Chapter 1

Sitting in the lavish bridal chamber, it still didn't feel real. I'd died, and somehow, I was back on the day Father arranged our marriages.

This time, my stepsister—Arya Hearthguard—had jumped at the chance to marry into the impoverished lion clan, while I was offered the privilege of marrying into the dragon clan.

I remembered the scornful, almost gloating way Arya had looked at me.

"Litha, you've never had much growing up. I'm doing you a kind favor out of pity, so appreciate it and try not to blow it."

I smiled. She clearly had no idea what she was walking into.

Kael Hawthorne—clan leader of the lions— was a faithful, affectionate fool with no grasp of leadership.

The lion clan was poverty-stricken because he squandered every resource that came his way and never knew how to sustain them. Under his reign, the entire clan had forgotten the concept of wealth.

In my past life, I'd taken my modest dowry and stretched it to the bone to barely keep the clan afloat.

What mattered most was that, though loyal, Kael was infertile. The only reason I had mothered an Aetherborn was the sliver of Aetheric Divinity in Mother's Aetherblood. If it were Arya, she'd never be able to conceive with him.

As a hybrid community, the lions were desperate for heirs. If a female failed to conceive within six months of marriage, she would be forced to mate with every proven male of the clan, regardless of age.

Just imagining Arya in that position spread a smile across my face. I was already looking forward to the way she regretted her choice when she realized she couldn't conceive, and was compelled to mate with old, leering male lions.

The thought crossed my mind as I began unfastening the buttons on my bridal robe.

As for me, my priority was to bear an heir soon to secure my standing in the dragon clan.

In my past life, Draken Vorgath—clan leader of the dragons—had been cold and aloof, and he'd never laid a hand on Arya.

Still, I would try talking to him and asking for an heir. As long as I conceived, it wouldn't matter if he loathed sharing my bed again.

If he refused… I bit my lips as my fingers brushed the pills I'd readied, hidden in my sleeves.

One way or another, I would carry his heir, even if I had to drug him.

As the thought crossed my mind, the door opened, and Draken walked in.

My breath caught. No one had warned me how striking he was!

The silk of his robe clung to his frame, outlining his refined, powerful muscles. He was effortlessly handsome.

Such a shame he was all looks but utterly useless.

I clicked my tongue and wondered if a pill would do the job, or if I would have to give him two.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice him settle beside me until he said in a calm, distant voice, "It's been a long day. Let's get some sleep."

He reached for the covers, but I grabbed his wrist.

"Draken, will you… sleep with me? I want a child." I tried to keep my voice even, though my cheeks burned.

He turned his head slightly, blinking slowly, and looked utterly clueless. "Aren't we… getting ready to sleep?"

My flush deepened as I let go. After swiftly taking off my bridal robe, I quickly slipped under the covers.

He joined me, slow and unbothered.

My heart raced as I shut my eyes, not daring to look at him. But even after I waited for some time, Draken remained lying perfectly still before letting out a soft snore.

I sat up in disbelief and shook him awake. "You said we'd sleep together to have a baby!"

Rubbing his eyes, his voice sounded hoarse and confused with sleep as he asked, "Aren't we? I was almost asleep."

Staring at him in shock, something finally clicked about why he'd never touched Arya in the past life. He hadn't been cold; he'd just had no idea what he was supposed to do.

Without hesitation, I lunged forward and started stripping his clothes.

"What are you doing!" he cried out, his usually calm expression cracking into alarm.

I smirked and tugged harder. "Relax. I'm about to teach you how to make a baby."

Half an hour later, my screams rang through the bridal chamber. "Oh my god! Why do you have two? And why are there barbs?"