The Queen's Choice: The Emerging Queens, #5

By Jamie K. Schmidt

Mei Hua, once imprisoned as a dragon Queen, now revels in her newfound freedom. Scarred by her mistreatment from the dragon studs during her captivity, she vows never to choose a mate among them.

 

The only man who has ever had her back was Joachim.  That's why she chose him to be her Protector. The fact that he's the head of the Order of the Dragonslayers has ruffled a few tail feathers. 

 

As Mei Hua prepares for the upcoming Queen's conclave, where the new dragon Queens that have emerged after a centuries old curse was broken will meet together for the first time, she should be worried about the threats to her territory. Instead, her desire for justice becomes a dangerous tightrope walk.

Determined to punish the dragon studs and their accomplice Queens, Mei Hua's stance challenges the established order, making her a target for those clinging to tradition. When an assassination attempt is thwarted by Joachim and his warriors, Mei Hua is forced into hiding with the very man who should be her adversary but might just be the love she never expected.

 

The prospect of love with one of their ancient enemies seems ludicrous, yet Mei Hua is ready to challenge not only the societal norms but also the tyranny imposed by the old Queens.

 

The Queen's Choice is a riveting tale of forbidden love, dangerous alliances, and the quest to reshape a world steeped in tradition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamie K. Schmidt
• Release date: Apr 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223119043

Jamie K. Schmidt

Jamie K. Schmidt is a three-time USA Today Bestseller for her steamy romances Life's A Beach, Heat, and The Cowboy's Daughter.  Jamie’s books have been called, “hot and sexy, with just the right amount of emotional punch,” and “turbo-paced, gritty, highly sexual thrill rides.” As a #1 Amazon and Barnes and Noble best seller and a 2018 Romance Writers of America Rita® finalist in erotica, Jamie writes daily, drinks lots of tea, and sneaks away to play video games whenever she makes her deadlines. Along with her husband who lets her stick magnetic signs on his car about her books and her fifteen-year-old son who wants to be her cover model, Jamie lives in Connecticut with her two cats who hate each other and a dog who just wants to be cuddled up on a blanket.

Book preview

The Emerging Queens Series

THE QUEEN’S MYSTERY:  Read for FREE the novella that started the series off

Courts, queens, and sexy dragons with wings

In this prequel to USA Today bestselling author Jamie K. Schmidt's The Emerging Queens series, Bianca is a human with a problem. She just landed her dream job of working as a dragon-human liaison at the Smythe Corporation, but for some reason, dragon studs keep following her around. When Niall, the All Knowing, a golden Celtic dragon, sends her to get a rare book written by the Order of the Dragon Slayers, Bianca is stunned by her attraction to the esoteric bookstore owner. Byron is a dragon who is still mourning his long lost Queen. The fact that Bianca’s scent reminds him of his only love is enough to intrigue him, but when the Order of the Dragon Slayers take her away from him, it brings out the protector in him and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.

Sign up to be a VIP reader and get the prequel for FREE: http://jamiekschmidt.weebly.com/newsletter.html

THE QUEENS WINGS, BOOK 1

Long ago, the Cult of Humanity sacrificed the dragon Queen, crippling the breeding process. But now Carolyn hears the voice of that long dead queen telling her that she holds the key to breaking the spell that will free all the female dragons. FBI dragon Reed’s disdain for humans can’t mask the magnetic attraction he has for Carolyn, but when she tells him she’s going to shift into a dragon, he thinks she's crazy. A female hasn't been hatched, or shape shifted, in over a thousand years. He's proven wrong after Carolyn shifts and is named the new Queen on the block. A never-ending line of suitors forms, but she only wants Reed. Too bad he doesn't want in on the competition. But when the Cult kidnaps Carolyn to sacrifice her in an effort to make the curse against the female dragons permanent, Reed must face his fears—and feelings, racing to save the woman he realizes he can't live without.

THE QUEEN'S PLIGHT, book 2 

When the ice of his desire met with the fire of hers, the result was pure steam.

Deirdre Callahan, a divorced mother of two, had resigned herself to a challenging life of custody battles and financial struggles. But when an ancient curse is lifted, she transforms into a powerful Siren dragon—a magnificent creature capable of both seduction and destruction. In a world where dragons are revered and dragon Queens are rare, Deirdre and her children find themselves in need of protection, and the only dragon she can trust is her captivating boss, Fontaine.

Fontaine, the epitome of charm, wealth, and irresistible allure, has always been the object of Deirdre's secret desires. But dragons were known for their casual flings with humans, and Deirdre never wanted to be just a temporary distraction. And now, while countless dragon studs are vying for her attention, all she truly wants is to be loved for who she is, not for her ability to bear dragon offspring. Amidst a sea of potential suitors and the allure of newfound power, Deirdre must navigate the treacherous waters of love, trust, and self-discovery, all the while learning to be a dragon Queen who is worthy of the title.

THE QUEEN'S FLIGHT, book 3 

From adversaries to soulmates, love sparks amidst a world of dragons and danger.

Yesterday, Viola was an overweight receptionist who was the poster child for nothing special. Today, a centuries-old curse was shattered, and she shifted into a rare dragon Queen. But her newfound power and status comes at a perilous price. Thrust into a new world of strange customs and mysterious rituals, she struggles to grasp her changed life. Sergei, a brooding dragon shifter harboring a deep-rooted aversion for Queens, reluctantly accepts the role fate has thrust upon him. Bound together by an accidental pact, he becomes Viola's Protector and Consort, torn between duty and the smoldering connection that ignites between them. While danger lurks in shadows, a malevolent cult sets its sights on Viola, craving her demise. As the ranks of dragon shifters who yearn to abduct her multiply, the ancient order of dominant Queens grows resentful, threatened by the emergence of new, formidable powers. Determined to shield Viola from harm, Sergei vows to sacrifice everything, even his own life. But when he's accused of murder, Viola must unleash her latent abilities to save them both.

THE QUEEN'S DANCE, book 4 

He can never have her, but he'll protect her with his life.

Despite his handicaps outside his natural habitat, water dragon Remy Champ Champlain fights to protect Queen Margery from those who plot to quash her damaging news reports by silencing her...forever. After newly shifted sky dragon Queen Margery is rescued from smugglers by water dragon Remy Champlain, she debates whether to flesh out the story that nearly got her killed or embrace her royalty and build a court of Protectors and studs. Sparks fly between Remy and her. He’d love her to give up her job and settle down—hopefully with him—but he can’t fly, and she can’t swim, so their relationship can never get off the ground.

Chapter One

MEI HUA

When the Pope tells you to clear out of Rome, you listen.  Even if you are a dragon Queen.  Even if you have the entire Order of the Dragon Slayers at your back. Even if you’re pretty sure the Pope is a dragon stud in disguise and has to listen to you anyway.

Because even though you’re supposed to be an all-powerful dragon Queen, you are vulnerable because you have three dragon babies that idiots would literally take on all of the above just to get their grubby hands on them.

Or maybe it’s just me. I fully admit to being a chicken shit. The fear of being imprisoned again took the sting out of the decision to cut and run. Rome had been a refuge, but like all things, it couldn't last forever.

The air in my chambers was thick with the scent of a thousand teas, each tin and crate carefully labeled and sorted, awaiting transport. Delicate porcelain teapots and cups were lovingly wrapped in bubble wrap, their intricate patterns reflecting centuries of craftsmanship temporarily hidden to keep them safe for travel.

As I packed away my precious hoard of teacups and tea pots, my mind wandered to my children who were probably running their dragon slayer trained guards ragged. Kiana was a little blue, sky dragon. Jun Hie and Xiaobo were twin green and gold Chinese dragons. All of them had yet to shift into their human forms, but even with their teeth and claws, they were still vulnerable.

Staring at the recorder that Queen Margery had given me, I toggled it on and started to speak. I’m a Chinese dragon variant, but I wasn’t born that way. I had been a normal girl in Guangzhou in the Guangdong province in southern China. My parents were professors at the Sun Yat-sen University. I probably would have followed in their footsteps, but I started showing signs of becoming a dragon. Scales, claws. It scared the shit out of everyone.

I stopped the recording. Margery didn’t say I couldn’t swear.  She just said be myself. I didn’t really want to talk about myself, but Margery said it would help the New Queens. And help get the word out to the human population that a lot of the dragons they hero-worshipped were assholes. I started recording again. 

My parents called in the Order of the Dragon Slayers to put me down. A dragon was equal to being a demon in their eyes. I was lucky that Joachim had come for me. He told me there was a way to stop the change. The Order gave me a choice. They could end the shift and I would remain human, or they would help me through the transition. It was a terrible ordeal. Magic against magic, and my body was a battlefield.

That was a good line. I hoped Margery used that in the article she was writing. She had originally wanted me to do a podcast, but I didn’t like to be on camera.

In the end, I emerged as a Queen. That sounded loftier than it originally was, but let someone else tell their shifting story. The next part was more important for people to know. But then I was stolen by Elder Queen Esmeralda’s dragon studs several years ago. They had broken my wings so I couldn’t escape. Yeah, that’s right. I’m naming names. Come at me bro. I’ve got twenty dragon slayers just waiting for a piece of you. Ugh. Margery would probably need to edit that part out. Chinese dragons weren’t even supposed to have wings, but I missed using them all the same. The only reason why I wanted to shift into a dragon was to be able to fly.  Esmerelda, that bitch, and her minions took that away from me. That and so much more.

I turned off the recorder. I was getting upset, and now wasn’t the time to delve into all the messy emotions I’ve been spending the last few years trying to pretend I didn’t have.

Are you almost ready? Joachim strode into the room, his eyes scanning the organized chaos before him. His presence was both calming and unsettling. Joachim was now the leader of the Order of the Dragon Slayers and was willing to take on all-comers for me. Probably because he still felt guilty that he hadn’t been able to save me when I was a girl facing my first shift. He and his elite guards were the only ones allowed in my chambers. I didn’t mind them. They had sworn an oath to protect me and my children. And because the dragon slayers were all human, I trusted them.

As ready as I can be. I tucked away a Bernardaud Louis XV teapot into a wooden chest. It’s going to be a bit of a culture shock going from the Vatican City to Atlantic City.

Mei Hua, are you sure you don’t want to push back on this? Joachim's gaze was intense, his dark brown eyes searching mine. The lines on his face deepened in worry, and the scar on his left cheek puckered as he frowned. His hair was graying at the temples, and I could see traces of fatigue in his tired expression. As he towered over me, I caught a glimpse of intricate tattoos peeking out from under his rolled-up sleeves. Each one told a story of triumph and hardship.

To what end? I asked with a sigh. We were already packed. Joachim’s security team had already fueled up the jet and checked for any booby traps or explosives. All that was left was to secure my hoard of teapots and cups, and then we could grab the hatchlings and be on our way.

It won’t be an easy journey.

Why should anything in my life be easy? Danger is my middle name. Or perhaps trauma. Either way, we've dealt with worse.

You liked it here, though, Joachim said. The dragon slayers’ home base was Italy.  They had granted me sanctuary when all hell had broken loose these past few years. You don’t have to leave if you don’t want to.

I liked it here because it wasn’t Mexico, where I was tortured and raped. I liked it here because it wasn’t Greenland, where I froze my ass off and was possessed by an insane dead Queen. I liked it here, because for once in my fucking life, I felt in control.

Joachim was the toughest bastard I knew. He still flinched at every sentence that I just said. I’m sorry.

I’m not blaming you. Some days his guilt really got on my tits. He saved me. He protected me.  He was the only male I trusted with my hatchlings. I wasn’t mad at him. I was just mad near him.

I can make it that the Pope has an accident, he said casually.

Only Joachim could talk about whacking the Pope as if he was suggesting going out to brunch.

No. Even if it was tempting, I wasn’t that type of Queen. I would never be a Queen like the Elder Queens. And yet, I’d never be a Queen like the New Queens either.

Prior to the last two years, it had been thought that there were only five dragon Queens. Five Queens to keep the dragon population from dying out. The reason why there had been only five female dragons left in the world was that a group of assholes who called themselves the Cult of Humanity had sacrificed a young dragon Queen centuries ago to put a curse upon the dragon species. The spell left a Queen’s spirit in stasis, neither in the weave nor out, so no other female dragons could be born or hatched.  

For the most part, that had been true. But nature had found a way. 

I was a Curse Shifted Queen. We were rare. Our dragons were too powerful for the curse to stop completely. The magical weave that created the dragons’ essence had always been accessible to me. Fat lot of good it did, though.

Because the Elder Queens hadn’t wanted to give up their power, it had been easy for them to kidnap me and others like me and use us as breeders for the dragon studs, so they didn’t have to lay with them. Most Curse Shifted Queens had been hidden away before they were captured.  Even now when it was safe to come out, most still remained in hiding.  I didn’t blame them. You couldn’t trust a dragon stud.  They would do anything to breed.

But two years ago, the curse had been broken. New dragon Queens who had been bound by the curse suddenly emerged into the world. There are about a thousand of them, according to the last count. The studs still outnumbered us five to one, but the three remaining Elder Queens had lost a lot of power.

That’s probably for the best, Joachim said, absently stroking his strong jaw. I think that killing the Pope would be a violation of the Treaty of 1099.

The treaty granted the dragon slayers the right to kill dragons, but only if they were evil or threatened humanity. Lately, Joachim was playing hard and fast with the definition of evil. But I wasn’t complaining. He had killed several of my rapists who were trying to claim my hatchlings as their own.

Only if the Pope really is a dragon, I said, fishing for the dirt.

Joachim just gave me a secretive smile. He’d tell me if I asked. Not because I commanded it as a dragon Queen. As a human, he had no compulsion to obey me. He’d tell me because to him, I