68. ANGEL

The small ceremony was arranged to be held in the throne room. Lucas woke me with a kiss and then slipped out of bed with the order for me to get my ass up and ready.

It was a struggle to get out of bed because my men kept me up most of the night. Not that I was complaining, but I was just human while they were so much more.

I wished more than anything that I could be like them, but then again if I was like them, I was sure that I wouldn’t have met them at all. And I was perfectly happy with my life at the moment, even if the future still scared me a little.

After a long shower, I blow-dried my hair and did my best to tame it. It wasn’t a big wedding, but I wanted to look my best. At least I didn’t have to worry about clothes since there was a dress already laid out on the bed for me along with some shoes.

I took a few seconds to admire the dress.

The royal blue material matched the blue in my ring. It had gold patterns on the skirts with long sleeves, but my shoulders were left bare. Fixing the skirts, I reached behind me to pull the zip up as far as I could.

I turned and walked over to the mirror.

My eyes darted up and I froze.

How had I not noticed that when I was showering?

Mason’s mark was healed and in his place was a forest green dragon almost similar to Lucas’s dragon. It moved over my skin and settled over my shoulder, golden eyes staring into mine.

More movement made my eyes drop to my chest. My mouth dropped open when a golden dragon slid out from under my dress, over my breast, up around my neck, and settled there.

I realized with a start that all three dragons were watching me.

It was kind of creepy.

Calm settled over me when a thought hit.

I wasn’t with my mates but a part of them was with me.

Reaching up, I pressed a fingertip to one of the dragons and smiled when he flicked his tail.

However, movement in the mirror behind me had me spinning around. A gasp fell from my lips and my eyes widened in fear as I stared at the large wolf slowly making his way towards me.

It looked like something out of a horror movie.

I knew that I had to search for an exit. Once I got out of my room, I could call for help. My mates had to be close by.

As I watched, black smoke started surrounding the wolf and a second later, the animal disappeared, and in its place stood a familiar man.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said softly. “Don’t scream, your mates are close. I just want to talk to you.”

I regarded him silently. Prince Maurice has given me no reason to distrust him. He had helped me when I first came into this world and has been nothing but kind.

“You look beautiful,” Prince Maurice said softly, green eyes trailing over me from head to toe. “Like a true queen.”

I swallowed and managed to give him a small smile. “Thank you.”

Prince Maurice moved forward, making me tense.

I was alone in a room with him, and I wasn’t sure whether I should run or not. He hadn’t done anything to hurt me…yet.

“I take it that you didn’t sneak into my room just to tell me that I look good,” I said, finally finding my voice.

Prince Maurice smiled. “I wanted to give you something.”

He reached into his coat and pulled out a long box. Stopping in front of me, he opened the box and then held it out towards me.

“A wedding gift.”

My mouth dropped open as I stared at the bracelet. It looked like something you’d find on earth at one of those street vendors. But the green pearls swirling with white, and grey looked real.

Prince Maurice took it out of the box and held it out towards me. “May I?”

I hesitated a moment before I raised my arm.

“This is to keep you protected,” he said softly. “Never take it off.”

I frowned at him. “How will it protect me?”

He took my hand in his and raised it to his lips to press a kiss to my knuckles, but he didn’t let go of my hand when he lowered it again.

“The pearls are infused with some of my magic,” he explained softly. “It will protect you when you need it.”

“Thank you,” I said softly, eyes dropping to the bracelet once again.

“My father told us that we are to kill anyone who came through the portals.” Prince Maurice paused. “The guard was planning on sucking you dry.”

“They mentioned taking me to some club.”

“I heard, but then he changed his mind and decided to suck you dry instead.” A sigh fell from his lips. “I knew that you were meant for something greater than death. What I didn’t know was that my own men would ignore my orders and trade you for something useless. I did tell them to bring you here.”

“So, I wasn’t supposed to be at the club at all?”

He shook his head. “I’m just glad that you actually ended up where you were supposed to be.”

“I don’t understand anything,” I told him honestly.

“One day when we meet again, I’ll explain everything to you.” Giving my hand a squeeze, he let go and took a step back. “You might not believe it, but you were made for this world. I wish you nothing but happiness, Queen Angel.”

I blinked and then he was gone. The only trace that he was ever in the room was the bracelet on my arm. Reaching up, I touched one of the pearls with my fingertip. It was cold and smooth to the touch. Nothing about it seemed magical.

Shaking my head, I walked back over to the bed and took a seat on the edge of it to pull on my shoes. The dress was long enough to hide my boots. There was no way I was wearing the heels that someone laid out with the dress.

I would rather be comfortable and warm than cold and uncomfortable. With my shoes on, I stood and glanced around.

My hair was done, I was dressed.

What else was I supposed to do?

Thankfully the question was answered when a soft knock sounded on the door. It opened a second later and Mason entered. He took a few steps into the room before he raised his head to look at me. Mason froze, eyes locked on my shoulder where his mark was.

“Do I look okay?” I asked him.

He swallowed loudly. “You look very beautiful.”

“You look very handsome.” My eyes darted over him, taking in the three-piece formal suit he wore. “You have a sword?”

“We don’t use it as much anymore, but it comes with the outfit.”

“Oh.”

Smiling he moved closer until he was close enough to hold out his arm. “Are you ready to be officially welcomed into the family?”

That was a weird way of saying it, but I only nodded and wrapped my hand around his arm.

“Lucas planned everything well so there should be no surprises but if that happens, don’t panic. Stay call and get behind us.”

His words didn’t exactly put me at ease, but I knew that we needed to be alert for any signs of danger. I knew how the maids gossiped. By now everyone in the castle would be aware of the small wedding being held in the throne room.

“I hope there’s no trouble.”

“You and me both, love.”