Sold to the Dragon Emperor to Bear His Heir, But I’m Secretly Infertile

Part 1

My fingers tightened around the heavy sapphire necklace resting coldly against my collarbone.

Inside the hollow jewel sat enough dragon poison to kill the most powerful being alive.

I had spent the entire journey to the capital mentally preparing myself for this exact moment.

Practically throwing me at the dragons in a desperate bid for peace, my father had signed a sweeping treaty offering me as a permanent bride to their terrifying emperor.

The human kingdoms had sacrificed our beloved daughters for centuries just to be left in peace.

My own maid Brenda was violently taken right from my arms when we were only sixteen.

I still woke up screaming from nightmares of massive wings blotting out the afternoon sun.

Now I walked into the dragon capital with my brother Brian remaining stoically at my side.

We planned to end their long reign of terror tonight before another human life was stolen.

The massive grand ballroom swelled with arrogant nobles dressed in glittering silks and velvets.

Any one of them could shift into a winged beast and tear me apart in seconds.

I kept my chin held high and refused to let them see my knees shaking beneath my gown.

As a booming voice echoed through the hall to announce the arrival of the Emperor, I braced myself to behold a scaly monster with cruelty etched into every feature.

Instead a devastatingly gorgeous man strode through the massive oak doors with commanding grace.

Craig possessed sharp cheekbones and shoulders broad enough to eclipse the sun.

His dark hair was tousled in a way that seemed unfair for a tyrant.

His glowing golden eyes scanned the room and locked instantly onto mine across the crowded floor.

Heat flared violently in my chest and stole the breath right out of my lungs.

I stumbled backward from the sheer overwhelming intensity of his unwavering stare.

He smiled at me with a predatory amusement before turning his attention back to the crowd.

Guards roughly herded me toward the eastern wall along with nine other human princesses.

Heather of the Ambrose kingdom shot me a nervous glance while ringing her delicate hands.

We were all paraded in front of Craig like prize-winning livestock at a summer market.

His deep voice rumbled through the hall and vibrated against the soles of my shoes.

Declaring in a booming tone that he was not choosing a political bride tonight, he announced his requirement for a true mate capable of bearing his royal dragon heir.

Whoever managed to form a mystical bond with him would become his eternal empress.

My stomach plummeted all the way down to the polished marble floor.

I had come here to play the obedient bride and strike when his guard was down.

I was infertile due to a dragon attack that had almost killed me years ago.

I stood there frozen in a cold panic while the other princesses eagerly stepped forward.

They all wanted to wear a glittering crown and rule beside this impossibly handsome monster.

I wanted nothing more than to plunge my hidden dagger straight into his beating heart.

But my entire plan relied on getting him alone in his private bedchamber tonight.

I had to convince him that I was a willing participant in his twisted mating game.

I watched as he slowly paced down the line of trembling girls with calculating eyes.

He evaluated each of us with the clinical detachment of a man buying a new horse.

I dug my fingernails into my palms to keep from screaming at the sheer humiliation.

He stopped right in front of me and tilted his head to study my flushed face.

I refused to look away from his burning golden gaze despite the terror clawing at my throat.

He noted the furious defiance in my posture and let out a soft chuckle of amusement.

The sound washed over me and sent a confusing shiver down my rigid spine.

I silently swore to myself that he would not survive the night to see the morning sun.

But as he stepped closer the intoxicating scent of pine and smoke clouded my thoughts.

I realized with a jolt of pure horror that my own traitorous body was reacting to him.

My pulse hammered a frantic rhythm that had nothing to do with fear.

I was supposed to be his assassin and the savior of my suffering people.

Yet I could not stop staring at the sharp curve of his perfect lips.

I wondered wildly what it would feel like to trace the heavy muscles of his chest.

I forced those dangerous thoughts away and gripped my poisoned pendant even tighter.

I would play his sick little game until I found the perfect moment to strike.

I would let him believe he had conquered another helpless human princess.

And then I would watch the light slowly fade from his beautiful golden eyes.

His piercing gaze dared me to challenge his absolute authority.

If I remained silent like the rest of the terrified princesses, he might overlook me and escape my blade.

I knew I had to do something drastic to ensure he singled me out tonight.

Taking a deep breath, I prepared to step out of line and seal my terrifying fate.