Mate to the King

My eyes snap open and I jerk awake to yelling. My heart pounds and I start to panic at the sight of the stone surrounding me. "No no no please no," I stammer, bile rising in my throat."Ash baby it's okay, you're safe," I hear a familiar voice say. A strong arm curls around me and my anxiety starts to fade. It takes me a moment to realize it is Jaxon's chest beneath my head.My hands don't stop shaking but my heart starts to slow as he runs his fingers through my hair and whispers softly in my ear. I smile a little when I hear Cassie purring."I think I'm okay now," I murmur."I'm going to kill him," Jax growls when we hear his brother shout again, just outside the walls. "Here let me up so I can kick his ass."I groan. "But you're so warm," I murmur, sliding my arms around his waist.He chuckles. "If I don't go now, he's going to come in here.""He will not, he knows we're both here he wouldn't just walk in," I scoff.Jaxon sn

"I hate you so much. I literally asked for one thing.""Look I'm sorry but I have to work, I can ask someone to―""I don't want other people here; they just annoy me and then refuse to leave.""You're kidding right?""Do I look like I'm fucking kidding?"I cover my mouth with my hands to stifle my laugh. Shawn squeezes my shoulder a little and I notice he has an amused smile on his face."Fine. Love you too babe."Angel walks into the living room a moment later, sighing heavily. "Honestly, she's lucky I had to deal with a pregnant Lyza on two separate occasions otherwise I probably wouldn't be able to put up with her for more than a few minutes," she mutters."Is she really that bad?" I ask.She snorts. "She just yelled at me because she can't give herself a pedicure and I didn't bring her the pizza she never actually asked for."I shake my head with a small chuckle. "Zella is the most patient, level-headed person

"Why does she have to be so fucking stubborn?"Kandra sighs. "She's not stubborn, she just loyal and honorable.""Well I wish she wasn't so loyal and honorable," I mutter.She frowns at me. "You know those are supposed to be admirable traits—""Not if they're going to get her killed," I growl.She sighs again. "She's a lot stronger than you give her credit for. There is a really good chance she will be able to survive without a mate.""It is extremely rare for a dragon to live longer than a century without a mate and it is unheard of for a dragon to survive longer than a few decades after losing one.""It hasn't happened before but that doesn't mean it can't ever happen."I let out a heavy breath. "I'm just worried, she's not exactly off to a strong start. She sat in a silent vigil for her mate and daughter for three days until she finally passed out and her sons brought her to her room, and she hasn't left the palace sin

"Gods do you all have an entire library in your minds?"Kyla giggles. "It's not difficult. It merely requires practice.""Yeah I don't think I could ever remember all of that stuff even with decades of practice.""The rune helps. Queen Syrra and I come from the same clan where knowledge is valued above everything so we both have the rune for knowledge," she tells me.I frown. "I thought only clan leaders get the tattoo?""I was the clan leader for more than a year while Queen Syrra was building her throne."My eyes go wide. "Aren't you only eleven?"She nods. "Twelve in a few weeks," she replies."Okay so who's the leader now?""My brother. He took over so I could train under Jalen.""Hey what's going on in here?"My gaze snaps to my mate in the doorway. Her eyebrow is raised and there is an amused smile on her lips."I'm learning tons of new things, like how Kyla apparently took over as clan leader

I let the waves of heat roll over me, sighing at the energy that seeps into my aching muscles. It's quiet, so quiet I can hear my own heartbeat.After a few minutes of staring into the flames I find myself humming. I haven't heard the song in years, and I don't remember the words but the tune is permanently etched in my mind.The fire seems to almost dance to it.Footsteps snap me out of my trance, and I sit up, my heart pounding. My eyebrows furrow at the dark shadow of the dragon king—only recognizable by his golden hair, gleaming in the light of the volcano."I'm sorry I didn't think anyone was going to be up here," he murmurs."What are you doing here?" I ask.He shrugs. "I couldn't sleep," he says."Where's your mate?""He's helping his mother."I frown. "It's the middle of the night.""Yeah well she's still struggling, and some days are worse than others," he mutters."Right," I mumble, scooting