As they rode through Aerius and watched the city go about its morning routine, Auburn pointed to gleaming white spires that rose high above the city and seemed to touch the clouds.

“Is that the Dragon Church?”

“That’s the palace. The Dragon Church is over there.” Eli guided her gaze to another set of spires in the distance. “The King will insist we marry there.”

Her eyes fixed on the Dragon Church. “Do you think Dracor will find me worthy?”

Eli stroked her arm and down over the curve of her gently rounding belly. “He already has.”

Auburn remembered Leopold’s words and smiled.

The coach drew closer to the towering spires until it stopped in front of an enormous alabaster building. Two large dragons were carved into the thick stone, a mirror image of the dragons on the necklace Eli had given her.

The rich color and ostentatious architecture of her home was nowhere to be seen in the clean lines and stark stone of the palace. High windows sparkled in the sunlight, adding to the cold beauty.

Eli helped her down from the carriage, and servants bowed all around them. The prince offered her his arm. She took it, and he laid his hand over top hers then led her into the palace.

The interior was as austere as the exterior with its high cathedral-like ceilings, wide stone halls, and muted tapestries done in white and gold. It was as if there was no room for softness, color, or warmth.

Glancing over at Eli, she knew that might’ve been true once.

The prince tightened his hand over hers.

An elderly gentleman in pristine royal livery approached Eli and bowed, but not quite as low as the other servants. “Your father is glad you have arrived home safely, Your Highness, and he wishes to see you in his private chambers.”

“Of course.”

The man raised a brow as he watched Eli turn, Auburn’s arm still intertwined with his, and lead her deeper into the palace.

Prince Eli navigated the halls, ignoring the bowing courtiers and ubiquitous guards, before stopping in front of a wide set of doors inlaid with the same dragons as on the outside of the palace. Guards in royal livery flanked either side of the door, but they parted for Eli as he led Auburn inside the office.

Auburn sucked in her breath as she took in the grandeur of the Tamarian king’s private chamber. From the thick rugs underfoot, to the crystal chandeliers, and the exquisite artwork, everything conveyed extreme wealth and power.

There was an altar to Dracor tucked against the far wall. A reminder of the divinity that touched the Tamryn crown and the man that wore it.

The room was elegant, tasteful, and restrained, but it lacked a softer touch. There were no flowers to impart gentle scents and no rich tapestries to soften the stone walls.

As they entered, a man that appeared to be an older version of Eli, with grey sprinkled through his black hair and a more generous midsection, nodded at them. He was garbed in the rich robes of his office though he wore no crown.

Eli bowed. “Your Highness.”

Auburn curtsied.

King Garrett stood and smiled at Auburn. “It’s not often my son brings a young lady to see me.”

“Your Highness, this is Princess Auburn of Qumaref. My fiancée.”

“Fiancée?” The king arched a brow as he reassessed her. “Now that is news. Even better than a trade treaty.”

Color touched her cheeks under the king’s scrutiny, but she stayed silent and focused on the plush rug.

“I plan to marry her tonight, barring any objection.”

“Tonight?”

Eli said nothing.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or am I going to get it from Sir Leopold?”

Eli stiffened beside her, and Auburn linked her fingers with his.

Garrett’s eyes fell to their joined hands.

“I prefer the ceremony to be as soon as possible, and there must be a ceremony.”

“There must?” The king’s brow arched in an expression Auburn recognized well.

“The Rule of Succession.”

King Garrett’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Eli said.

Heat crept up Auburn’s neck, and she kept her eyes averted as the king studied her more closely.

“Come, walk with me.” The king offered Auburn his arm.

Eli’s spine was as straight as a fire poker, his eyes boring into his father. Sucking in a silent breath, he let go of Auburn’s hand, and his arm dropped to his side.

Auburn glanced up at the, feeling the blue of his eyes grow colder and harder as she laid her hand on the soft velvet of the king’s robe.

King Garrett’s arm was warm and the muscles thickly corded underneath her fingers. He was as tense as his son.

When they exited the chambers and the dragon doors shut behind them, King Garrett let out his breath. “Now we can speak freely, and you can tell me what’s going on.”

She glanced at the guards stationed around them.

Garrett patted her hand. “If you marry Eli, you’ll get used to them. Okay, you won’t, but you’ll learn to ignore them most of the time.”

She smiled.

“Now, do you want to marry my son?”

“Very much, Your Highness.”

“And why is that? Eli is a royal pain...” The king caught himself. “But you must already know that.”

“He can be, Your Highness. He’s determined and driven. Sometimes he forgets compassion isn’t a vice, but he’s a good man. Most of the time.”

“Not too many people see that.”

Auburn lifted her shoulders.

“He invoked the Rule of Succession.”

“I’m not sure what that means.” Heat crept up her neck and colored her cheeks.

“Looks like you might, but let me put it plainly. Am I going to be a grandfather?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“That explains Eli’s wish to marry you quickly.”

“You’re not angry with me, Your Highness? You don’t think I tricked Eli?”

Garrett smiled. “You’re making me a grandfather. Hard to be angry at you for that. And if you tricked Eli, then he definitely needs to marry you.”

His words sounded so much like Eli that she couldn’t stifle a smile. “I will do everything I can to keep Eli safe and happy.”

The king laid his hand over hers. “I remember when he was a boy and used to run through these halls.”

Auburn smiled and listened to the king reminisce. She wondered if Eli knew how much his father loved him or how highly his father thought of him even if Dracor hadn’t chosen Eli to be the next king.

As they completed their circuit and again came to the room with the dragons inscribed on the door, King Garrett sighed. “He’ll be angry, but I had to make sure you love him. He deserves that. Needs it.”

“I love him with all my heart,” Auburn said.

“And he loves you, or he wouldn’t be angry. He’s told you that, hasn’t he? That he loves you?”

“At least three times a day, just as he promised when he asked me to marry him.”

Garett chuckled. “You hold him to it. Sometimes the demands of Tamryn are so loud you can’t hear anything else.”

Before she could answer, the king opened the doors. Eli was still standing in the center of the room where they’d left him.

Garrett smiled and motioned for Auburn to join his son.

Eli slid an arm around her and held her close.

“You must fulfill the Rule of Succession,” the king said. “If I don’t see to it, the Dragon Church will.”

“Tonight then.”

“A week.” His father held up a hand to cut off the prince’s objections. “A week won’t matter with the child’s due date, and it’ll give the staff time to put together a real wedding. A small one, but a real one.”

Eli bowed, and Auburn curtsied beside him.

“And I expect a grand gala for the child’s birth. A welcome fit for the newest Dracasan.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“The two of you need to get settled. We can talk later of the treaty.”

“You’ll be pleased with the results of my trip to Qumaref.”

King Garrett smiled at Auburn. “I already am.”