Cadmus POV
"Arrest the real princess," I ordered. "Put her in guest rooms. Under guard."
"What?" Seraphina's beautiful face twisted with rage. "You can't arrest ME! I'm the legitimate—"
"You're late." I smiled without warmth. "The service is complete. The binding is sealed. For one year, this girl—" I held up Elara's wrist, showing the silver mark "—is my wife. Not you."
"But she's a fake! A fake! A bastard pretending to—"
"Guards. Now."
My men grabbed Seraphina's arms. She screamed and fought, but they dragged her away.
The moment the doors closed, I turned to Elara.
She looked like she might faint. Good. She should be scared.
Because my dragon was going absolutely crazy inside my head.
MATE. OURS. PROTECT. KEEP. NEVER LET GO.
"Come with me," I said quietly. "Now."
I grabbed her hand—the one with my binding mark—and pulled her through a secret door behind my throne. She stumbled after me, too shocked to refuse.
We walked through secret tunnels only I knew. Away from the court. Away from listening ears.
My dragon purred at her touch. At her smell. At the way her small hand fit perfectly in mine.
I shoved those thoughts down hard.
Finally, we reached my private study. I pulled her inside and locked the door.
"Sit." I pointed at a chair.
She sat. Her whole body shook.
I paced in front of her, trying to control my breathing. Trying to think past the noise in my head.
"You're not Princess Seraphina Blackwell," I said simply.
Her face went white as snow. "I—I am, I swear—"
"Don't. Lie. To. Me." I stopped moving and faced her. "I met the real princess two years ago. She smelled like roses and looked at everyone like they were animals. You smell like flowers and fear."
Tears filled her pink eyes.
I leaned down, balancing my hands on the arms of her chair. Caging her in.
"Who are you really?"
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"I..." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I can't tell you."
"Can't? Or won't?"
"Can't!" She looked up at me with desperate eyes. "Please, if I tell you, they'll kill my mother! She's all I have! Please don't make me—" "They threatened your mother." It wasn't a question.
She nodded, tears spilling down her face.
Something dark and furious rose in my chest. Someone had threatened this girl—this scared, brave girl who smelled like home—and pushed her into this nightmare.
My dragon roared for blood.
"Tell me everything," I said, causing my voice to soften. "And I promise on my crown, I will protect your mother. No one will touch her. You have my word."
She looked at me like she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Why would you help me?" she whispered. "I lied to you. I tricked you. I—"
"You're my wife now." I touched the bond mark on her wrist. "Which means you're under my care. Tell me who did this to you."
She took a shaking breath. Then another.
And then she told me everything.
About being the king's bastard daughter. About Princess Seraphina's plan to swap them. About Duke Ashford wanting war. About her mother locked in a cage, bruised and hungry.
With every word, my rage grew hotter.
"They wanted you to die," I said when she finished. "They sent you here hoping I'd kill you for the deception."
"Yes." She wiped her eyes. "And then King Blackwell would have a reason for war. Duke Ashford would lead the troops and take the throne for himself."
"And Seraphina?"
"She'd marry Ashford and become queen." Elara's voice turned bitter. "She gets everything she wants, and I die. Perfect plan."
I was silent for a long moment, thinking.
Then I started to laugh.
Elara looked at me like I'd gone crazy. "Why are you laughing?"
"Because they made a critical mistake." I held up my wrist, showing my band mark. "They bound you to me. And your blood—that violet glow—proves you have old fae royal blood. Which means the treaty is met. You ARE royalty, just not the kind they expected."
Her eyes went wide. "What?"
"The treaty required a royal bride. It didn't say which kingdom's royalty." I grinned. It wasn't a nice grin. "Congratulations, Elara. You just became the most genuine bride I could have asked for."
"But... but Seraphina—"
"Seraphina is too late. The bond can't be broken for a year. You're stuck with me." I tilted my head, studying her face. "Unless you want to go back? I could arrange—"
"No!" She grabbed my arm. "No, please! They'll kill my mother the second I return! Please don't send me back!"
My dragon purred at her touch. At the despair in her voice. At the way she looked at me like I was her only chance.
"Then we have a deal," I said softly. "I keep you safe. You play the part of my wife. And together, we make everyone who threatened you regret ever being born."
She searched my face. "Why are you being kind to me?"
Because you're my mate, I thought. Because my dragon won't let you go. Because everything in me screams to protect you.
But I couldn't tell her that. Not yet.
"Because I hate being manipulated," I said instead. "And your kingdom just tried to trick me into starting a war. That's unacceptable."
Before she could reply, someone pounded on the door.
"Your Majesty!" Lyra's voice, eager and scared. "You need to come quickly! Princess Seraphina is demanding a trial by battle! She claims the right to challenge for the place of true bride!"
My blood went cold.
Trial by battle. An old law. If someone fought for a throne or title, they could demand a fight to the death.
Winner takes all.
I looked at Elara's scared face. At her small hands and soft skin.
Seraphina would kill her in seconds.
"No," I growled. "Absolutely not."
"Your Majesty, it's ancient law!" Lyra called. "The court is demanding you respect it! If you refuse, they'll question your power!"
Elara stood up slowly. Her face was pale, but her speech was steady.
"I'll do it," she said quietly.
"What? No. You can't possibly—"
"She'll never stop." Elara met my eyes. "If I don't face her, she'll find another way. Another trick. She'll destroy everything." She touched her bond mark. "I'm your wife now. Which means I have to act like it."
"You'll die."
"Maybe." She smiled sadly. "Or maybe your dragon will finally tell me why his eyes glow every time he looks at me."
My heart stopped.
She knew. Somehow, she knew.
"Tomorrow at dawn," Lyra called through the door. "The trial by battle. The entire court will witness. Elara Ashton versus Seraphina Blackwell. The winner becomes the Dragon King's true bride."
I looked at Elara—small, scared, brave Elara—and felt my world tilt.
"I won't let you die," I promised.
"You might not have a choice," she whispered.
And I realized she was right.