The Dragon king's Second Mate

Rules of a concubine

~Aspen's pov~

Getting offered a deal by the King of Wyndora was not in my bingo cards. I feel as though I've dug myself into an even bigger hole than the one I was in but there's nothing I can do. There's no way to change this.

I've accepted, and he's given me his word. What kind of person makes a deal with the devil without any contract?

I hold back my sigh as King Rylan's brother analyzes me. You see the king called his brothers an hour after I agreed to be his concubine. I went night months without selling myself, and …. Now I feel like I've failed by agreeing to this.

King Malek of Emberhelm is nothing like Rylan, and neither is King Zane.

Where Rylan is over seven foot tall with a big build, charming dark skin, black curls with gray covering the tips, and a roguish look that tells you he's a barbaric warrior. Malek is slender, and looks refined. He's beautiful in the way he looks but his body is adorned with muscles, and a soothing aura. He's got much longer hair, purely black, than his brothers. With his stopping above his ass. Which is a two face lie seeing that he's the greediest person on the planet. And an asshole who's been insulting every part of me.

At least Rylan was being brutally honest. Malek is just rude.

"- and those eyes. Seriously brother, will you be able to maintain an erection if you're looking into that??"

Zane is the middle child, and he's kind of in between in the looks department. Rylan has scars, even one on his nose, and the side of his mouth. Malek has flawless skin, and he strikes me as someone with a vigorous skin care routine. Zane on the other hand has shorter hair, Rylan's stops above his shoulders Zane's hair doesn't even get there.

His body has scars but not too much. Only five from what I can count. He's got more tattoos than Rylan, and he's the only one with piercings on his body.

He's not taller than Rylan, but he's taller than Malek. He's buffer than Malek, but not close enough to Rylan.

He truly is the middle child.

He has said nothing to me. He's been gaping at the fact that his brother has a concubine.

"I just don't get it. You've been against taking concubines since-"

"Shut up!" Rylan growls, and Zane's eyes widen. He gives his brother a look I can't translate, and my ears perk up.

Since what?

Should I even care enough to ask?

I'm supposed to be his s*x thing, what I want to know does not matter, right?

"Forget about the past, Zane. We should focus on why this woman looks severely dehydrated." Malek comments. "Why would you pick someone who has a child? Don't you think, if the father of her child didn't want her then maybe you shouldn't?"

His words rip through my heart, and my sister's words float back in like a recurring reminder of my unlovability. I'm unwanted no matter where I go.

I clench my torn dress. If my parents didn't want me, and Caesar didn't want me, why would a king want me?

I heard a faint sound, and shot my eyes up to my son. Still in Rylan's arms. He sniffles, and Rylan glares at Malek.

"I didn't call you here to insult the woman I've chosen. I called you because no one can make a concubine look better than you do. So f*****g help her. Malek you know beauty, take a good look at her." Malek obeys and his scrutinizing gaze searches me once more. Rylan purrs for my son, easing the infant back into slumber.

He's a better parent than I am. This man who kills anyone who breathes next to him, is a better parent to my son.

"Now imagine her a little bit more healthy, and without her revealing bones."

Malek does so, and he hums. "I see. Not a concubine I'd choose but she would definitely be a good f**k if she wasn't so filthy. Okay then. Give me one week with her, and I'll have her set. She can't come to Wyndora as the King's concubine unless she looks the part."

Zane concurred. "Yeah. Rylan is returning after three years of slumber, he can't be embarrassed. Good luck to you, Aspen."

I flinch at the bite he adds to my name. That's a threat. But why?

"Aspen is such an ugly name. Did your parents not love you enough?"

Malek is going to be my biggest problem. I wish he would stop talking.

But that's not what happens, instead I'm ordered to my feet, and Rylan reluctantly hands Xavier back to me.

"By the end of the week, I expect to see you better. Remember our deal."

I nod, and thank him.

The dragons travel through the air. I didn't know dragon carriages existed but they do. A dragon has this wooden contraption built on its back and then it carries people around.

The contraption is quite safe if I'm being honest. I didn't even know I was in the air for a while.

Until I looked out of the window.

I flew with Malek. Not Rylan. He was returning first to let his people know of his awakening.

Zane was returning to Soleria.

I'm in dragon territory now. And not just any.

I'm in King Malek Valtero's territory.

Each king has a story acquainted to them. Malek's is just full of greed ,lies, and deceit. Rumor has it that he goes through concubines every week. The ones he keeps are a part of his harem of regular f***s.

He doesn't care about them, and seeing him, I can tell that isn't far from the truth.

During the ride he didn't say anything. He kept shooting me glances, and they were all full of disgust.

At least Xavier isn't crying. Malek didn't spare Xavier a glance. Almost like he was pretending my son didn't exist.

Once we landed, I was helped out of the carriage by a guard, and covered in a thick fur coat. Why? Because Emberhelm is f*****g cold!

The dragons are unaffected. They've adapted and they're even dressed for the weather.

I shuddered, and followed King Malek down the long walkway leading towards very large doors.

"Thank your goddess that you're allowed to be here. In my kingdom. Starlavia!" He called as the doors were s**t behind us.

A woman, curvy, thick, beautiful in all the right ways, sashayed down the halls.

She dropped to Malek's feet once she was close enough. I watched as she kissed his feet, and he ordered her to stand.

Is this what a concubine does?

"Starlavia, meet Aspen Mandelo…. Maniko… I don't care. Meet Rylan's concubine."

Starlavia eyed me the same way Malek had done. I wanted to crawl into my own skin. I held my baby tighter.

"Hmm, I see. I'm to prepare her?"

"Indeed. You have one week to make something out of her. And get April to teach her how to take care of that thing she calls a baby. Rylan was caring for the child when I arrived. If she's going to be a mother, she better be a good one."

Another stab to my heart. When will he stop?

Starlavia nodded. "Anything you command, King Malek "

"I'll be seeing you in one week, you better not look like this."

Malek said with a heavy hint of animosity. I don't question why he despises me so much, it's none of my business I guess. He's a dragon, they don't like anyone who isn't one of them.

I said nothing, and Malek dismissed us both. Starlavia was quiet until we entered a stunning room that had my feet stopping.

Wow, my pack had nothing like this. The dragons are the richest species in the world. They've stolen so much gold, taken lives from people, their homes and families.

They're brutes but my god do they have such fine taste.

I shuffled forward, and the doors clicked as they slammed shut.

"I'm so sorry for the way King Malek spoke to you. He's not a kind person but he usually ignores people he doesn't care for." She says her tone is soft and nice. "This way, let's give you a bath before I get down to the rules and supplements."

"Supplements?"

"Oh yes. You look unhealthy, and that baby needs breast milk. So you'll have to take healing supplements. They add a bit of fat to your body, and take off any infection. We live for a very long time because of these. Too many of them is bad, and they can be lethal to non dragons but you don't really have a choice."

Lethal?

"But just forgive King Malek for his tone. He's been protective of his brother since that b***h nearly ruined their family."

I blinked at her, and she slapped a hand over her mouth.

"I'm sorry. Don't tell him that I mentioned her. We're all forbidden from speaking of King Rylan's ex mate."

Rylan had a mate ….. this is one of those things I won't ask about.

Two years, I don't need to get attached or to ask questions.

"Since she f****d up big time he's been eve scarier to the women he would bed. And that was like once in a while. I worry how you'll handle him. The Valteros aren't exactly small, and you…. You don't look like you have experience. But no matter, I'll teach you all I can in one week."

I'm so lost.

Starlavia turned out to be a really good person. She acted cold outside when the guards were around but when we're alone, she's better than anyone I've ever known.

She taught me a lot of things, and helped me find a skin care routine for myself. She said make-up wouldn't be a good idea since I had what she called natural beauty.

I think she's blind because I'm not beautiful at all.

But I didn't argue with her on that.

She helped me understand the rules of a concubine and that was what made me consider her a friend.

On the final day before Malek's review, and my transfer to Wyndora, I was in a bathhouse with Starlavia and April.

April is a slave here, or he was. He's a merman who can develop legs through saliva. He was bought on his first week on the market by a dragon that happens to be an advisor to Rylan.

April doesn't look too upset with the arrangement, and that worries me.

He and Starlavia are okay being the way they are. One is a concubine, the other is a malewife to who I'm presuming is an old guy since April said he's part of the elder council.

I sat on the marble floors, and dried Xavier's hair as gently as I'd been taught. His hair is white like mine, and I'm grateful he looks more like me. And nothing like Caesar.

April is swimming around, and Starlavia is rebriefing me on the rules of a concubine.

"Remember, looks mean everything. Rylan is a king. His people will watch everything you do, judge you from head to toe. They will try their best to tear you down, to show the king that you mean nothing. Though, unlike most concubines, King Rylan is calling you a consort. It means the same thing but take it from me, King Malek has never used the word consort on me or any of the other women. We know our place."

"That must be difficult." I comment. I'm slowly finding the strength to talk. While my body has filled out thanks to the supplements, which didn't kill me, my mental state is no better. I have developed triggers.

Good thing though, I can breastfeed my baby. Xavier looks happier. He's giggling, and pulling on my hair. If I have to be Rylan's w***e for my baby to keep smiling, you bet I will.

"I don't really think about it. But moving on. Looks are important, your attitude is also important, treat them like they're nothing to you. Or they'll walk all over you. I can't teach you how to sexually please the king, but I need you to know you must seduce him. If he's hard for you, then he'll tell you what he likes. That's the most important part. And remember, his satisfaction outweighs yours. If he wants to do the deed, and you're not horny, suck it up, think of something else and just endure it."

That sounds like a miserable arrangement.

Before I can ask anything further, the door to the private bath opens and Malek steps in.

"Starlavia, April, leave us."

My pulse quickens as I sit there naked with my baby in my lap.

Why does he want them to leave?