“You may kiss your bride, Commander.” The staunch old man, Lux, the Director of Religious Affairs rolled his eyes, and Drayce wouldn’t have been surprised if the man scoffed with disdain at their union.
The religious idiot dared to rebuke both Drayce and Zorander before the service stating that mailorder brides died thousands of years ago on Terra, he wondered aloud why they would even want to resurrect such a Neanderthal concept at this point in their history.
Before Drayce could defend himself, his father had corrected the director, assuring him that there was no ad, no mailed letter requesting a wife, and that the two of them had indeed met and found interest in each other, and that Drayce had allowed his father to influence his decision. Zorander went even further stating that even though Satin had disobeyed and seized the spaceship coming to Trexotera, the two of them wanted each other and Lux would marry them and then vacate his position and the premises.
Drayce gently pulled Satin to him, enveloping her in his arms, and then he languidly kissed her, relishing every bit of her. His cock stirred to life, hardening in anticipation of this evening…when he would make her his.
Completely his.
She teased his tongue, the pace of her breathing increasing, her small hips pressing up against him.
Pulling away even though he desperately wanted to continue, he smiled down at her. “Welcome to Trexotera, Princess Satin Tempest Quinn.”
“Thank you, Prince Quinn.” Her breathy response had his chest tightening with pride. They may have had a difficult start, but he hoped that the Gods would shine on them and they’d have a happy life together.
“We’ll have a quick dinner with the family, and then I’m making you mine.”
The blush that had already tinged her face, now spread to her chest and Drayce swore he’d never seen anything as adorable…and enticing.
How am I going to gently take her virginity?
His parents approached them. Zorander and Gossamer had been married for almost forty years—happily married. They had birthed two boys and two girls, in that order. Drayce was the eldest, followed two years later by his brother, Cloven. Then there was a four-year break and their first daughter, Willow, was born and then the youngest sibling, another sister, was born two years later, Rosary.
“Welcome to the family, Satin.” Zorander leaned forward kissing Satin’s cheek, before shaking Drayce’s hand. “Congratulations, Drayce.”
Gossamer quietly kissed both the bride and groom. His mother wasn’t someone who outwardly showed her emotions and her shy and timid nature kept her in the background of the Quinn household. In her demure fashion, she’d let her opinions be known but wasn’t pushy.
Many days Drayce wondered if that was why his father had chosen Thistle as his wife. Zorander adored his wife, and it would make sense that he wished the same docile, meek woman for his son. But Drayce wanted a partner, someone who would be alongside him, unafraid of the dragons. Thistle would be supportive and pleasant, he had no doubt, but he wanted more for his life. And Satin fit his needs better.
“You’ll have dinner with us?”
“Of course. We’re not some green teenagers, we’ve waited this long to marry, what is an hour?” Clasping Satin’s soft, small hand in his, Drayce walked with her into the dining room.
As they and all of his family were sitting down in front of their neatly written place cards, Zorander cleared his throat. “Satin, I trust my son had a discussion with you on the proper way to address me and treat me in the future?”
There it was again. That beautiful pink blush.
“Y-yes, Sir. I’m sorry, Sir.” She blinked at the king before dropping her gaze to her wringing hands in her lap.
Drayce reached over giving them a reassuring squeeze. “You were paddled, and now it’s over. We’ll start anew.” Addressing his father, he said, “Right, father?”
With a nod of his head, Zorander replied, “Of course, milady. All is forgiven, especially since you’re sitting on a tender backside.”
Her jaw flexed, and Drayce saw a spark of anger flash across her face. Quietly he whispered, “Don’t even think about it, Princess.”
Satin’s eyes darted in his direction, her nostrils flared slightly and then with a tilt of her chin, she straightened her face, and with a weak smile she whispered back, “As you wish, husband.”
Husband.
It would take some time to get used to that new title, and what surprised Drayce even more, it didn’t bother him. He’d spent many years vowing that he’d be married to his career and the dragons he trained, never wanting to be married. But now that he was, and even though it had only been a few minutes, he looked forward to all the trappings of marriage.
“First, a cheer and blessing to the couple.” Zorander picked up his glass filled with sanguine bubble, and everyone followed suit. “May you live long happy lives, may you find peace, love, and happiness in your dwelling, and may you both prosper in wealth, health, and children.”
“Thank you, Father.” Drayce leaned over leisurely kissing his bride.
“A word of advice, Drayce. Training a wife isn’t much different than training a dragon. You’ll find that many women fire up as quickly as our beloved beasts, and from what I’ve seen today, you have one of those women. Just as you apply a dragon quirt to their legs, do the same on your wife, and you’ll see her fits of fire wane as quickly.”
“Are you f—”
Drayce covered her mouth with his hand, “Satin. Quiet. I’ll handle this.” And once she’d stopped shouting, he pulled his hand away, turning his attention to Zorander. “Father, I appreciate your recommendations, and I’ll take them to heart. But when and how I discipline my wife, will be up to my discretion, and mine alone. I’d like to keep the sanctity of our marriage from any outside meddling, and that includes my family.”
Drayce made eye contact with both of his parents and his siblings. He hoped that they’d take him seriously and allow them to maneuver the waters of marriage on their own.
“As you wish. I’ll refrain from any further interference.” Zorander placed his napkin on his lap. “Let’s eat.”
Satin’s eyes were still narrowed, her lips thinned, and Drayce wasn’t sure he could restrain his girl.
“Breathe, Satin. Just eat.”
She scooped food onto her plate, but the slight shake in her hand and tightness in her jaw let him know that she wasn’t over the slight by his father.
Cloven put his fork down on his plate. “So, Satin. Tell me how your father feels about your blatant disobedience today, flying out here unattended and defying his decision that Drayce marry Thistle?”
His damn brother was always instigating. Their whole lives, if there was trouble brewing, one could safely assume that Cloven had started it or was embroiled in the middle of it.
Satin’s fork clattered against the fine, expensive plate, making everyone jump. “I don’t know, Cloven, I haven’t spoken to him, but I believe your father has.”
Drayce attempted to grab Satin’s hand, but she flung it up and out of his grasp, lightly shoving him away. “Don’t touch me!” Her azure eyes darkened, and Drayce swore they sparked with her anger.
She tossed her napkin onto the table, addressing every single member of Drayce’s family. “Yes, I have a temper, and yes, I’m impulsive and do things my way, but I’ve studied your planet and your dragons for years. I’ve wanted this most of my life. Having you all like me would be an asset, but if you don’t, it really doesn’t matter to me. It’s Drayce and his love and affection I care about and adjusting to my role as the wife of a Dragon Warlord. But all of you need to stay the fuck out of our lives and let us adjust to this.”
Satin stood so abruptly; she bumped the table, glasses teetering and stormed out of the room.
Drayce threw his napkin on the table, standing before his family and drew a deep breath. “Well thank you, everyone. This day, our wedding day was supposed to be a pleasant evening with family on our blessed occasion, but once again my family has proven that it’s just not possible for us to get along. She is my woman—my wife—and all of you will treat her with respect. And Cloven, you’ll not antagonize her any further. She doesn’t answer to you—any of you! She’s Mine! Back off.”