The Dragon King

Aurora’s POV ~

Everything was in place for the ceremony to make me Luna.. and to say I was excited, would be an understatement. My dress was a simple ivory satin.. with a fitted bodice with a sweetheart neckline, and cap sleeves. It had a slit from the floor up to the top of my thigh. Connie did my hair.. pulling it into a viking styled do.. She had six thick french braids at the sides and top.. twisted into a single braid that resembled a dragon’s tail.

I wore no jewelry.. and my feet were bare. Caleb had arrived the night before and was waiting to walk me down the aisle. I smiled and said “Did they give you a difficult time when you asked to come?” He laughed “Oh sure! But I didn’t ask them.. I told them I was coming. Amelia did the whole meltdown thing.. accusing me of betraying the family.. and the pack. I laughed as I walked out the door.”

I sighed and said “You know, I don’t hate them anymore. Actually, I pity them! They will never know the joy of grandchildren from us. I can only pray this has taught Amelia some kind of family values. I doubt it.. but I always pray for them.”

Caleb groans “Enough! Just enough, peanut! Don’t spare another thought for people who mistreated you so badly! This is your day.. and I want to see nothing but smiles on that beautiful face. Besides, there’s a surprise waiting for you downstairs.. so let’s head that way!”

We walked out and I took his elbow, as he led the way. At the foot of the stairs, I saw Luna Bridget! She was smiling, with tears in her eyes. I hurried to her and she folded me into her arms, whispering “You look beautiful! I have missed you so much! In my heart, you will always be my daughter. I couldn’t miss your big day.” I smiled and said “I am so happy you’re here! I miss you every day!”

I turned to take Caleb’s arm, only to find him staring at the double doors. Naomi stood frozen.. staring back. I hear them both whisper ‘mate’ and I squeaked in happiness! Oh my Goddess! My two favorite people in the world, besides Draco. He hurried to her and yanked her into his arms, he told her “I have waited for you.. so long!”

I hugged them both.. telling them how happy I am. Then, I asked “Shall we hold your ceremony today? You both are already beautiful! The matriarch of Sacred Moon is in attendance as witness.. And I certainly don’t mind! I would be thrilled!”

Caleb dropped to one knee and said “Naomi” and I linked her last name to him.. he cleared his throat “Naomi Watson, head warrior of Draconium, will you do me the honor of being my mate, for now and always?” She smiled and replied “I absolutely will accept you, Caleb Heartsong.. it is my deepest honor!”

I had linked Draco to tell him the news and he was excited. As soon as the doors opened, and I saw my magnificent man on the stage in the ballroom, every coherent thought I’d had fled my brain.

Caleb walked me down the aisle, Naomi had walked in front of me, as my matesmaid.. and she was practically bouncing on her feet now. Waiting for Caleb to get there.

Our pack elder performed our mating ceremony, and I spoke my vows.. we clasped bloodied palms together and marked each other. I felt the connection to our people, deep in my soul. The bond before now, was a simple connection.. unlike now. Now, an invisible tether attached each pack member to my heart.

Draco performed Caleb’s and Naomi’s mating ceremony.. then looked out over our pack. “The coronation will happen in two hours. For now, we feast!” And everyone adjourned to the dining hall.

Caleb and Naomi were noticeably absent and Draco chuckled “That’s going to be us, in a few hours. I plan on sequestering you for a few days. I have waited a lifetime for you.. for this.. for US.. I will not rush a single second.”

I raced upstairs to change into my coronation gown. It was deep purple, with gold embroidery. The colors of the kingdom.. this ceremony has me even more nervous, as it is televised for the world to see. The Kings and Queens of other species are going to be in attendance.

This dress had a square neckline with long bell sleeves.. a full flared skirt the required a hoop slip, and a shoulder train that trailed behind me for close to six feet. Apparently, becoming queen is all about the pomp and circumstance!

This time, when Caleb appeared to escort me, he was dressed in black tuxedo.. purple bowtie and a royal sash from his left shoulder to right hip. I grinned “My! Don’t you look dashing, Bubba!” He laughed “Yeah.. calling me Bubba makes me feel dashing!”

The ballroom had been transformed.. the royal colors abounded.. an aisle runner in deep purple paved our path.. the flowers had been altered to include violet orchids amid the gardenias. The windows draped in gold and purple.

Draco stood, atop the dais, in front of two thrones.. carved and cast from solid marble and gold, with deep purple tufted seat and back. He wore the traditional uniform of the King. A deep purple tuxedo jacket that matched my dress.. epaulettes in gold.. black slacks, and a gold sash emblazoned with the symbol of the dragon king. Atop his head, set a massive crown.. gold, encrusted with amethysts and diamonds. A more handsome man has never existed.

When I stood before him, he spoke.. in a deeper voice than I had heard from him before, and knew it was my Donnaugh, the King of Dragons.

“Will you, Aurora Rose Heartsong-Arconium, solemnly promise and swear to govern and nurture the peoples of the Draconium Empire, according to the respective laws and customs of our realm. To uphold, protect, and defend all dragons within our realm?”

I knelt in front of him.. and in a clear, concise voice, I responded “I do solemnly swear to, the utmost of my power, love protect and defend my peoples from all harm, both foreign and domestic. I will maintain and preserve inviolably, the doctrines and edicts of worship, discipline and government thereof, as instructed by our most sovereign Goddess, Selene, Mother of the Moon.”

He placed a heavy crown on my head, and lifted me from my knees.. turning to the crowd “For the first time ever, I give you.. Queen Aurora Arconium, our blessed and true Queen of Dragons!”

He pulled me in close and whispered “I am so sorry, my dearest love.. this one is going to hurt..” as he sunk Donnaugh’s saber teeth into the opposite side of my neck.. Asmodeus on my left. And Damn me! He was right. The pain went deep.. it felt as if my blood was on fire.. and I could feel my skin burning.. radiating outward, across my chest and down my upper arm, to the back on my shoulder.

He pulled back.. smiling at me, and kissed me. He said “Donnaugh is most pleased. No other queen has ever had such an intricate mark. The burning I had felt was from his venom tattooing my skin, with the mark of the dragon!

I was now a Queen!