by Julia Mills
“Nope, not close to the bakery, but we can run by there on our way back. We shouldn’t be much longer. Anything else you need?”
Trying to sound nonchalant, she said, “That should do it. Unless you want to tell me where you are and what you’re doing?”
Laughing, Aaron’s only answer was, “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you. Love you, gotta go.”
She paced the kitchen floor until Sam told her to help or get out of the way.
“I’m sorry, dammit. I can’t stand that he’s keeping secrets. I know it’s nothing bad but it’s making me nuts.”
“Get used to it,” Kyndel laughed.
“For sure,” Grace added.
“Don’t worry, Aunt Charlie. Aaron and Aidan are with the Elders,” Sydney said, not even looking up from her coloring.
Charlie looked at the little girl with amazement. “How do you know that?”
Shrugging, she answered, “I don’t know. I can just tell you where they are. Aaron’s got his wall up so I can’t hear them and so does Aidan, but I know where they are.”
Figuring it was the best she was going to get, Charlie started making the salad, the only thing not being done. She’d chopped the last tomato when Aaron and Aidan came through the door, closely followed by four stately looking gentlemen she knew right away were dragons. Three of them looked maybe ten years older than her mate, but the last looked old enough to be her great grandfather.
The power that emanated from the men made the marking on her back tingle. Aaron started to speak, but was cut off by the tall man with gray at his temples. “I am Carrick, the Leader of the Golden Fire Clan of the Dragon Shifters. This is Riordan, Malachi, and Zachary. Also Elders of the clan, and we wanted to welcome you as our kin.”
She took his outstretched hands, amazed at the strength and power radiating from him. She then shook the hands of the other three, ending with Zachary, the oldest.
He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I hope you’re ready for a lifetime with that kid.” Zachary pointed at Aaron and laughed aloud. The sound seemed to fill the whole house, making everyone in it laugh along.
Aaron made his way to her side, knelt on one knee, and held out a small, silver, velvet box. Before she could catch her breath, he began speaking, “I love you, Dr. Charlene Ailsa Gallagher, with all that I am. Would you please make me the happiest dragon shifter that has ever lived or will ever live and become my mate, my wife, my partner for all of this life and also in the Heavens?”
She opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. The questioning look in his eyes had her swallowing and trying to speak again. Only a squeak passed her lips, so she nodded like a bobble head doll in the back of an old Cadillac.
Aaron opened the box, revealing a huge princess cut Alexandrite, at least five carats in size. The overhead light bounced off the facets, highlighting an amazing spectrum of colors. He slid the ring on her finger, explaining as he went. “I spoke to Brynna this morning. Took some doing but I called in a favor. Anyway, she said that Alexandrite would amplify your powers and make it possible for you to communicate with her or anyone else in Fairy you may want to talk with. It will also help you find the control and balance you asked for. I also think it looks beautiful on your finger and wanted you to have a ring as a human symbol of my love for you.”
Finally finding her voice, all she could say was, “Thank you!”
Aaron stood and kissed her like they weren’t in front of a room full of people. It only took a second before she didn’t care and kissed him back the same way. The room erupted in clapping and cheers. Several long moments later, the couple broke apart and accepted congratulations from everyone.
During dinner, Aaron sprung another surprise on her that almost had her falling out of her chair.
“What do you think about having our official mating ceremony tomorrow?”
He continued to eat like he hadn’t just asked her to plan a wedding in less than twelve hours. Aaron must have heard her thoughts, because he spoke directly into her mind. “You don’t have anything to plan. I’ve already taken care of everything.”
Turning her head so fast she feared whiplash, she answered aloud, “You what?”
“That’s where I was all day. It’s all planned. Aidan was a big help. All I need is your okay. That’s one of the reasons the Elders are here.”
She looked at the older men she’d met just a bit ago. They smiled in response and continued eating spaghetti like everything that was happening was completely commonplace.
Maybe it is. What the hell do I know?
Charlie continued to look around the table. Each face she landed on was smiling, and filled with so much love and acceptance that she was overwhelmed with more warm fuzzies than she could ever remember having.
Aaron spoke again, drawing her attention. “I also spoke to your parents. They were a little freaked out and not too trusting, but after a long conversation and a quick call to Sam to confirm I was who I said I was, they gave their permission that we be ‘married’.” He made air quotes before she looked to her best friend, who at least had the decency to blush.
“The only thing your dad made me promise, besides to love you and protect you with my very life, was that we make a trip to their house and have a reception with all their friends. Sound good?”
She had no idea what she’d ever done so right to deserve a man as awesome as the one she had, but she thanked the God above for Aaron right before giving him the biggest kiss she could muster. When they broke apart, he grinned and asked, “Was that a yes?”
Nodding she said, “Sure was, dragon man. Damn sure was.”
It was the longest night of her life. Aaron had left her and all the girls to have a ‘sleepover/bachelorette party’ while he went with Lance and the guys to have what she could only imagine was their version of a bachelor party. Charlie hadn’t slept a wink, alternating between pacing the floor and trying to read some magazines Sam and Grace had given her. When the sun finally began to rise, she’d gone downstairs and started the coffee. Sydney joined her for a cup of hot chocolate and that’s where they were when the doorbell rang.
“It’s Jace,” Syd squealed as she ran to answer the door.
By the time Charlie made it to the door, the child had it open and was talking to a younger version of the men she was quickly becoming to think of as family. Looking up, he bowed at the waist before handing her a huge silver box tied with a lavender satin ribbon.
“For you, Dr. Gallagher,” he said.
“That’s Jace, Aunt Charlie. He’s gonna be a Guardsman when Daddy and Royce decide he’s ready.”
Pink tinted the apples of the young man’s cheeks. “Congratulations, Dr. Gallagher. Have a nice day,” he said before once again bowing and then leaving.
“Thank you,” she called after him, closing the door.
“I bet I know what’s in the box,” Sydney sang as she skipped alongside her.
“You think so, huh?”
“Yep. I’m gonna wait though. You need to be surprised, but hurry. I’m dying here.”
Charlie laughed, sat the box on the kitchen table, and began untying the ribbon. Lifting off the lid, she unwrapped the tissue paper and stood, speechless. Reaching into the box, she pulled out an absolutely gorgeous silver chiffon gown that glistened and shimmered as she held it up. The beautifully stitched lavender flames sewn all over the skirt perfectly matched the wide satin ribbon folded in the bottom of the box, and highlighted the shimmer of the fabric.
Holding it against her chest and using the stainless steel of the refrigerator as a mirror, she marveled at the wonderful craftsmanship, and wondered how they’d gotten it ready in such a short amount of time. It had a corset-like bodice with tiny pearls going down the center and ending just where the skirt began. The same pearls decorated all the way around the very top of the bodice.
Next to the ribbon in the box was a silver pair of ballet slippers and a note. She smiled as she read… For you my bea
utiful mate. Today we begin our lives together. Together forever. All of my love for eternity and beyond.
One by one the other ladies entered the kitchen, filling the room with happy chatter. Everyone was excited to get the mating ceremony over with so they could have the reception. From what she could tell, it was going to be an even bigger party than Devon and Anya’s. She had to laugh when Sam made sure Charlie knew the werepanthers would be there.
“Just no transforming under the influence, right?” Charlie joked while filling the plates Grace had placed on the counter with her famous veggie omelets.
Kyndel pulled the biscuits from the oven while Sam filled the glasses with orange juice and everyone sat down to eat. All conversations centered on the list of things that had to be done for the party. Charlie tried to focus, but her mind was on one thing and one thing only…the mating ceremony.
Sitting still as long as she could, she made her excuses and headed upstairs. She filled the tub with hot, steamy water and the bath oil that Kyndel had made just for her. The fragrance of lavender and heather filled the room as she sank down into the hot, bubbly water. Relaxing as much as she could, Charlie thought about how much her life had changed in just a matter of days. If someone had told her she’d find the love of her life and marry…or mate…him in less than a month, she would’ve called them a liar.
She shaved her legs, washed her hair, and soaked until the water turned tepid. Drying off, she wrapped up in Aaron’s huge robe and sat in the chair by the window. Sam had told her two younger Guardsmen would come to get her at exactly four. Glancing at the clock, Charlie saw she still had two hours and decided to see what she could do with her hair and makeup.
Sam knocked on the door just as she was putting in the last curl. Sydney came running in before she had a chance to answer. “Oh, Aunt Charlie, you look beautiful.”
“Why, thank you, my dear. All I have left to do is put on my dress and shoes.”
“That’s good, because the boys will be here to get you soon,” Sam commented. “Need any help?”
“Nope. I think I got it.”
“Okay, we are all heading out to get ready. See you at the reception.” Both Sydney and Sam hugged her before heading out.
Charlie had just slipped her feet into her slippers when she heard a knock at the door. Holding up the skirt of her dress, she hurried down the stairs and threw open the door. There stood two young Guardsmen, dressed in what she imagined were their formal uniforms. She recognized Jace from earlier and smiled when he spoke.
“Hi again, Dr. Gallagher. This is Liam and I’m Jace, in case you forgot.”
She chuckled as he continued, “We’re here to escort you to the ceremony.”
“Great!” Closing the door behind her, Charlie looked closer at the young men’s uniforms.
They wore surcoats reminiscent of Arthurian times, made from luxurious, silvery-gray wool, trimmed in black braid with silver thread glittering throughout. From the pictures in Aaron’s mind, she knew they matched the scales of his dragon almost exactly. On the front there was an intricately embroidered picture depicting a dragon in flight, just like Aaron’s marking. They each also wore a black, long-sleeved undershirt and pants, as well as knee high, polished black boots that shined in the afternoon sun.
The young men gently took her hands and placed them on their bent elbows, leading her to an ornate carriage that made her remember the story of Cinderella. Bibbity, Bobbity, Boo danced around in her head.
The closer they got to the carriage, the more details she was able to pick out. It was made of deep mahogany with elegant carvings bordering the door and decorating the moldings. She recognized them as fairy wings and heather blossoms, and smiled at the attention to detail.
A set of steps rolled out as Jace opened the door. Liam helped her into the carriage and asked if she was comfortable before securing the door. The seats were covered in plush cream velvet, softer than any silk Charlie had ever felt. A hand painted mural depicting dragons in flight covered all four walls. She counted twelve dragons in all and remembered the story Siobhan had told her of the Dragon Kings that became the original dragon shifters.
Looking around, she saw a bouquet of silver and lavender roses tied with a single white ribbon lying on the seat opposite her. While reaching across to pick them up and inhale their succulent aroma, she saw the small card attached. The message was simple but caused her eyes to fill with tears. All my love for eternity and beyond. Aaron.
The carriage slowed and then came to a complete stop. Looking out the window, she saw the meadow where she’d first discovered the existence of dragons. Butterflies danced in her stomach from the excitement of the day and the prospect of a lifetime with the man who held her heart. Lost in thought, she jumped when the carriage door opened and both she and Jace laughed.
“Sorry about that. Got my head in the clouds,” Charlie joked.
Her escorts helped her step down and it was then that she saw exactly what Aaron and Aidan had been up to the day before. The meadow was filled with every purple, white, and silver flower imaginable, including hundreds and hundreds of daisies. A raised circle sat in the middle, surrounded by four archways pointing to the North, South, East and West, also decorated with flowers and hundreds of ribbons.
Four chairs resembling thrones sat at the head of the circular platform. Liam and Jace once again placed her hands on their bent elbows and led her to an ornate white chair on the side of the circle. The young men let go of her hands and took two very large steps behind, standing at attention.
From behind a line of white wooden panels that had been painted to match the décor, came the four Elders she’d met the day before. They walked in single file, stepped onto the raised platform, and took their places on the thrones.
Charlie then watched as the five men she knew were part of Aaron’s Force appeared. They were all dressed in the same dress uniforms as her escorts, but with surcoats depicting what Sam had told her were the colors of their dragons. Rayne stood at the head of the line in flaming red. Royce was next, and his beautiful royal blue surcoat with green accents truly fit the gentle giant that gave her mate as much trouble as he could. Next was Aidan, her mate’s twin, dressed in the same silvery gray as Jace and Liam. He winked at her as she looked from man to man.
The next in line was Lance, who attempted to look regal and noble in his dress uniform of gold and black, but had given Charlie so much crap since they met she grinned the cheesiest grin she could, making him chuckle. Last in line was Devon, in his opalescent white surcoat with the serene smile she’d come to expect from him.
A movement to the right of the Elders caught her eye. There stood Aaron in all his magnificence making her heart skip a beat. His short brown hair was messy as usual, but it was his brilliant blue eyes that captivated her. His shimmering dress uniform accentuated the muscular body she knew lay beneath it. His tight black pants highlighted his muscular legs and made her think of all the ways she wanted to love him.
Carrick cleared his throat before his voice rang out across the meadow. “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 fought so valiantly by their sides. Thus, through magic and the will of both dragon and knight, the Golden Fire Clan of the Dragon Shifters became a reality. It was through the joining of many different clans that we have become the strong and powerful Force we are today.
“We are here, in the place of importance to the couple, long blessed by our ancestors that have gone before us, to honor what the Universe put into place all those many years ago. To acknowledge and bless the mating of Aaron Michael O’Brien to the one the Universe made for him, Charlene Ailsa Gallagher. Will those seeking to witness this union please step forward.”
The Guardsman stepped forward, then knelt in front of the Elders and bowed their heads. Rayne stood, addressing 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 returned to his brethren, knelt, and again bowed his head.
Carrick began again, “Your witness and blessing have been acknowledged and accepted, MacLendon Force. Aaron O’Brien, you may go to your mate and escort her to the center of the Blessed Circle.” No sooner had the words been spoken than Aaron was standing in front of Charlie.
He took her in his arms, and then gently picked her up and carried her.
“You do remember that I can walk, right?”
“Yeah, but this is so much more fun,” he winked.
When they reached their destination, he carefully placed her on her bare feet, never taking his hands from her waist.
“The silver dragons were forged from the very fiber of the universe, and because of this, are often referred to as the ‘Shield Dragons’,” Carrick spoke with authority.
“They are protective to a fault and will fight to the death to defend those they hold dear. They have quick and ambitious attitudes and use a combination of their minds and hearts to make all decisions. They love hard, strong, and endlessly. They never lose faith in whom or what they believe in. To mate a silver dragon means to accept all that they are and honor the power shared between mates.”
“Now is the time of the marking. May the Universe continue to bless you and yours all the days of your lives together.”
Charlie watched as the Elders left the meadow. The guard then positioned the wooden panels around them, giving them privacy before making their exit as well.
Staring at the man that held her heart, she felt his presence not only in her heart but also in her soul. He winked, letting her know he’d heard her thoughts and that he felt it too. The longer they stared at one another, the bluer his eyes became, until she realized they were glowing.