“I know what must happen, sir.” Orion’s kiss and fierce look cut the rest of her words off.

“None of that ‘Sir’ business. I’m Orion to you. You’re my mate, my equal. Do you understand?” His words were punctuated by him positioning himself at her entrance and burying himself deep with one solid thrust.

Nia couldn’t fight back the moan. She had experienced sex before but never had been this wet or this ready. At first, all she felt was discomfort and pain, but the moment he started moving within her, all she felt was pleasure.

Orion’s head dipped down, and he kissed Nia as passionately as he could. His hands curled inside hers as he moved them above her head on the bed. His pace was furious, desperate to be joined on such an intimate level.

Partially shifting, Orion let his eyes remain their honey gold and allowed his dragon fangs to extend. Leaning forward, he nuzzled a spot on her right side where her shoulder met her neck. This was going to hurt, and he wished he could save her from the pain, but he couldn’t. Damien forced their hands years ago.

Quickly as he could, Orion pierced the skin and bit as hard. There was no venom or anything that would mark her, just his bite. It would form a distinct shape that would signify that Orion had taken her.

Just as he pierced her skin, Nia came in a flurry of feelings. He was still moving within her, his rhythm fast and furious. As soon as her blood hit his lips, however, he felt himself come deep inside of her.

Orion and Nia were joined, or at least the first part of the Claiming was done. The young woman bore his mark and would forever. The world had faded around them, and they were unable to focus on their surroundings at the moment.

Withdrawing his fangs from her neck, Orion rolled them over so that Nia was nestled in his arms and they could both rest. They would need it. The events that had just occurred were tiring. Both would more than likely sleep through half of tomorrow.

Leaning slightly, Orion kissed Nia’s head before he felt her doze off in his arms.

Orion was almost asleep when the door to his suite crashed open, and the guards spilled into the room. Damien was there, sword drawn, and the tip pressed against Orion’s throat before the dragon could even respond. Blood oozed past the tip of the sword, dropping onto the bed. War had just been declared.

Orion just smiled. His mission was accomplished, he had claimed his mate and would soon be king. He knew what he wanted. Turning to look at the guards, without moving, he shifted slightly. The golden skin of his dragon shimmers through. He was the king, the proper king, and he’d just claimed his queen. Staring Damien in the eyes, Orion spoke.

“Welcome to my palace, Damien. You dare draw your weapon on the actual king? Guards!”

When the guards seized Damien and dragged him off, Orion relaxed back into his bed for the night—kissing the top of Nia’s head and drifting off to sleep. He would kill the traitor in the morning. One final thought floated into his mind just before he drifted.

It’s good to be king.

He should have never been allowed through the gates of the Conclave, but since he had been an enforcer, it was allowed. Orion had known that something would happen to him.