Chapter 2

Jaegar

THE HEAT OF THE FLAMES warmed my back as I stood by the fireplace, ready for the fight that was coming. I faced a group of people I never thought to meet, not by choice, at least. The reigning royal family, including a prince from Bravadok.

“So, Jaeeegarrrr...” the queen said, drawing my name out like she hadn’t heard it said before.

“Jaegar,” the king said quickly, his ice-blue eyes sliding to me, then back to his wife. “It’s not a name you would have heard in the South.”

I forced myself to stare straight ahead. I was named after a King of the North, three generations back, and I was pretty sure the current king, Damon, knew that.

“Yes, Your Highness?” I said, raising an eyebrow at Queen Cass. “You were about to ask a question of me?”

She stared at me for another long moment before muttering a curse and walking away.

I stared after her and watched the people around me react with shock at her words.

“Aunt Cass,” Prince Anselm said, his annoyance obvious.

The queen threw out her arm and pointed straight at me. “Look at him. Just look at him. He’s got Damon’s eyes, and that bloody thing he does with his eyebrow. I was hoping it wasn’t true, but...” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me. “What do you want?”

I tried not to sigh too loudly, although the rush of air came out of me before I had a chance to stop it. “I never wanted to come here. My mother raised me with full knowledge of who my father was, but she is, well, was ... proud.”

The queen sank down onto the nearest couch, her face pale now. “I’m so sorry.”

I nodded once in acknowledgement. “It’s not the reason I’m here. I have no wish to take your son’s birthright or throw your lives into a state of chaos, and I apologize for doing so.” The last thing I’d ever wanted to do was come to the castle, announce my heritage, and have the king demand I strip to show them the proof of my lineage. It had been demeaning, and they were lucky I’d been able to hold my dragon shifter inside and hadn’t accidentally destroyed their foyer.

“What is it you want, Jaegar?” King Damon, my sire, asked.

I stared at him, finally letting a skerrik of my dragon out. “You know, I thought you’d be taller.”

The guy to my right snorted, then covered his mouth with his hand.

“Theo, this isn’t funny,” said Damon.

I gave my half-brother half a smile.

The guy stuck out his hand to introduce himself. “I’m Theo.”

I shook his hand with another nod.

The crown prince indicated to the rest of the room. “This is my brother, Barry, and our cousin, Anselm, and his wife, Kayla.”

I smiled at everyone in the room. “And Princess Veronica?”

“Our sister is travelling with her husband,” Theo said.

“And this is Rocky,” Kayla said, bouncing a gorgeous little boy on her hip.

“Hey, Rocky,” I said, reaching out my hand.

The little boy grabbed my finger with the strength of a healthy child and gurgled with a delighted smile.

“Whoa, aren’t you a strong boy?”

“Well, he’s got that tattoo you all share,” Kayla said, pulling aside the child’s shirt to show me.

I stared at that tiny little mark, remembering all the years I’d spent covering mine up and wishing that my mother would just let me burn the stupid thing off.

“He’s the next King of Bravadok?” I asked, and though I was trying to make the question sound jovial, even I could hear how stiff I sounded.

“He might be,” Kayla said, holding her baby close. “I was just glad he had something that Anselm has,” she said with such warmth as she glanced at her husband that I had to look away as envy twisted up in me and threatened to choke me.

“Yes, that must be nice,” I managed to mutter.

“Maybe we should head home,” Kayla said, putting a hand on Anselm’s arm. “Give this family time before they travel for the party.”

“The party?” the queen asked, throwing herself back and crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m not going anywhere—not with this hanging over the family.”

I thrust a hand into my hair, frustration clawing at my gut. “I’m not here to hang anything over you... God. This was not how I wanted to do this.” I’d rehearsed this conversation and many more, so many times in my head.

King Damon stepped closer. “Jaegar, tell us what you need.”

I inhaled sharply and forced myself to say what I’d come here to say. “There are three reasons I’m here. Number one, I promised my mother I’d come and meet you all after she died. I’m not here to try and usurp the throne or anything. I don’t want that.” I shook my head violently. “It’s quite the opposite. Why do you think I stayed hidden for so long?”

“Well, can I be the first to say it’s nice to meet you,” Barry said, smiling at me, albeit a little cooly. “But any particular reason your mother asked you to come up after she passed away, rather than before?”

I groaned at the question, as I didn’t want to explain. I rocked back on my heels. “Because she was my only family. She was an orphan, without any siblings. She hated the idea of me being alone. Not that I care, of course, but she thought I needed family. And I promised. So, I’m here.”

The rest of the room all looked at each other in a way that made my cheeks heat with blood.

Fuck!

I wasn’t some pitiful case that needed them. This was my mother’s dying wish, and if I’d loved her any less, I would have been able to ignore the request. “Look! It’s not just that... I... fuck it. Forget about it.” I couldn’t do it. It was too difficult. My head felt like it was going to explode with the pressure of just being in the room, surrounded by them all—staring at me like I was some kind of unwanted freak. “Just forget I even exist.”

I stormed for the huge double doors, my heart in my throat, ready to disappear once and for all.

But a mere breath later, King Damon flew across the room and stood in front of me, barring the way and blocking my path.

I skidded to a halt, so I didn’t crash directly into him, my eyes wide. “Fuck, you’re fast.”

My sire lifted an eyebrow at as if to say, “I’m the king, or did you forget?” “You said there were three reasons you were here,” he prompted.

I shook my shoulders, the hairs on the back of my neck bristling with unease as someone else approached. It was the younger of the two princes, Theo. He was about my height, which was saying something, as we weren’t short men, and had kind, dark blue eyes.

“Please come back,” he implored, gesturing to the couches behind us. “I know my family is a little full on, but trust me, you’re lucky Veronica’s not here. We’re the calm bunch.”

A strangled feminine giggle caught my attention, and I turned around to see a most unexpected sight, given my cold welcome.

The queen was snorting to herself on her chair as she waved me over. “Come back, Jaegar. Please forgive an old woman her jealousies. None of this is your fault.”

I was drawn back to the center of the room despite my misgivings.

Anselm dragged a chair from the dining area over to the fireplace. “Here,” he said, gesturing to it with a smile.

I sat, as did everyone else except the king.

He remained standing beside his wife, keeping a weathered eye on me.

I had to assume it was because he wanted the advantage if I tried to leave again. But I’d learned from my mistake. He was fast , shockingly so, and I’d need to be faster if I wanted to run.

The queen spoke again, her hand on her husband’s. “Forgive me?” she asked again, hopefully.

I nodded stiffly, not sure how to respond to her earlier declaration.

Jealousies? What could she be jealous of?

She was the one my father had ultimately married. She’d become queen, had three healthy children, and ruled over a formidable kingdom. We’d had next to nothing the entire time I was growing up. It’d been difficult and as a result, it’d made me hard, forging me into a dragon shifter not to be trifled with.

“What were the other two reasons you’ve come now?” Theo asked.

I sat up straighter, swallowing the lump in my throat. Now that my anger had somewhat dissipated, I was left with an unfamiliar discomfort. “Well, the second is that... well, Dymitri saw my tattoo the other day—he wasn’t meant to—I’m generally very good at hiding it. But there was an accident, and my clothes were torn, and... he saw.”

“Dymitri saw the tattoo?” the king asked, his lips twisting into a grimace.

I sighed. “He gave me three days to tell you, or he was, and I quote, ‘dragging my sorry ass into the castle himself.’” I couldn’t help but be proud that a man with such strength and integrity was my uncle. Sort of. I’d always admired Dymitri and his brother, Lucian.

The queen glanced up at her husband. “Sounds about right.”

“And the third reason?” Theo asked, not letting it go.

I stared at the young prince. He was quietly tenacious, which I could see now. “Well,” I coughed to clear my throat, embarrassment keeping me from announcing my news any louder. “I’m afraid that I have been dreaming of a woman. One that doesn’t exist in this kingdom. Believe me, I’ve looked.”

Anselm snorted out a laugh, unable to contain himself.

Kayla elbowed him sharply in his side. “Stop it! You princes are all the same.”

The room went quiet, and I looked the human dead in the eye, my tone terse. “I’m not a prince. Never was.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Kayla said, glancing around the room, realizing her mistake. “I didn’t mean...”

“It’s fine sweetheart,” Anselm said smoothly, gripping his wife’s hand and glaring at me. “Jaegar wasn’t born of the queen, but he has royal blood, which means his appetites are... healthy. You weren’t wrong, my love, and there’s no need to be sorry just because Jaegar is struggling with his identity. Is there, Jaegar?”

The chill that came over the room was notable, and I couldn’t help but smile at the crown prince of Bravadok. That stare would have cowered many a man. But unfortunately for him, that wasn’t me. I glanced across at Kayla and noticed the tears swimming in her eyes. That was what broke me. “I’m sorry, Kayla. Please forgive me for snapping at you. As the queen said, there are a lot of emotions here today.”

Kayla flapped a hand at her face to banish her tears and prevent them from falling. “Oh, it’s fine. Don’t mind me. I’m just a bit emotional, that’s all.”

Anselm pulled his wife to his side and kissed her face.

She hugged her baby son to her chest, and a powerful arrow of understanding struck me straight in the heart. They were a family. A true, loving family. This wasn’t a kingdom filled with arranged marriages and cold indifference.

There was so much love in this room, I was struggling not to crack and make a run for it again. “Forgiven?” I asked, my throat thick again.

“Oh, of course,” Kayla repeated. “Now, keep telling us about the woman you were dreaming about before I rudely interrupted. I used to dream about Anselm too, before we met, and then long after, of course.”

I shifted on my seat. That was what I was afraid of.

“Do you have a fated mate also?” Theo asked. “Dad’s told us about them, and Iain said he dreamed of Veronica too. Isn’t that right, Dad? It’s a sign of a fated mate?”

Everyone turned toward King Damon, and the man nodded, not taking his eyes off me. “Yes. You’re... what? Thirty-two, thirty-three, Jaegar? Without your mate you must be becoming frustrated.”

“If that’s what you want to call it,” I answered, trying my best to keep my grouchy tone even.

“My father told us once that he was going half insane with loneliness before Marienne helped him find Mother. Perhaps she could also help you?” offered Anselm.

“Marienne?” I repeated. “The Queen of the Black Mountains?”

The queen stood up, slipping her hand into her husband’s elbow crook. “Yes, Marienne, and her son, Anthony, have magic that helps them see the future. She told Stavrok that Damon and I were meant to be. Perhaps...” She glanced up at her husband. “You should come with us to the Kingdom of Bravadok in a few days. It is the triplets’ thirtieth birthday, and everyone will be there. If your mate is among the nobility, she’ll be present.”

Everyone? As in all the kingdom’s kings, queens, princes and princesses?

Oh, hell no.

I forced a smile on my face and shook my head. “Oh, I don’t think—”

“Yes,” the king said, cutting me off before I could finish. “That’s a great idea, Cass. Marienne will be there, and she can help you, Jaegar.”

“But...”

“You must come,” Anselm said, standing up. “It is my birthday after all, cousin. I invite you.”

I stared at the prince in front of me. Even my finest clothes would be considered rags to him. Surely, he didn’t expect me to turn up at a party as the poor relation? “I can’t,” I said again. “I’m not family, and I wouldn’t have a thing to wear to a party of that magnitude.”

Kayla smiled at me sweetly. “I hate to tell you this, Jaegar, but you are family now. There’s no point fighting it. Trust me, you won’t win. These guys don’t let you go once they’ve got you. Believe me, I’ve been there.”

I got to my feet this time and gestured to my body. “Look, I appreciate the offer, but I cannot attend a royal party like this. I would not shame myself or bring dishonor to your family.”

“Of course, you can attend,” Anselm said. “Like Kayla said, you’re not getting away from us now, not to mention that my sisters would kill me if I didn’t bring you.”

Kayla squeezed her husband’s arm. “You look a similar size,” she said observantly. “Perhaps Jaegar can borrow some clothes, honey?”

Anselm blinked at his wife, then at me. “Oh! Of course. If that’s what you’re worried about. I have—”

“No!” The king’s voice boomed through the room.

We all stared at King Damon, who had frozen. “Apologies. All I meant was, my... son will have his own clothes. Isn’t that right Cass, dear?”

The queen nodded. “Yes, of course. We have three days. That’ll not be a problem.”

“But... No... I can’t...” I protested as they swept me away into their world.

Kayla walked over to me and put her hand on my shoulder. “Seriously,” she advised. “Don’t try and fight it. Just throw your hands up and enjoy the ride. It’ll be a good one, I promise.”

I stared at her, then back at the room full of now beaming royals.

Heaven help me. What have I gotten myself into?