(Ric POV)

My mind couldn’t even fully process that Katelynn was literally just snatched by a Dragon right in the middle of our wedding.

“Ric…? Ric! Are you okay?”

“Huh?” I looked around to Kieran, who had just spoken to me. “Yeah? Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked haltingly.

“Because,” Jillan whispered to me urgently, “Your bride, your one true love was just stolen by a fucking Dragon,” she hissed.

Since the Dragon that was Zairyn left, a decent-sized crowd of people had shown up. And they were all looking at me worriedly.

‘Oh, right. Shit.’

I needed to whip up some tears, or some sort of vengeful look or something.

My mind immediately jumped to the expression the Dragon had when he looked at me. It was pure fury. My face automatically imitated it, and I turned to address the people gathered below the platform I was standing on.

People expectantly looked to me, instead of my father, which was a little weird, but I guess it was my fiance that was stolen and not his. They waited for me to speak, to give some sort of command to hunt down the Dragon, with bated breath.

“The Dragon…” I started. ‘I can’t command him to be killed, that’s Katelynn’s brother. But what can I do?’

Then, probably the smartest idea I’ve ever had popped up in my mind.

“The Dragon… find it. Find my bride. But don’t kill it. Bring it back here. It must have not wanted my dearest and I to be wed. So we’ll have a private ceremony next time. But only the Dragon is invited to see.”

It was perfect. I didn’t actually have to marry Katelynn that way, and Zairyn wouldn’t be hunted and killed. My parents wouldn’t like the fact that it would be a totally private ceremony, but saying that only the Dragon would watch had the right kind of strange sadism to the punishment that the people seemed to eat up.

As I had expected, people began shouting and yelling their approval. My parents looked less than thrilled, but they both gave a slight nod in my direction; approval to carry out this plan.

“Alright then. Gather trackers and warriors from all over the kingdom; I want this Dragon found.”

*****

Later that day, Kieran, Jillan, Kalde, and I were all gathered in my room.

“Do you really think this plan will work?” Kalde asked me. Their concern and skepticism wasn’t misguided, but I still wished they had a bit more faith in my plan…

“Of course it will,” I snapped. “I don’t want to say ‘what could go wrong', but there really isn’t anything that could. If found, Zairyn won’t be killed. I won’t have to officially marry Katelynn. Mom and Dad can get off my back.”

“And Katelynn can still have the status she wished for when she agreed to marry you,” Kieran added, nodding his head decidedly.

“Wait, what?” I was a little hurt by this revelation. She only wanted to marry me because I was a prince, and that would make her princess consort? I thought that we were at least friends…

“No no, not like that little brother. She wasn’t trying to use you. I’d be able to tell. But marrying you for power and influence was a big part of her goal. I think…” Kieran squinted a bit in thought. “I think she wanted this power to try and advocate for Otherkin rights more. Makes sense, right? It would help her brother a lot, and it seems like they’re very close. But I don’t think she did so with the intention of hurting or using you.”

Jillan and Kalde both nodded in agreement. It made sense, but the thought of her using me still made me feel icky inside. But I guess as long as she was using that influence for good?

“Alright,” Kalde said, clapping their hands together. “You already know where their lair is, right Ric? Lead the way, and we’ll be able to carry out your plan a lot smoother.”

“Uh, no I don’t know where their lair is? But I guess I have a general idea of where? It’s at least walking distance from the village I first found Katelynn in,” I answered.

“Okay then, I guess we’re going to a small-ass border village,” Jillan sighed.

“You don’t have to come, dear,” Kalde huffed at their pouting partner.

“I should be saying that to all of you?” I broke in, slightly confused as to why everyone thought they would be coming.

“Yep, well, we’re all coming. Y’know why Lil bro?” Kieran asked. He didn’t even let me respond before he explained. “Because you’re not strong enough to take down a whole fuckin’ Dragon on yer own!” he guffawed.

“Thanks, Kier. I definitely needed to be reminded of that,” I grumbled. He just rubbed my hair roughly and laughed, walking out of my room saying something about packing for a forest hike.

“We better go get started packing too, Ric. Kalde and I will meet you back in your room in half an hour. You better be done by that time too,” Jillan pointed a finger at me and warned.

With two fingers up in a peace sign, Kalde left in front of my sister. Then with two fingers up Jillan left, while making the ‘I’m watching you’ gestures with her hand.

Guess I’d better get packing then.