Chapter 2

My father had never liked Black Dragons, but he knew how stubborn I could be. All he could do was frown and try to talk me out of it.

"The Black Dragons are having a difficult time surviving. Don't be shy to ask Lucia for help if you face any trouble."

Lucia had just come back and heard it. She rolled her eyes at me and sneered when she found out what our father was asking of her.

"You must be mad, Sadie. You know that the Black Dragons are forced to ration their food now. You are just asking for it by choosing to marry one of them. You will end up starving.

"The Wolves have no such worries. They live in grandeur and magnificence. They even have dozens of Wolf Guards protecting them when they leave the house. If you cannot stand living your days suffering, kneel and beg me. I'll consider helping you out."

She laughed with great ease and ignored the stiff expression of the servant standing next to her.

The Wolves might be rich, and Silas was known to be loyal and reliable. If she got pregnant with his child, she could become the First Lady of the Alliance.

Lucia had no idea that it would be difficult for the Humans to get pregnant with a member of another clan, even if we brought Blessings with us. Silas was a power-hungry wolf. He wanted a child born with Blessings to help him rule over the three clans.

Back in the past, Silas treated me with great warmth and tenderness. Half a year passed, and I was still not pregnant. That was when he started torturing me.

It was only when I found a shaman to help me get pregnant with Zion through an ancient ritual in exchange for all my Blessings that I was able to continue living.

I lowered my eyes. "Don't worry, Lucia. This is the companion I chose. I'll accept whatever future holds in store for me."

"What's with all this pretense? You might as well be marrying a wild dragon in dire straits.

"Just wait. I will be the first to give birth to a child of mixed heritage. My child will be the next ruler of the three clans!"

Lucia did not like how calm I was. She swept the vase next to her off the table and left angrily.

I continued preparing my wedding dress in the room.

My wedding was delayed two days because Lucia got into Silas' bed, and I had to pick another marriage alliance.

The Black Dragons were still weak and poor. I was not even sure if they could prepare a wedding gown for me.

I did not expect Liam to personally deliver ten boxes of gifts.

They included a perfect wedding gown that was of regal standard.

It was black and was embroidered with a dragon made up of shiny golden threads. There were shiny black scales on the collar, and the flowing skirt spread outward from the waist. It was layered and luxurious.

He put the box down gently.

"This is the wedding gown of the Black Dragon Queen. The decorative scales are the most solid of my scales." I turned to look and met his clear, amber eyes. He had sharp features and warm air about him. He was nothing like the malicious Black Dragon everyone talked about.

"It's the first time a Black Dragon is in a marriage alliance with the Human Clan. We are preparing this wedding with the highest honors. Let me know if you need anything else."

My fingers gently brushed against the luxurious gown. It glimmered with gold under the lights.

"I love it."

Just as I was about to put the gown away, my door was pushed open. Lucia walked in with her arms around Silas' arm.

"Did all the Black Dragon give you was a wedding gown, Sadie? Silas came with twenty dresses that came with matching jewelry. I got dizzy trying to choose which to wear."

Silas looked at her tenderly.

Lucia had no idea that a Wolf's 'loyalty' was a physiological drive. Their animalistic instincts to reproduce took precedence over all else. As the King of Silver Wolves in the north, Silas had even stronger reproduction needs.

As Lucia had no secret ritual as a last resort, Sadie wondered if Lucia could take Silas' torture after half a year, when she could not get pregnant.

Liam looked at me and made a solemn promise, "I'm willing to love and protect you for the rest of my life because you're willing to marry me, Miss Quentin."

Lucia rolled her eyes. "I can't believe the malicious Black Dragon could spout such sweet words. I wonder if you'll continue to be this sweet when you find out you can't have children."

All Lucia cared about was getting pregnant with an heir. It had become an obsession with her since she was kicked out by the Silver Dragons for being barren.

I looked at her and gave her a significant smile. "You should worry about your husband instead, Lucia. You keep staring at my fiancé. Are you having indecent thoughts?"

The look on Lucia's face changed. Silas pulled her hand and turned to leave.

When the door closed, I could still hear Lucia's shrill voice, "The next ruler…"

How dumb. She thought she could lead a carefree, luxurious life just because she had her pick before me after getting reborn.