Page 69 of Dragon Me Through Space

Preston growled. “She’s our betrothed, Princess Xoe Zarmascas of Caltyrela.”

I wasn’t offended by the question, since I’d asked them something similar myself previously. It almost made me smile to know my question hadn’t been that far off.

Gage’s father’s eyes widened. “You found her?” He approached me slowly, and drew in a deep breath near my head. Wayne and Zeke stiffened beside me, but didn’t growl or shove him away. His eyes widened even more as he whispered in awe, “It really is her.”

The urge to sniff myself was hard to ignore, but I managed … barely.

Gage’s father bowed to me. “I apologize for my rude greeting. I didn’t expect you to be with them after all of this time. We thought …” He didn’t finish his sentence, but I could guess what he’d been about to say. They had thought I was dead after all of this time.

“Please, let me show you to your rooms.” He turned and headed out of the room, which I realized was a teleportation room.

“Can you walk?” Wayne asked.

I nodded. “I’m okay to walk.”

Zeke kept a hand on my lower back while Wayne held my hand on the inside of his arm. Gage walked behind me, hovering enough that I knew he was waiting for any sign of me fainting to catch me. Clearly, they didn’t trust my ability to walk by myself yet, but instead of irritating me as it might have before, I found myself smiling at their concern.

“What of the ship that attacked us?” Preston asked as he strode beside Gage’s father.

“There was nothing here when we arrived, except the remnants of your ship and you,” he answered. “Who attacked you?”

“Tarkar of Tartarus Mercenary Guild,” I answered before the others. “He’s been hunting me since my planet was destroyed.”

Gage’s father spun around, concern crinkling the corners of his eyes and rage filling his eyes until they turned into slitted pupiled dragon’s eyes in a beautiful red color. “Hunting you? Do you know who hired him?”

I nodded. “King Almarst of Exostalon.” I held my hand up when he opened his mouth. “I already killed the king and prince, so it was likely a contingency plan that I hadn’t realized they’d set up or he was just still hunting me all these years later, which is also possible.”

His mouth dropped open. “I believe I may need a full debrief on your … activities.”

“After a shower and rest,” Zeke said. “She’s not as durable as we are and her body is still cold, too cold.”

He was right, my teeth were trying to chatter, but I kept clenching my jaw to prevent it so that they wouldn’t worry and to prevent showing more weakness to Gage’s father or the other Dragonkin around us.

“Of course,” Gage’s father dipped his head. “I’ll have food sent to your rooms.”

“We only need four rooms,” Preston said suddenly.

We all looked at him in question.

“Princess Xoe will stay with me,” he answered with a slightly raised eyebrow aimed at me.

If I objected in front of Gage’s father, it might make them look bad. Plus, I didn’t really want to be by myself on an unknown ship, even if they were supposed to be allies. There was too much I didn’t know about Dragonkin politics to be lax in my security.

“Only if we get a second blanket, since you’re such a blanket hog,” I said with a return smirk. I had a feeling that if we played a united front like this, it would go a long way in solidifying my place as their betrothed.

“You’re the one who cocoons yourself in blankets,” Wayne said and scoffed.

“That was one night when I was sick,” I countered.

Gage’s father smirked, clearly enjoying our banter. “This way.”

Thankfully the guys were quick to pick up on the lies I was trying to use.

He showed us to our quarters, which were thankfully all right next to each other and excused himself.

Preston pushed my lower back, guiding me inside of the room we would be sharing, locked the door, and wrapped his arms around me so tightly, I could barely breathe.

“Preston?” I squeaked in surprise.