Saber, p.1
Saber, page 1
Saber
Dragon Brides
Kate Rudolph
Contents
Dragon Brides
About Saber
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Intergalactic Dating Agency
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Also by Kate Rudolph
About Kate Rudolph
Dragon Brides
Fated mates, fierce women, and dragon princes are ready to find their mates in the new Dragon Brides series from Kate Rudolph.
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Crux
Ranger
Saber
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About Saber
The betrothal is bad.
Prince Saber regrets agreeing to an arranged marriage the moment he says yes. His bride is a dull aristocratic lady who he'll be bound to for the rest of his life. No fated mate. No adventure. No love. So when he's given an off planet mission he accepts it in a heartbeat. He can't escape the betrothal, but he can delay it.
The ship crash? That's a disaster.
Lady Mirage needs to talk to her betrothed. Alone. What better place than a space ship? But he's not supposed to take off before he realizes she's on board. When she and her betrothed crash land on a barren planet, they'll need to rely on each other to survive. But that's not the only trouble. There's a dangerous fugitive on the planet with them ready to attack.
Mirage is tougher than she looks, and it's not long before she and Saber are finding they fit together in more ways than one. But she has a secret. A big one. Will he still want her when he finds out the truth?
Fated mates, fierce women, and dragon princes are ready to find their mates in the new Dragon Brides series from Kate Rudolph.
1
Two Months Ago
Saber passed by the matchmaker's shop and continued down the block. His father's most recent demand was ringing in his head, but he couldn't just say yes.
Not even to make him proud.
Finally.
It was hard being the youngest son of the king. Some days it seemed all he could do was screw up.
He turned the corner, and when he had the choice to head back towards the palace, he went the other way and circled the block, passing in front of the matchmaker another time.
She was supposed to be psychic. That was what they whispered through the city. And if she was psychic, maybe she could tell him if he was about to make a muck of this. He didn't want to tie himself to someone he could never love.
But it wasn't like he was knocking away prospects left and right. Dragon women wanted the heir, not the youngest son.
He passed by the matchmaker and circled the block again.
He should just go home. If Crux or Ranger heard what he was thinking, they'd both think he was crazy. He wouldn't hear the end of it. And they teased him enough as it was.
But why would they know?
He wasn't going to tell them.
When he got near the shop a third time, the door was open.
"Make up your mind, your highness. You're scaring clients away," came a voice from inside the storefront.
Saber jolted. He didn't realize he was that obvious. And he almost kept walking. Who was this matchmaker to order a prince? He didn't care that it said Royal Matchmaker on her window. There was nothing royal about her.
But he went inside anyway.
He wasn't sure what he expected. Not a cozy little room with a nice sofa, a fireplace, and two chairs. It looked more like a sitting room than a business.
Saber looked at the woman, the Royal Matchmaker, and wasn't sure what to think of her. She was middle aged, with dark hair, light brown skin, and bright blue eyes. She looked him up and down in turn.
"How did you know who I was?" He knew the question was ridiculous as soon as it left his mouth.
The matchmaker smiled. "You are the prince, sir. Your face is quite well known."
It was the truth. And it made privacy an issue. But he wasn't about to complain about that. "Do you have a name?"
She slid a small card his way. It read: SHADE | ROYAL MATCHMAKER.
"Take a seat, your highness." Shade gestured at the couches. "Would you like tea? Or perhaps a snack? I just bought a box of cookies from the baker up the road."
It was tempting, but Saber was on his guard. He didn't know this woman, and he wasn't about to accept food from a stranger. "I'm alright."
She shrugged and took a seat before he could. Saber was left standing. He could walk right out and forget this had ever happened. Instead he sat on the couch.
"Tell me your troubles." Shade made it a demand, and for some reason, he wanted to comply. When his father ordered him to do things, he bristled.
He slumped a little and let his worries out. "I'm supposed to agree to an arranged marriage. I don't know if it's the right choice. I always thought I'd…" he trailed off. It was too embarrassing to say out loud, especially since he was a prince.
"I keep everything in the strictest confidence," Shade assured him, leaning in. "Please, be honest."
Who was she going to tell? And why would they believe her? "I always wanted to find my mate." It came out in a rush, and he could feel his cheeks pinking. "If I agree to an arrangement, I'm giving that up."
Shade hummed and leaned back in her chair. She was silent for several moments, and Saber wondered if he was supposed to speak. Then she nodded to herself and leaned forward once more. "Your concerns are well considered. A mate is a blessing few are fortunate enough to find. But your fate is waiting for you… if you are brave enough to see it. Have faith."
He waited for her to say more.
She didn't.
"Is that it?" She was supposed to be psychic. Anyone on the street could have said something like that.
At least he wasn't paying her.
Shade shrugged and crossed her legs, casually running her fingers over the seam of her chair. "I'm not about to select your bride, young man. Keep my words in mind. Now, unless you'd like a more in depth talk, it's time for you to leave."
And before Saber could fully comprehend what was happening, she'd urged him out of his seat and out the door.
He headed back down the block and turned towards the palace, but instead of going there, he turned towards the fields outside the city. He wanted to fly and he wanted privacy. It was too bad he couldn't escape to his cabin tonight.
He let his dragon form overtake him and sprang into the air, wings pumping and letting him fly free. He let out a small burst of fire in celebration of his flight. He loved to soar through the air and feel the wind under his wings.
There were mountains in the distance that he flew toward. There was no hope of making it all that way before he had to turn back, but he liked the idea of finding a perch and refusing to leave.
He'd flown for some time when a shadow overhead caught his attention.
A smaller, red female dragon joined him. She shot a playful burst of flame his way in greeting and flew close enough to him that he feared they'd collide in midair.
She was challenging him to a race.
She was doomed to failure.
Joy shot through Saber as they sped through the sky. On the ground, several children watched them as they danced through the air. His companion was just as skilled a flyer as he was, and she impressed him with a few of her flips and rolls.
If they were on the ground, he might even ask her advice on how to improve his speed.
But their flight couldn't last forever. And after an hour or so, she split off from him and headed east.
He wished he knew who she was. He'd like to fly like that again.
Saber landed outside of the palace walls and headed towards his room before he could be found and summoned to his father. Back in his human form, the matchmaker's words rang in his head.
Your fate is waiting for you… if you are brave enough to see it.
Nonsense. Fated waited for no one. And he was more than brave. What did a person need to be brave enough to see?
She spoke nonsense, either to play mind games or for some even more sinister reason. Saber didn't like it. And he wouldn't be recommending her services to anyone.
In his quarters, he flopped down onto his mattress and contemplated his future. If he said yes to his father's command and married a suitable dragoness, he might actually earn a sliver of his father's favor.
If he said no, he'd continue to be a disappointment. Or worse, an afterthought.
He wouldn't be giving up anything real if he said yes. Just a chance at a mate, and that wasn't likely, anyway. So few found their own. Why did he think he was special?
So why did t
He had time to make his decision. But Saber feared he already knew which way he'd go.
He only hoped he didn't live with regret for the rest of his life.
2
One Month Ago
Mirage sat at her dressing table and applied another coat of makeup. Her skin was already coated in the stuff, and she shimmered faintly when the light caught her just right. Would her betrothed be bothered when he discovered that she didn't actually sparkle? As if that was the harshest truth about her.
Would she be forced to fake a sparkle for the rest of her life?
She tried not to let the apprehension show on her face. She was about to meet her prince. This was what she'd been raised to do. And she was going to do her family proud by securing her man and raising their status in the kingdom.
What was her freedom compared to that?
"No need for a light touch with the brush. You should shine." Her mother sat on the bench beside her and reached for a pot of makeup, holding it up to her face and matching the brown powder to Mirage's brown skin. "A bit more of this, I think. To cover up that mark. I want you to look like a true dragon."
Mirage turned away to hide her flinch. That mark was a small scar she'd received playing as a child. No one noticed it except for her mother, and it was already more than covered up. As for looking like a true dragon… well, there was nothing more Mirage could do about that. She looked how she looked, and she wasn’t ashamed. "I doubt his highness will reject me because of it."
Her mother made an annoyed sound. "There's no use leaving this to chance. He can walk away until the dedication ceremony. You can't let him see your flaws. Not a single one.”
"And there are so many of those," Mirage muttered. Her fingers gripped her makeup brush tightly.
"What was that?" Her mother pushed the pot of makeup toward her.
Mirage grabbed it and placed it back on the table and the brush beside it. "Nothing, mother. But I think I’m painted enough. One day his highness will see me without makeup, and I don't want him to think I'm a stranger." She normally wore almost nothing on her face. It irritated her skin and made her sweat. And when she shifted, it all came off anyway.
Her mother laughed like it was a joke. "I'd birthed you and both of your brothers before your father saw my face bare. You'd be wise to do the same. You take after me."
"I certainly don’t take after Father.” Mirage couldn’t hold the jab back.
It was her mother’s turn to flinch. “Don’t say things like that.”
“You look fine." And she was right, Mirage did look like her mother: same brown skin, same dark, wavy hair, same green eyes. Mirage may as well have been her mother's clone. For looks alone, she didn't see anything wrong with that. In fact, it was pure luck and had probably saved her life at birth.
She hated hiding herself. All of herself. But her mother would never allow her to tell the whole truth. It would ruin them all.
"Now, remember, the prince should lead the conversation. Agree with what he says and don't speak over him. And do not say a word about your flying exploit. We wouldn't want him to think you're a thrill seeker."
"We're dragons. Flying is a vital part of our existence." Mirage could feel her wings trying to spread under her skin. She wanted to run away for a flight right now. But if she left, she'd probably never come back.
"You are a lady before you are a dragon, never forget that. The court won't. You must be above reproach. Don't talk about your time at university unless he indicates a love of education. And even then, don't let yourself seem smarter than him. And make sure you don't allow any liberties. He can't have you until the formalities are seen to."
"Mother!" Mirage couldn't believe what she was hearing. “You’re being a hypocrite.”
Her mother ignored her and blustered on. "Hmm, what am I forgetting?" She tapped her fingers against the table.
"Should I remain silent the whole time?" she asked tartly.
"Don't be ridiculous, darling. You should at least speak when prompted." Her mother stood and kissed the air above her hair, afraid to muss the carefully crafted style. "I've worked very hard for this match. I know you won't disappoint the family."
“We shouldn’t do this.” She wasn’t supposed to say it. She knew her mother wouldn’t hear it. But Mirage had to say something.
“Whyever not?” Her mother had the gall to look confused.
Mirage blinked several times, as if that would make her ears understand what she was hearing. She looked around the room, even though there was no reason to think they weren’t alone. “Because he doesn’t know the truth. He thinks that I’m—”
“You are exactly who we say you are.” Her mother gripped her shoulder tightly. “Your dragon form is strong. Your fire burns hot and bright. You’re as much a dragon lady as I am.”
“Only half.”
Silence hung in the air at her words. Some of the color drained from her mother’s face, but if Mirage hadn’t been looking, she would have missed it, her mother recovered so quickly. “You are the one who will carry the consequences if that comes to light. Make peace with it, dear. You can be a dragon princess. Or you can be nothing.” She patted Mirage on the shoulder and left her to finish getting ready.
Mirage stared at her face and then contemplated the makeup powder her mother had insisted she add. No. She wasn't putting anything else on her face.
She knew no one could see that she was an interloper in the dragon world, a testament to her mother’s own pre-marital folly. To all appearances, she was a true dragon, and she had never let the truth slip.
Could she live with herself if she went through with this? Could she survive if she didn’t?
Her dress was hanging on the door to her dressing room, a gold and green garment that perfectly set off her skin and eyes. She felt like a mannequin as she pulled it on and studied herself in the mirror. Mirage looked like the lady her mother wanted her to be, prim and dim and proper. The perfect match for the king's youngest son.
She would be a princess.
She shuddered.
All eyes would be on her all of the time. There would be no more sneaking off for flights to clear her head. No more walking down the streets with no one paying her any mind. No more privacy.
How could she do this?
Mirage breathed deep. She had to. Her mother had worked hard for this moment and she wasn't going to let her family down. This was what she was born for, and she was going to do it.
She held her shoulders high and glided out of the room to where her family was waiting. Her father and brothers made appreciative sounds when they saw her, and her mother looked her up and down and gave a satisfied nod.
She wasn't a failure yet, and their vehicle was waiting.
The ride to the palace went by in a blur. If her mother gave her more instructions, she wasn't listening.
Then Mirage was left alone again. But this part she knew; she'd been talked through the ceremony plenty of times.
And she wasn't really alone. Courtiers lined the halls, watching as she made her way down the flower lined path to the throne room. King Venin sat on his throne while her betrothed, Prince Saber, stood beside him. His two older brothers, Prince Crux and Prince Ranger, stood behind the throne.
The flowers stopped several feet before the dais, and that was where Mirage was meant to end her walk. She bowed deep and held the position.
After a moment her calves and abs burned, but she couldn't stand until the king acknowledged her.
He only made her wait another moment.
"Lady Mirage, come and meet your betrothed," said the king, his benevolent voice booming out around her.
