King's Bride: A Reverse Harem Dragon Fantasy (Drakoryan Brides Book 5) by Ava Sinclair

Author:Ava Sinclair [Sinclair, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-06-20T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Queen Zara

Will I ever get used to having all my needs met?

With just a command, a maid hastens to guide me to my chamber, where I’m passed off to several ladies who have stayed behind for the honor of tending to me. My sister is not among them. Isla had wanted to remain, but I’d urged her to return home to her lords. She has given so much already, and I need to rely less on Isla and more on myself, anyway. She has sheltered me all our lives. I know when the ShadowFell took me how she blamed herself for hiding instead of trying to save me, although surely she’d have been killed or captured if she’d tried. I know my sister suffered with worry while I was gone, and was the one who insisted I be taken to the witches to be healed when I was found wasting away from the dark spell I was under.

Had I not gone to the witches, I’d not be queen now. I’d be dead, and the Mystic Mountain would still be closed to the enemy who used me to crack open the secret chambers where the deep magic they sought was housed.

I think of Prince Oneg’s words. He is right. I directly benefited from the tragedy that ended the Drakoryan’s historic protection of the Mystic Mountain. Were it not for me, the witches who relied on the Drakoryan protection and advised them in return would not have retreated Inward. Without me, the ShadowFell would not have gained the key to the humanity they craved. Were it not for the ShadowFell king having wanted me for his queen, would the Drakoryans have chosen me?

If Isla had stayed, she’d not hear of my concerns, not that I can voice it to anyone else. Despite how I came to be queen, or why, my station seems to please the people. In the wake of King Vukuris’ death, the installation of a new king and a queen has restored something important to the people.

I only hope I can live up to their expectations, to redeem myself for the guilt that I wear along with my crown.

A bath is prepared in my chamber. Natural depressions in the pink floor are fed by hot springs. I sink into the steaming water scented with rosewater and spice. My body is still delightfully sore from the king’s attentions. There is a healing quality to this spring similar to that of the healing pools in the lower part of the castle. I exit the pool feeling languid and pain-free.

Before I was crowned, I had another fine room in the castle. But my new chambers are unlike anything I could ever imagine. The frame and canopy of my bed are of stone carved in a delicate vine pattern. Sheer panels drape to the floor. The feather bed itself is topped by the downiest cover and softest pillow imaginable. I nestle in, clean and cocooned— a protected queen in her new, perfect world.

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