Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest as the ship docked at Drakorantia.
I was finally at Drakorantia, the planet of the Dragonkin. The home of the four males who called me mate. This would be the start of my hardest task … integrating myself into Dragonkin society and securing my place as their partner. Securing my place as the future High Queen.
“We’ll greet the families, get changed, and go meet my parents,” Preston explained.
“Good,” I said with a relieved sigh. “I didn’t want to meet many people dressed this way.
” Wayne had sent a message to the royal seamstress with my measurements and requested outfits be ready for my arrival, though I had no idea what the material or coloring would look like.
They claimed it varied by season and they had no way of knowing what was popular currently, but that the seamstress would ensure I wore the latest and most popular items. Preston confirmed that everything would be exactly as I needed it because the seamstress knew not to disappoint the heirs.
We both looked down at my borrowed, baggy clothing, and his lip twitched.
“Yes, this doesn’t exactly scream, ‘future queen,’ but you do make whatever you wear look good.”
My head snapped up as I stared at him in surprise. Preston rarely gave out compliments, especially such a sweet one.
“Thank you,” I whispered and felt my cheeks heat.
Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to my lips, slid an arm around my waist, and started rubbing a thumb over my hip bone. “You’re adorable. I know I haven’t praised you much, but I truly do mean it when I say that I’m lucky that my parents blessed me with such a union.”
“You keep talking like this and we won’t make it off the ship,” I teased with a rough swallow.
His grip tightened on my hip a moment before he released me and tilted his bent elbow towards me to take instead. “Be prepared for hugs,” he warned.
“My sisters are definitely going to hug you,” Wayne agreed behind us. “And my mom might, too … maybe.”
“Any attacks I should be worried about?” I asked.
“If anyone dares to try to attack you, stand perfectly still and allow us to handle it,” Zeke said as softly as he could so the other Dragonkin behind us couldn’t hear. “You showing that you trust us to handle your safety will be a huge positive.”
Nodding, I said, “Got it.”
“Scout, absolutely no coming out,” Wayne whispered near my ear where Scout was nestled in its resting place.
Scout gave a soft chirp of confirmation.
“Good girl,” Wayne whispered.
My entire body grew warm. “G-Girl?” I asked and turned around to look at him.
“Well, you built it and it just feels like a girl to me.” He shrugged. “If she doesn’t like …”
Scout made three high-pitched excited chirps.
With a smirk, Gage said, “Seems like she agrees.”
“Focus. It’s time,” Preston ordered us.
I turned back around, slid my hand inside his elbow, and schooled my features into cool confidence.
No matter how nervous I felt on the inside, I had to project nothing but confidence and joy.
They had gone over the various scenarios of today dozens of times with me as we traveled.
I was ready … or as ready as one could be to meeting their in-laws.
“Ready?” King Larson asked as he joined us at the doorway that would open to a ramp which we could exit the ship from.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a decade,” I replied and smiled warmly up at Preston. “Very ready.”
Preston pressed a kiss to my temple before straightening again.
King Larson nodded towards a guard by the exit. “Lower the ramp and open the door,” he commanded.
When the door opened, light blinded me momentarily, but when I was able to see clearly, it was to find a dozen people waiting at the base of the ramp.
Thankfully, our training had worked and I recognized all of them. Scout also helped by putting names beneath their faces to assist me if I did forget.
Wayne’s sisters didn’t wait for us to move, racing up the ramp and throwing themselves into Wayne’s open arms. The three of them were gorgeous and wore beautiful dresses. Their hair was braided the exact same, with each wearing a few metal beads in the braids as well.
Before I could even open my mouth to greet them, Elira and Vexa, the twins and Wayne’s youngest sisters, hugged me from each side.
“We’re so excited to finally meet you in person, Xoe!” they both exclaimed simultaneously in identical voices.
Lyra, Wayne’s older sister, smiled apologetically as she pushed them aside and hugged me. “Please forgive their bombardment, but they’ve been anxiously awaiting our brother’s return and their excitement only grew when we learned they had found you.”
I returned her hug and smiled wide. “No apologies necessary. I’m just as excited to meet you all in person after so long.”
“Let us get off the ship,” Wayne said, though his voice was soft. He draped an arm around the twins and led them down. “Let Xoe step foot on Drakorantia soil before you hug her any further.”
Preston took my hand and we walked down the ramp listening to Wayne’s sisters filling him in on what had happened since they last spoke.
Wayne’s mother, Queen Maevra, rushed forward once Wayne stepped off the ramp and hugged him so tight he grunted.
“My baby boy is home!” she crowed, happy tears sliding down her face.
She turned to me next and Preston wisely stepped to the side to allow her to hug me.
“Princess Xoe, I’m so relieved they found you!
” She pushed me back to arm’s length and smiled warmly.
“You’re even more beautiful than I remember. ”
Emotions surfaced unbidden and I barely contained them. Giving her a smile, I said, “Thank you, Maevra.”
Now that we were off the ship, the rest of those gathered came to greet the princes and me. Thankfully, there were no more hugs, but I did get a couple shoulder pats from King Darius, Wayne’s father, and King Torvek, Zeke’s father.
Most of the other princes and princesses seemed indifferent to me, but I was okay with that.
“This way, Your Highnesses,” an older female said with a bow and headed inside of the building before us. “Your wardrobes have been prepared in each of your rooms. We must hurry as we don’t want to keep the High King and Queen waiting too long.”
“Yes, that wouldn’t do at all,” Preston replied flatly.
To her credit, the woman didn’t even acknowledge his comment.
“If you would like to head to your chambers, I can show Princess Xoe to hers,” she said as we turned down a hallway lined with windows made from what looked like grey glass. It gave the hallway a strangely eerie coloring that had chills running down my spine.
“I will accompany her to her chambers,” Preston stated firmly.
She dipped her head and continued on her way. “As you wish, Your Highness.”
Preston seemed so different here, adopting a stern expression and air of indifference that I didn’t particularly like. Was it how he had to act? Was this how he would act moving forward?
No one had mentioned him acting different before. I didn’t particularly like it, but did understand needing to act a certain way in certain company. When we were alone, I would try to discuss it with him.
He glanced down at me and I slid my hand into the bend of his elbow. “Are you alright?” I asked softly.
He nodded. “I’m very happy to be home. I look forward to using the showers as they are much better than the ones on the ship. Plus, getting into some fresh clothes will be a huge relief. We’ve been rather limited on our wardrobe while away.”
Clearly, the woman leading me wasn’t to be trusted. Who could be trusted? Any of the siblings? While we had gone over a lot of information about their planet and customs, they hadn’t mentioned anything about who could or couldn’t be trusted.
“Here are your chambers, Princess,” the woman said as she stopped at a single door with a golden handle.
Preston pushed open the door and waved for me to enter. “Welcome to your home.”
I released his hand after squeezing it one more time and headed inside.
The room was much larger than I anticipated, with a bed large enough to fit five Dragonkin males on their backs with room to spare, even a Dragonkin as large as Zeke.
The bed had a black gauze canopy over it that seemed to sparkle as the light hit it and a matching comforter that looked incredibly plush.
There was a dresser on each side of the bed, double doors that led to a balcony, and two doors that were closed on each side of the room. Everything was made from a dark wood with silver inlaid designs that were incredibly beautiful.
“It’s gorgeous,” I whispered as I did a slow turn to take it all in.
Preston pushed open one of the doors and said, “This is your bathroom.” Striding across the room, he pushed open the other door and waved me over. “Wardrobe.”
Stepping inside, I gasped at the huge assortment of clothes, jewelry, and shoes. Everything from sleepwear to tactical gear to the finest gowns I’d seen since I was a child.
“This is … so much,” I whispered as my fingers grazed a silver dress that looked like it was made from stardust.
“It’s hardly anything,” Preston argued. “We haven’t had a chance to shop properly for you, but once we’re a bit settled and the Games are over, we’ll fill this up as it should be.”
Returning to the woman who had escorted us, I said, “Thank you, you may go.”
She opened her mouth, but a quick look over my shoulder and she dropped to a curtsy before leaving.
After shutting the door, I strode over to Preston and asked, “Is your act one you’ll maintain while here?”
Frowning, he asked, “Act?”
“You’re acting colder now,” I explained. “Indifferent.”
His eyes widened and he quickly pulled me into a hug, inhaling deeply from the top of my head. “Old habits are hard to break,” he whispered. “When around my parents, it is best to act this way. I hadn’t realized I had unconsciously returned to that persona.”