Page 98 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
EPILOGUE
“Are you sure I’m supposed to be here?”
Shaw grinned at Nia’s question. After three days at Iron Hall, Shaw and Cullen had gotten word about the mating ceremony. When a King was mated at Dreagan, the ceremony was held beneath Dreagan Mountain where only the Kings and their mates could attend. That rule didn’t apply on Zora. Both Shaw and Cullen had taken advantage of that fact. They wanted their women to see what it was like to bind themselves to a Dragon King.
“Aye, m’eudail.”
The way she smiled every time he called her his darling made him want to rip her clothes off and have his way with her. The most painful—and freeing—thing he’d ever done was open his heart to her and tell her everything. Words would never come easily for him, but at least with Nia, he could say them.
He couldn’t believe he had ever believed that falling in love was a weakness. It was the opposite. He felt stronger, more whole. After her shock at discovering that she would live for as long as he did, they had spent their time tearing each other’s clothes off and discussing the future. There was much they wanted to do, but both realized all of it would be on hold until things got sorted on Zora.
Shaw looked at Nia, who watched everything with wide-eyed enthusiasm. All the Kings were in attendance, even those from Earth. Including Melisse. After all, no one missed a mating ceremony. The mates were also there. Shaw had introduced Nia to many of them, but others waited to say hello—though it would have to wait until after the ceremony.
Everyone was in their finest attire. The Kings in kilts, and the women in gorgeous dresses. Dragons flew around, watching, while others perched on nearby mountains to observe. Shaw drew in a breath and smiled. He’d never thought to see such a day again. Zora might not be their world, but they could visit. And that was enough.
Hector came up between Shaw and Cullen. With a low voice, he asked, “Still no sign of Merrill?”
Shaw clenched his jaw. There was no way Merrill would refuse to answer any of them. The only explanation was that he couldn’t. Did someone have him like they had captured Varek? Was he in some deep, dark hole, unable to communicate?
He’d held out hope that Merrill would make it back. Truth be told, Shaw had been so wrapped up in his love for Nia that he had forgotten his friend. That was unforgivable. “I’m going to find him.”
“We all are,” Cullen whispered.
Hector blew out a breath. “Two missing Kings isna good.”
Their conversation was halted when Varek walked up. Worry gripped Shaw. Merrill should be up there with his best friend. Shaw prayed nothing had happened to Merrill. There would be a meeting soon to discuss the next steps, but for now, there was a mating ceremony.
Nia squeezed his arm and gave him a reassuring smile. He winked at her. She gave him strength. One day, they would be standing up there exchanging vows. For now, it was enough that she had agreed to be his.
Varek wore a wide grin, his happiness palpable, his attention focused on something behind everyone. A moment later, Con appeared with Jeyra on his arm. Her long red hair had been pulled back loosely on the sides and flowed down her back. Then he noted Jeyra wore an armband on both arms that sported a large, green amethyst on each. Con always gave a mate a gift, and these were from him.
Even Shaw had to admit her hair contrasted nicely with the lichen-colored dress she wore. Jeyra was a warrior for her people and had spent her life in pants. But she glowed in the strapless tulle gown with a glittered and pleated skirt in a voluminous A-line silhouette that ended in a dramatic, sweeping train.
The way Varek reached for Jeyra when she stopped beside him made everyone chuckle. Con wasted no time in starting the vows. As Shaw listened, all he could think about was one day saying those words to Nia and having her repeat them to him. She squeezed his hand, and they exchanged a look. She smiled, letting him know that she was thinking about their ceremony, too.
“Soon,” he whispered. “I’m yours, m’eudail. Eternally.”
“My eternal dragon.” She blew him a soft kiss.
His heart swelled. He’d been terrified of love, but now that he had it, he couldn’t imagine how he had lived without it. Their future was as uncertain as it had ever been, but Shaw wasn’t worried. Not so long as he had Nia.
Jeyra jerked slightly when the dragon eye tattoo appeared on her left upper arm above the armband, a sign that she was mated to a King.
Shaw leaned close to Nia’s ear and said, “I can no’ wait until you’re sporting that tat.”
“Me, either,” she replied huskily.
Cheers went up in celebration of another King mated. The dragons joined in and roared, the sound deafening. Varek let out a loud whoop and dragged Jeyra to him for a long kiss. Everyone smiled and laughed at the joyous occasion, but it was tinged with worry and apprehension. Shaw wished they could spend the evening celebrating as they always did, but that wouldn’t happen this time.
“I doona like this,” Ulrik said as he walked up. “I doona like leaving when two of our own are missing.”
Shaw met his gold gaze and nodded. “Aye, but someone needs to watch Dreagan and Earth.”
“I’m going to return Eilish to Earth and then come back here,” Ulrik stated.
Cullen laughed. “Good luck with that, brother. Your mate willna let that happen.”
Hector wore a big smile. “Nay, she willna, but I’d like to see the argument.”
Ulrik glared at both of them. “We should all be here.”
“We should, but that isna what’s happening,” Shaw said. “We’re going to find both of them.”
Ulrik placed a hand on his shoulder as he sighed. “I know. Good luck to all of you.”
They watched him walk back through the Fae doorway to Earth with the mated Kings and their women. That seemed to signal the end of the evening. The rest of them gathered around. Since Jeyra called Zora home, she and Varek had chosen to stay and fight.
“There could be several reasons for Merrill no’ answering,” Con addressed everyone. “We’re going to find out why. Both he and Brandr are Dragon Kings. They’re highly skilled and powerful. But as we’re learning, there are those on Zora with magic we’ve never encountered.”
Ranulf shrugged. “That’s never stopped us before. It willna now.”
Con looked around the circle, stopping at Rhi, who stood to his right. “Our enemies are growing. We’re here as guests, and we’re trying no’ to begin a war. Eurwen and Brandr are the rulers of this realm. Remember that.”
“No,” Eurwen said, her silver eyes blazing. “You’re no longer here as guests. You are Dragon Kings. Every dragon that’s here now is descended from bloodlines going back to Earth. Each of you willingly came to help when asked. My father is right, we have unknown adversaries. My brother and I are partly to blame for that. We went out of our way to ignore anything having to do with the humans. That was our mistake, one that needs to be rectified. We need to know what magic is out there, and who is dangerous. All of you have risked everything time and again to protect Dreagan and Earth. Brandr and I are asking you to do it again here.”
Kentigern bowed his head to her. “That’s the thing. You doona need to ask. We’re more than willing.”
Shaw joined the rest as they nodded in agreement.
Eurwen drew in a shaky breath. “Then let’s get started.”
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