Tiamat: The Aurora Marelup Series, #6

By Serenity Rayne

You would think I was living a fairy tale life. I live in my ancestral home high up in the mountains, and I am heir to the Ice Dragon throne. With the standard court drama and Prince's trying to court me that don't measure up to the man in my dreams, life can be quite stressful at times. But in the darkness, an old evil lurks, one we thought my mother Aurora had extinguished long ago. Villagers start going missing by my father Klaus's pack lands, and all signs point to the Strigoi. Time to help mom and get my talons dirty; this will be one bloody Valentines Day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Serenity Rayne
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215588567

Book preview

1

TIAMAT

Life for me changed after my eighteenth birthday. My brother and I were swept away to the family castle high in the mountains somewhere on Siberia's outskirts. There’s a new ball or gala that I must attend with my parents with every changing season. Ladon gets out of the galas because he’s not the heir apparent. Lucky me, right? I get to suffer through formalities as well as air-headed Princes that think their title means anything to me. Meanwhile, my Grandfather Nicodeamus regales me with tales of my mother's battles. All of which occurred en route to reclaiming her mother's throne.

My attendant helps me with the corseted top of my gown for the evening, and I sigh. For the last thirteen years, a blurry image of a man I know is my mate haunts my dreams. Having to attend these balls and tolerate the males trying to make trivial conversation turns my stomach. I’m jealous of my sisters and their freedom; It makes me wish I knew where my mate is.

The most hysterical part of my current situation is that I am the Princess locked in the tower guarded by two dragons. But, I am also a dragon, and that’s what makes it so funny.

Once the attendant is finished with my hair and makeup, I turn to my dresser and pull open the drawers which contain my crowns. I go with the ornate dragon crown that King Oberon sent me on my birthday. Reverently, I place it upon my head – behind the crown braid in my hair. Digging through the rest of my jewelry, I find the beautiful choker sent to me by Queen Gisella when I was named heir apparent for the Ice Dragon Throne. The stunning opal stone matches my scales perfectly with their iridescent tones.

I stare into the mirror, making a fine line of my dragon's scales line my upper and lower eyelids. Once I’m pleased with their appearance, I paint my lips a deep crimson that rivals the color of dried blood.

A loud knock sounds at my door, and I know it's my brother. My attendant lets my brother in, and he moves to my side swiftly. Are you ready, Tia? Mother is getting impatient. Ladon says softly as he adjusts his tie in my mirror.

About as ready as I’m going to be, brother dearest, I say, smiling as I rest my hand on his thick forearm. Ladon kisses my cheek before leading me out of my suite. He knows I'm sick of this shit. I have no interest in any of this, but duty calls, and I must obey.

We arrive at the large ornate cedar doors that lead to the ballroom. All I can do is roll my eyes as the announcement is made of our arrival. The double doors are thrown open, and we walk in, matching our steps to the woodwinds playing the fanfare. Mother and father stand proud in front of the thrones on the other side of the ballroom. The crowd parts as we move past them. Ladon spots his best friend Draven’s twin brothers in the crowd and nods slightly to them. Just what I needed Tweedle Dee, and Dumb are representing the Bronze Dragon Court tonight. Ladon hears me sigh loudly after noticing them. I’ll run interference, Sissy, don’t worry, Ladon leans in and whispers in my ear. I smile broadly, I love my brother to no end and moments like this make me so grateful to have him. Gently I squeeze his arm, showing my appreciation.

We reach the end of the aisle, and I release my grip on my brother to curtsy, keeping my head bowed low till my father retrieves me. Mother and I absolutely hate old school protocols. Unfortunately, the dragons are trapped in a time warp that’s thousands of years of history and traditions.

Father stands within my field of vision and offers his hand to me; promptly, I kiss the signet ring on his pinky before taking his offered hand to stand at his side. Father shares a secret smile with me, telling me without words he’s proud of me. We remain standing for several moments before taking our seats. Being the next Heir, I sit to the right of my father. Even though the royal bloodline comes from my mother's side - my father's Dad had been the last King - he holds power in theory. My Grandfather Nicodeamus, the previous heir apparent, sits to my right as my advisor and guardian should something happen to my parents.

The Ball carries on for what feels like forever. My brother, true to his word, kept the twins away from me as promised. With a practiced flourish of my lace fan, I summon Dante to my side. My parents know he is the only guard I tend to dance with at these things because I do not trust the suitors. A graceful slow-paced waltz starts the minute my hand touches Dante’s. He leads me out onto the dance floor and bows deeply; I do a slight curtsy before excepting his hand. We move as one as the song plays; practiced twirls and spins move us across the floor. The other dancers remove themselves from the floor to watch us dance. Whispers move through the crowd about Dante and me, and we smirk. My father starts to address the whispers, and by the third song, it stops.

Unfortunately, once at each ball, I must dance with one of the visiting Princes. A shiver moves through me, making my scales want to ripple to the surface. The idea of some male that is not my destined mate touching me repulses me on so many levels.

My brother Ladon brings the suitor he chose towards me. I’ll give it to my brother; the man he chose is handsome, tall, and exotic in appearance. Before me, the Prince bows deeply, his ebony hand extends out before him, offering it to me. Sister, before you is Prince Saul Valarius of the Skull Dragons. A sister clutch to Marco’s flight. Ladon says as I regard the Prince.

Gently I place my lithe hand into his larger one. Almost immediately, his hand encapsulates mine, its warmth radiating quickly. His nearly pitch-black eyes lock with mine, almost in a challenging manner. Smirking, I start to move frost over my skin and onto his hand. The pleasure is all mine, Prince Saul, I hit that sultry tone mom says causes men to not think clearly. In an instant, most of the challenge drains from his eyes, and he motions to the dance floor.

Graciously I bow my head and allow him to lead me to the center of the floor. I keep my fan at the ready just in case I need to be bailed out in an instant. The next waltz begins, and we spin around the floor gracefully. I find my father in the crowd and arch my eyebrow as if to say, ‘save me.’ My father motions to the band, and the song changes, it's more of a slow song, and panic floods my system.

Within moments my father is at the Prince’s side, requesting to cut in and dance with his daughter. Probably the most intelligent thing to come out of Saul’s mouth is when he acquiesces to my father's request. The minute I’m in my father's arms, I rest my head on his chest. Thank you, Daddy, I say softly for his ears alone.

Anything for my precious baby girl, he says just before he kisses the top of my head. You will no doubt make an amazing Queen one day, little one, Daddy says before kissing the crown of my head again. Just a little longer, Tia, and you can feign a headache and excuse yourself from the Ball. Make sure to take Ladon with you; we have some unique characters here tonight.

Some dignitaries dance closer to my father and me, and I have to return to my formal tone when addressing my Dad. They begin to babble on, more posturing for each other instead of accomplishing anything. I seize my opening and bow out gracefully, citing the sudden headache that was causing me distress. Both my father and the Dignitaries implore me to take care of myself immediately.

Score one for Daddy and his brilliance; through my bond with Ladon, I summoned him to me, and quickly he escorted me out of the ballroom. We left post haste, towards our shared suite at the end of the royal wing. The suite itself contains two large bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a large central sitting room for us. Once inside the suite, we went to our rooms to get changed into loungewear. Once dressed, we curled up on the large couch to watch movies till we fell asleep.

2

TIAMAT

The next morning Ladon and I wake up still on the couch. We can’t help but laugh at each other, having crashed on the couch like we used to when we were younger. Several moments later, we head to our rooms to get ready for the day. Once dressed, we head to the common room, where we have breakfast with our parents every morning.

Mom is on the phone, and the animated way she’s flailing her arms tells me something is really bothering her. Daddy? What’s going on? I motion towards Mom. Several looks cross over my father's normally stoic features. None of them bode well for whatever set mother off.

Sit, Tia, and I’ll catch you and your brother up, Dad says as he motions to our places at the table. Our coffees are placed before us as we wait for Dad to start speaking. I glance over to Ladon, then back to father, as he clears his throat. Klaus is catching Aurora up on recent events happening around the pack lands. Apparently, there have been some villagers and animals that are unaccounted for, Dad huffs his exhale as he looks down into his coffee mug. Dominik thinks he smelled sulfur near the last abduction site. My eyebrows shoot up at the last bit of information relayed to us.

Mother returns to the table and runs her hands down her face. The weight of the world is on her shoulders, and I can tell that the weight is crushing her. Mother? Do we need to depart to help Daddy Klaus and Daddy Dominik?