“I will suffer too,” I insisted. With a quick glance at the dragons behind me, I leaned even closer to Muriel, lowering my voice so that she knew my attempts to plead with her were genuine. “Kiara is my fated mate.”

Finally, Muriel looked up at me. She had learned of this early Monday morning but didn’t reveal to anyone whether or not she approved, clutching her feelings on the matter close to her heart.

“You may not believe me, but I want mercy for my fated mate. Her pain will be ...