The Gate He Closed Became My Crown Chapter 04

The Gate He Closed Became My Crown Chapter 04

Three days later, Blackthorn Keep opened its gates for the Dragon Court Banquet.

Every dragon lord was required to attend with his mate and swear loyalty before the Dragon King. Marcus had clearly spent more coin than taste preparing for it. The great hall had been remade in black and silver, with banners of the Black Dragon clan hanging from the pillars and two thrones raised at the far end of the room.

One for the Dragon King and one for the Dragon Queen.

Marcus entered with Clara on his arm. Clara wore a deep violet gown heavy with jewels, every piece chosen to remind the room that she was the woman Marcus had chosen.

I arrived alone.

I did not wear court silk or royal jewels. My gown was simple and loose enough not to press against the child I carried, its pale fabric almost plain beneath the light. Caelan had commissioned it himself, with Frost Dragon protection spells woven into the lining. It was safer than any armor in that hall.

Marcus saw me before I reached the center of the room.

Clara followed his gaze and laughed loud enough for the nearby tables to hear.

“Look who managed to slip inside.”

The nobles closest to her turned. Some recognized me from the gate; others only saw a pregnant woman in a plain gown walking into a room filled with dragon lords and jeweled mates.

“Sienna Vale,” Clara announced, making my name sound like an insult. “The rejected little stray has returned for a royal banquet.”

Marcus set down his goblet and came toward me.

“How did you get in?”

“I walked through the door.”

“This is not a village feast. Everyone here was invited by rank, bloodline, or court authority.” His eyes moved over my gown and paused at my stomach. “Whatever trick got you past the guards, leave before you make this worse.”

Clara came to stand beside him, her smile bright with cruelty.

“You could not even find a proper dress? Or is this what abandoned women wear when they try to catch another noble’s pity?”

Several ladies behind her hid their smiles behind their fans.

“Pregnant and shameless,” one murmured.

“Perhaps she thinks the Dragon King collects strays,” another said.

Marcus heard them and said nothing.

“Sienna, I offered you a place in my household. You refused. That does not mean you can force your way into the Dragon Court and embarrass yourself in front of every clan.”

“I am not embarrassing myself.”

Clara laughed.

“No? You came here dressed like a servant, carrying a bastard, wearing a fake royal ring, and now you stand in the Dragon King’s hall as though anyone owes you respect.”

Her words carried all the way to the royal dais, exactly where I needed them.

I walked past her.

Clara’s smile faltered when she realized where I was going. Marcus understood a heartbeat later.

“Sienna.”

His warning followed me, but I kept walking toward the dais.

The two thrones stood beneath the silver banners of the Dragon Court. The larger one was carved from black stone veined with frost-blue crystal. Beside it, the queen’s throne waited beneath a canopy of pale dragon silk.

Before I could reach the first step, Marcus caught my wrist.

“Have you lost your mind?” he hissed. “Those seats belong to the Dragon King and Dragon Queen.”

“I know.”

“If you sit there, not even I can save you. His Majesty will not tolerate a madwoman insulting his mate in front of the court.”

Behind him, Clara raised her voice again.

“Drag her out. She is doing this on purpose. She wants to ruin the banquet before the real Dragon Queen arrives.”

A few guards moved uncertainly at the edge of the hall, but none of them dared touch me so close to the royal dais.

Marcus leaned closer, anger breaking through his restraint.

“Leave now. I may still be able to explain this as grief, jealousy, illness, anything but treason.”

I pulled free. The protection spell in my sleeve flared cold against his fingers, and Marcus released me with a sharp breath.

I stepped onto the first stair of the dais and turned back to face him.

“That is my seat.”