Free The Knight of Her Dreams (Dragons and Dreamphasers) by Jen Robyn Page A

“You’ve been saying that for years now.  You hardly needed to
drag me here for that.”
    “ Chaos, ” Chaolyn interjected
softly, sensing his friend’s thoughts.  “ This might not be the best way
to... ”
    “I’ve received your counsel earlier, and you
agreed to listen only.  Now let me finish,” Chaos replied, shooting him a sharp
look before returning his gaze to Dominick.  “There’s more,” he continued
solemnly.  “I’ve decided that if I wait for you to find someone, you’ll end up
like your excuse-ridden brother, and I’ll never see any great-grandchildren. 
Thus, I’ve taken the liberty of making the decision for you.”
    Dominick’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.  “And
what’s that supposed to mean?”
    Footsteps on the stairs answered him as Sionne
appeared, resplendent in her new gown.  “Dominick,” she said lightly.  “It’s so
good to see you.”  Turning to Chaos, she flashed him a dazzling smile.  “Am I
interrupting anything?”
    “Your timing is impeccable, my dear,” he replied,
taking her hand as she reached the bottom step, before turning to his bemused
grandson.  “Sionne’s been with us for many years, and has become quite a
beauty, has she not?”  At the younger man’s reluctance to answer, he frowned,
nudging his arm.
    “Yes, she is that,” Dominick said finally.
    “Now you’re being reasonable,” murmured Chaos,
beaming moments later.  “Which brings me to the point.  You’re no strangers,
and have gotten along well over the years.”
    Tolerated each other is more accurate, Dominick thought.
    “Thus, I’ve decided your
betrothal will be announced today, and your wedding will take place in a few
weeks.”
    Chaolyn gave a low funereal whistle, to Chaos’s
chagrin.
    Dominick’s mouth dropped open, anger filling his
eyes.  “You’ve decided this?” he hissed, erasing the pleased
looks from the human pair.  “Grandfather, if you want to find Sionne a husband,
then I’m all for it.  But as far as I’m concerned, I have no intention of being
the shackled groom.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a life to resume.”
    As he strode towards the door, Chaos began
shouting after him.  “Damn it all, Dominick, I won’t have you ignore me this
time!  I’m announcing your betrothal, and that’s final!”
    Turning at the last minute, while resting his
hand on the door handle, Dominick shook his head.  “You can announce what you
like, but the humiliation will be on your head later when your words are proven
false.  And as for this obsession with great-grandchildren of yours, let me
assure you that a forced marriage won’t bring them any sooner.”
    Slamming the door behind him as he exited, his
grandfather’s face turned purple with rage.  “Blasted impertinent boy!” he
growled.
    “ You gave him little choice in the matter,
old friend, ” Chaolyn said quietly.
    Not replying, Chaos abruptly remembered Sionne. 
“I apologize for my grandson’s rudeness,” he told her.  “Take heart, child. 
He’ll come around in time.”
    “I know,” she replied softly, a few tears forming
in her eyes.  “I just wish it was sooner than later.”
    “ More likely when the netherworld freezes, ”
murmured Chaolyn, earning a glare from Chaos before exiting the room.
    Eyes narrowing with determination, the elder man
squeezed Sionne’s hand comfortingly.  “Never fear.  I may not be able to do
anything about his brother, but one way or another, I intend to see Dominick
married as soon as possible.  And once I’ve set my mind to something, it’s as
good as done.”
    She smiled knowingly through her craftily
conjured tears.  Chaos prided himself on keeping his word.
    Soon, Dominick would be hers.
    *****
    Dominick had passed the well-tended castle
gardens and approached the outer gate, still seething at his grandfather’s
bullheadedness.  Not the first time he’d tried to marry him off, but the elder
man was becoming more adamant,