Her Dragon King: A Dragon Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royally Mated Book 3)

by Bianca Cole

  If the king knows where my family is, I need to question him—no matter the risks. I splash some water on my face and over my neck, trying to cool myself down. My heart is pounding too fast. At this rate, I’ll never get the courage to approach the king. I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.

  The door swings open behind me, making me jump. A woman walks in, hardly glancing at me, but I recognize her. Alena, she’s a witch—one of the ones who was excluded from the coven when she decided to side with the dragons.

  Dragons and witches have been at war for years. It all started when the new king’s grandfather double-crossed the leader of the coven. She couldn’t let it go and decided to declare war, but they are too strong for witches. They have a certain resistance to magic when shifted.

  I keep my face forward, hoping she won’t notice me.

  “Ilsa, I’m surprised to see you here,” she says, walking to stand by my side. “Are you considering joining the dragons?” She raises a brow.

  I nod, unable to trust myself to speak.

  “Who invited you?” she asks.

  Oh shit. I don’t know any dragons. The only dragon’s name I know is the kings. “Aiden.”

  Her eyes widen, and then she laughs. “Surely not, the king wouldn’t invite a witch to the ball.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “What are you doing here, Ilsa?”

  This is the last thing I need. I wasn’t expecting to be ambushed by a witch the moment I got into the castle. “I wanted to speak with the king, that’s all.” I shrug and glance back at the sink, turning the taps off.

  “Ilsa, I’m not stupid. If you are here to cause trouble, I will have to report you.” She moves for the door.

  I grab her arm. “Please, Alena, I’m not here to cause trouble.” I hate the desperation in my voice. “I am only here to ask the king one question.”

  She yanks her arm from me. “What question?”

  I search Alena’s eyes, knowing she isn’t heartless. She may have picked the dragon’s side in the war, but she has compassion. “My family is missing, and I wanted to find out if he knows where they are.”

  “Rowan and Irene are missing?” she asks.

  I nod. “Yes, and my brother, Eric.”

  Her brow furrows. “What makes you think the king will know where they are?”

  This is a risk. If I tell Alena what happened, she could use it against me. At the same time, if I keep it from her, she could get me thrown out. I need to speak to the king at any cost tonight. “It’s a hunch. My brother met with the king’s father the day they disappeared.”

  She sighs heavily. “Your parents were the best of that coven. They weren’t judgmental of me.” Her face looks pained as she stares into space. “Your mom even pleaded for the coven to open their mind to seeking peace with the dragons.”

  I take her hand. “She believes the war we are fighting is pointless. Our numbers are so low now.” I squeeze gently. “There isn’t a coven anymore, not really.”

  She squeezes my hand back. “Don’t worry, Ilsa. Your parents stood up for me when no one else would. I won’t turn their daughter in.”

  A flood of relief spirals through me. “Thank you, Alena.”

  “It’s nothing. If you get a chance, try and find me after you speak to the king, I might be able to help you if you find something out.” She narrows her eyes. “I never trusted Kendall, Aiden’s father. Something may be going on that we’re unaware of, but Aiden is different.”

  I tilt my head to the side. “In what way?”

  She smiles. “You’ll find out once you speak to him. He’s got a kind heart, beneath all that alpha, dragon bullshit. His father didn’t.”

  It puts me at ease a little to hear that Aiden is genuinely a nice guy. Maybe he will be happy to help me out and tell me what he knows—if he knows anything. It was his father’s involvement that drew me here, not his.

  “I’ll try and find you later. Thank you again.” I squeeze her hand and then move past her toward the door.

  “Be careful, though, Ilsa. Remember, you are an enemy in their territory. Dragons don’t often see reason when it comes to trespassing witches.”

  I swallow hard and give her a nod before heading out of the bathroom and back down the corridor. My heels click on the floor as I make it back to the entry into the ballroom. This place is so over the top.

  There’s a small queue of people waiting at the huge, carved oak doors in front of me. I stand in line and wait, and my stomach knots with nerves. It’s time to find out the truth about my family’s disappearance. All I can do is hope things go my way, but up to now, it’s not been smooth sailing.

  I deserve a fucking break. Ever since my parents and brother went missing, it seems like the world is trying to break me down. I won’t give up, not until I’m dead.

  3

  Aiden

  “May I present princess Jenna,” Lance says, pointing at a young, dark-haired girl who looks to be about eighteen years old—way too young to be getting married.

  I give him a warning glance. He has got to be fucking kidding me. I could eat this girl for breakfast. If they force me to marry a princess that I don’t love, I want one with a bit of something about her—a spark and fire. This dragon shifter couldn’t stand by my side. There’s no chance in hell.

  “Nice to meet you,” I grumble, not even bothering to bow to her.

  The ball is all a waste of time. Especially if these are the women he’s bringing for me. I turn away from her and head through the crowd, making a beeline for the bar. I need a fucking drink.

  Tonight is a joke. The three princesses Lance has introduced me to were all too young or too dense to hold a conversation. I push through the crowd toward the bar and lean on the counter. My rage is flaring out of control tonight, even though I was sure to have a long fly about beforehand.

  My dragon is restless. I guess that’s what happens when you try to force a part of you that only believes in fated mates to submit to life with a woman who isn’t. I rub the space between my eyes, feeling a migraine starting. The last thing I need right now is a headache.

  “What can I get you, sir?” the bartender asks me.

  I don’t even look up to reply. “Large bourbon, on the rocks.”

  “Coming right up,” she says, walking away from me.

  I stand up straight and run a hand across the back of my neck.

  “Aiden, is that you?” I tense, hearing her voice. My sister hasn’t been back here in four years, and suddenly my father dies, and she returns. I saw her at the funeral but deliberately avoided her. Not only am I ashamed for not sticking up for her, but I’m also angry that she left me with our father.

  I don’t even turn to face her. “Elaine, what are you doing here? I didn’t invite you.”

  She steps up to the bar by my side. “No, but Lance did.”

  “What do you want?” I ask, finally glancing at her for the first time.

  She pouts. “That’s not a nice way to talk to your baby sister, who you haven’t seen in four years.”

  I shake my head. “There’s a reason I haven’t seen you.”

  Her face falls. “Did you think I wouldn’t attend my own father’s funeral?” she asks, her voice turning vulnerable.

  I shake my head. “I don’t know what I thought. I haven’t seen or heard from you in four years since you ran off with that wolf.” I narrow my eyes at her. “It’s odd timing that you would show up now.”

  She crosses her arms over her chest. “What are you suggesting?”

  “Here is your drink, sir,” the bartender returns and places it down on the bar.

  I nod in thanks, and she walks away, leaving us again. “I don’t have time to argue, Elaine. I have to select a wife tonight.” I knock back the bourbon in one, letting the cold liquid calm the anger burning inside of me.

  She sets her hand on my arm, squeezing gently. “I don’t want to argue, brother. I just want to make amends.”

  A tension coils through m
y muscles. “Why now, Elaine?”

  She shrugs. “You’re different from father. Can’t you see past my mate?”

  I run a hand through my hair, drawing in a deep breath. She’s right. I am different from our father. Elaine mated young. She was eighteen years old when she met Luke, a wolf shifter. My father wanted them to break the bond, but they both refused. She ran away with him. I haven’t heard from her since.

  My father did threaten to kill Luke if he saw him again. It was one of the last things he said to his daughter. I can’t deny that she must be hurting over it.

  I nod my head. “Stay, and we will talk in the coming days,” I say, not wanting to discuss it here and now.

  I’m too wound up, not by her, but by Lance. It would be a terrible idea to have this conversation in front of all these people. Elaine and I often struggle to see eye to eye, even when we were children.

  “Thank you,” she says, her voice quiet.

  I nod, patting her on the shoulder before turning and heading back toward the stage at the front.

  It’s time to get this evening over and done with. There’s no chance in hell I’m picking a wife, so Lance will have to accept it.

  I move through the crowd, tense, and on edge. My dragon is ready to break free, but I’m not sure why. A few scales break out across the skin at my wrist. The last thing I want tonight is to demonstrate that I’m not in control. Too many witnesses here that don’t exactly like me.

  A strong scent of strawberries hits me as I move forward, drawing my attention toward the opposite side of the ballroom. My heart skips a beat, and I feel the burning pull of my dragon trying to break free. He wants to rise to the surface, hence the scales.

  It feels like time slows down as she gracefully walks down the steps into the ballroom. Her dark hair is long and falls in waves over her olive skin. I let my eyes drag down her form, feeling the pull of my dragon ramp up. Her hourglass figure and shapely curves do nothing to tame the blazing fire inside of me.

  My cock is harder than a rock, straining against my tight boxer briefs. I’m staring at my mate. She isn’t royalty—she isn’t even a dragon shifter.

  I know that from her scent. I focus on it, trying to work out precisely what she is. There’s no way she’s a wolf shifter. She smells too good. Human? I shake my head, knowing that’s not it either.

  I feel panic set in, as that only leaves a witch or a vampire. Both races are entirely off the table for dragon shifters, especially royalty.

  As she gets closer to me, her eyes meet mine. A flash of fear enters her bright green gems. She recognizes me instantly, and she’s worried.

  Is she even supposed to be here?

  I know no vampires are invited to this ball, but she doesn’t have that undead scent either. It leaves one option—a witch. Some witches got an invitation here tonight, but only ones I’m formally acquainted with. I’m not acquainted with this stunning beauty.

  She slips out of my sight quickly, trying to evade my gaze. It’s a bad idea to try and evade my dragon when he’s on heat. I feel the excitement at the chase build inside of me, and it’s impossible to deaden. This woman is playing with fire if she doesn’t play ball.

  I smile as I catch a glimpse of her dress as she moves toward the bar. Many people underestimate a dragon’s vision. It’s second to none. I track her every movement as she settles in on a stool, clearly trying to blend in as best she can. Little does she know that she can’t hide from me.

  My dragon roars to break free. He loves a chase. I rein it in, clenching my fists and walking toward her. Finding my mate is the last thing I expected to happen tonight. My mate. A witch.

  Fuck.

  It’s not entirely shocking. Lately, more and more species are mating with others outside of their own. Rhys, the wolf shifter king, has mated to a human and has children with her. I never once thought I’d see wolf shifter royalty take a human for a mate.

  Sure, their royalty is a bit different from ours. Rhys doesn’t live in a castle or have ridiculous wealth, but he’s still the leader of all the wolves in North America.

  I’m not sure I’m going to have quite the same freedom to take a witch as a mate. For a start, we’re sworn enemies, other than the few witches that have changed sides and remain loyal to the dragons. Lance would kill me if I even suggested taking a witch as my wife.

  Her scent calls to me as I move toward the bar. My heartbeat picks up pace as I set eyes on her again. She has her back to me, leaning over the bar.

  I take a moment to admire her from behind. She’s perfect. Every single inch of her makes me harder than nails—her curvy figure and perfect, round ass.

  I groan, trying to control the urges rearing up inside of me. There’s no way I can stay away from her tonight. The princesses that came her to win me over won’t get a fucking look from me—not now.

  I’m ready to claim my mate, and so is my dragon. The claiming could cause a commotion, but I’m not about to turn my back on my mate to satisfy my people. She’s mine, whether they like it or not.

  4

  Ilsa

  His eyes remain fixed on me as I move across the ballroom floor. There’s no mistaking who he is. The dragon king, Aiden Jeremiah, is staring right at me.

  Does he know that I’m not supposed to be here?

  Fuck

  After being ambushed by Alena in the bathroom, and now him staring at me, I’m starting to think this night is destined to go wrong.

  I try to slip out of his view, but it feels like his eyes follow me everywhere. This is the last thing I need. Sure, I want a moment of his time, but having him notice me before I had the chance to notice him has me on edge. Maybe the guards knew I was an imposter and forewarned him.

  I know what dragon shifters do to witches who they aren’t allies with. They burn them to a crisp. I slip through the crowd, hoping the bar will be good cover from him. There are so many people. He’ll surely lose sight of me, even with his hyper-vision.

  I move toward the bar, slipping through people chatting. A drink is well deserved right now. My heart is hammering so fast. I’m sure I might suffer from cardiac arrest at any moment.

  “What can I get you, sweetheart?” the bartender asks, flashing his sharp dragon teeth. It’s not often I’ve been this close to a dragon, and it’s unnerving.

  I swallow hard, knowing how much danger I’m in right now. “Jack and Coke, please.”

  He winks. “Coming right up, beautiful.”

  Heat floods me at the compliment. If anyone were to realize I’m not supposed to be here, I could be torn apart in seconds. I keep my elbows propped against the bar, feeling my head spin. This was a bad idea. I feel like the lamb who has voluntarily walked into the wolves’ den like a damn idiot.

  A hand lands on my shoulder, making me jump.

  I spin around and almost squeal when I see who is standing behind me. Aiden. His bright orange eyes are dragon-like. I’m sure he’s about to turn and rip me to shreds. “Let me get that,” he says, nodding at the other shifter.

  The flirty bartender looks pale as he nods, setting the drink down in front of me.

  “And, a bourbon on the rocks for me, Will,” he says, glaring at the guy behind the bar.

  He nods and goes to fetch the drink.

  “What’s your name?” Aiden asks. He stares at me with such intensity, and I feel my knees wobble.

  I try to remember Alena’s reassurance that Aiden isn’t heartless like his father. He won’t hurt me for the sake of it, I hope she’s right.

  I swallow hard and try to speak, but nothing comes out. The man standing in front of me is the single most attractive man I’ve ever seen.

  Dragon shifters are so often painfully handsome, but his looks are on another level. He has high cheekbones and a strong jaw, peppered with a dark, neatly trimmed beard. His hair is jet black too, but the most striking thing about him are those eyes—piercing, fiery orange flecked with gold. His pupils are elongated, which warns me I’m in dange
r. A dragon shifter’s eyes only look like that when their dragon is close to the surface.

  His nostrils flare, and he steps closer to me, setting his hands down either side of the bar, trapping me between it and him. “I asked you a question,” he murmurs.

  His voice isn’t threatening. Instead, it’s seductive. My heart hammers against my rib cage. His scent overwhelms me. He smells of musk and the mountains—it’s so masculine it makes my body quiver.

  “Ilsa,” I say, trying to compose myself.

  Aiden is more than I expected and undeniably attractive. I can’t explain the urge I have to grab him and kiss him. It makes no sense. It’s forbidden for witches to get close to dragons, but it’s all I can think about.

  “Ilsa,” he repeats my name, and hearing it on his lips turns me into molten lava. “I’m Aiden.” He removes his hands from the bar, finally giving me some space. He holds out a hand for me to shake.

  I stare at it for a moment, dazed. “I know who you are. Who doesn’t?” I take his hand and shake it. “It’s lovely to meet you, your highness.”

  He laughs at that. “Don’t ever call me that again, it’s just Aiden, love.”

  I can’t understand why my stomach does a backflip at him calling me love. He probably calls every woman that, but it sounds sexy in his mild British accent. His family originally came from Britain but moved to the United States a while ago. He would have been born here but must have inherited it from his parents.

  “Okay, Aiden,” I say, trying to reclaim my hand from his tight grip.

  He doesn’t let it go. “What brings a stunning woman like you here tonight?” he asks.

  I feel my mouth drop open, pretty sure I need to pick it up off the floor. Aiden, the king of dragons, is flirting with me. This has to be a trap. “I was invited,” I say, swallowing the moment the lie leaves my lips.