The Dragon Prince's Branded Bride: From Family Shame to Imperial Throne

ine

edding, and do not embarrass House McFarland," my father, Ellery,

lood gold badge on his chest gleamed brightly, yet he

freezing wind rushed at me, carrying the royal capital's signature scent-and the

dden even to wear scale-patterned silk. I ducked against the scorching gust of its landing, f

ld scale armor crossed their halberds, their eye

friend Brittnie, framed with a forged recording stone, stripped of my name, and then cast o

ave survived-nights when something beneath my ribs

nd slip away from this man-eating

the court. The glare made my eyes water. Inside the grand hall, nobles draped in gowns woven with dragonf

ulders like heavy iron weights, thick with the

, clinging to her bridesmaids. Her laugh echoed through the quiet hall. "

urpose. "Is that the Dragonless girl who left those filthy recording stones at the Royal Aca

my fingernails into my palms, refus

wore a heavy white lotus perfume that turned my stomach. She reached out and grab

g the flash of smugness in her eyes. "Do

nstantly, and she stumbled back with a gasp

d forward and seized my shoulder, yanking me back hard. My heel caught on the hem of

Pain shot through my hip a

e same knight stepped forward, his ha

s enoug

raised. "Please, good knight, forgive my sister. She has had too much to drink and does not k

d, then bowed and b

till the lady of this house? You are worth less than the mud on my shoes now." She smiled sweetly a

gotten to my feet when the ai

breath flooded the room. The air was thick with sharp cedarwood laced with t

irs scraped back. One by one, they

my heart pounding vio

ross her lips, and murmured low, "That expression... Do you think a rui

er gown and li

ur place