I sucked in a sharp breath at the near painful compression of my chest. "Gods! Looser, please. I will pass out, otherwise."

"It's meant to be this tight, my lady," Naria insisted, offering me a warm smile in the mirror's reflection. Her deep brown skin made her teeth appear even more brilliantly white and perfect. Naria was one of my new lady's maids. I had three. Amelina, Naria, and Yasmine. While Amelina and I were from the north, Naria and Yasmine were both from the south-east. They had journeyed to the capital at the request of the announcement that went out the day after I'd arrived.

Queen Lena had been adamant that I receive the perfect lady's maids. We'd both talked it over at length. In the end, we decided to open the position to any who might wish to apply. It seemed fair that way. Plus, I wasn't keen on employing women from the great keep's court. I wanted fresh faces, women who were hungry about making a new life for themselves. Eager, the way I was.

I'd allowed a month for interested applicants to travel to the capital, and had even offered a stipend to assist with travel costs. After that, I'd taken the time to speak with all of them. All two hundred. It had taken nearly three weeks. Naria and Yasmine had immediately impressed me. I'd hired them on the spot.

After nearly two months, they'd become more than lady's maids. They'd become dear friends. Amelina loved them too.

"Here, I have this for your hair," Yasmine announced, coming forward with a beautiful tiara. I gasped at the silver shine of it, the way the strands were woven together. Simple, yet, timeless. "It's from the queen," she explained. "She wanted to give it to you herself, but was otherwise engaged."

"It's..." I could barely find the words.

"Apparently," Yasmine added, "it belonged to Dragonwall's first princess. The one that disappeared. Princess Irelia. It's becoming a tradition to pass it down."

My eyes blurred with tears. Gods, I loved Lena. I almost wanted to call her Mother because she'd begun to fill the gaping hole mine had left behind. We took tea together, went out into the city on walks, visited the market. She was perfect, everything a queen ought to be. She even told me of her younger days, of her escapades, about the way she'd pranked the nobles at court. Even the infamous story of her appearing before potential mates dressed as a renegade pirate, just to get them to go home.

"It seems we both have stories worth telling our children," she'd also said, when she'd heard mine. To this day, the praise made my cheeks flush when I thought of her words. But I especially flushed at the thought of having a child with Theo.

Amelina breezed into the room. "He's here! He's here! Hurry!"

Soren.

He'd finally made the journey. I'd been beside myself with eager nerves for his arrival. Ever since Fallon, Theo's dear friend and future shield had announced his impending arrival, the keep had been in a heightened state of activity. That, on top of the preparations already being made for tomorrow.

I exhaled, then nodded, letting Naria finish with the ties of my gown before Yasmine worked her magic on my hair. Amelina fussed with my face, dusting my cheeks with rouge and lining my eyes with kohl. Through it all, I could barely breathe.

A pounding fist slammed against the door. It made all of us jump. "Lady Claws, I know you're in there," a familiar voice growled. "You were supposed to meet me in the corridor ten minutes ago." I stifled a giggle. "Shall I break down this door, or are you coming out?"

"Coming!" I called before sharing a look with my ladies. They all knew how impatient the prince was when it came to me.

I checked myself over once more, admiring the burgundy color of my gown, the jewels at my neck—a gift from Theo last week—and the tiara atop my head. I wasn't officially a princess yet, not until I was bonded, but sometimes, when Theo and I hid in the shadows kissing, he'd call me princess as an endearment. It always made heat simmer in my center, especially when his kisses would linger beneath my jaw as he'd murmur things against my skin. Things he wanted to do to me, mostly.

I scurried to the door, not waiting for my ladies to open it. He stood in the hall, a matching burgundy doublet covering his muscled chest. It stretched across his broad shoulders, making him look so very inhuman. I looked him over before finding his eyes—eyes that held the same kind of heat I could feel in my very bones. "You only grow more and more beautiful with each day, Sophie."

I swallowed the rising lump in my throat. As much as I loved his endearments, like princess and Lady Claws, I loved when he said my name like that, with a low, breathy caress in his tone.

"It almost hurts to look at you," he added.

Shivers raced across my skin. The months were turning cold, but that had nothing to do with how I felt. Gods, only one more day and then I could have him.

He reached for me and pulled me against him, framing my waist in his grip. His brows jumped up and he looked down at where he held me. "Gods, did you—what happened to your waist?! There's nothing here for me to grab on to."

I let out a breathy laugh. "Naria decided that this is how ladies here dress, and she squeezed the very life out of me."

His scowl only deepened. He didn't chuckle at my joke. In fact, it didn't appear that he found any humor in it whatsoever. "I don't like it," he said. "I'll take the life, thanks, not the lack there of. Go back and have her adjust it. I don't want you fainting."

My mouth popped open. "You...you're being serious?"

It was rare that he took such a serious tone with me. Our moments together were often filled with teasing, joking, or sparring, because he still grated on my nerves from time to time.

"I'll wait," he said, giving me a little push, clearly adamant.

I turned to find Naria also gaping. She wouldn't dare argue with the prince, so I closed the door and we quickly set about loosening the stays of my corset until I could breathe properly. It looked just fine, because it definitely hadn't needed to be so tight in the first place. Now, my waist looked far more normal.

"That's better," Theo said, holding me again when I emerged into the hall. "I like your curves. I'd rather you show them off, not squeeze them into hiding."

My bottom lip caught in my teeth and his gaze darted there. A flash of fire shone in his eyes. He dipped to kiss me and a throat cleared. "We're late, Theodred," came the snappish demand. "You'll have plenty of time to kiss her later."

Gundry.

I grinned against Theo's lips, pulling away slightly. My guard was so bossy. And he'd become more bossy now that he was guarding Dragonwall's future princess. He also saw himself as my stand in father, and sometimes I wanted to pommel him for it. But he loved me the way he'd loved Letty, and that made my heart swell.

"Yes, yes, old man, we're coming," Theo scoffed, but there wasn't any bite to his words. When Gundry had taken to calling Theo by his first full name, Theo had come back with calling him old man. The two had struck an interesting friendship, united by a common desire: their love for me. While they disagreed on many things, they never disagreed on what was most important to them.

Theo took my hand and tugged me into motion.

My room was a guest suite in the legendary hall of kings. I'd only heard about the legendary hallway from stories. There were paintings of each king and queen, the newest was Theo's parents. It was nearly impossible to believe that some day, he and I would have our own portrait done, to sit there for all future generations to see.

"Just think," Theo said as we descended a staircase, hand in hand. "Tomorrow, I won't have to come by your chambers to get you, because we'll be living together."

My stomach flopped. "Imagine that," I said, my voice taking on a bit of a flustered edge. I was more than eager, but also nervous. He squeezed my hand, as if sensing this. There'd be time enough for nerves later. For now, I had my brother to think of.

"I can't wait to give Soren a hug," I admitted as we made our way through the keep, towards the lowest courtyard. The servants and nobles we passed curtsied and bowed, eyeing us with curiosity. "It feels like ages."

"I'm sure he's just as eager to see you."

"I doubt it. It's the library he's here for," I said, laughing. Theo chuckled in an agreement. We both knew exactly how much Soren loved his research.

There was already a small crowd gathered in the massive entry courtyard. It wasn't every day that the future princess's brother came to visit. Even the king and queen were there, already greeting him as if he were family. And, I supposed that to be true.

"Soren!" I cried, releasing Theo. I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck. He laughed and spun me in a circle before setting me on my feet.

"Little sister! Gods, the royal life looks good on you." He kissed my cheek. I blushed under his compliment. "You remember Dane, don't you?"

Dane stood at his side, dark hair and brown eyes, a pair of spectacles resting on his nose. He was quiet, and there was a steady intelligence lurking in his gaze. He watched me, a small smile pulling on his lips.

"How could I forget Dane?" I lifted a knowing eyebrow. "I've only been here a few months. Hard to forget the boy who followed us around when we were children."

"It's wonderful to see you again, Soph." Dane gave me a small bow.

I snorted, then pulled him into a hug. "Come, now. We're practically family," I said.

Introductions were made as the king and queen greeted their guests. However, they were rushed because I was eager for Soren to see the beautiful gem that was the royal library, which was how we found ourselves hustling him along to the massive set of doors I'd come to love. I walked with my arm linked through Soren's. Dane kept back, speaking in low tones to Theo about their trip. Gundry took up the rear, with Amelina.

A grin stretched across my face as soon as Soren stepped foot into the library. His look of wonder was infectious. "Gods, I've never seen so many books in all my life," he breathed. I could already see that I'd lost him.

"I'm never going to get you out of here, am I?" I teased.

"Would you be terribly angry with me if I forgot your ceremony tomorrow?" he wondered aloud, a dreamy look on his face.

I swatted his shoulder. "If you forget me over books, then I'll smack you over the head with one."

He chuckled, then wrapped an arm around my shoulders and squeezed. "I'd never choose books over you, dear Soph. But...wow. This really is spectacular. I wish Torin could see it—not that he'd give it more of a cursory glance."

"I miss him," I admitted, even though I'd never been as close with him.

"He misses you. That reminds me—" He gave me a lingering smack of a kiss on my forehead. "He said to give you that when I saw you, from him. And, also this—" He pulled a small box from his breast pocket.

I stared at it, my brows furrowed. I felt the presence of Theo at my back. I took the box, giving Soren a searching glance, but his gaze gave nothing away. When I opened the box, I gasped. "It's the broach Mother always wore," I said, tears filling my eyes.

"Torin went through father's things and found it. Thought you might want it, perhaps to wear tomorrow, so that you have a part of her with you."

Oh, gods, I was going to cry. No, no. I was going to hold myself together. Squaring my shoulders, I placed the broach back into its box and handed it off to Amelina. "Thank you, Soren. It's perfect."

"I knew you'd love it," he said, stepping back to look up at the vaulted ceiling of the library again.

Dane stepped up beside him and gave his shoulder an intimate squeeze.

I stepped back to stand beside Theo. "That was a special gift," Theo whispered into my ear. I could only nod.

Dane and Soren broke into hushed whispers, their eyes darting about. I already knew they were strategizing, plotting how best to tackle this new source of information. It made me grin.

"Shall we leave you two to...explore?" I asked.

Soren's smile was sheepish.

"I think that's a yes, sweetheart," Theo said, brushing a hand down my back. "Shall we leave them to it and take a walk? Or, perhaps go flying?"

"Yes!" I all but squealed, grabbing his hand and shouting a rushed goodbye to Amelina, Dane, Gundry, and Soren, before dragging him out of the library and through the keep. We found our favorite secluded courtyard, which wasn't all that secluded today, since the keep was bursting at the seams for tomorrow's ceremony.

Theo transformed and then we were off.

Three months had come and passed since our arrival, but I never tired of seeing the capital from the sky. Just beyond the peninsula, the sea sparkled with sunlight, little white crests in constant motion. It was so beautiful, and it was home.

We'd done our fair share of flying when we could afford to. Theo had changed a great deal. He now sat in with King Tristan on council meetings, accompanied him on trips to surrounding towns and villages, and even did philanthropic work in the city for some of the charities and orphanages.

I had my own duties to attend to. Lena kept me busy with the noble women, or had me accompany her to visit the keep's head woman, where we discussed budgets and what it took to run a royal household. There were times we joined Theodred and Tristan for various political meetings, but mostly, we left them to it. Lena assured me that once my mind was bound with Theo's I'd get plenty of political nonsense to last me several lifetimes.

The sun was just beginning to set when we returned to the keep. Theo didn't land in the courtyard as I'd expected, but instead, at the top of the tallest tower of the great keep. There we found a low table laden with wine, meats, cheeses, and fruits. "Theo, what is all of this?" I asked, already drawing several conclusions. There were tapers burning, and small lanterns set about with colored glass, casting dancing light all over the enchanting garden. I'd been up here twice before, with Lena, and knew she adored caring for this little slice of heaven.

But this, the way it was transformed, was romantic.

"I know you were eager to enjoy your brother's company, now that he's here, but I thought it would be nice, just the two of us, to have dinner here instead? I hope you don't mind—we can always go down to the hall, if you'd rather. It's just, we haven't gotten much time together lately, and my parents promised to keep your brother entertained tonight. Since this is the last time I'll get to see you until tomorrow..." He looked so hopeful, so hungry for my company.

"Oh, Theo. I love it." I stepped into him, slipping my head just beneath his chin, wrapping my arms around his waist, and kissing his collarbone. He relaxed into me. "I'll have plenty of time with Soren later. Knowing him, he might not even make it out of the library for dinner, anyway."

Theo's low laugh vibrated up his throat. "You might be right. Well then, come and sit." He guided me to the cushion that acted as a chair for the low table, then took a set across from me. We stared at each other, grinning. "Would you like some wine?"

"Yes, please." I grinned back.

He set about pouring and serving. I relished in the fact that Dragonwall's prince was fussing over me. "To us, and our future together," I said, lifting my goblet.

He repeated my words, clinking his against mine before we drank.

I hadn't realized how starving I was until we began to eat. Everything that touched my lips was delicious, but not nearly as much as Theo's mouth when he abandoned his cushion sometime later and pulled me into his arms. I wanted this moment to stretch on forever, to exist in this secret paradise, just the two of us.

When his hands began to slip beneath my skirts and his mouth took up a torturous exploration of my body, we both forced ourselves apart. Our breaths were heavy, mingling together in the cool darkness of the garden. The promise to wait, to seal our bond after the ceremony rang between us.

"Remind me again why I agreed to this?" I managed, trying to keep from touching him again.

His smug grin made me want to toss him over the side of the parapet. "Because I'll taste so much sweeter when you've been denied me for so long."

I scoffed. "You wish."

"Now, now," he chided. "I remember a time when you refused to fall at my feet. Here you are, pawing at me to get my clothes off. And we're not even the last people alive in Dragonwall."

I ran a hand over my face, remembering all too well what I'd said. He came up on his knees, crouching to sit in front of me. His fingers were deft as they brushed a strand of my loose hair behind my ears. I'd let it grow out and it now reached just below my shoulder. Most of it had come free while we were flying. The tiara was still there, held in place by the many pins Yasmine had used.

His thumb stroked over my bottom lip, and I allowed myself to get lost in his beautiful gaze.

"Let's soak up every moment," he said. "No matter how badly we want each other here, in this moment, things will move quickly. Some day, we'll wish we were back here, reliving all of it. So let's just enjoy it while we have the chance. Yes?"

As he spoke, his mouth moved closer and closer to mine, so that when I breathed a yes of agreement, it was spoken against his lips. Then he kissed me. This time, it wasn't hungry or feverish, it was soft and sweet and full of promise for our future.

We did exactly what we agreed upon. Over the next twenty-four hours we lived in the moment. When Theo saw me enter the throne room dressed in a golden gown designed to match his scales, when he took my hands in his and we recited our bonding words, exchanging a pommel stone and a bow as part of the drengr tradition, and even when we retired to the celebration that followed, we savored our joy and happiness together.

We didn't rush through any of it.

At least, until it was time to retire to our chambers. Only then did we rush up the stairs and through the corridors, him chasing me as if I had any chance of escaping. After that, it was a rush of clothes and rush of mouths. A rush of hands and a rush of breaths. We rushed until we were truly together, body to body, mind to mind. And even though those moments flew by, filled with passion and heat and so much pleasure it seemed impossible, every single one of them was absolutely perfect. 

⭐🌟 DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!🌟⭐

My friends,

That's a wrap! I'm so proud of myself for finishing this rough draft mostly on time. My goal was to complete it for nanowrimo, which ended Thursday, and I'm glad to say I only strayed off schedule by a couple of days. Granted, this is a FIRST DRAFT and needs some work. First drafts are always imperfect and a little messy. But, I've gotten the main gist of the story down, and now it's a matter of perfecting it. I need to strengthen some of the character arcs, and work out some details, that sort of thing.

Rapid writing is not easy. It feels like taking a timed test where you can't sit around daydreaming. You've got to put the pedal to the metal and go, go, go. I've found that trusting my instincts is always the best way to speed-write. I did that here. I'm pretty pleased with the overall result. This came in at 65,000 words in about a month. I took 6 days off for Yallfest/getting sick. So I don't mind that I gave myself a few extra days on my overall timeline.

Now it's time to take a short rest, and then begin plotting Jovari the Blue. I've got lots of ideas, but I won't be able to implement them until I can get a solid brainstorm written out. While I do that, I'm also going to be preparing my Dragonwall books for re-printing/publication as second editions. My Wattpad contract is up in September 2024, which will be here before I know it. 

So...lots of busy things in the world of Mel.

Anyway, thanks so much for taking the nanowrimo journey with me, and giving me tons of support and cheering me on. You guys are the best.

Take care!

--Mel