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4 - Blessings

Lucien

A throat clearing made Everly and I break apart. I wanted to growl at the interruption, and my dragon agreed, but seeing the sweet blush on my mate’s cheeks was just as lovely.

One of the Fae Assistants for tonight’s festivities walked over to me and whispered in my ear. I caught my little mate staring at me, and I gave her a wink while squeezing that luscious thigh of hers. I dismissed the assistant and turned to my mate, still sitting on my lap.

“Darling, they will be announcing the new mate couples shortly. It is a tradition to present your fated or chosen mate to the King in attendance for a blessing. As my Mate and future Queen, I want you to stand beside me. After all, I will be announcing you as my Fated Mate.” I told her, and her eyes bugged out. I could hear her heart thumping loudly, and I couldn’t help but smile. I kissed her once more before letting her get up to sit back on her throne, but I held her hand firmly in mine. No way am I letting her go.

Everly. My beautiful mate. She is truly something special. Kissing her sent so many electric currents throughout my whole body. I’m glad I am sitting down and angled slightly to the side to conceal the very hard tent in my pants right now.

She is the most angelic work of art. She smells of innocence. My dragon Aragon is beaming inside. It has been over two thousand Earth years without a mate. It is keeping me every ounce of strength not to let him take control and mark her right here and now. He has been ruthless and heartless for centuries, rarely surfacing because he was so depressed. Not having the one to love unconditionally takes a tremendous toll.

She is supposedly human, but she doesn’t quite smell like one. I’ve never encountered anything like her smell before—vanilla with a touch of lavender. I could bathe in her scent all day.

I can’t wait to take her to the palace and show the guys. They are my best friends. They are more like my brothers; they are my brothers to me. We grew up together since we were in diapers. I would fight to the death for them. I have fought for them more than once, but we are a team—the six of us. I wonder what she will think.

I couldn’t help but think how lucky I am and wish my best friends could also find their mate.

Everly

When Lucien said he wanted to announce me as his mate, I was internally freaking out. Say what now? Um, okay, don’t panic. Think lovely, wonderful thoughts. Maybe he has some pixie dust, and I can fly away to Neverland. Rainbows. Holobooks. Porn. Puppies. Pandas. Yeah, Happy thoughts.

“Darling,” Lucien says lightly, caressing my hand with his thumb. Penny, for your thoughts? Your heart is racing.” Oh, fiddlesticks, I am busted. I might as well tell him; maybe he will just let me go home.

“I. I’m scared,” I stutter out. “I’m only 18, Lucien! Barely 18 at that! I wasn’t even supposed to be here tonight, and now you are saying I am supposed to be a queen. I…I don’t know the first thing about being a leader. What if I mess up? What if no one likes me? I mean, I’m human, for elders’ sake! I’m like a..” my spiraling out-of-control rambling is cut off by Lucien kissing me fiercely. His hands cup my face gently, and I moan while I part my lips, granting his deeper access with his tongue. His soft lips molded with mine, and I lost my concentration.

When he breaks the kiss, we both have swollen lips and, again, the panting. My lungs burn as I inhale oxygen. I could get used to that.

“You are my mate. I will always protect you. You are going to be a great Queen. You will learn, and I will always be around to help you. The deities would not have paired us if they did not believe you were worthy of the status. For tonight, all you need to do is sit there and smile. Nod your head in acceptance when they look to you.” He places a few kisses on my hand, and I squeeze his fingers, trying to accept his words.

He leans closer to me, his warm breath tickling my skin. He whispers, “I love hearing my name from those lips. I can’t wait to hear you shout it when you are under me.” He pulled away with a smirk and found it amusing when my eyes practically bugged out of my head, and my face became like a strawberry! He redirects his attention to the Ball, but not before sending me another heart-shattering wink. Damnit, why the hell does he have to be so eye candy delicious?

A few minutes later, the familiar banging of the staff can be heard, drawing everyone’s attention to the stairs and the announcer.

“It is time for the Blessing of Mates. His Royal Majesty King Lucien shall receive each new couple and give the Dragon Blessing on behalf of the entire DragonFire Clan.” The same Fae I saw earlier boomed his voice for all to hear.

The entire ballroom remains silent as a sea of eyes, in every color, turn to the thrones and set their sights on us. I gulp the invisible bubble in my throat—so many colorful eyes. I turn to Lucien for comfort, and I see him staring at me. He squeezes my hand once again and gives me an assuring smile. I barely know this guy, yet I feel safe and happy with him. I give him a small smile and try to tame my racing heart by taking a few deep breaths.

A line is forming at the bottom of the stairs. A small army of guards comes out of nowhere for added protection and crowd control. “Names and realm?” Lucien asked, his voice soft yet commanding. I couldn’t help but stiffen my back a little, holding my shoulders and raising my head. Just being in his presence made me want to submit to him.

The couple answered all of his questions, and their answers seemed to appease him and his dragon. I then watched Lucien’s eyes begin to glow that bright, beautiful gold, meaning his dragon was with him. My breath hitched in my throat. I would never tire of seeing his dragon come forth. He was even more breathtaking.

Lucien’s hands began to glow softly towards the couple before us. They both visibly shuttered and lowered their heads in a deep bow as a surge of energy passed through them. It was over so soon, but you could feel the power in the air. I could feel my panties dampen once more. When Lucien released his hands from the couple, he looked at me and smiled like he knew what I felt.

There were 42 couples in all. A few of those couples were PolyMates, meaning more than 2. The largest group was 6: 2 humans with a vampire, a werewolf, and two demons. That was an interesting dynamic.

Stella and Jaxel were one of the last. Stella looked at me with so much love in her eyes. She was genuinely smitten with her mate. I am glad for her. After the last couple, a PolyMate of werewolves and a Fae, Lucien stood up and reached his hand out to me to take. I took it without question. He looked to the audience before saying:

“My Lords and Ladies are valued citizens. Tonight is a night to celebrate another wonderful year of peace and prosperity among the nations. I wish all a very happy and safe mating. I want to take this moment to introduce you all to my fated mate and your future Queen, Everly.” He turns to me with a massive smile before leaning down to kiss the raised hand he is holding. My heart was pounding so fast I thought it would stop any moment from exhaustion.

A deadly silence was in the hall before an explosion of applause and cheers filled the room.

Lucien led me down the stairs, and a sea of people parted ways to make room for us. He stopped in the middle of the ballroom, under the large crystal chandelier, and turned me to face him. He pulled me close with his hand on my hip so our fronts were flush and held my hand. I placed my free hand on his chest and couldn’t help but stare into his beautiful golden orbs. His eyes flashed a bright gold, and I gasped.

Music started to play, and I realized we were about to dance. My breathing started to pick up, and I could feel myself panicking when Lucien whispered in my ear, “Just relax and let me do the work.” I did as he said, and before I knew it, we were practically floating around the dance floor.

It was simply magical. I never felt so safe. I felt like Cinderella dancing with her prince, or King in my case, at the ball. He made it seem so easy to waltz around the room. His eyes never left mine.

Song after song, we danced. He would twirl me occasionally, making me giggle like a schoolgirl with her crush. He even dipped me at the end and kissed my nose. I feel like I am fangirling right now.

“Let’s go home, my love,” Lucien suddenly whispered into my ear, sending those familiar shutters down my spine that had happened every time he spoke. I was so enamored by him that all I could do was nod.

We finally exit the main ballroom and head to another part of the castle. I notice that the small army of Demon guards is around us, a few of whom I recognize from my journey here. The guards lead us down several corridors to a large set of double wooden doors. They open to a large, modern, sleek black-and-white office, contrasting sharply from the rest of the colorful mansion.

Inside the room were Stella and Jax, along with some other assistants. Lucien lets go of my hand to walk towards the bookshelf. I automatically gravitate towards Stella, and she embraces me in her arms. Lucien pulls on a book, and a panel opens like the old spy movies they show in the archives. He scans his hand on the panel, and then the bookshelf moves. A portal replaces the wall, much like the one in the tunnel. Lucien beckons everyone with his head towards the swirls of lights.

Everyone walks through the portal before Lucien takes my hand, kisses it, and says, “Don’t let go.” I squeezed his hand in response, and we walked through the portal.

Time stands still for a few moments. The lights swirl around me, and I feel an electrifying sensation in every cell of my body. Then it disappears. We are in another office, rich in color and looking like something ethereal.

Standing in front of me are five very tall, equally beautiful men. Their eyes glowed a beautiful, alluring, mystical gold that could outshine the sun.

“Mate!” they all say in unison. Excuse me?

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