Rejected Bride: Married To The Dragon King

Chapter 3

Word Count: 881 | Released on: Today at 21:03

n Jord

ging in the air. It was a mad gamble. But I was a gambler

in my mind into some semblance of order. "I don't even kno

s golden eyes were calm, unreadable. "Albio

e. It explained the raw, untamed power that clung to him, so

e clutches of House Jordan and the lingering stain of the

?" I asked. That was

We will be husband and wife in name, to satisfy the world. In pr

alm to my raw nerves. My greatest fe

e, I need your word. This marriage

ain. "You will have the freedom you desire. The con

hed in my mind, then Harper's betrayal, Hettie's triumphan

e unknown, but staying

sed my hand and placed it

of heat flowed from his skin to mine, chasing away some of the bone-deep

t, Lord

ive grip. The corner of his mouth lifted in tha

he Dragon God Altar. We weren't heading for the main stage, but to a sm

of shock as he saw me-the abandoned

produced a heavy, dark metal signet ring, pressing it onto the elder'

e, undiluted awe. He scrambled to his feet, bowing his head so

ignet that it could command such reverence

under the silent watch of the Dragon God statue. There were no guests, no

on Ballard, a wave of dizziness washed over me. Hours

bion handed me a copy of the parchme

nt, my new reality feel

r. Most of the nobles had disperse

on said suddenly, his voice low. "I sugges

rfectly. "I agree

ct director for the Sterling Guild's new development

know that?" My appointment was official only yesterda

ow one of the board members." The words came too smoothly-

cover for an even prettier truth. But I didn't press. Fi

felt so close, yet so far. Close enough

s. Mystery stacked upon mystery, and I didn't

Chapter End

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Rejected Bride: Married To The Dragon King

Catlaina Sloggett Fantasy

“I knelt on the cold stone of the Dragon God Altar, waiting to marry Lord Harper Carney. It was my only chance to escape the gilded cage of my family. But when Harper finally arrived, he wasn't alone. His arm was wrapped tightly around my cousin, Hettie. Right in front of the entire court, he coldly announced that our marriage was a mistake. Hettie leaned into his embrace, wearing a triumphant smile while playing the innocent victim. The assembled nobles openly jeered at me. They mocked my greatest failing-that I was a worthless "Dragonless" born without the inner fire. My own father was furious, not at them, but at me. He demanded I go to Hettie's estate and beg for her forgiveness. When I refused, he threatened to cut off all my funds and revoke my only job at the Royal Scribes' Office. I was publicly abandoned, stripped of my dignity, and left with absolutely nothing. I didn't cry, and I didn't scream. Why should I be the one to apologize when they were the ones who betrayed me? For years, I had endured their abuse, treated like a pawn to be sacrificed at will. But looking at their smug faces, my despair turned into cold resolve. I took off my betrothal coronet and dropped it at Harper's feet, publicly nullifying the contract myself. I thought I would have to face the ruin alone, until a mysterious, powerful man with burning golden eyes stepped out of the shadows. "Marry me," he said. "I will be your shield, and we will crush them together."”