Dragon Prince’s Arranaged bride
Chapter 1
Axel popped the clutch and revved the throttle on his 2016 Harley Davidson Softtail Deluxe. He’d only acquired her a few weeks ago and this was the first time he’d gotten to really ride her. Hard Candy custom Electric blue painted ghost dragons adorned the gas tank and fenders. With a High output twin cam 103B engine, chrome glittered everywhere the sun hit it.
Although he had more money than he could very possibly spend, he tended to stick with the things he liked, hence the HD bike. Sure there were more expensive, flashier rides out there, but this one sang to him from the moment he’d laid eyes on her.
The twin exhaust pipes roared in response to his demand for more speed and he couldn’t help but smile in pure sexual ecstasy. The wind rushing through his hair felt like velvety silk washing over him in cool waves. Of course with Air being his element, it caressed him like a lover in the throes of passion.
He leaned with the bike as man and machine raced around curve after curve on the old asphalt highway. On his way home after attending the mating ceremony of Prince Jaxen Monroe, leader of the Earth Elementals, his skin crawled in revulsion over the mere thought of taking a mate.
No matter how much the High Council demanded it of him, he flat out refused to be ordered or bullied into doing something he neither wanted nor needed. He’d reigned as ruler and Prince of the Air Elementals for neigh on four centuries now and the last thing he needed was some pampered female under foot.
Women required entirely too much attention for this liking. Sure, he took his pleasure when he wanted, but then he waved an adios and boogied for the hills. He hadn’t missed the shy glances the bride and groom passed back and forth; Axel knew they’d both accepted the orders out of duty, but neither of them had been pleased.
He let off the throttle as he neared the wrought-iron gate surrounding his estate and turned onto the paved driveway. He lifted a hand, with middle finger extended to the guard and shot the scowling man a cheeky grin as he eased through the now-open gates. He wasn’t a fool, he knew the majority of his subjects frowned on his rough demeanor, in all honesty, he didn’t give two shits what they thought of him, long as they followed orders and saw to their duties, they could dislike him all they wanted. He had made his Fraction’s people one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest with his expanding business holdings over the years. They now controlled the majority of the dragon-affiliated manufacturing industries generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. He had given them riches, he wasn’t obligated to coddle them too.
When he rounded the curve that led to the spacious garage, he frowned upon seeing a familiar stretch Humvee limo parked just outside.
“What the fuck are they doing here?” he mumbled to himself and parked his bike just beside the limo. He’d have Fredrick move it for him later. Right now he had some ass chewing to see to.
He entered the estate through the kitchen door, peeling off his black leather gloves as he moved stealthily through the dining room. He headed upstairs, directly to his office, where he knew his uninvited guests were waiting. Coming up on the open door, he smiled at his accurate prediction as he observed two Elders of the High Council sitting in the plush chairs before his fireplace.
Even though it was rather chilly in the large, open room, he neglected to summon Fredrick to light the flames. His butler knew better than to entertain unwanted guests and Axel’s moods nearly always meant no visitor was welcome.
He hated politics, especially Faction and Elemental politics. They bored him to tears.
“What the hell do you two want?” he demanded harshly and flopped into the leather desk chair situated behind his large, glass desk. Manners dictated that he show respect by bowing and offering them anything they required to be comfortable. He’d rather chew broken glass. In human form.
Elder Coffer, the youngest of the duo scoffed and turned to glare at Axel. The other man, Elder Jewel merely quirked the corner of his lip. Axel didn’t miss the small tendril of smoke that snaked from the Elder’s nostril, nor did he appreciate the sudden whoosh as the logs within the fireplace sudden ignited. He’d forgotten that Jewel was a fire dragon or the outburst would’ve been expected.
“So crude,” Coffer sneered. “It’s no wonder why you’ve never taken a mate. No woman within her right mind would be able to stand your disgusting personality or absolute lack of charm. You’re a disgrace to dragon-kind.”
“And so I’ll repeat myself out of courtesy,” Axel drawled and sprang to his feet to approach the two dragons. “But this time I’ll make sure you understand my hillbilly language.” He moved to stand before the roaring fire, placing his back to the flames, he let his inner dragon near the surface just enough so that his eyes flared with anger. He felt the heat move throughout his body, every molecule rushing straight toward his irises. He smirked with satisfaction when the two men inhaled collectively at his display.
Going one step further, he shucked his leather bomber jacket, revealing his multitude of tattoos peeking out from the areas his white tee-shirt didn’t manage to cover. He focused just enough energy and then diverted it to the tribal drawings on both biceps, the phoenix circling his neck and the thick, Texas Rattlesnake cuffing his right wrist. He felt the heat from all four spots and knew they raised from his skin as if they were living, breathing things.
Losing one’s temper in the presence of an Elder was an act punishable by death. But hell, Axel liked living on the edge, it was one attribute that made him one helluva leader among his kind. He showed no mercy; not even to those who had both the power and strength to obliterate him.
“What the fuck do you want?” he repeated, a bit more forcefully.
Jewel narrowed his eyes speculatively and then turned his attention to Coffer.
“I think it’s high time we teach this youngling some manners,” he mused and then slid his gaze back to Axel. “You, Prince Axel of the Air Elementals, are hereby betrothed to Michelle Bastrop, fellow Air dragon.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Axel demanded and clenched his fists to keep from grabbing the snotty Elder and wiping his pristine wood floors with the beast’s carcass. “It’s forbidden for the Elder’s to directly interfere in faction politics. It’s bad enough you bunch of assholes got together and decided the Four needed to take mates, now you’re going to choose mine for me?” he snarled.
Coffer stood, buttoned his formal dress jacket and straightened his tie with a mock smile spreading across his face.
“She is the only Air Elemental in existence,” he informed snidely. “And thank the Elements she was raised by the Fire Faction, at least she’ll have manners. Who knows, maybe the young thing will manage to teach you a thing or two.”
“Damned politicians,” Axel snarled as he watched to two men stroll from his office as if they were royalty instead of him. “Damn them to hell.”