Page 4 of In the Embrace of Dragons

The dragon king is not the tallest among his soldiers, nor the most grandly dressed, but it’s obvious which one he is. He carries a commanding presence as he walks at the front, and the long line of his mouth along his snout is clearly turned down. His scaly skin is a bright green-blue, and he has a pointed snout with visible fangs. White horns circle the crown of his head, and his brows are ridged and severe. Yellow, reptilian eyes peer out from under them. His body is slender but strong, and his long, elegant hands end in claws.

He strides confidently into the room, pausing to survey all the humans gathered before he turns his attention to our table. It’s clear which seat is his, across from my father. He makes his way there, in no rush at all, and pulls out the chair. The dragon who I’ve gathered is his personal guard stands behind him—a much larger male, with bigger horns on his head and brownish-red scales. It’s the dragon from the courtyard, the one I cheered on. He’s dressed so much nicer than the king that you would think their roles were reversed.

But I can tell by the disgusted look on the blue dragon’s face as he gazes upon me that he’s my future husband.

VIZARIOS

It’s all rather horrifying, really, that I’ll be chained to this woman now—to this pathetic, tiny, weak, and thin-skinned creature for the rest of my life.

What’s even worse is Ragnakor being here, seeing what I’m seeing. This is my future.

Her face is flat, with only a bump for a nose and swells for cheeks. Wide eyes dot the expanse, with furry, expressive brows above them. Most of her curly black hair is pulled up behind her head in a tiara, while some ringlets are left to fall around her face. Her dress is pleasing enough to the eye, in a powder blue that sets off her deep brown skin, and her bountiful breasts are visible at the bodice.

Hmm. I was aware of human anatomy before, and I have seen humans in passing, but when it’s put on display like this, I’m repulsed. She’s sodifferent. And the very worst part is that I’m going to have to put my cock inside her.

My face must have scrunched up at the thought because the human king asks, “Does the meal displease you, King Vizarios?”

We’ve been eating in silence for some time while I take stock of the royalty. They’ve gone out of their way to serve us meals they think we’ll like, from beef roast cooked extra bloody to rare lamb. But the food tastes like ash in my mouth, knowing what this all leads to.

The human king is a ridiculous-looking man, his son somewhat less so. They both appear to be pompous royalswho have lived behind walls all their lives, and I have no reason to believe my new bride won’t also be a spoiled child.

“Thank you for making the trip to visit us,” the human king says, and I think he’s been talking for a while now, but I’ve tuned him out. “I hope you’ll take good care of my daughter.”

I don’t answer, but I do grunt in what I hope is affirmation. I will do what I need to do, what needs to be done for my kingdom, but nothing more. I will sow my young in her belly, and then we will have no further use for one another. She can gallivant about as she likes, being queen, and sleep with whomever in the castle she pleases. It is no business of mine after that.

I doubt my advisor will like it, as my queen’s unfaithfulness may make me appear weak, but that’s a price I’m willing to pay so I don’t have to maintain a relationship with her.

That’s when I notice that the princess, whose name I can’t remember now, has been watching me intently, pushing her asparagus around her plate. She has her head cocked as I chew up my lamb.

“How long is the journey?” she asks me pointedly and directly, like this is her second time asking.

“It will take us two weeks.” Hopefully faster. “It is a long way across the plains toward Selvumrrest.”

The princess studies me. “Do you play cards, King Vizarios?”

Her father turns to her, bristling. “This is not the kind of thing you ask in polite company,” he says sharply. “Princesses do not play cards.”

“I’m simply trying to figure out how we’ll pass the time.”

I cross my arms. “I spend my time riding and enjoying the scenery. I hate to tell you that you’ll be alone in your carriage.”

I intend it as a barb, but the princess perks up instead.

“Oh, then I’ll ride, too. I’ve never ridden north, and I bet it’s beautiful.”

I shrug, though I am irritated to learn she might demand conversation with me. I had hoped to leave her in the carriage and not have to deal with her.

“It’s no concern of mine how you travel.”

But clearly it’s of concern to her father, who chastises her for even suggesting it, and then turns the conversation toward matters of trade. We have much in the way of iron, silver, and lumber, while the humans specialize in farming and animal husbandry. I hate to admit that our trade agreements are necessary, though dull to discuss in depth.

My advisor, Syzari, takes over the conversation, allowing me to drift while the talking goes on. Ragnakor gives me a chastising look as I lean on one hand, sticking my fork in a rather large piece of meat before shoving it into my mouth. My fangs tear through the beef, mincing it to bits before I swallow.

The princess is watching me again, clearly as uninterested in the discussion as I am. I ignore her, focusing on a point on the wall while I eat instead.

“...the ceremony tomorrow,” the king is saying.

I interrupt him. “We will have the wedding ceremony in Selvumrrest.”