Surrendering To The Dragon Part 28

Kai turned toward Rafe and Nikki. "Be careful, you two. While I trust my family, I don't know everyone on Snowridge."

Rafe nodded. "Of course. We'll be fine."

Mrs. Owens motioned with her hands. "Then follow me."

Nikki was instantly at his side, and Rafe wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Even as they walked in silence, he was grateful to have Nikki there. Rafe had only ever been on Stonefire's lands and had no idea what to expect on another dragon clan's lands.

The flat landing area soon turned into a narrow walkway carved between the rocks. Mrs. Owens turned right, and they followed her inside the the mountain.

Unlike Stonefire, which was a collection of cottages, Snowridge had dwellings carved into the mountain. At least, that was his best guess from the doors appearing every so often along the corridor. He wondered about the differences and how they stayed warm in the winter. Before he could distract himself from thinking about the meeting for much longer, Mrs. Owens stopped to knock on a door. A m.u.f.fled female voice told them to enter. The older dragonwoman smiled before opening the door.

Nikki squeezed his waist and released so they could enter single file.

Inside stood the tall, dark-haired form of Gwendolen Price. She was a few years older, but Rafe barely noticed. All of his attention was on the young girl on Gwen's hip.

The girl's light-brown skin was a perfect mixture of Noah's dark skin and Gwen's pale. Her tight, dark curls were divided into two bunches on her head. Her dark brown eyes, which looked so much like her father's, stared at him as she sucked her thumb.

Gwen cleared her throat, and Rafe forced his gaze away from the child to Gwen. The dragonwoman's eyes were guarded and her voice tight as she said, "h.e.l.lo, Hartley."

While there was so much to say, all Rafe managed to get out was, "Your daughter is beautiful."

Tightening her grip, Gwen answered, "Thank you." She looked between Nikki and Rafe. "But I'm curious as to why you're here."

Nikki touched his arm, and Rafe drew strength from her love. "First, I want to apologize for being a b.a.s.t.a.r.d to you. I had no idea just how much Noah meant to you until you were gone. I never should've yelled at you, let alone blame you for his death."

"I loved him, you know," Gwen whispered.

Rafe nodded and took a step toward Gwen. "I realized that soon after you returned to Wales." Pulling out an envelope from his pocket, he held it out to Gwen. "Noah had left a letter to be given to me if he died. Included was a note sealed and addressed to you. I want you to have both of them."

Gingerly taking the envelope, Gwen didn't try to open it and read it. He had a feeling she didn't want to cry in front of strangers, and Noah's words would definitely bring tears to the dragonwoman's eyes. h.e.l.l, they'd made Rafe tear up.

Instead, he took out Noah's dog tag. While a little misshapen due to the explosion, Rafe had cleaned it up, smoothed the edges as best he could and put it on a new chain. He turned toward little Cora. "I have a present from your dad, Cora." He swung the chain, and the little girl watched it. "This is a symbol of your father's bravery. He died protecting your mum. While he can't be here, he would want you to have this. It will always remind you of him."

Cora reached out to touch the engraved metal. "This was my daddy's?"

"Yes. Do you want to wear it?"

Cora nodded. "It's like my mum's. She says hers will protect me. If I have my daddy's, too, then I should be really safe."

Gwen's breath caught in her throat, and Rafe dared a glance. She nodded for him to continue. Focusing back on the little girl, Rafe gently put the chain over Cora's head. "Now you should be really safe." He dared to brush Cora's cheek. "Your dad was my best friend, and you should be proud of him. I'm sure he loved you a lot before you were born."

Cora stopped playing with the chain around her neck. "Maybe you can be my new daddy."

Rafe blinked. "What?"

Gwen hushed Cora. "Don't mind her. She tells every male she likes that he should be her new dad."

Smiling, Rafe looked back to Cora. "I'm sure your mum will find someone. But I already have my own mate." Cora looked crestfallen, so Rafe added, "But we're having our own baby later this year. Maybe you could be friends if your mother allows it."

Cora looked to her mother. "I don't have an English dragon friend. That would be fun."

Gwen smiled, and Rafe straightened up. Gwen replied, "We'll see, Cora. Mr. Hartley and..."

Nikki jumped in. "Nikki Gray."

Gwen continued, "Miss Gray will be very busy."

Nikki moved to Rafe's side. Threading her fingers through his, she smiled at Gwen. "I'm sure we can find time."

An awkward silence fell, but Rafe didn't want to push Gwen too far. Yet after seeing the sadness in the dragonwoman's eyes and falling for Cora's charm, he rather hoped their children could be friends. And not just because it might help future relations between the two clans, although that would be a bonus.

Lily Owens spoke up. "Good. Now, if I can just convince Kai to give me a grandchild, we could start a playgroup." Mrs. Owens smiled at Nikki. "Maybe you could hint at Kai and Jane to get started?"

Nikki laughed. "I don't think my words will have any effect. That pair could take on the world and win if they wanted."

Mrs. Owens sighed. "I know." A smile returned to her face. "But enough of the distant future. You're to stay with my family for the night before heading back tomorrow. I'll show you to my quarters if you're ready."

Rafe met Gwen's gaze again. "Once you read the letter, feel free to find me. I know what it's like to miss someone and want to share memories to keep him alive."

Mrs. Owens beat Gwen to her reply. "You and Cora should come to dinner."

"I don't want to intrude," Gwen answered.

"Don't be silly. Gareth and I love nothing more than a full house with lots of laughter. You should come."

Rafe stared at the older dragonwoman and wondered how the b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l the woman could be Kai's mother.

However, before he could think too long, Cora wiggled in her mother's arms. "Please, Mummy. I want to play with the English dragons. Their accents are funny and they probably have new games to play."

Gwen finally bobbed her head. "I suppose, as long as Lily doesn't mind."

"Drop the formalities, Gwen. You're welcome anytime. Right, then, it's all sorted. We'll see you at seven." She moved to the door. "Come, Nikki and Rafe. We'll take the long way home so I can give you a tour of the public areas. Rhydian said those parts were okay to show you. Although, given how often that male changes his mind, we'd better hurry."

As Mrs. Owens exited the door, Rafe looked back to Gwen. "We'll see you at dinner, then."

Cora waved. "Bye!"

With a chuckle, Rafe waved back before leading Nikki out of Gwen's quarters. As they walked to catch up to Mrs. Owens, Nikki whispered, "I think she's still mourning Noah."

He squeezed his woman closer. "I think so, too. At least she didn't yell or punch me in the face. That must be a good sign."

"I liked your offer about our children being friends. While I love your alpha side, your emerging father persona is winning future brownie points." She paused before adding, "For the first time, I wish I was giving birth next week so I could see you hold our baby and go all soft."

"But if you were nine months pregnant, you would look huge on TV for our mating ceremony in a few days."

She hit his side. "There goes your brownie points. I won't be huge. I will just have a tiny person inside of me. There's a difference."

He chuckled. "I want to say more, but even I know better than to push a pregnant dragonwoman too far. You might 'accidentally' drop me on our way home."

"Now there's an idea."

As they looked at each other, they laughed. Part of Rafe felt guilty that he had the love of his life and best friend at his side when Gwen didn't. But at the same time, he couldn't change the past. He could only make the best of his future and of those around him.

Giving Nikki a quick kiss, Rafe decided he would try his d.a.m.nedest to make those close to him happy, Gwen included. Somehow, someway, he'd try to take care of his dead friend's family.

But in the present, he would take care of his own, which meant surviving a night with Lily Owens and getting back to Stonefire in time for his mating ceremony.

Chapter Twenty-Six.

Nikki smoothed the dark purple fabric of her traditional-style dress for the hundredth time. The material draped over one shoulder, hugged her chest, and then flared out to the ground. Under normal circ.u.mstances, she wouldn't be wearing so little outside in March in Northern England with little more than a cloth tent for shelter, but the day was special.

She was about to mate Rafe Hartley in front of possibly millions watching the ceremony on their TVs.

Her stepmother, Delphine, rushed into the part.i.tion where Nikki was waiting for her cue to walk out. The dragonwoman touched Nikki's cheek. "You look so beautiful."

"You should've seen me fifteen minutes ago with my head in the toilet," Nikki drawled.

"Nikola Helen Gray, this is your mating day. Let's try not to talk about being sick in a toilet."

She shrugged. "It's not my fault. The future Hartley Heartbreaker inside of me has decided something doesn't smell right."

Delphine smiled. "Hartley Heartbreaker. I like that."

Her mother's smile was infectious. "By the way, I wanted to thank you for making my dress, Mum. Sewing is definitely not one of my skill sets." She held out the skirt. "I almost feel like a normal female in this."

"Of course you're a normal female." Her mother's frown eased. "But I'd do anything for you, Nikki. I may not have given birth to you, but you will always be my daughter. And I'm so happy you found your true mate."

The tears in Delphine's eyes made Nikki tear up. She sniffed. "Don't make me cry. I'm already puffy from retaining water. I don't need to add red eyes, too."

Engulfing her in a hug, Delphine whispered, "You could be bald and wearing a bin bag and Rafe wouldn't care."

"Maybe." She pulled back and wiped her eyes. "But I'd like my first and hopefully last TV appearance in my human form to be a good one."

Delphine laughed. "It'll be fine, love."

Nikki's father walked into the tent with a scowl. But it eased when he spotted Nikki and Delphine. "Here are my two beautiful females."

Nikki sighed. "Where else would I be, Dad? I'm not about to run away."

"Good," Hector answered. "I mostly approve of Rafe and would hate to see him left standing out there alone. There's quite a crowd, you know."

Nikki's stomach flipped. As she took a deep breath, her dragon spoke up. Good. I want everyone to notice us.

Ha! I wouldn't be surprised if you s.h.i.+fted right after the ceremony so everyone can admire your hide.

I've thought about it. But I hate when humans scream, and I have a feeling they would.

Glad you understand that, dragon.

But don't worry. Everything will be fine. Besides, we can inspire other dragon-s.h.i.+fter females with our mating. Today is important.

Even though the law hadn't changed for all, Rosalind Abbott had agreed to consider special privileges to clans with good behavior.

It was a long way from equality, but considering how much worse it could be-such as Rafe being torn from her side-Nikki would take what she could get. She had a lifetime to enact more permanent change for her children.

Her dragon spoke up again. Thinking of more babies already? My, my, someone's changed their tune.

Shut it, dragon.

As her beast chuckled, Nikki looked back to her dad. "Don't worry, I'm keeping Rafe. If you're here, it must mean it's almost showtime."

"Yes. I just need to collect your mother and to do this." Her father engulfed her in a hug. "I'm glad you found your happiness like I eventually found mine."

"Thanks, Dad." Hector released her, and Nikki blinked her eyes quickly. "You two really should leave, or I'm going to start crying. And that would definitely ruin my Protector image."

Her dad snorted. "It might work to your advantage if they underestimate you."

Delphine looped her arm through Hector's. "Don't give her any ideas. Come, let's take our places. I still can't believe we're going to be sitting one row away from the human prime minister."

Hector patted his mate's hand. "Only the best for our Nikki."

Her parents waved and left Nikki alone once more.

She paced for a few minutes until Rosalind Abbott's voice boomed through the sound system. "Thank you all for joining me today. Whether at home or here with us in an undisclosed location in Northern England, I thank you.

"The turbulent changes over the past year have strained relations between humans and dragon-s.h.i.+fters. I truly believe our future will be better if we work together. To symbolize a fresh start and to showcase how much I want our two peoples to get along, I wish to start my term as Director of the Department of Dragon Affairs with a mating ceremony. And not just any mating ceremony, but one between a human man and a female dragon-s.h.i.+fter." Applause sounded before Abbott's voice continued, "Since a dragon-s.h.i.+fter mating ceremony is between two people, I'm going to take my seat and let it begin."

More clapping and Nikki peeked through the crack in the material part.i.tion. She spotted Rafe ascending the steps to the stage. He was kitted out in a tradition male dragon-s.h.i.+fter outfit. With the dark red material tossed over his shoulder and wrapped around his waist in a similar fas.h.i.+on to a human Scottish kilt, she wanted to lick him up.

Not just because he was s.e.xy, though of course he was. But also, because he'd volunteered to wear the traditional garb of her kind despite the chilly March temperatures. They were inside a giant tent, but it wasn't exactly cozy.

Her dragon grunted. It's not that cold. Can we hurry up? I want to undress him and claim him.

Not until I claim him first.

Then get a move on.

Right, then. Taking a deep breath, Nikki stood up tall and exited the part.i.tion. All eyes turned toward her, but she forgot about everything else as she met Rafe's gaze. With her shoulders back and chin raised, she walked to her mate. It was time to bind herself to him forever.

Rafe took his place in the center of the stage, next to a stool where the two mating bands lay in a box.