Page 12 of The Crown of the Dark Prince
“Your recommendation?” the Dragon asked.
Gregory hesitated, considering. “A scouting mission, perhaps?”
“Nonsense,” Rosalia sharply stated. “We have no evidence that Promissan soldiers are stationed there. They would see any scouting mission on their soil as an act of aggression.”
“Agreed,” Clara chimed in.
Gregory sighed. “Then perhaps we should look to strengthen our own alliance with Tenebris.”
The Dragon’s eyes narrowed. “Go on.”
Gregory leaned forward. “Your marriage already cemented our ties with the Republic of Innanis. Perhaps it’s time we think more critically about Lady Moore’s prospects."
My stomach fell. I had known this moment was coming, of course. The Dragon had, after all, been discussing my marriage since the day I’d sworn allegiance to Athenia. I wasn't sure I would ever feel ready for it to become a certainty, but even I had to admit that Gregory was right - marrying into Tenebris could secure an alliance against Promissa.
It was the most strategic choice.
The Dragon’s sharp gaze locked onto mine, calculating, as if he was all at once weighing the feasibility of the proposal and trying to determine if I would protest. I wanted to, I did, but I kept my mouth locked tightly. Even when I felt the weight of Clay’s attention on me, I stayed silent.
Finally, he cleared his throat. “Alright then, what are our options?”
Rosalia handed the Dragon a stack of folded parchment. “We’ve vetted three candidates, considering both their status and Hyraxian lineage. Clarn Freighter of Innanis has distant Hyraxian ties. Patrick Marshall of Promissa is a Water Wielder-”
“Avoid Promissan ties,” the Dragon snapped.
Rosalia continued smoothly, unphased by his outburst. “Last, your nephew, Veric Starsen of Tenebris. He’s a dragon, primarily descended from Zion. His power isn’t particularly notable, but he has sizeable Hyraxian blood from his father’s side.”
The Dragon rolled his neck until it cracked loudly, his face pensive as he rubbed a hand thoughtfully over his jaw. “I hadn’t realized my nephew had come of age.”
Nephew?
My breath caught. They were discussing engaging me to Clay’scousin?
Next to me, Clay stiffened. A wave of heat suddenly radiated off him, and when I glimpsed at him from the corner of my eyes, I could see the flecks of gold flaring to life in his gaze.
“That is not a terrible idea,” the Dragon mused.
Yes, it was. It was an absolutely, completelyterribleidea.
Which meant it was definitely the one the Dragon was going to agree to.
“Confirm Veric’s suitability,” the Dragon instructed, meeting my gaze. “If all checks out, we just may have found our man.”
Clay’s silence was deafening. So was mine.
The Council meeting proceeded at an achingly glacial pace as the Dragon and Council members debated trade deals, kingdom taxes, and crop production in the western lands of Athenia. I did my best to focus, but my mind kept drifting to Veric. And to Clay.
I’d imagined a million scenarios about my arranged marriage. I’d imagined my future husband being older than me and then imagined him being younger. I’d imagined him being too quiet and imagined him being too loud. I’d imagined him being distant, ignoring me and living away from our home, and I’d imagined him being too close, never deigning to give me any privacy.
Not once did I imagine him being related to Clay.
Would we all have family dinners together? Sit around a fire with all our children running before us while Clay and I snuck heated glances at one another?
When the meeting finally broke two hours later, I hardly noticed until the room began clearing out.
The Dragon caught my gaze before leaving. “I’ll have Emeryn begin planning the celebration for your Council Ascension. We must move quickly.”
His message was obvious. My final trialwould happen soon, and my initiation into the Council - and subsequent wedding - would follow shortly afterwards. I nodded in agreement, earning a knowing grin as his gaze flickered between Clay and me.
