Page 100 of Dragon Cursed
Niamh said nothing about that part.
Niamh's mouth twitched.
Niamh was going to beinsufferableabout it later.Poppy could already tell.
One of the elves stepped forward.
His silver eyes fixed on Poppy.He didn’t look at her face.He looked at hereyes— at the gold and the green pulsing under her skin — and at the small new heat below her sternum that he could clearly sense.
"The dragonfire lives in her blood."His voice was like the rustle of leaves."It recognizes her.She is the dragon's mate.Claimed.Bound." A pause.His silver eyes narrowed."And the goddess has given her a piece of herself.Direct.Unmediated.And there is — "
He stopped.
He inclined his head — slowly, deeply, the way an elf inclined his head only to a being he considered his equal or his superior.
"There isnew lifein her.New life carrying both fires."
The elves behind him went very still.
A second elf stepped forward.She was taller.Older.She held a silver cup in her hands.
"My lordDraquonir."Her voice was reverent."The line is restored.The forest is healed.The dance turns.Your sister is freed.And your mate carries — "
"Yes."Alsander's arm tightened around Poppy.His voice had gone quietly possessive."She carries.We know."
"King Ryker will wish to know.As will our elders.There has not been such a child in generations."
"Ryker is still king?"
"Aye."The first elf's silver eyes glinted."And he has a human mate of his own.He will be —mostinterested — to learn that his lost cousin has been found, and foundbonded, and found afather."
A small wry smile touched Alsander's lips.
"Ryker is my cousin," he murmured to Poppy."I will take you to meet him.When I am ready to share you with the rest of the world."
"When will that be?"Poppy whispered.
He pulled her flush against his chest.His arms wrapped around her like a shield.He lowered his head, his forehead resting against hers, his emerald eyes staring deep into her gold-and-green-and-blue ones.
"It might take a hundred years."
"Alsander."
"I have been alone much longer.I am not in a hurry to share a single moment of this."He paused.His gaze softened with an emotion so raw and vulnerable it made her heart ache."I love you, Poppy.More than my own life.More than the air I breathe.You are mine now."
"And you are mine."
"Yours."
"Mine."
"I love you,mo chroí.I love you, I love you,I love you."
He sealed it with a kiss.Slow.Deep.Full of a promise that would last for centuries.
When at last he lifted his head, Niamh had moved.She was standing in front of the tall older elf with the silver cup.She had drawn herself up to her full small height.Her stick was planted in the moss in front of her like a queen's staff.
She spoke.
