The Royal Blessing

**Cassian**

The sharp, intrusive sound of a throat clearing broke the silence, tearing me away from the sweet, delicious mouth of my mate. I stiffened, my chest heaving with heavy breaths as I dragged my gaze toward the source of the noise. Standing just a few feet away, trembling under the weight of my immediate wrath, was a Fae assistant.

A dark growl rumbled deep in my chest. My inner dragon, Aethelgard, roared with absolute fury at the interruption. The poor servant turned pale, bowing so low their forehead nearly touched the marble floor. They quickly whispered a message about the schedule, their voice shaking with pure terror.

With a sharp, warning glare, I dismissed them. The assistant did not need to be told twice; they scurried away into the crowd like a frightened rabbit.

I turned my attention back to Rosalie. She was still straddling my lap, her face flushed a deep, beautiful crimson, and her lips swollen and slick from my rough, demanding kisses. Her chest rose and fell in rapid, shallow pants. Below her, my hard dick was throbbing, straining violently against my trousers. Her soft center was pressed right against my erection, and the heavy friction was driving me wild.

I reached up, gently brushing a stray lock of dark hair behind her delicate ear, savoring the softness of her skin.

"Darling, they will be announcing the new mate couples shortly," I told her, my voice thick with lingering lust. "It is a tradition to present your mate to the King in attendance for a blessing. As my Mate and future Queen, I want you to stand beside me. After all, I will be announcing you as my Fated Mate."

The moment the words left my mouth, her wide, doe-like eyes bugged out. Her fragile human heart began to thump, beating like a trapped bird against her ribs.

She was extraordinary. Deep within my mind, Aethelgard was beaming. The ancient dragon was thrashing with joy. For two thousand agonizing years, he had waited in the dark corners of my soul, silent and depressed. Now, he was fully awake, drunk on her scent.

Supposedly, she was just a fragile human girl, but she did not smell like one. Her scent was an intoxicating mix of warm vanilla and sweet lavender—a unique aroma that I had never encountered in my long life. I wanted to bury my face in her neck, bite her skin, and mark her right here in front of everyone. I wanted to drag her back to my palace, strip her naked, and slide my hard cock inside her until she could only scream my name.

I could not wait to take her back to my palace in Drakkonis Vale and show her off to my five best friends. They were more than friends; they were my brothers-in-arms, the men I had bled and fought with for centuries. My only lingering regret was wishing that they, too, could find their fated mates and feel this deep, consuming pull.

I helped her slide off my lap, though my hands lingered on her soft thighs, hating the loss of her warmth. I adjusted my posture to conceal the massive bulge in my pants before letting her settle back onto her own throne. I kept her hand clamped tightly in mine, refusing to let her go.

**Rosalie**

*Fated mate? Future Queen? Public announcement?*

My brain short-circuited. I sat back on my throne, my mind racing. I was internally screaming, my thoughts spiraling into chaos.

*Don't panic. Think happy thoughts. Think about anything else.*

I tried to conjure up images of puppies, fluffy pandas, rainbows, or those spicy books I used to read in secret. Nothing worked. My heart was pounding so hard I was convinced it was going to burst right out of my chest.

I looked down at my hands, thinking about how I was just an ordinary girl from a small human settlement. Suddenly, I was being thrust into a world of immortal kings, massive dragons, and bloodthirsty beasts. The stark contrast between my fragile human life and their eternal power made me feel small.

"Darling," Cassian murmured, his thumb lightly stroking the back of my hand. "A penny for your thoughts? Your heart is beating like a drum."

I gripped his broad, muscular shoulders, my fingers digging into the expensive fabric of his royal clothing.

"I... I’m scared," I stammered, my voice trembling. "I’m only eighteen, Cassian! Barely eighteen! I wasn't even supposed to be here tonight, and now you are saying I am supposed to be a queen. I don't know the first thing about being a leader. What if I mess up? What if your people hate me? I’m just a human!"

Before I could spiral any further, Cassian gripped my jaw. His large, warm hand forced my face up, and he crushed his lips against mine in a fierce kiss. It was a commanding, possessive assault that forced all the panic right out of my head. My lips parted, and his tongue swept in, tasting of rich bourbon and dark magic.

By the time he pulled back, I was dizzy, panting for air, my mind a complete blank.

He stared deep into my eyes, his expression fierce but incredibly tender. "You are my mate. I will always protect you, Rosalie. You are going to be an incredible Queen. The deities do not make mistakes. For tonight, you don't have to worry about anything. Just sit beside me and smile."

He leaned in closer, his hot breath brushing against the sensitive shell of my ear. His voice dropped to a dark, gravelly register that made my thighs clench. "I love hearing my name fall from those sweet lips. I can't wait to hear you shout it when you are under me, taking my cock."

A massive jolt of liquid heat shot straight down to my pelvis. My clitoris throbbed, and a fresh wave of wetness soaked into my panties. He pulled back, a wicked smirk playing on his lips as he noticed my wide eyes and bright red face. I wanted to sink into the floor, but my body was screaming for him.

A loud, booming crack echoed through the ballroom as a Fae herald struck a heavy staff against the marble floor, drawing everyone’s attention.

"It is time for the Blessing of Mates!" the announcer’s voice roared across the hall. "His Royal Majesty, King Cassian, shall now receive the new couples and bestow the Dragon Blessing on behalf of the Dragoncrest Clan."

The chatter in the ballroom died instantly. A heavy silence settled over the crowd as hundreds of eyes turned toward the dais, staring directly at us.

Cassian stood up, pulling me up with him. I swallowed hard, my throat dry. To my surprise, his grip on my hand felt like an anchor. Despite only knowing him for a few hours, a strange sense of safety washed over me.

A long line began to form at the bottom of the stairs. Heavy-armored guards emerged from the sides, forming a protective barrier around the dais.

"Names and realm?" Cassian asked. His voice was soft but carried an immense, commanding weight that made my spine straighten.

As the first couple stepped forward and answered, I watched Cassian’s eyes change. The dark irises flared into a breathtaking, luminescent gold. The raw, primal power of Aethelgard was rising to the surface.

Cassian raised his hands, pointing them toward the couple. Suddenly, a massive wave of raw, crackling magical energy flooded the room. It felt like static electricity, heavy and warm, making the tiny hairs on my arms stand up. The couple bowed deeply as the golden energy washed over them, sealing their bond.

We went through forty-two couples in total. Some were traditional pairs, while others were PolyMates—groups of three, four, or even six different supernatural creatures bound together. Seeing them made my head spin, but the raw love and connection between them were undeniable.

Near the end of the line, Lyra and Kaelen stepped forward. Lyra looked up at me, her eyes shining with pure happiness. I gave her a warm, encouraging smile, so incredibly happy that she had found her match.

Once the final blessing was complete, the heavy magical energy in the air slowly began to dissipate. Cassian turned to me, his golden eyes locked onto mine. He took my trembling hand in his massive palm, kissing my knuckles before turning to address the silent, awe-struck crowd.

"My lords, ladies, and honored guests," Cassian’s voice boomed, echoing like thunder through the massive rafters of the hall. "Tonight, we celebrate the sacred bonds that keep our realms united. But before we begin the revelry, I want to take this moment to introduce you all to my fated mate and your future Queen, Rosalie."

For a second, the entire hall was dead silent. You could have heard a pin drop on the marble floor.

Then, the room erupted.

A deafening wave of cheers, applause, and roars shook the very walls of the castle. I blinked, stunned by the sheer volume of their approval.

Cassian didn't give me time to overthink. He led me smoothly down the steps of the dais. The sea of supernatural lords and ladies parted instantly, creating a wide path for us. He guided me to the very center of the massive ballroom floor, right beneath a magnificent crystal chandelier that cast glittering light over the polished marble tiles.

He wrapped a strong, heavy arm around my waist, pulling my body flush against his solid chest. I placed one hand on his shoulder, the other resting over his beating heart.

"Just relax and let me do the work," he whispered softly against my temple.

Before I could worry about my lack of formal dancing skills, the orchestra began to play a sweeping, romantic waltz. Violins and cellos played a beautiful, sweeping melody. Cassian moved with effortless grace, sweeping me across the floor. It felt like we were floating. The world around us blurred into a spin of colorful gowns, flashing lights, and smiling faces, leaving only the two of us.

We danced through song after song. Every time he spun me, a breathless laugh escaped my lips. He held me securely, his touch firm and possessive. At the end of a particularly long melody, he dipped me low, his face hovering mere inches from mine.

He pressed a soft kiss to the side of my neck, his lips warm against my sensitive skin. "Let’s go home, my love," he whispered.

The shiver that ran down my spine was instantaneous. I could only nod, completely captivated by him.

We made our grand exit from the ballroom, leaving the cheering crowd behind. A tight escort of imposing Demon guards surrounded us, their dark armor clanking softly as they led us through a labyrinth of private corridors.

Eventually, we stopped in front of a pair of heavy, dark wooden doors. The guards pushed them open to reveal a private office. Unlike the rest of the castle's grand, colorful, medieval decor, this room was sleek, modern, and decorated in sharp black and white.

Lyra and Kae were already waiting inside, along with a few royal assistants. The moment the doors shut, I instinctively moved toward Lyra, seeking comfort. She wrapped her arms around me in a warm hug, whispering reassurances into my hair.

Meanwhile, Cassian walked toward a massive, floor-to-ceiling bookshelf filled with ancient leather-bound volumes. He reached up, pulling a specific book.

With a soft mechanical click, a section of the wall slid open to reveal a hidden biometric panel. Cassian placed his large hand flat against the scanner. A bright blue light ran over his palm.

A heavy grinding noise echoed through the room as the massive bookshelf parted down the middle. In its place, a swirling, magical portal materialized, crackling with intense, violent purple and gold energy. The vortex hummed, casting a restless glow across the office.

Cassian walked back to me, taking my hand in his tight grip. His expression was serious, devoid of the playful warmth from earlier.

"Don't let go," he commanded, his golden eyes locking onto mine.

"I won't," I promised, squeezing his hand back.

Together, we stepped forward and walked directly into the swirling vortex.

The sensation was overwhelming. It felt like my entire body was being pulled apart and put back together at the cellular level. An electrifying, dizzying rush of energy washed heavily over me, stealing the breath from my lungs. My vision blurred into a tunnel of blinding light, and the ground vanished beneath my feet.

And then, just as quickly as it had started, the sensation stopped.

My feet hit solid ground. I stumbled slightly, but Cassian’s strong arm immediately braced my waist, keeping me upright.

I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the spots from my eyes. The disorientation faded, and I looked around.

We were in another office, but this one was completely different. It was vast, ethereal, and filled with rich, warm colors. Mahogany wood, tapestries, and glowing crystals floating in the air created an atmosphere of ancient power. High arched windows looked out over a breathtaking mountain valley lit by a foreign, starry sky.

But my eyes didn't linger on the view.

Standing perfectly still in the center of the room, waiting for us, were five men.

I froze.

They were incredibly tall, with broad shoulders and powerful, muscular builds that made them look like ancient gods of war. Each one of them was breathtakingly beautiful, with features so perfect they seemed sculpted from marble.

The moment we stepped into the room, their heads turned. Five pairs of eyes locked onto me.

In perfect, terrifying unison, the irises of all five men ignited, glowing with a bright, mystical, and unmistakable gold.

A deep, rumbling sound vibrated through the air, shaking the very floorboards beneath my feet.

"Mate!" the five men growled together, their voices echoing in perfect, chilling harmony.

My jaw dropped. I looked at the five towering men, then up at Cassian, whose hand was still tightly gripping mine.

*Excuse me?*