by C. D. Gorri
“I am well aware of the time, Belledona. Goddess, why do I even bother with you? Your father is the one who insisted—” The words were cut off as she hurried down the hall.
Oh, Belle held no illusions that she’d made the woman unhappy. A day never went by where there wasn’t a scathing remark thrown at her. Both her parents had hoped her scales would darken to that of her mother’s vibrant red as she’d gotten older, to no avail. Her father was a gorgeous royal blue. If you went by the color wheel and mixed the two colors, their daughter should’ve been purple. A dark purple, which would’ve been socially acceptable, probably. But no, Belle’s scales were light pink. An abomination that stayed the same throughout the years. She was the only one in all the kingdoms who looked like she’d been dumped in a vat of hot lava and came out different. As if all the red color had been stripped from her.
She placed her hand on her stomach, wondering who her child would take after. It wouldn’t matter to her if he or she was the same shade as her or black as pitch like their father. The constant fear that’s plagued her since finding out she was with child scuttled down her spine. Most dragons could detect pregnancy by scent, but she was using a tremendous amount of magic to hide her secret. It had shocked her when the ability came easily, but from the moment she’d discovered she was pregnant, the fear of discovery hit her like a horde of demons were chasing her. Combined with the danger it could mean for her child, knowledge flooded her mind. At first, she hadn’t been sure it was real, then shock had turned to utter surprise as if she’d always had it there waiting to be tapped into. The limits to which she would go to keep her unborn child safe knew no bounds.
Nikai glared across the table at his twin. The bastard kept looking down at where his female sat. Like she was his for the taking. Nikai made the mistake and blurted to Nadim that he’d broken things off with her, thinking the bastard would understand his pain. Instead, the asshole laughed and slapped his back, asking if he could have a go at her. It took the entire elite guards that were on duty to hold him back from killing his brother. A grin tipped Nikai’s lips at the healing wound he could see above his twin’s left eye, wishing he’d finished what he’d started and taken the fucker’s entire thing during their fight. Instead, he’d released his claw at the last minute because his mother would’ve been upset.
His twin didn’t seem to have learned his lesson or didn’t care. It wasn’t a secret that Nikai considered Belle his female, or that he’d slay any who dared to think otherwise, even his kin. The memory of what he’d said to her, as well, made his beast growl in anger. Nikai hated having to push her away in order to keep her safe, yet her safety was his priority. A hundred years was nothing to a dragon. Shit, he should’ve explained things to her better. He should’ve promised her he wouldn’t take another female until he could be with her again. His dragon hated the thought of touching anyone but their Belle, as did he. When he took the throne, he’d claim their mate and bind her to them for all time.
“Look at him, father. He’s ready to battle me for the pink one. Doesn’t he know she will never be fit for the queen? She can be your concubine, but you can’t expect her to be welcomed like a lady,” Nadim said, his lips lifting in a smirk as he hid behind his cup.
Nikai flexed his fingers, letting his claws come out slightly he scraped across the table. “Brother or not, I will end your existence, Nadim. Don’t test me. If you dare touch a single hair on her, that mark above your eye will be nothing,” Nikai growled.
Their father banged his fist on the table, rattling several glasses. One fell onto the stone floor, shattering with a resounding clatter. “That is enough. Nadim, you will stop this nonsense of trying to get a rise out of your brother, and Nikai, you will not threaten to kill your brother over a female. As princes, you two will behave accordingly.”
Their mother, Queen Shani, looked on with sad eyes. Their sister Tanith was to be married the following week to a prince. The dragon belonged to the Fire Dragons, whose land was on the other side of their realm. Both females were close since their house was a very male dominant clan. She’d made it very clear she wasn’t happy that her daughter was moving away. If only she’d accept—he pushed the thought aside in fear his father could read his mind and find out just how deep his feelings were for the pink scaled female. One of the first things he’d change when he became King would be abolishing the fucking rules regarding colors and the kingdom.
“Tanith, when does your betrothed arrive?” he asked, shifting the focus from Belle to his sister.
Tanith’s eyes sparkled. She had bright blue eyes and royal blue scales like their mother. “He’ll be here tomorrow evening, along with his entire family. I’m so nervous.”
He narrowed his eyes as she placed a hand on her stomach. He inhaled, wondering if his sister might be pregnant. A male was allowed certain liberties during the courting season but taking his sister to bed wasn’t one of them. His sense of smell didn’t pick up anything of the sort, other than his brother’s obnoxious odor. Nadim’s scent held a hint of oak where he was told he smelled like cedar and mint, while his sister smelled of cherry-wood. For whatever reason, all the royal line were a unique woodsy essence. Tanith’s sweet smell of innocence was still very present. That alone allowed the male who was coming to claim his sister to live another day. As prince and heir, he was without a doubt the strongest dragon in the realm, even more so than the king. Nikai respected the Fire Dragon clan, but they were still not as powerful as his house.
Most King of Dragons kept the throne until they died, either by natural causes or in battle. But since his father had twins, the prophecy said Nikai and Nadim would rule together. It became clear within the first couple of years of their birth Nadim didn’t have the drive. Nikai tried to get his brother to work harder like him, but his twin wasn’t one who liked to…work.
Nikai shifted shortly after they turned two. The entire course of their lives was changed from that moment on. Nadim’s dragon didn’t appear until a couple years later, no matter how hard Nikai tried to help him. Their father’s amazement and pride angered his twin, dividing them and their bond. Everyone tried to reassure Nadim it was normal to not shift. Dragons lived for thousands of years, so time wasn’t measured in days or years, but in battles and scars. They’d tried to tell him he’d catch up, but his brother wasn’t one to be consoled.
Their lives changed again when the seer arrived several centuries later. They’d thought she was coming with news but not realm shattering visions. Nobody ever denied nor disbelieved when she imparted a prophecy.
Training and battling with the elite guards were his passion. He didn’t take for granted the immense strength it gave him, which in turn made his brother drift farther away. For over five centuries, Nikai went with his father and the other elite dragons, protecting their kingdom. With each battle he fought, his own dragon became stronger. Nadim, on the other hand, enjoyed playing and bedding females and swore he loved the freedom. Nikai knew since he’d been a young dragonling that was his duty and didn’t mind starting at the bottom. His brother thought it was beneath him to. What Nadim failed to understand was they had to learn the art of war and bleed like the others, just as their father the King did, to become the best Kings they were meant to be.
The seer’s vision rocked the Dark Dragons. He and Nadim assumed they’d rule together. His brother, no doubt, thought he’d stay behind and rule the kingdom and expect Nikai to battle in order to hold their legacy. The prophecy the seer gave destroyed such foolish dreams. Her vision showed Nikai as the sole King of Dragons. The twin bond they’d shared since they’d been in the womb fractured, like someone had taken a bat to his skull.
Anytime Nikai tried to reach Nadim on their private link, he was closed off, bitter. In Nikai’s estimation, his twin was pathetic. Nikai’s anger at his brother’s attitude after the seer left made him explode in a fit of rage. If Nadim would’ve trained, worked harder…tried, he might’ve been in the prophecy too.
; Blood, sweat, and broken bones. That’s what Nikai was willing to endure, and more.
“Nikai, when are you planning to settle down and give me little ones to spoil? If you did, maybe I won’t miss my Tanith so much when she leaves.” Queen Shani’s words brought a hush over the great hall.
Nadim belted out a laugh, slapping the table with fake glee. “Mother, that is an excellent question. Well, brother, are you going to answer her?”
It took all his self-control to keep from eliminating the space between the two of them. Eight small feet saved his brother. Nikai wanted to finish what he’d started the other day. Nadim was aware of how he felt about Belle. Hell, the entire kingdom, including his parents, were aware. The only reason he hadn’t claimed her was an antiquated law stating only certain colored dragons could be crowned. Pink wasn’t considered one of them. He disagreed, loving his Belle and the beauty she was in every form. There was always an air of awe when she shifted.
No other dragon could compare to her in his heart and the very depths of his soul. She was a treasure; his crowning jewel he’d kill for. He’d give up anything, even his birthright.
Thinking about the hurt he’d seen in her gorgeous eyes when he’d told her they couldn’t be together, nearly brought him to his knees. He didn’t say the real reason, but hoped she was aware. His parents would realize after his sister’s marriage he would only be happy with Belle. If not, he and his dragon would claim her and damn the Kingdom.
“If you value your life, Fratellinodrak, I suggest you pipe the fuck down or I’ll rip your tongue out. I’m sure the pets our cook keeps out back will find it a tasty treat.” He didn’t break eye contact with the little bastard who thought to test him.
Nadim’s nostrils flared. A puff of smoke escaping him as he fought his dragon. Nikai didn’t call him Fratellinodrak or little brother often, only when he wanted to infuriate his twin. Just once, Nikai wished like hell Nadim would step up and challenge him outright. It was no secret the other male preferred to be a bitch-ass. Nadim never wanted the duties of King, but he hated the idea of Nikai getting the power.
He didn’t understand his twin’s animosity. Sure, Nikai was to be King. He’d put in the work with blood, sweat, and tears. He was the one who endured countless years of training and studying. There were days and nights he’d gone to bed with so much pain and suffering it was a wonder he survived. Nadim got to be a spoiled rotten fucktwit once his parents realized he had no ambition for the throne.
“Enough, Nadim. You will not speak to the future King in such a disrespectful way. Would you speak to your father that way?” His mother asked, but continued before he could answer, her voice cutting like a whip. “No, you wouldn’t. He’s the heir apparent, and as such, you will hold Nikai in the same respect.” Her words brought a hush over the enormous space, and with it, a finality that wouldn’t be questioned. Not unless they wanted to face King Nadir’s wrath. He was handing the crown over, but he wasn’t weak.
Nikai wanted to turn toward where Belle and her parents were sitting but refrained. He planned to continue the tradition of First Meal. Most of the clan would gather in the great hall, providing a sense of comradery that came with it. With every eye on her, thanks to Nadim, she had to be seething. He met the stare of several who were watching them both. Their eyes shifted to their plates under his glare. He didn’t give two moons what they thought of his choice in mate. His dragon gave a huff. ‘We will slay them all if they try to stop us from claiming her. She’s worth a hundred of those fools.’
He wanted to chuckle at the deep voice inside him as his dragon rumbled. On the best of days, he battled to control the big bastard, which he supposed made him an excellent candidate for the next Dragon King. Nadim didn’t like the restrictions or the rules that came with the title.
Nikai’s dragon emerged earlier than any other dragon in history, his powerful alpha making himself known. King Nadir had said they’d all been unprepared for Nikai’s dragon. The beast came out roaring with dominance, ready to battle males five times his size. He’d never told a soul that his dragon spoke to him for as long as he could remember…his entire life.
It took Nadim far longer to shift. The male was years behind in all things, shifting, fighting, and Nikai was sure even fucking. Nikai tried to show his brother how to change, shifting in front of Nadim over and over again. Nadim wasn’t willing to try, he’d been lazy since birth.
“You appear almost as fierce as the day you’d been but a child. You swooped out of the sky like a battle dragon, ready to kill one of my guards. Ah, I can still see you roaring. You were a sight to behold when you thought he was trying to harm me,” his father said with a grin.
He’d been two summers old, watching the Elite train in the enormous field behind the castle. He’d noticed the male with dark green scales flying toward his father’s unprotected human form. The only thought in his mind was to save his father from harm.
“I was sure he was going to kill you,” Nikai laughed, remembering the anger that bubbled out of him as he ran, shifting into his dragon in a blink. The ferocious scream he’d unleashed, followed by flames that rivaled a full-grown dragon, frightened them all. His thoughts were narrowed down to kill the traitor. His father’s second in command tried to avoid being hit, freezing in mid-strike. The older male, unprepared for Nikai’s attack, took a blast from Nikai and fell. Nikai found out later they were practicing.
“I still have the burn marks to prove just how deadly you can be,” Dradrick said. He lifted his glass with a smile. “I will fight by your side, when you become king, with pride.”
“Bah, you’re too old to be heading into battles with the young ones. You’ll stay and keep my fires blazing,” Dradrick’s mate said, her tone soft with affection.
“I think his imprint is still on the ground from when he fell out of the sky. Can we get a reenactment?” Nadim asked.
The table fell silent at his brother’s comment.
Nikai shook his head and wished the other male wasn’t such a raging asshole. It wasn’t his fault he’d been gifted the ability to shift first, nor his brother’s fault he couldn’t. It just was. Nadim excelled at things Nikai didn’t. Things like...well, he wasn’t sure. His brother must have some outstanding qualities.
“Nadim, that’s enough,” his mother cut in.
“I think I’ll go for a relaxing stroll, perhaps stretch my wings some. The air is a bit...thick.” Nadim stood up, giving his mother a slight bow as he walked out, heading toward the back of the castle.
“Hello, my friend. May I have a word with you?”
Nikai barely restrained from jumping at the booming voice that appeared a few feet from him. He didn’t underestimate the short male with the easy gait. The way he walked up to the head of the table without fear. He sat back, blinking a couple times as he tried to figure out who the intruder was and how he’d entered their realm without him being aware.
“Mkikoa, what are you doing here?” The King stood, dwarfing the smaller male’s.
The male his father called Mkikoa looked at the table, then back, sighing out a loud gust of air. “Please accept my apologies for the unannounced appearance, Nadir. I have some urgent business to discuss with you. In my haste, I didn’t realize the time difference. If you wish, I’ll await you on the outer lands.”
His father huffed, waving his left hand. “Don’t be absurd. I’m finished. My love, I will meet you for our afternoon flight.” King Nadir kissed his mate’s forehead.
Nikai stood, his chair moving backward without a sound. “Father, shall I come with you?”
“Nay, stay and eat. There will come a time that you’ll be forced to leave your mate and a meal.”
His mother cleared her throat, bringing their attention to her. He glanced back to where his father and the stranger once stood, finding them gone. A foreboding made him lose his appetite for food. Looking around the gathering, he was happy to see most of the clan were pretending to eat. “I’m done as well. Do yo
u have need of me before I stretch my wings, mother?”
As the queen, she would remain until the first table was clear, then she’d excuse herself. He wondered why his brother had left so early, since the asshole liked to stay until he got a jab or two in. Nadim never did anything without a reason, often staying until the elders left and then he’d wander around until he found his next conquest. Silly females fell for his charm. The little shithead took their bodies with total disregard.
“Mother, where did Tanith run off to?” he asked.
He’d noticed his sister leaving earlier but hadn’t thought to ask where she was going. A glance at the other tables showed Belle was no longer with her parents. Trepidation had his dragon rising with the need to find her and ensure her safety. Two women, along with their mates, were the only ones left at the head table with his mother. Nikai didn’t care for most of the females who fawned around his mother, but the duo were his mother’s best friends. The males may not be battle dragons, but they were trustworthy.
“She is preparing for her upcoming wedding with her ladies.” His mother gave a little sniff, dabbing at her eyes with a small cloth.
Nikai grimaced. The last thing he wanted to do was sit around and listen to her fuss about the fact her baby girl was leaving their territory. Nope, there were places to fly and dragons to save or slay.
“If you don’t need me, I’ll be off.” He’d already taken several steps away from the table.
His mother waved her hand without saying a word. Assured he wasn’t needed he took his leave. Before exiting, he checked again to see if Belle was there. She looked as though she’d lost weight to him when he’d seen her walk in earlier. Goddess, she was so damn beautiful. Even in a room full of gorgeous female dragons, she stood out. The other females probably spent the morning prepping and primping to look their best. Belle, on the other hand, was flawlessly beautiful, without trying. She hated wasting time and selected clothes for comfort. He loved that it only took her moments to be effortlessly beautiful. And yet, she never failed to outshine the others.