Orvyn produced a small, ancient book from within his robes.
"We will begin with human custom. The Dragon Breeding ritual will be held afterwards."
He looked at Adonis.
"My King, you're the groom, and the man two women seeking eternal protection from. You should speak first."
Adonis didn't respond for a moment.
He was not a man who struggled to find words. In two lifetimes he had written many words, spoken with kings and enemies and people he loved and people he intended to destroy, and in none of those situations had words failed to arrive when he reached for them.
This was different.
He looked at Mariana first.
She was watching him with those amorous eyes.
Their gazes connected as he spoke directly to her:
"Maria, you disguised yourself as a boy to stay close to me. You renounced your name and your kingdom and stood in a room full of ancient dragons and told them no with a conviction that made several of them step backward."
