The Reluctant Lord (Dragon Lords) Read online

  The Reluctant Lord (Dragon Lords)

  By

  Michelle M. Pillow

  The Reluctant Lord (Dragon Lords) © copyright 2013 by Michelle M. Pillow

  First Electronic Printing September 2013, The Raven Books

  Cover art © Copyright 2013 by Natalie Winters

  Edited by Heidi Moore

  ISBN 13: 9781625010407

  ISBN 10: 1625010400

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  All books copyrighted to the author and may not be resold or given away without written permission from the author, Michelle M. Pillow.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any and all characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or events or places is merely coincidence. Novel intended for adults only. Must be 18 years or older to read.

  Published by Raven Books

  www.ravenhappyhour.com

  Raven Books and all affiliate sites and projects are © Copyrighted 2004-2013

  The Reluctant Lord (Dragon Lords)

  By

  Michelle M. Pillow

  Table of Contents

  The Reluctant Lord (Dragon Lords)

  About Dragon Lords (Books 5-8)

  Futuristic Romances by Michelle M. Pillow

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Epilogue

  Check out the Dragon Lords’ Universe of Series

  About the Author, Michelle M. Pillow

  The Raven Books’ Complimentary Material

  The Savage King (Lords of the Var 1) by Michelle M. Pillow

  Frost Maiden (Space Lords 1) by Michelle M. Pillow

  Tipping the Scales by Mandy M. Roth

  The Reluctant Lord

  Dragon Lords Book 7

  Futuristic Romance

  Polished, dignified and reserved in all things. That is a true nobleman.

  Lady Clara of the Redding, a living statue of perfection, has been raised a true Redde noblewoman. She has been taught to never show emotion, to never raise her voice, to touch as little as possible, and to never act wildly or rashly. According to her people’s custom, the new generation cannot begin until the current one is settled. She is the last of her siblings without a husband and her pregnant sisters will remain in stasis until she’s married.

  After Clara denies all suitable males on her home world, her parents are left with one choice—send her to a primitive planet where several noblemen await marriage. The men hardly appear picky about their choices, a perfect arrangement for a reluctant bride.

  An uninhibited woman to match his untamed soul. That would be his ideal wife.

  Lord Vladan, Ealdorman Honorary of the Draig is not like his noble brothers. Adopted into their family after a mining accident killed his parents, he is every bit as titled as his new brothers, and every bit as welcome into the fold. Yet he can’t help but feel the pull of his commoner past. He loves his family, and will always do as duty demands, but a part of him still yearns to shift into dragon form and run free in the wild. It is a side he indulges every chance he gets. This is how he knows his bride will be the most wild of creatures, for he wants passion, not perfection. Surely the gods are mistaken when they bind him to the most refined, reserved, frustratingly perfect creature in the universe.

  About Dragon Lords (Books 5-8)

  The Noblemen brothers aren’t new to the sacred Qurilixian bridal ceremony. After several failed attempts at finding a bride, it’s hard to get excited about yet another festival. No matter how honorable they try to live, it would seem fate thinks them unworthy of such happiness—that is until now.

  With very few words spoken and the shortest, most bizarre courtship in history, they will bond to their women forever. And once bonded, these men don’t let go.

  Dragon Lords is the first installment in Michelle M. Pillow’s bestselling futuristic romance multi-series. The first four books center on the four Draig Princes, men who, unlike their cousins, have no problem with commitment as they enter their first ceremonies. Books 5-8 follow the lives and loves of the noble cousins, starting with the High Duke of Draig. The books can be read separately from the first installment of the series, though the author recommends reading the books in order.

  The futuristic multi-series continues after the Dragon Lords with the Lords of the Var series, Space Lords series, Zhang Dynasty series, as well as the short stories Galaxy Playmates. For details or reading orders please visit www.michellepillow.com.

  Futuristic Romances by Michelle M. Pillow

  Dragon Lords Series

  The Barbarian Prince

  The Perfect Prince

  The Dark Prince

  The Warrior Prince

  His Highness The Duke

  The Stubborn Lord

  The Reluctant Lord

  The Impatient Lord

  The Dragon Lords series continues with Lords of the Var.

  Lords of the Var Series

  The Savage King

  The Playful Prince

  The Bound Prince

  The Rogue Prince

  The Pirate Prince

  About the Lords of the Var series:

  The Var Princes were raised by a hard man who put no stock in love—especially love with one woman. Bred to never take a life mate, these men will do everything in their power to live up to the dead King Attor’s expectations and never fall in love.

  Be sure to check out the other books in this futuristic world: Space Lords series, Zhang Dynasty series, Galaxy Playmates series -- with many more books to come!

  To learn more and to stay up to date on the latest book list visit www.MichellePillow.com

  Dedication

  To Jaycee Clark, it’s been ten years of begging. Where is my Deadly Michelle book? Where? Oh, and I luvs you and stuff, but where is my story? It needs told. Deadly Series: Deadly Michelle. See to it. Make me badass.

  And Mandy M. Roth, seriously, you’re not off the hook either. King Kerrigan and Queen Michelle have been waiting just as long. Raise your right hand and repeat after me: Daughter of Darkness Four Michelle and Kerrigan finally get married. Oh, and I luvs you, too. I want magical powers.

  It has been a wild 10 years since we all started together—first books published on the exact same day at the same publisher with the same editor. Who would have known we’d come this far. Thank you for always being there. Our finding each other makes me believe in fate. I’m lucky to have such wonderful friends. Hey, why are you trying to edge away from me? This speech was just getting to the good part.

  Chapter One

  Noblae Portraite Gallery, Great Lords’ Palace

  Country of Redding, Planet of Redde

  “This is my decision, Clara. It will be done.”

  Lady Clara of the Redding stared at her father with a dispassion she didn’t feel. The look had been trained into her since birth, the complete covering of inner emotions, the stoic nature and unmoving enthusiasm. Not that she was feeling anything close to enthusiasm. In fact, it was quite the opposite. She had once seen a maid screaming and kicking her limbs about in a very public display, highly inappropriate and exactly what Clara felt on the inside. She never did discover exactly what had gotten the maid so upset. Perhaps someth
ing inside the woman had simply broken. Whatever it was, the maid had never been heard from again after the enforcement officers took her away.

  Clara took a deep breath and then another before locking eyes with her reflection on the mirrored wall. The purple gaze stared back at her from beneath the tall white wig that covered her blonde locks. The tight bodice of her gown was impeccably sewn, leading into the wide hoop of her skirts. She stayed perched on the very end of her seat, balancing with ease. A lady’s back never touched a chair, nor her hands the arms of the furniture. In fact, her hands rarely touched anything. Clara was an ornament, a lady. She was allowed to have a mind, so long as she looked beautiful and refined and did not speak her thoughts out of turn. There were designated times and places for intellect, and there were times and places for silence. Decorum had many rules and she followed them all, naturally, regally, unwaveringly. She had no choice, for she was born a lady, raised a lady, and would forever be a lady.

  The gilded frames of the mirrors shone with tiny hints of light along their carved lengths. The beauty of the detail was lost on her even as it caught her brief attention. Family portraits lined the walls, seeming to disappear down an endless walkway. With each generation, the hall became longer, until every member of the family was cataloged in such a way as to mark their importance as a whole.

  Finally, after the proper amount of required contemplation, she looked at her father. His powdered wig and long jacket matched hers in design, down to the delicate floral embroidery along the hemlines. He traced a finger over the back edge of a chair. Men on her planet did not have the burden of sensitive hands.

  Softly, she answered in an even tone, “I must protest, Father. I have looked at the planetary information and the location is unacceptable. Surely such a choice does not do honor to my name.”

  “Perhaps you should have thought about that before you rejected the twenty suitors presented to you at the last ball. You act as if nobility grows in the garden spot to be chosen and plucked at whim. Your sisters were able to find men from noble households. It is time for you to do the same. We have these laws for a reason.”

  Marriage laws. What a joke. No one could even tell her the reason for them, only that they were as they always had been. Her history lessons spoke of a population issue due to fratricide, and she deduced that maybe generations were started around at the same time and only after everyone was wed to avoid issues of inheritance. Unmarried children were particularly troublesome to Redding’s complicated inheritance laws, especially if they were multigenerational. Her people preferred matters to be well organized. When she’d asked her tutor, he’d seemed disinterested in discussing an answer.

  The only way she would get out of marriage was if every unmarried male creature of recognized noble birth were to suddenly die so she could participate in a spirit marriage and become an instant widow. In the old days, that wasn’t so hard. But now, with interplanetary travel and medical advancements that extended her people’s lives into the hundreds of years? A plague would have to sweep through all the known universes before she could get out of marriage duty. Clara thought of her nineteen sisters. Out of all of them, only three had what she would call a good marriage—not great, but decent enough.

  “Why can’t we change the laws? I see no reason why I must marry just so my sisters may be let out of stasis to have children. Wake them up and let them have children now. I will revoke my right to marriage and procreation,” Clara said, not swaying on the end of her cushioned seat. The words themselves were bold. Having anything less than ten children was frowned upon in a noble family, but no children? Unless she had medical clearance, in which case they would pity her unbearably, no children at all was a dishonor.

  Instantly, she wished she could take the words back, but she remained calm and didn’t let her penitence show. If anyone walked by they would surely think her made of marble and carved into still perfection. Her face was made pale by the sheen of cosmetics with bright lips and cheeks that did not occur naturally on her world. Her lashes and brows were coated with purple to match her eyes.

  “There can be no children until the current generation is settled. You know the laws,” her father snapped. His words became a low, even tone of warning. “Twelve of your sisters sleep, waiting on you to marry, and the others will soon join them. You are the daughter to the Great Lord of the Redding. There is but one higher rank on this planet. How would it look if our family was to disregard the marriage laws, the custom of our very people, to accommodate the whim of one young lady who thinks herself above marriage? You keep an entire generation of my line from being born. I would have my grandchildren!”

  Clara felt a small tremor as he raised his voice. Rarely did her father speak to her thus. She saw his hands tremble with rage and knew she had pushed him too far. “Forgive me, Great Lord, for showing my fear of off-world travel. I do not think myself above our people. I plead with you to find another way. Do not make me go to Qurilixen. Even the name is hard on the tongue.”

  “It has been decreed and you have the emperor’s blessing. In less than a month’s time, they will have their yearly marriage ceremony. Four princes and several Draig nobles will be in attendance. I am assured you may have your pick of any one of them. You will arrive when the other potential brides do, but you will be in your own transport. I see no reason for you to travel with the commoners. The Draig king knows of your arrival and arrangements have been made that you only be presented before those of noble birth before the other women have a chance at them. Choose whomever you like. I have it on authority the men will not protest once a lady makes her decision.”

  “But they do not decide beforehand who they will marry? They simply choose that night out of a group of women? It is barbaric.”

  “It is how they do things. What does it matter? You decided against your suitors with one meeting. The Draig men decide for their suitors in one meeting. And, if they are as barbaric as you have deduced in these few moments of hearing about them, then you should have no problem maintaining control over your spouse. You are a lady. How hard is it to assert authority over a barbarian? So long as he is a nobleman, our laws are satisfied. I am sure you will have your pick, Clara. You have always had a discerning eye and I doubt a primitive man will be able to resist your decree once you decide you will have him. Go. Choose your husband. Your marriage will let your sisters out of stasis. I will have my grandchildren. Live with the barbarian lord for a year and then come home if you wish to have your first child here. Then you will go back, get pregnant again and return. We will raise the children nobly and measures will be taken to ensure they are not barbaric in nature, so rest easy on that account. Once you have given five live births, if you still do not like your primitive husband, manage the problem. But you will marry. Let your sisters have their babies. Let the next generation begin.”

  “Five?” Clara took a slow deep breath. The amount still felt like a high number when faced with her current situation, but it was hardly a respectable amount. Perhaps her father believed if he got her to agree to that much, she would then be persuaded later to contribute a more honorable number to the family line.

  “Your sisters will gladly have more children to cover where you do not.”

  Even the way he said it made her ashamed of herself. The guilt she tried hard to suppress welled up inside her.

  “They will be happy they are finally able to bring about the new line.” The great lord paused before quietly adding, “And we are unsure how the blended bloodline will turn out. Best not to have too many.”

  She again thought of that maid, screaming and flailing her limbs. Clara nodded once at her father’s expectant look and merely sat.

  Nineteen sisters. Eleven brothers. A noble father. A noble mother. They all waited on Clara, the last of the Redding line to find a spouse. She had known as she sent the last suitors away that she took a risk. But how could she marry Lord Camern? He was in love with himself. And Camern’s brother, Lord Dane? Dane w
as not-so-secretly in love with Clara’s brother.

  “And if they do not accept me?” Even as she asked it, Clara didn’t consider it a real possibility. She knew her worth. She was told she was beautiful. She had money. Her family had power. She had refinement. Any man would be lucky to have her. Besides, experience had taught her that noblemen were not so picky when it came to doing their duty of marriage.

  Was it wrong that sometimes, in the night when she was alone, she imagined a different kind of marriage? One where talk was not focused around having the next generation?

  “Then do not come home.” The threat was clear. If she didn’t do as decreed, she would be exiled. Penniless. Powerless. To come back unmarried would mean death.

  One year with a primitive man suddenly didn’t sound so hard. Her father said five children, but she could find a way to stop after three, when the newness of her marriage announcement was forgotten for other gossip. One year off-world. Two well-timed trips back. Three children. Perhaps the barbaric husband wouldn’t be too bad. Perhaps she would find someone refined and willing to learn whatever etiquette he did not already possess. And then there was that tiny hope she dared not dwell on—perhaps she would like this new world, perhaps there she could find something she did not have in her current life.

  Clara closed her eyes and slowly nodded. “I will do what you wish, Father. Always as you wish.”

  “I will inform the family,” he said, standing quickly. “They will be much relieved to hear of your sensibility. I am sure your mother will wish to shop as she did with your sisters. Stay where you are. I will send her to you.”

  “Yes, Father,” Clara answered in the same even tone. “I will do what you wish.”