For the Love of Her Dragon (26 page)

They
were discussing the mating ceremony and she had just commented that she was
glad he had to plan it instead of her, when the woman that ran the flower shop
yelled across the thoroughfare and asked to speak to Royce alone. Excusing
himself with a quick kiss and a promise to hurry back, he jogged across the
street as she continued to window shop. Every merchant in the lair was
incredibly talented, but none so much as Emma, the jewelry artisan. She created
gorgeous pieces out of otherwise unusable dragon scales, that rivaled anything
Tiffany’s had ever displayed.

Kyra
looked over, saw that Royce was still talking to the florist and decided she
had time to pop in, say hi, and see what new pieces the jeweler had created.
The little shop always felt so warm and inviting, and smelled of apples and
cinnamon, even though Emma swore that she rarely ate in the store, let alone
cooked in it.

Kyra
was greeted with a big smile and hug from the sweet young woman. No matter how
many times she saw Emma, she was always so surprised at the magic she felt in
her presence. She had asked the jeweler about it on an earlier visit, only to
learn that she was an orphan, found in a basket in the woods many years before
by Mary, the sister of Malachi – the Spiritual Elder of the clan, and raised by
the woman and her mate, Samuel, until their passing. The love for her adoptive
parents was evident when Emma spoke of them, and the fact that she had taken up
the trade of her father was a true testament to the power of that affection.

The
ladies talked as Kyra browsed. There were so many beautiful pieces, but she
kept coming back to what she thought was a bracelet. It was almost completely
made up of tiny bells that had been fashioned from royal blue dragon shells,
with a few green ones that only served to accent the brilliance of the blue,
all hanging from a thin golden chain. When she picked up the jewelry, the
tinkle of the bells reminded her of the laughter of the fairies her Auntie
Della had taken her to visit when she was a child.

Kyra
laid the piece across her wrist and Emma giggled. When Kyra looked up at her,
her brow furrowed in question, Emma replied, “It’s an
anklet
.”

Together
the women laughed and Emma helped Kyra try it on. It was as if it had been made
especially for her and as she took a few steps one way and then the other, the
sound of the bells filled the tiny shop. Royce chose that moment to appear. He
walked straight to Kyra and kissed her long and deep. Only when she was sure
she was going pass out did he pull back, but kept her tight to his side. As her
wits returned, she looked up, and in the cheekiest tone possible, complete with
her pretend English accent said, “Did
ya
miss me,
love
?”

Her
mate answered in kind, “Aye, I did.” Then placed a kiss on the very tip of her
nose before adding, “Besides, I heard the bells ringing and had to kiss
ya
’.”

“Huh?”
was the only reply she could think of, and thankfully, Royce was quick to
explain.

“Every
time a bell rings, a dragon is kissing his mate.
Ya
’
didn’t want me to mess with Fate did
ya
’?”

“Absolutely
not!” she giggled and then showed him her ankle. “I was just trying this on.
Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It
definitely is. Our Emma here is very talented,” Royce commented.

The
fact that Royce had taken the time to compliment Emma and the resulting blush
on the jeweler’s cheeks, just made Kyra love her mate all the more, if that was
even possible. Reluctantly, she knelt down, removed the anklet and handed it
back to Emma, promising to return and purchase it when things settled down a
bit. Emma once again congratulated them and asked Kyra to come have coffee with
her any time she could. Kyra left smiling, and wondering how she had ever lived
so long without all the awesome people of the clan in her life.

~
~
~
~
~
~
~

It
was finally his mating day and Royce was more nervous than he had ever imagined
possible. He owed a huge debt of gratitude to the men of his Force, their
mates, and his brothers, because without them he never would have gotten
everything ready in just three days. Now, standing in the garden behind the
house Kyra had been staying in, he was sweating bullets, praying she liked
everything he had prepared. He’d had to get special permission for the first of
many surprises he had planned for her.

The
Elders had agreed to let him fly Kyra to Serenity Landing, the summit of the
mountain that housed the Cave of the Ancients, where the ceremony was to take place.
It was both special and symbolic of their relationship. His mate, no matter her
stature, lifted him higher than he ever thought possible, and it was only
fitting that he mark her as his own at the highest spot in the entire lair.

He
watched as the two younger Guardsmen dressed in
surcoats
that almost exactly matched the royal blue of his beast, dismounted their
horses and walked towards Kyra’s front door. Using his enhanced vision, he saw
a dragon that matched the one he had worn on his arm, chest, and shoulder since
his transformation embroidered in golden thread across the front, and the black
and golden rope trimming the top and sides. His mind wandered for just a moment
as he remembered Kyra’s tiny dragon tattoo, an exact match for his, and his mouth
watered with the need to kiss that very spot and feel it react to his touch.

The
sound of Lance’s whistle brought him back to the present and alerted him that
it was time to transform. He called forth the dragon that had been with him for
as long as he could remember. Magic filled the air, and from one moment to the
next, Royce’s human form was replaced with his majestic royal blue beast. The
massive warrior was as excited as the man to lay eyes upon their mate for the
first time on their mating day. Neither was disappointed as Kyra exited the
rear of the cottage, a Guardsman on both sides and a smile that shone so
bright, even the sun paled in comparison. Her look of surprise was priceless,
and the look of adoration that followed, absolutely breathtaking.

The
dress he’d had made for her was perfect. It was the lightest color of lavender
the seamstress could find to highlight the mesmerizing color of her eyes.
Through the eyes of his dragon, he saw the tiny flames, just a few shades
darker than the gossamer of her gown, that seemed to have no pattern but only
served to accentuate the beauty of the woman wearing the garment. The royal
blue satin sash around her waist showed off her beautifully full figure that
would be his source of endless pleasure. As she walked towards him, the sun
highlighted the slight tan of her shoulders, bare and tempting.

As
they approached, the dragon laid on the ground, getting as low as possible for
the Guardsmen to help his mate onto his back. Once she was in place, the dragon
stood and prepared for flight. A quick thought to Lance had his brethren
telling Kyra to hold the soft scales at the base of his neck. Just the feel of
her hands on his scales caused the dragon to shiver. It was a unique experience
for mates, and one both man and beast would not have traded for anything in the
world.

The
flight was less than ten minutes even with the detour around the mountain, but
the feelings that flowed from Kyra through their mating bond let Royce know how
much she enjoyed herself and the joy she felt that they were to be one for all
time. Landing on the far side of the plateau, two more of the younger Guardsmen
were standing at the ready to help Kyra down and escort her to her place next
to the raised platform where the Elders would be seated. He noticed five
chairs, but was more concerned with keeping his eyes on Kyra so the thought of
the extra chair was completely dismissed.

He
was delighted at her
oooohs
and
ahhhhs
as she took in all the flowers, ribbons, and bows they had placed on the
archways leading to the dais where he would mark her as his for all time. The
tears of happiness that filled Kyra’s eyes when she saw her Auntie Della
sitting to the side were worth every second of arguing with both the Elders and
the Elder Witch he’d had to endure to have her present.

Once
she was in place, Royce’s dragon moved behind a huge outcropping on the
backside of the summit. Calling forth his dragon magic, he transformed back
into the man that wanted to be done with the ceremony and alone with his mate
more than he wanted his next breath. He watched through the foliage as the
Elders ascended to their places and had to smile when
Rian
was among them…fifth chair explained. Just about to thank his mother for her
presence even from the Heavens, he spotted his Force as they took their places
to the left of the platform. Not
only the
five he was
proud to call brethren appeared in
surcoats
matching
the color of their dragons, but also the four Guardsmen from the Blue Thunder
Clan and his younger brother Rory. The visiting Guardsmen in their royal blue
dress uniforms, so like his, took their places behind the others. The two lines
of men served as a reminder of his past and present. Each played a monumental
part in molding him into all that he was… a man, a dragon, a warrior.
and
on this, the most special day of all…a mate.

He
looked to Kyra, the one created for him by a Universe he had thought had failed
him and a Fate he was sure was out to destroy him, and was completely humbled.
She was the embodiment of everything Royce needed to be complete, whole, and…
happy
.
She was his future and all he would ever need. Unable to wait a second longer,
he walked to his place, dead center of the Sacred Circle
Kyndel
,
Grace, and Sam had created with small flower filled ceramic vases. After a few
seconds of silence, it was
Rian
that spoke, not
Carrick as he had expected. Royce stood a bit taller, it was an incredible
honor to have his own brother speak the words that would bind him and Kyra
together.

“Long
ago when knights and dragons fought side by side for King and country, it
became apparent that dragon kin was no longer safe from those that would expose
and destroy them. They sought to join with the knights that had so valiantly
fought by their sides. Thus through magic and the will of both dragon and
knight, the Dragon Shifters were born.

“In
the infinite wisdom of our Founding Elders, clans were set up, one for each
color of dragon, each assigned a region in which to make their home and to
protect. Over time, some have flourished, some have ceased to exist, and others
have been born from the joining of many. As the Head Elder of The Blue Thunder
Clan and brother to Royce, it is an incredible honor to stand among those of
the Golden Fire Clan. We are brothers in blood, brothers in battle, and
brothers in loyalty.

“We
are here today, in this most holy place of tradition, to honor what the
Universe put into place all those many years ago. We are here to acknowledge
and bless the mating of Royce Alan O’Reilly to the one the Universe made for
him and him alone, Kyra Renee St. Croix. Will those seeking to witness this
union please step forward?”

The
ten men he was proud to call brethren stepped forward as one unit, and
together, Rayne and Rory walked a few paces ahead. All the Guardsmen knelt and
bowed their heads. After a few moments of silence, Rayne stood and faced the
Elders “We, the five of the
MacLendon
Force, wish to
witness and offer our blessing to the union of these two souls, two halves of
the same whole. May they live long, fight hard, love harder, and produce many
young to flourish when their souls have gone to the heavens.” He knelt and
bowed his head again.

Rory
then stood and addressed the Elders, “We, the five of the
Aherne
Force of the Blue Thunder Clan, wish to witness and offer our blessing to one
born of our blood and the mate of his heart. May their lives now and forever be
a testament to all we hold dear…love, honor, and loyalty. As you are one, let
your strength see you many years and the children of your children smile upon
you.” He also knelt and bowed when he was finished. Royce was in awe and would
always remember that Kellan, although the Commander of the Force, had let Rory
bestow the blessing. It was an honor that would not go without thanks.

It
was Carrick that spoke after the moment of silence following Rory’s blessing,
“Your witness and blessings have been acknowledged and accepted
MacLendon
and
Aherne
Forces. It
is truly a blessed event to have two such honorable clans together. Royce
O’Reilly you may go to your mate. Please escort her to the Sacred Circle and
before the Elders assembled here.”

Royce
walked towards Kyra, never once breaking eye contact, took her hands into his,
and placed kisses upon both, before slowly walking her back to the Elders. It
took all his considerable restraint to not grab her up and rush, but the sheer
reverence of the moment made him go slow and savor every second.

Once
they were in place,
Rian
spoke again, “The blue
dragons were born of sea and sky. They are symbolic of the vastness of life and
infinity, and they possess the ability to experience life from all aspects.
They are highly protective and incredibly magical. Blue dragons are known for
their patience and loyalty. The blue of their scales symbolizes the boundless
sky and the deep calmness of the waters. Blue dragons will see every advantage,
protect home and family with their very lives, and welcome the rising tide of
change with calm acceptance. To mate a blue dragon is to accept all that they
are and honor the power shared between mates.”