by Sher Dillard
“Tell her what?” his mother said from behind them.
The two twisted. Laila noticed that Flint’s face had lost a little color.
Pulling himself up to his full height, he said, “Mother, Laila and I are getting married this afternoon, in the village church. You are more than welcome to join us if you wish.”
Laila cringed inside. This could not possibly end well.
The Queen studied him for a moment, then looked at Laila. She felt her insides turn to mud as she realized what the Queen must be thinking. Her son, marrying a guttersnipe from Fifth Point. Not in her lifetime.
The Queen looked back and forth between them, and shook her head.
“No, you won’t,” she said with that imperious voice.
“Mother …” Flint began.
“No, you listen. No Princess of Perralt is getting married on a Tuesday afternoon. With no planning, no preparations. No. I won’t have it. Laila, really, I am disappointed in you. You must learn to put your foot down with this one.” The look she shot her son would have quelled greater men.
“No,” the Queen continued, “you and Laila will be married in two weeks. She will wear a gown of white. We will get word to Drake. He and Elsbeth, and the twins will have time to get here. In fact, Drake can walk her down the aisle.
“This afternoon. I won’t have it,” the Queen continued, as she brushed pass them.
“And, one more thing,” she said over her shoulder, “no more nights in each other's room. I won’t have the servants talking. No, you can wait. Do you hear me, Flint?”
“Yes, Mother,” he said with a resigned voice. Then, he leaned down and whispered in Laila’s ear, “Don’t worry. I know a dozen other places we can be together.”
She giggled. Her world was wonderful. She was going to be a princess. She was going to be with Flint.
“Come along,” the Queen said to Laila. “We have a thousand details to go over.”
Laila swallowed hard as she stepped away from her prince. She, Laila Mason, was going to live in a castle with the prince of her dreams.
Yes, he might be a bit of a beast at times. But, he was her beast. All hers.
The End
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank my family and friends for all of their support. Especially my mother, who passed along my love of stories. I would also like to thank Sheryl Turner for her assistance in editing.
As with any story. It is you the reader that makes it come alive. Thank you so much for reading Dragon Fire.
Author Note
As always. I love to hear from my readers. If you would like to contact me, please send me an email at [email protected] or check out my Facebook page at facebook.com/sher.dillard
The first book in the series Dragon Fire is available at Amazon
Nothing says big and bad like a fire-breathing dragon.
Elsbeth needed help. Big, bad help. The only solution is the reclusive Drake. The only man brave enough to dare the Forbidden Forest. He might be rather rough around the edges, and heart stopping handsome in that big, tough way of his. But, she will ignore those wide shoulders and the attraction that pulls at her heart. At least she hopes so. After all, she has a kingdom to claim and protect.
Drake had enough problems of his own. The last thing he needed in his life was a pampered princess. But, the Princess unknowingly claims an ancestral promise. He is duty bound to help her. Duty bound to protect.
The Forbidden Forest will be easy. Around this woman, taming the beast inside of himself might be impossible.