Read Determined Prince (Captured by a Dragon-Shifter) for Free Online

around the elbows, and the snug waist fanned into a long skirt. Silver embroidery edged the gown in an intricate Qurilixian pattern, and on the bodice, in the center of the chest, was their family emblem of the dragon.
    Though Kyran liked the outfit his wife wore very much, part of him desired to see her dressed as a fine lady—befitting her new station. His mother had already agreed to help his bride with her wardrobe and anything else she might require.
    A band of gold wrapped around his mother’s head. She only wore the crown for ceremonies, and today was considered one of the most blessed for their people. It was his first day of being mated—the first of many days if he would be so favored by the gods.
    His father, King Severin, and Finn wore a simpler garment. His brother was in dark blue and the king in purple to match the queen. They had tunics with the same silver-embroidered edges and a larger patch on the center of their chests. The tunic was more of a long shirt that split at the sides than an actual dress. The two Var princes were clothed as Ivar had been the night before—in breeches and shirts with cross laces down the center of their chests. The styles difference had a lot to do with how the races shifted. Draigs could shift and remained clothed. The Var could shift partially into a man-cat or completely into full cats. Catshifters needed to part with their clothing at a moment’s notice. The Draig tended to be more reserved than their beastly counterparts.
    “What is all this noise, son?” King Severin asked in their native tongue. His bride blinked, glancing back at him. Seeing her fear, he felt sorry for her. The urge to protect what was his became strong. Slowly, he came forward, watching her to make sure she didn’t try to run. Although, if she did, he’d easily be able to shift to his Draig form and catch her.
    Once the idea entered his head, he had a hard time dismissing it immediately. That wasn’t such a bad idea. He wondered if his bride would like being hunted. The warrior inside him stirred. If he didn’t get her alone and naked soon, he’d burst.
    “It is nothing, my king,” he said, keeping his words in the language his bride could understand. “Queen Galina, King Severin, may I present Lady Eve of the Earthen people. My princess and soon to be yours.”
    Eve didn’t move, save to sway on her feet. A soft noise left her. It sounded suspiciously like a snort.
    His mother stepped forward. Her voice was gentler than her husband’s and she spoke in words Eve could understand. “Welcome to the family of Draig, Lady Eve. I wish you much happiness and a blessed marriage.”
    “Many blessings, m’lady,” the others agreed in unison.
    “Come, dear,” Galina said, motioning with her hand. “You must be exhausted. Let me show you to the palace.”
    Eve didn’t move. Galina waited a moment before lowering her hand. She glanced at her son in confusion. Kyran nodded for them to go so he could be alone with his bride. He saw the hurt in the queen’s eyes but could do nothing about that now. Galina knew, as did they all, that the human brides would need time to adjust.
    “Eve?” he asked when they were again alone.
    She didn’t speak.
    “I like your name. It’s very pretty.”
    “Don’t move. It will all go away.”
    “What will go away?” he asked, concerned. She was acting strange. In truth he wasn’t sure what was considered strange for her.
    “Don’t answer. He’ll disappear, like the others just did.”
    “Eve?”
    “I am not an alien princess,” she said, finally looking at him. “And you are not my incredibly hot new husband.”
    At that Kyran quirked a brow. “Hot?”
    “See, if this was real, you’d have two heads or suction-cup fingers or antennas or something. You look human. And logic would dictate that the chances of two like lifeforms evolving on two different planets were…you know, not likely. So there, I reasoned it out. You can go away now. The acid