Claimed by the Dragons (Alma Venus Shifter Brides 3)

“This is incredible!”

Viggo feasted his eyes on her perfect profile as she was studying the complex architecture of her new home.

“It has gone through countless renovations, as you might imagine,” he said. “Every time, we chose to keep elements of the old styles and add some modern ones, just to remind the members of Clan Drekinn where we came from, where we are now, and that we will live and prosper for years and years to come.”

“It’s overwhelming…”

“Wait until you see the inside!”

He opened the intricately forged iron gate for her, and Delyse stepped on the wide alley which led to the front door. Just as she was getting ready to ask him where everyone else was, she saw two figures waiting for them: a woman and a man.

“Delyse, this is my sister, Astrid, and our good friend, Finn. Astrid, Finn… meet our future Alpha bride.”

Delyse smiled and shook their hands.

“Welcome!” said Astrid.

Finn only smiled and nodded.

“Thank you! I hope we can be friends,” said Delyse.

“Well, I hope so too.” Astrid gave her an even bigger smile. “Otherwise, things could get weird really soon, as we’re the only clan members around. All the other lazy asses are sleeping peacefully on their islands.”

Then and there, Delyse decided she liked Viggo’s sister. Astrid had long, dark blonde hair, golden eyes, and an amazing body: athletic, with harmonious curves in all the right places. She was, easily, the most beautiful woman Delyse had ever seen.

Finn was almost as tall as Viggo. He was so bulky that he gave the impression his body was built of stone. Or marble, since his skin was so white. He had light blond hair, lighter than Delyse’s, and his eyebrows and eyelashes were almost invisible, which, strangely enough, didn’t make him look less handsome. There was a sadness to him, though. Delyse could see it in his golden eyes. He seemed tired and bored with life.

“Let’s go inside,” suggested Astrid. “You poor thing… You’ve been in this freezing cold too long.”

Viggo had been right, Delyse had to admit. The inside of the palace was even more impressive than the outside. Everything was warm, bright, and colorful, which she realized now was in stark contrast with the outside walls and statues, which did show signs of wear because of the harsh weather.

“Oh, I’m going to love it here,” she whispered.

She let Finn take her coat, and her muscles relaxed when the warmth and coziness of the main hall swept into her bones. She jumped in surprise when Astrid took her hand and pulled her towards the main staircase.

“Come on, let me show you around.” She then turned to Viggo. “Brother, please let the cook know we’ll be ready for dinner in an hour.”

“Oh, wouldn’t it be too early?” asked Delyse.

“Nonsense! You must be starving.”

She couldn’t deny that. She hadn’t eaten much the day before, she had skipped breakfast, and only nibbled on her food on the plane. So, she let Astrid order everyone around and give her a quick tour of the palace. Marble statues of dragons, original paintings which should have probably been in a museum, not in a private collection, rare books, colorful, complex patterns on the marble floors… Everything was absolutely breathtaking. Delyse knew she would probably prefer to take long walks on the maze-like corridors of the palace and admire the art on the walls, than go for even the shortest of strolls outside, in the cold. The landscape the island was offering was bleak, anyway.

Astrid talked all the time, Delyse barely having the chance to sneak in a comment. They visited the greenhouse, which was more of an interior garden, then they finally went back downstairs, where dinner was waiting. Delyse took a seat between Astrid and Finn, which placed her right across from Viggo. She realized this was the first day she had spent the most time in his presence, and it was also the first time they were having dinner together. Well, not exactly together, since Finn and Astrid were there, as well as a couple of servants, but it was still something new and exciting. She couldn’t help but steal quick, shy glances at him. She loved how he lifted the glass of wine with the tips of his fingers, how he chewed his food silently and carefully. It was stupid, but everything he did was perfect. Delyse could watch him for hours.

“Oh Lord,” she thought. “This isn’t good.”

She tried to focus on her food and remember to smile and nod at Astrid to give her the impression she was actually listening. Poor Astrid. Since she was the only woman of Clan Drekinn who was still awake, she was probably bored out of her mind of spending her time with Viggo and Finn. Yes, they would be good friends.

After dinner, they spent another hour around the fireplace with glasses of wi

ne in their hands. Astrid asked her about Alma Venus, about the other shifter-brides, and about Myrtle Valley. When Delyse started talking about what it was really like to grow up in a boarding school, especially as a Donation, even Finn showed interest and asked her a couple of thoughtful questions. Viggo was silent the entire time. Delyse tried not to lose herself in his beautiful eyes, instead focusing on Astrid and Finn. It was very difficult when the flames in the fireplace danced in his golden orbs, making them look like molten gold. Even when he was so silent and broody, his presence was impossible to ignore. The slightly disheveled blond hair sticking into his eyes, his straight, noble nose, and high cheekbones… Oh, he was so handsome! So unbearably handsome! When they all finished their wine, Delyse sighed and told them she was tired and all she could dream of was a long, hot bath. They retreated into their rooms, and Astrid made sure to squeeze her hand and reassure her that everything would be fine the next day.

“Eric is a great man, you’ll see,” she told Delyse. “I’ve known him for a long time, and now I know you. Believe me: you were made for each other.”

Delyse smiled and thanked her. She wasn’t sure if Astrid’s words had given her hope, or crushed her soul a bit. She couldn’t make sense of her feelings anymore.

***