War Bride: A Reverse Harem Dragon Fantasy (Drakoryan Brides Book 3) by Ava Sinclair

Author:Ava Sinclair [Sinclair, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

ISLA

“I am sorry, Isla. I am sorry to ask this of you. But there is no choice.”

I absorb Jayx’s words as I slowly recover from the terror that overcame me. It was Turin’s gesture that helped me the most. Once Zyvis had left the room, he’d fetched the wooden sword for me to hold. He’d reminded me that I was not just any mate, but a war bride, and that I would need to be strong if I am to survive.

I’d felt ashamed of having given into panic, yet these lords would not listen to my embarrassed apologies. They told me they’d understood, and that the fault was not mine. I could tell that whatever happened with Zyvis had angered them as much as it frightened me, but they did not mention it.

They only told me that the harvest had been burnt and a War Council had been called. The lords of every castle and their ladies were expected to attend, even me.

“I am not yet your lady,” I’d told them.

“No, but you may not ever be if we do not go.” Jayx had looked over at Turin nervously before fixing his eyes back on me. “Isla of Branlock, you must at least stay in the company of Zyvis for now. You must find a way to be at ease with him.” I could see the concern in his eyes. “If you do not mate with all, then you will be the mate of none.”

All or none.

What does this mean for me? If I do not mate, will they turn me out? Abandon me? I do not ask, for I am thinking now of what it will mean for Turin and Jayx. I have learned that Drakoryan brothers only get one chance to mate. If it fails, their bloodline ends. In most cases, the emptiness shortens their lives, the unspent energy they’d given to a mate burning and weakening them. I care for Turin and Jayx. But Zyvis? I do not know if I can care for the brother whose dragon ire is all too familiar.

And what of their relationship with each other? When it comes time to leave for the king’s castle, Turin ushers me into an enclosed litter that will be carried by Jayx. I overhear him ask Jayx whether he has seen Zyvis. Jayx tells him not to worry. Zyvis will come; he’s sure of it, for no Drakoryan ignores a summons to the king’s council.

“I’ll not waste time chasing him down,” he growls as I settle in the litter. The door shuts and I hear the whoosh of flames outside as the two Lords of Za’vol shift. The inside of the litter is plush, and across from me, Sal is both excited and nervous about her journey.

I am increasingly grateful for her now. She’d helped me don the gown I’m wearing for the journey — a plain but beautiful sky-blue dress with bell-shaped sleeves trimmed in soft ivory silk. The skirt is split to reveal an underskirt of the same ivory fabric.

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