravadik, many years ago. His father’s bastard son, and the only true challenger for the throne. He was low-born, the child of some village woman and known in his home town as Erik. He had been raised down in the valley, far away from court, and that was likely the only reason Magnik had not had him killed.
I’d seen Bravadik only once, on a royal tour, five years into my marriage. The moment stood out sharply in my memory. Even now, the thought of that day filled me with a cacophony of feelings. Happiness, love, and terror.
From the moment I lay eyes on Bravadik, I knew.
He was my fated mate.
It had been more than five years since that day. The day my heart broke in my chest when I knew we would never have the chance to be together.
The original joy I had felt when I saw Erik had been crushed mere seconds later. I could never know him. Nor love him.
I’d been forced to marry a man who had claimed me for my magical power. Magnik was a distant, cold husband. He neither desired nor loved me. I was a tool to him, just another weapon in his arsenal.
The fates had cursed our union. My barren womb and untouched heart were a true testament to the emptiness of our marriage.
I turned my head toward the banging on the door, and called to whoever was on the other side. “I gave instructions that I don’t wish to be disturbed.”
“Queen Marienne.”
My stomach dropped at the sound of the voice. I had never heard it before, and yet... I knew it.
Somewhere deep inside, the familiarity called to me. In my dreams, like an echo carried on the wind.
I raced to the door and bolted it with trembling hands. Then I pressed my forehead against the solid wood and took deep, steadying breaths.
“I know you’re in there.” The voice was low and smooth. Cautious, but not unfriendly. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “What do you want?”
I forced the words out even as my defensive magic began to swirl around me. Purple infusions of light glimmered around the dim chamber, and I struggled to retain control.
“It’s King Bravadik.” Even muffled through the thick wood I could hear the discomfort when he announced himself. The title didn’t exactly roll off his tongue.
A reluctant smile tugged at my lips.
What had become of the young man I’d seen in town, all those years ago? What sort of man was he now? How strong? How beautiful? I ached to know, but I had no right. I was the former king’s barren widow, and as such, of little use to Bravadik, other than as a reminder of a past he might not want to remember.
“Sire.” I swallowed. “How can I be of service?”
“Well,” he said, “you could open the door, for a start.”
I closed my eyes. Goddess, if he only knew how much I wanted to.
“I... I can’t.” I cast around for an excuse. “I’m undressed, and I am... unwell, Your Majesty.”
“I see.” An awkward pause ensued. “I have come to ask if you’d join me for dinner at Stavrok and Lucy’s castle tonight? They attended my coronation and invited us both.”
I couldn’t help smiling again at his use of the king and queen’s real names. It made sense that Erik wouldn’t follow political protocol, given his upbringing. He would be a breath of fresh air in noble circles, and I wished, more than anything, to be there to see him flourish.
But it would break my heart all over again, to be so close to my intended mate and yet be unable to touch him.
I turned and pressed my back against the door. A deep ache was building inside my belly for the man who stood on the other side.
“If you are unwell, however...” His voice fell silent.
“You must go to dinner,” I forced myself to say. “Stavrok is everything a king should be. Strong and kind, a true father to his people. And Lucy is a beautiful soul. She’s a worthy queen, and a perfect match for him. You could not wish for better mentors, Erik.”
There was a heavy silence. Then I realized my mistake.
My eyes squeezed shut. Damn.
“Erik? How do you know my name?”
“I...” I swallowed hard and wrapped my arms across my chest. “I saw you once,” I said. “Years ago. Magnik pointed you out in the crowd.” I cleared my throat at the silence from the other side of the door. “I confess, I kept tabs on you through the years. I hoped one day you would find the way to your rightful position, here at court.”
He didn’t answer for a long moment. “You’re the one who told them where to find me.”
I blinked rapidly as tears formed in my eyes. I wanted to hold him so much, kiss away the frown that was surely pulling at his perfect skin. But I had no right.
“I must lie down now, sire. Please, go to dinner. Give them my apologies.” My eyes fluttered closed. “Send my blessings to Lucy and the new babies. They will be breathtaking, I know it.”
This time I lost the battle, and hot tears slid down my cheeks. To have a baby of my own... it was a long-held dream. A fruitless one, of course, but that didn’t stop the need from rising up on occasion.
“I will, Queen Marienne.” There was a drawn-out pause from the other side of the door. I pictured him there, waiting. Lingering. “Thank you.”
I turned back, and touched my palm to the wood. “I am no longer the queen, Your Majesty. You can call me Marienne. My husband is dead, and you will soon find your own bride who will be queen and rule alongside you.”
I heard a soft, light scraping sound against the door, as though he too had pressed his hand against the wood.
“You’ll always be a queen, Marienne,” he said, and I moved my hand to my mouth to contain the sob that threatened to escape.
Eventually, I sensed him moving away from the door. “Goodnight.”
I held my breath as his footsteps retreated down the stone hallway. Once nothing but silence remained, I collapsed onto my bed and began to cry.
My destined lover, my fated mate. He had walked away from me. And my heart broke all over again because I knew it was for the best.
***
ERIK
“What’s the fastest way to Stavrok’s castle?” I asked Thomas, the head of the house.
I still hadn’t quite worked it all out, but he seemed like someone I could trust.
“The fastest, sire?” A smile lit up his face, “Technically, that would be flight.”
I grinned. I liked that idea; it would certainly make a statement. Though the lack of clothing on arrival might be a problem.
Thomas smiled even wider, as if he knew where my thoughts had gone. He obviously had a wicked sense of humor and I liked that about him. “Perhaps, since this is your first visit, sire, you could take the carriage?”
I frowned, disappointed. “Flying would be more fun.”
Thomas snapped his fingers and several maids arrived holding clothes in their outstretched arms.
“I thought you might say that, so perhaps you would take the carriage today, and take along a few changes of clothes so that next time you wish to visit, you will have something to change into when you arrive.”
I slapped him on the back. “You’re a genius.”
He checked his wristwatch. “And you will soon be late, sire. The carriage has been prepared. It is waiting for you at the castle gates. So please, my king, enjoy your evening and we will see you later tonight. Or tomorrow, if you so choose.”
I flicked up my eyebrows. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes. King Stavrok may invite you to stay. If he does, please take the opportunity to view his kingdom in the daylight. There are many changes he has implemented that, if I’m allowed to be frank...”
“Always,” I told him.
“That perhaps Your Highness would look at implementing here. In our clan. For our people.” Thomas tilted his head, looking at me thoughtfully. “There is a lot of good you can do, sire.”
I nodded. I was under no illusions about being able to rule the kingdom without support from others. This role was new to me, and I welcomed his guidance. “I will certainly take that advice. Thank you, Thomas.”
He smiled and indicated the stairs behind me. “You must go. The maids will follow you and pack your clothes for you.”
I glanced over at the little blonde woman who was eyeing me as though she would like to do more than lay out my clothes for me. Perhaps she would accompany me for the drive?
“How long is this carriage ride, Thomas?”
Thomas frowned, catching my drift. His eyes flickered over to the maidservant and he dismissed her with a wave of his hand. “Not long enough, sire.”
I heaved a sigh and headed toward the stairs. “All right. See you when I see you.”
I walked out to the carriage and climbed in, alone, and we set off.
My gut ached, my balls throbbed, and my veins pumped with a fire that was only associated with the need to shift, or fuck.
I needed a woman. It hadn’t mattered that a door stood between us; even speaking to Marienne had left me hard and wanting. I needed some relief from the pain.
I wasn’t sure what it was about that woman. The sound of her voice, so sweet, made my head spin. Even hearing her name spoken, as Lucy had done at the coronation, seemed to set me off.
But she was my half-brother’s widow, and a sorceress to boot. She was off-limits.
Yet she stirred my dragon like no other, and I wasn’t sure why.
If I ever got my hands on her, I was afraid I may never let her go.
Not that she would want me, I reminded myself, as I always did whenever my thoughts wandered to Marienne. She’d been wed to my older brother, the king. Surely, compared to him, I was a low-rate, pathetic bastard?
Queen Marienne would never look on me with anything but pity.