Dragon in the Rough (Elders Enterprises Book 1) (18 page)

As they approached the stairs, Mark stopped and turned to her. “Last chance, Katie. Are you sure you want to do this? You can pull a run-a-way bride right here and now. I will cover for you.” 

              Katie laughed. “I think I will be fine. Just a little nervous. I am ready to get this done and over with, I just do not want to let anyone down.”

“Katie, you have already given our race more hope than we have had in decades. I do not think you could do anything at this point that would cause any of us to be disappointed in you.” Mark leaned in and gave her a quick hug. “Now, let’s get up there and get you mated to my twin.”

Katie took Mark’s elbow when he offered it again and they made their way up the stairs slowly. At the top, Mark gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “This is where we part ways. Give us a few moments before you come out, please.” He turned and walked out onto the roof.

Katie rubbed her suddenly moist hands on her legs. Her heart was racing and her hands were shaking. Her future stood on the other side of the wall. Was she truly ready to go through with the mating ceremony? Yes. She had been alone all her life. It was time to pull up her big girl panties and accept that she now had a group of people that cared for her. She took a few deep breaths to help calm herself. She was fated to be with Paul, everything else was just an added bonus. Squaring her shoulders and holding her head high, Katie took a step toward the door. She was ready.

As Katie stepped out of the door, a soft breeze blew across her skin as music started to play. All at once, all the people sitting in chairs stood and turned to look at her. Katie’s heart raced. There were so many people in attendance. She had never expected so many dragons to be here.

              She took a step forward as she scanned the crowd, then another step as she looked down the aisle and locked eyes with Paul. He stood tall and proud as he looked at her. Katie wanted to rush toward him but held herself back, forcing herself to take one step at a time to the beat of the music.

When Katie was only a few steps away from Paul, he came down the two steps to meet her. He held out his elbow for her and kissed her cheek as she placed her hand in the crook of his arm. They climbed the steps together, then turned to look at each other. The attendees all took their seats. Paul wrapped his arms around Katie, letting his hands rest on the small of her back. Katie followed suit.

“I love you, Katie,” Paul mouthed to her.

“I love you, too,” she replied

.A man Katie recognized from her first meeting at Elder Enterprises stood and made his way to stand in front of them. He placed a hand on both of their backs over their hearts. “These two are fated mates. It has been written by the fates that they shall be joined as one.” He looked at Katie and then Paul. “If you would please say your vows together.”

Katie did as she was instructed. She repeated the words that Mark had gone over with her. She did not know what they meant, only that they were of the ancient dragon language that she would have to learn. As they spoke, the wind around them started to change, whipping Katie’s hair around her face. She kept speaking, afraid to break whatever was happening around them. When they were done, a group of Elders stood and started chanting. Their words were lost to Katie as the wind picked up again.

              Katie’s whole body began to tingle. Paul pulled away and stepped back. “Just relax and let it happen, love.”

Katie nodded and closed her eyes as the tingling turned into a sting. Then all at once, her body began to shift. First came the wings, popping out of her back. Her jaw elongated and sharp teeth replaced her formally dull ones. Her body began to grow and expand until she was as big as a private jet. Then finally, her skin shimmered away and turned into a shiny new dragon hide. Katie was surprised when none of it hurt. She felt completely free for the first time in her life. Huffing out a deep breath, Katie forced her eyes open.

She was startled. Everyone was starting to kneel down, their left hands balled up and placed over their hearts, heads bowed. Katie did not remember this being part of the ceremony. She went over the list that Paul had given her earlier. Nope, not part of it. Katie’s heart started to pound. She turned her head over her shoulder to see her reflection in the building across the street.

Looking back at her was a beautiful royal dragon. Katie’s head snapped in Paul’s direction and she froze. Paul’s pearly white coat was slowly turning purple right before her eyes. The look he gave her said he was just as scared as she was.