Chapter One

Jill blinked back the tears that were forming in the corners of her eyes and threatening to spill down her cheeks. Her sister, Lissa, continued talking, but Jill had stopped listening. The only thing she was doing right now was concentrating on not crying. Lissa already treated her like a bothersome child; there was no way she was going to cry in front of her and prove her right.

"Do you understand why this is the best thing to do?" Lissa asked her.

"Best thing for whom?" Jill couldn't stop herself from asking.

"The good of our people," Lissa answered automatically.

Though Jill was expecting that answer it didn't make it sting any less. Despite the horrendous prospect of having to marry someone she hardly knew at least if Lissa had said it was to keep Jill safe she might have been able to handle the request. But no…Lissa didn't care about her sister. She only cared about keeping her precious crown.

When Jill discovered the true identity of her father she was surprised to say the least. She couldn't imagine her mother having an affair with anyone let alone Eric Dragomir. She had been an only child for fourteen years so the idea of having a sister filled her with an excited energy. Her mind flooded with images of what it meant to have a sibling. Shopping, gossiping, someone who would always have your back.

None of that happened. Lissa treated her like the plague. And things only got worse once Lissa became queen. With the Dragomir line already teetering on extinction dissidents decided it would be easier to eliminate Jill rather than the heavily guarded queen, thus ending Lissa's reign. After a fatal attack, Jill was only saved by the quick actions of Eddie Castile and Adrian Ivashkov.

She was sent into hiding with Eddie, Adrian, and a few other protectors in Palm Springs. It took nearly four years before the culprits behind the attacks were caught and Jill could return to Court. Once again Jill naively thought things would change, but by now Lissa had a whole new set of problems.

The easiest way to ensure there would be more Dragomirs would be for Lissa to have children of her own with her husband, Christian. This proved to be more difficult than thought, though. After almost three years of trying, Lissa had no success conceiving.

Now it appeared Jill would have to be the one producing the Dragomir offspring. Lissa called her into her office today to inform her she had arranged a marriage between her and Jesse Zeklos. Not ask her…inform her.

"Are you even listening, Jill?" Lissa asked. "This is important."

"When is this going to happen?" Jill asked her.

"Arrangements are still in the works, but hopefully by the end of the year," Lissa responded.

Jill did some quick math in her head. It was August now. That gave her just about four months to figure out how to get out of this.

"The Zekloses have always been influential," Lissa explained to her. "And during my trials they were supportive." She paused and looked at her sister.

Jill nodded her head to show Lissa she was, in fact, listening.

This seemed to satisfy the queen so she continued speaking, "Strengthening our relationship will be helpful in the long run."

"Can I go now?" Jill asked her, though she was already half way to her feet.

"We'll talk more tomorrow," Lissa said with a sigh.

"Sure," Jill replied as she walked out of the room. She wasn't about to hold her breath for that one.

Once Jill was out of Lissa's office she closed her eyes. She was an expert at blocking Adrian now so she wasn't sure where he was at the moment. She was able to locate him rather quickly. He was in his apartment, and thankfully alone.

He was not only her shadow kissed mate, but her best friend. She needed him right now.

…

"What's up, Jailbait?" Adrian asked after he pulled the door open. He pushed it wide enough so Jill could step inside before walking back into the living room and returning to his seat on the couch.

Jill rolled her eyes as she followed him inside. She shut the door behind her. "You realize I've been legal for quite a few years now," she said. "I'm 22-years-old."

"Don't remind me," Adrian said with a groan. "That means I'm approaching 30." A pained look highlighted his face.

Jill chuckled a little and tilted her head to the side. "Is that a grey hair I see?" she teased him.

"Don't even, Jailbait…don't even," he warned her playfully. "Now…to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Jill sat down next to Adrian on the sofa. "Lissa's making me get married," she said, the earlier lightness in her tone gone.

Adrian paused for a moment. "How can she make you get married?" he finally asked.

"She arranged it with the Zeklos family. I'm supposed to marry Jesse at the end of the year," Jill explained. Her throat tightened as each word came out of her mouth.

"Jesse?" Adrian asked, obviously quite appalled. "That guy isn't just a tool…he's the whole tool box."

"Thanks. You're really making me feel better," Jill said. She quickly wiped at the corners of her eyes.

"Shit, sorry," Adrian apologized. His expression softened. "I'm really sorry, Jill. It's wrong of Lissa to ask you to do this."

"Ask me?" Jill scoffed. She abandoned all hope of hiding her tears. They now streamed steadily down her cheeks. "She told me. I didn't have a choice."

His expression darkened now and Jill could feel his anger seeping through the bond. "I'll talk to her," he insisted.

"It won't do any good," Jill reasoned. "I'm stuck, Adrian. I'm going to have to marry some tool bag guy," she said quoting him. "And have royal babies all so Lissa can keep her crown."

"It's tool box," he corrected her. "There must be something I can do," Adrian said. He wrapped his arm around Jill and drew her closer to his side.

She closed her eyes and buried her face against his chest. "If I think of something you'll be the first to know," Jill murmured.