Junia's POV
The large door to the courtroom opened. Our arrival was announced as we walked inside the courtroom.
I straightened my back. Ignara led me to the female seats, where we sat side by side. There were few women, old and young. They whispered to themselves, their eyes criticizing me already.
I could only clench my teeth together, trying to get my act together. I wasn't always this angry—I was kind, gentle, and soft-spoken.
I have shouted and screamed many times, but in anger or frustration. The door pushed open again. Ashmaris walked in; he was wearing a different attire.
His face was expressionless, as always, as he walked to his throne. He did expect me to act like a willing mate.
His eyes searched the entire room before landing on me. His eyes softened, as if relieved. I will only stay calm until I find out why he and his sister framed my father as the villain.
Why do they think I was trapped by my father?
"Greetings to Lords and Ladies," Ashmaris's voice roared through the room.
The court members returned his greetings.
Ignara signaled me to stand up, and she walked me to the front of Ashmaris. "This is Princess Junia Gladeweft, my Mate and my Queen," Ashmaris announced. He was standing next to me.
The court members didn't make a sound; their eyes were just on me. Being stared at was something I didn't mind. I have always been stared at with admiration. There was something different in these dragons' eyes.
A man stood up from the male seats. He was tall and older. "Your Majesty," he bowed slightly when he got closer. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess Junia."
"It is a pleasure to meet you too," I replied.
"I and the Lords have a proposition concerning our daughters in your harem." He turned his head towards their king, Ashmaris.
So there is a harem
But Ignara told me that—those women are not his concubines. I am such an idiot.
I fisted my palms. Anger and a new feeling washed through me. I was biting so hard on my lips that I could taste my blood.
Ashmaris's head snapped towards me, his nostrils flared. He frowned. I almost rolled my eyes at him. What is he looking at me for?
"There is no harem," Ashmaris's voice came out coldly, his eyes still on me.
"Your Majesty, you can't—" the man started again, but Ashmaris cut him off.
"Lord Serthkaar," Ashmaris cut him off, his tone a warning. "My sister also lives in the women's quarters too. Is she going to be considered a woman of my harem?"
"Your Majesty. We are not against her being your Mate, but as our Queen, we the people will be angry. The daughter of a betrayer as our Queen," Lord Serthkaar expressed.
Betrayer?
The man didn't even tone it down—called me a daughter of a betrayer right in my presence.
I scoffed. Eyes turned to me.
"We want a Queen we can trust. Someone from Nobili—" Lord Serthkaar started to talk again, but I cut him off.
"Why can't I be your Queen? I am of royal blood," I spoke. The lord turned to me, eyes widened, maybe shocked by my actions. "Since I am your King's Mate, it is only sensible that I become the Queen."
"This is not about you, girl. You don't know anything," Lord Serthkaar replied. His words were harsh.
His words hit me hard.
"You can't speak to her like that, Lord Serthkaar. You give her the respect that she deserves," Ashmaris said firmly. The lord mumbled an apology.
"I am just worried about our daughters. I know we, the Lords who have daughters of age, were the ones who suggested they come into your harem." Lord Serthkaar paused. "What will become of them? We should at least take Lady Ishkara's idea."
"No. I already made up my mind. I am not having anyone compete to be my Queen," Ashmaris refused. Lord Serthkaar wanted to argue, but something scared him. Ashmaris did something that made the man back out in fear. "The court meeting ends here for today." Ashmaris turned to leave, and I followed him.
The court members murmured; they could not speak up because they were scared of their king. Why wouldn't they be? He could kill them in seconds.
I followed Ashmaris down the hall, not waiting for Ignara. I wanted to give him a chance to explain and to see if the mating bond is as strong as Ignara had explained.
He turned suddenly; he had sensed me following him.
"I want to have a word with you," I told him. My voice came out a little shaky at the end. His stare was too intense; his gaze didn't waver.
"Okay. Follow me to my study. We will talk there.".
I nodded, and he turned and started walking away. He walked too fast. I tried hard to catch up with his pace, but no—it just kept increasing.
Then he slowed down, giving me enough time to catch up with him, and we were now walking side by side.
"It is just down the hall," he murmured, and I nodded. I can't believe I am walking right next to the man I promised to kill.
We reached a large door. He pushed it open and let me in. He has manners.
He is just trying to get you to start. Get your act together, I told myself.
"Sit down," he monotoned. He turned away, taking off his upper clothing, which looked like a coat. But I didn't sit down.
Where are his manners?
I walked up to him. Something stirred in me. When he turned, I placed my hand on his chest to feel his heart.
Ignara told me earlier about their hearts—the dragon heart—and only their mates could touch them there without them reacting to defend.
It was warm, beating fast. His breath hitched. It was like he stopped breathing. I looked up at him, and he was staring down at me.
"It is beating fast," I whispered quietly.
"You can feel it, right?" he asked, his voice low and haggard.
"Feel what?"
"The pull," he breathed. "The pressure."
I shook my head and stepped away from him. "So Ignara told me the mating bond is permanent once it is complete." I turned away from him and glanced around his study. It was large.
"Yes," his answer was short.
I walked towards the large settee in his study and sat down. He was still standing where I left him. He didn't even move an inch.
When Ignara told me about the mating bond, I learned how much power mates have over each other, and how I am at an advantage because I can't feel it.
"Why do your court members hate my father, and when did he betroth the two of us?" I asked. He walked to a chair and sat down.
I need to hear their part of the story—what makes them think my father had betrayed them.
"Do you remember the War of the Shadow Born?" he questioned. I demanded an answer, not a question.
War of the Shadow Born? I haven't heard about anything like that.
"No."
"You know the Four Kingdoms tale?"
"No."
He shifted in his chair, leaning forward. "What did your father tell you?"
"How forbidden the unseelie magic is, how dragons are unruly," I answered.
He chuckled lowly. "Your father is something else." He leaned backward. "Did he tell you he is half unseelie too?"