A Queen of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales 4)

“Ready?” Finley asked me as the carriage stopped in front of the castle.

“Always.”

“I will be monitoring your environment closely,” Calia said, and Dessia nodded.

“Our environment?” Finley shook her head a little.

“Who comes and goes around you,” Calia replied. “The mood of those around you, their motives for being in your company. You are our guests, and I will ensure you have a pleasant stay. You are in no danger here, I will make sure of it.”

“Thank you for that,” I told her, pleased that she should take such an interest. Still, it wasn’t an offer she could make. She had the king’s ear and a decent amount of power in the court, but she didn’t have the authority to organize the king’s guard or give them commands. Only the king could do that. If any servants or guards were compromised, we’d be in plenty of danger.

I had every suspicion servants and guards had been compromised by Dolion. The attack on the water had made it clear he knew exactly where we were headed.

“Shall we?” Calia smiled and climbed from the carriage.

Dessia stalled for a moment, her gaze shifting back and forth between Finley and me. She studied me for another moment before climbing out of the carriage.

“Here we go,” Finley said softly.

She moved to get up, but I held her back so that I could climb from the carriage first and help her down. The evening sun glinted off my livery collar, and I assumed my crown. My black suit was cut through with a golden sheen, shining in the failing light. I had dressed the part even though I’d felt a lot more like putting on battle gear and going off to find Dolion right now.

Servants lined the walkway into the castle, all dressed exactly the same in their white jackets over dark waistcoats with gold buttons on either side. Their tight white pants ended in stockings the same dark blue as the waistcoats and loafers with golden buttons. It was something Hadriel might have worn, a thought that nearly cracked my stoic and self-important facade.

Finley took my hand, her other hand touching her belly, where our child was safe and snug.

And just like that, my heart surged and I couldn’t breathe. I pulled her to me, lifting her out of the carriage and then holding her tightly.

We all had certain parts to play on this visit, and mine was the role of the ruthless, scarred dragon king. I needed to play up the typical dragon stereotype. I needed to cultivate a stoic and aloof image.

I couldn’t help it, though. I had to touch her. I had to hold her and put my hand on her belly, so fucking honored that she was going to be the mother of my child. So fucking excited that I would get the chance to be a dad—a good dad.

“I love you,” I murmured, kissing her.

Her lips curved upward under mine, and she looped her arms around my neck. “Aren’t you supposed to be the grumpy one who hates everyone?” She sucked in a gasp as I ran my fingers down the scales on her back, displayed by her slinky dress.

“I’m still the grumpy one. They’ll just think I hate everyone but you. It’ll be fine.”

She laughed and went to pull away a little, but then surprised me by tightening her grip on me, her cheek against my chest.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yes. Probably. I don’t know. I’ve had these incredible urges since that battle. At the moment I’m desperate for closeness, and it’s a little tricky to ignore. It feels like my heart is trying to rip out of my chest and burrow into you.”

She peeled herself away from me, tears in her eyes.

“Yeah,” she said. “I’m fucking crying. Why am I fucking crying? I have no idea. I think I’ve gone insane. Is that part of a dragon being pregnant? It should be much too early for crazy hormones.”

Without thinking, I scooped her up into my arms and walked toward a patiently waiting Calia.

“No, no.” Finley patted me even as she clung to my shoulders. “This isn’t what our plan was. This isn’t a proper image of royalty. Put me down. I can get my emotions sorted.”

Take care of your mate, my dragon said. That’s more important than a cultivated first impression. Your plan was stupid, anyway.

He could always be counted on to choose our mate over literally anything else. He wasn’t exactly the brains of this outfit. Still, I couldn’t help myself. The knowledge of her pregnancy had changed things for both of us. We’d need to work that into the plans, somehow. Hopefully my mother would have some ideas.

Ahead of us, Calia and Dessia entered the great arched doors of the castle. Finley gasped as we crossed the threshold after them. Crystal lights and chandeliers caught the light from the windows and splashed it around. Plush furniture kept in immaculate condition spotted the floor, and oil paintings done by masters throughout the years hung on the walls.