The Dragon King’s Baby

“Thank you, Claire. I look forward to seeing all of you this evening,” Seathan answered as the chauffeur opened the door.

When Claire disembarked she looked around expectantly for her daughter, whose absence was noticeable and incredibly rude. She turned to Seathan and his man, Conall. “I apologize for my daughter’s absence.”

Seathan waved away her concern. “No problem, Claire.” He kissed her cheek and said good bye, then turned to Conall as they walked away. “Claire told me the princess is not happy about this marriage.”

“Why not? She gets to be the queen of an entire kingdom, something that she isn’t guaranteed here. And, if I do say so myself, you’re quite the catch,” Conall answered with an eyebrow wiggle.

Seathan chuckled and rolled his shoulders as a courtier walked to them. “You’re right. I am hot stuff.”

“Especially when you’re blowing fire, you sexy dragon, you,” Conall whispered so the courtier couldn’t hear.

In a polished voice, the female courtier bowed and said, “Hello, and welcome to Lomena. Please allow me to show you and your group to your rooms.” She turned and moved to the elevators. “Bob will stay with your bags and have them brought in the next ten minutes. We’ve secured an entire floor for you and your people, and the king and queen have assigned a portion of our staff to see to your needs.”

“Thank you,” Seathan replied. He followed the woman into the large elevator with his group behind him. He wondered briefly about Adelaide, if her anger would be directed at him or her father. Probably both, he mused. Dinner should be interesting.

*****

“Where the hell are you, Adelaide?”

Addie heard her mother’s voice less than a second after the ding of the elevator door opening. She sighed; she had known when she’d chosen not to go downstairs to meet the dragon king she’d hear about it. Poppy had tried to convince her to go downstairs, but she had refused.

“I will not go down and meet him like some eager bride waiting for her groom to come back from the war,” Addie had told her. “I am not happy about this, and I will not pretend to be happy about it.”

Poppy had sighed and said, “Your mother is going to be pissed.” Addie had shrugged as if she didn’t care.

Her mother crossed her suite swiftly, her feet moving so fast she barely touched the ground. When she found her sitting on a couch in a pair of sweatpants and a college tee, she ranted, “Where the hell were you?”

“I’ve been here all day, Mom,” Addie answered aloofly. She didn’t look up at her mother but continued to peruse the magazine in her lap.

Claire jerked the magazine out of her hands and threw it down on the table. “How dare you be so rude to the man who is to be your husband? I raised you better than that! You are a member of the royal family! You do not get to choose to be a bi*ch because you’re not happy.”

Addie stared at her mother. She’d only heard her speak like this a handful of times, and this was the first time she’d spoken to her in that manner. “Mom. . .” she began, but her mother interrupted her.

“I understand that you are unhappy with this situation, but it cannot be changed.” Her mother heaved a deep breath and looked her daughter in her eye, pointing at her chest. “You will come to dinner tonight, and you will look your best. You will be polite and charming.”

“Mom, I’m sorry. I know it was rude, but I can’t face him yet,” Addie said.

“I understand.” Claire sat next to her daughter and put a comforting hand on her knee. “Your behavior tonight will be in this man’s mind through your whole marriage. I know this is hard, but starting off badly is not a good idea.”

Addie sighed. She rolled her eyes because she knew her mother was right but didn’t want to admit it. “I will be on my best behavior, and I’ll be polite. But don’t expect miracles.”

“The only miracle I hope to see is nothing but politeness coming out of your mouth,” Claire remarked as she rose. “Dinner is at eight. I expect you in the dining room by 7:45.” She left without waiting for an answer.

“Fine. But I’m bringing Poppy,” Addie yelled, although she doubt her mother heard.

*****

Seathan and Conall waited on their feet for the princess to arrive for dinner. The dinner was an informal introduction, just the king, queen, princess, and the two of them. Seathan had requested such a dinner; when he’d learned that the princess was not at all happy about this wedding, he decided a less public introduction might be for the best. When asked, King George had assured him that although his daughter wasn’t exactly thrilled about the deal, she would not embarrass herself with her behavior. But Seathan had seen the tensed squint of the man’s eyes and was doubtful.

George and Claire greeted him when they walked in holding hands. Seathan smiled politely and participated in the idle chit chat. As he watched the couple, he realized how much they loved each other and felt a little jealous. They’d chosen each other, he knew. His and Adelaide’s would be the first arranged marriage in a hundred years for either kingdom. His nerves buzzed loudly in his ears; he wondered for the millionth time if he’d made the right decision.

Conall interrupted his thoughts with a cough and gestured to the door. The princess had arrived accompanied by a fairy, which caused Seathan to raise an eyebrow. When he looked at her, eyes looking up and down, his breath caught momentarily and his mind went blank.

Her hair, black as night, poofed out from her head in a glorious cloud of curls, complimenting her ivory colored skin perfectly. Her eyes, which stared at him blankly as she halted just inside the door, were a shocking light gray, contrasting with her hair and skin but stunning for their uniqueness. The dress she wore, a pale blue, clung to curves that called to him. He was mesmerized by her.

This wasn’t a mistake, he thought to himself with a smile as he moved toward his bride.

*****

As Seathan walked toward her, a panther after his prey, Addie’s eyes widened briefly before she managed to control her facial expressions. He wore black slacks with a white, button up shirt with a simple, striped, gray tie. His hair was longer than she’d expected and would hang in his eyes if he let it. The color, a red like she’d never seen on a human, hypnotized her momentarily as it swayed with his movements. Eyes like emeralds watched her as he reached her. He bowed slightly, taking her hand and raising it to his lips.

“Princess Adelaide,” he said in a deep, throaty voice that caused desire to shoot through her.

“King Seathan,” she replied breathlessly. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

He grinned playfully, causing her heart to twitter just a little. “Ah, a pleasure. Rumor is you are not thrilled about this wedding.”

Addie’s smile hardened, and she responded truthfully. “I do not like the idea of someone making life choices for me, no.” She looked at her father, a look Seathan hoped would never be aimed at him. She returned her attention to him, her face softened. “But I will do my duty for this kingdom.”