It was late that afternoon when they roused themselves enough to allow a pair of footmen to carry their trunks in from the ship.

Shadows slithered along the walls, and Eli glanced at the corners of the room. Fredrick had been busy.

The prince stopped the footmen as they turned to leave. “Have a Priestess of Thalia sent to my study. I want a Light Ceremony as soon as possible.”

The footmen bowed low and left the room. Two maids took their place and set about unpacking.

Eli took Auburn’s hand and pulled it through his arm. They left his suite, and he led her through the royal apartments, keeping them in the warmth and light of the sun as it dappled the thick rugs.

“When will the priestess arrive?” Auburn asked.

“Shortly. I may not be the king, but few are unwise enough to keep me waiting.”

“Is Sligo still with us?”

Eli nodded.

As they walked through the well-guarded halls, they talked about their impending wedding and Tamryn traditions, who they had to invite, and why. The way she repeated everything back to him, Auburn was attempting to memorize all of their names, titles, and why the person was important.

He smiled. She really was perfect.

Stroking a hand over her shoulders, he leaned down and nipped her ear. “We need to work on the nursery soon.”

The thought brought a smile to Auburn’s lips.

“And we’ll need to work on the gala my father demanded for the arrival of the next Dracasan.”

“It sounds overwhelming.”

“You can do as much or as little as you wish, but my father will want to have the child’s Blessing Ceremony at the Dragon Temple.”

Auburn listened as he explained the religious significance of the ceremony, and how it would be their child’s first step toward receiving the Dragon God’s blessing.

“What if I’m wrong and the baby is a girl?” Auburn asked.

“Protocol will be the same. Dracor grants His favor based on merit, not gender.”

“When was the last time Dracor crowned a queen?”

Eli frowned. “Now that you mention it, very few girls are born to the Dracasan line. Perhaps Dracor’s curse applied to the Dracasan family as much as it did to the dragons.”

Auburn tightened her grip on his arm. “Curse?”

“Only a legend. It’s said Dracor made the race of dragons in his image. When Rashalee corrupted them, filling them with pride and greed, Dracor cursed them to only ever have sons.”

“They would eventually die out.”

Eli lifted his shoulders. “I’ve never seen a dragon.”

“Maybe it’s true, or perhaps it’s just a warning. Will you tell me the whole story?”

He held her close. “Of course.”

They walked as he told her the legend, his path keeping them in the sunlight while his story kept her distracted as they waited for the priestess.

Eli fought back his growing impatience. He wanted his home safe for the woman he loved and their unborn child.

He was angry because it was his fault. He’d ignored Fredrick because his cousin hadn’t played into Eli’s plans, and now that negligence endangered Auburn.

The prince cursed himself, but there was little he could do about it now.

The Dragon God liked to bring home His teachings in ways Dracasans wouldn’t forget. Something Eli would warn his son about.

His son.

The thought curled through him, and he held Auburn closer. The prince would do everything in his power to raise his son well, to protect him, and to make him worthy of Tamryn’s throne. Fredrick had done everything in his power to end the Dragon God’s line and failed.

Now Eli would do everything in his to preserve it.

As the prince guided Auburn back towards his rooms, three women dressed in flowing white robes were walking towards his study.

The Priestesses of Thalia bowed their heads to him.

“Someone contaminated my private chambers during my absence.” Eli led them to his suite and nodded toward the lengthening shadows crawling along the walls.

The priestesses’ eyes widened as they followed his gaze.

“We will see to it, Your Highness,” the woman at the front of the procession said.

Eli paused a moment as he considered how much access Fredrick had to the royal apartments. “I need you to inspect the entire palace and cleanse it as appropriate.”

The priestesses nodded.

Eli said nothing more. The removal of the dark presence of Uzakiel or Rashalee needed no explanation.

As the priestesses began their preparations, Eli led Auburn to his office and sent for Mrs. Fields.

“Who’s Mrs. Fields?” Auburn asked.

“The housekeeper. She’s been here as long as I can remember.”

Auburn frowned.

Eli touched his lips to her brow. “As much as I would prefer to explore Aerius with you, we have to prepare for our wedding.”

“We do?”

“My father made us wait a week because he expects more of a ceremony than just the two of us and a few witnesses.”

“I’m not sure how to plan such a thing.”

“Which is why I called for Mrs. Fields. I want this to be as small and private as the king will allow. She’ll pull it together.”

Auburn smiled. “You are his only son. His idea of small may not be yours.”

Before Eli could reply, a middle aged woman with steel gray hair and lips pressed into a thin line entered and curtsied low.

“I need you to plan a small affair for the end of the week,” Eli said.

“Is there an occasion, Your Highness, or perhaps a welcome home celebration?” Mrs. Fields’ eyes swept over Auburn.

“My wedding to Princess Auburn of Qumaref.”

The housekeeper swallowed back her surprise.

Eli arched a brow. “Is there an issue?”

“Of course not, Your Highness.”

“My bride will also need a gown.”

The housekeeper only nodded.

Auburn laid a hand on the prince’s sleeve. “You’ve already given her enough to do. I can wear one of my dresses from Qumaref.”

Mrs. Fields paled and dipped her head. “I’ll see to it Princess Auburn has a dress fit for royalty, Your Highness.”

Eli nodded once. “She’ll also need a lady’s maid. An excellent one. And whatever else a Tamarian princess needs. Warmer dresses, fur-lined slippers, bags, and such.”

“Of course, Your Highness. Will there be anything else, Your Highness?”

“Not at the moment.”

Mrs. Fields curtsied and backed out of the room.

Auburn watched the woman leave. “She dreaded walking in here, and now I see why.”

“She’ll be telling stories about today when she’s ninety.”

“It’s men like you that make a servant’s life so difficult.”

Eli drew her close. “I told you I wasn’t a good man, but you love me anyway.”

She smiled and leaned against him. “What will you do as I get poked, prodded, and measured for a dress?”

“Dresses,” Eli said. “It’ll get colder.”

Auburn pulled his arms tighter around herself.

The prince glanced at the stack of correspondence cascading across his desk. His secretary must have stopped by once he’d learned Eli was home. “I have a lot of catching up to do, but that will wait until after we’re settled.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Marry me.”

Auburn smiled up at him, and Eli touched his lips to hers.

Pulling back from her took all of his strength. “While the priestesses are here and the sun is still up, I should see Duke Calloway and Lady Daniella. They should hear our news from me rather than through gossip or a wedding invitation.”

Auburn flinched.

“I’m ending a business arrangement, nothing more.”

A knock on the door had them both glancing up, and Eli bid the intruder to enter.

Mrs. Fields curtsied, as did an entire coterie of women.

Eli kept his face impassive as he motioned for them to enter. He lifted each of Auburn’s hands to his lips and kissed her palms. “Make sure my princess is well pleased.”

The ladies’ eyes saucered as they nodded.

Eli retreated to his desk, and Auburn glanced back at him. “I’m not familiar with Tamarian fashion.”

“I will marry you in a bed sheet. Choose whatever makes you happy.”

The ladies circling her sucked in their breaths and exchanged glances, but a frown from him had them focusing on the task at hand. One showed Auburn swatches of fabric and drawings as the others took her measurements.

Once Eli was certain that the wedding plans occupied Auburn, he slipped out of his office and motioned to two of the guards in the hall. “I am holding you personally responsible for my princess. You will not allow her out of your sight.”

The two men snapped to attention and saluted.

Once they’d taken up stations outside his office, Eli paused at the doors to his apartments. Satisfied that the priestesses were working through the Light spell, the prince sent a runner to find Duke Calloway and hurried down to the stables. He had to do this, but he didn’t like leaving Auburn alone even with Mrs. Fields, the royal guards, and three Priestesses of Thalia watching over her.