Surely an entire clan couldn't be playacting and merely trying to deceive her.
Maybe the dragon-shifters and their mates were just like humans elsewhere in the world. They loved, lived, and tried their best to make it through the day.
But if that was the truth, then Ivy had hurt so many people under false beliefs, some of those people hurt irrevocably. After all, she'd been the head drug researcher for years before leaving the Knights. It was only because of her formulas that the dragons had finally started to weaken.
And considering she'd been unconscious for a year, then who knew what the Knights had come up with during that time.
The dragon-shifters could be in real danger.
Ivy could help them with more than decrypting the files; she could share antidotes, or at the very least, have a leg up at developing them to any new strains that had appeared while she'd been in a coma. But could she bring herself to help the dragons? Could she make the jump and believe the dragon-shifters weren't out to rape and kill humans on a whim, with their sole goal to take over the world?
She rubbed her forehead again, even though it did nothing to ease the pain inside her brain and heart.
Nikki's soft voice reached her ears. "I know all of this is too much too soon. And if I'm being honest, we were supposed to hold back more than we have. But I say rubbish to that. Friends of mine have suffered because of the Knights. If there's even a small chance that me telling you a few things will help to sway your mind, then I'm going to do it and keep doing it. Because as much as we may have hated each other in the past, we can do a lot of good in the future if we work together. You might even be able to redeem yourself to the clan and have somewhere to belong."
Ivy lowered her hand, opened her eyes, and met Nikki's dark brown gaze. She barely even noticed the flashing pupils, a true testament to how far she'd come in such a short time. And for the first time, Ivy saw Nikki as just another person instead of a potential enemy out to harm as many humans as possible.
And even if the dragons did toss her out eventually, Ivy had a lot to make up for. She couldn't bring her brother or his partner back, let alone repair all the damage she'd done with her chemical compounds. However, she could arm the dragon-shifters with as much knowledge as possible to take down the Knights, who were the real villains.
Nikki put out a hand as if to shake. "Will you help us, Ivy? I know you're not strong enough yet, but if you promise now to help us, then Jane and I will work on getting you some time away from Zain and exposing you to others inside the clan."
Ivy stared at Nikki's hand. It should be simple to lift her arm and shake—she'd regained enough strength to do it—but she hesitated.
She'd been awake for about two weeks, and her mind whirred with all sorts of contradictions regarding the dragon-shifters and Dragon Knights.
But as she thought of little Daisy and Freddie, and the children being friends despite all the odds against it, Ivy wanted to believe there was a better future for everyone. One that didn't include so much death, drugs, and destruction.
This is it. This was the tipping point, the one she couldn't return from if she went forward.
Would she keep holding on to what the Knights had taught her? Or, would she try to have a more open mind and believe what she saw with her own eyes?
There was only one real path at this point, and Ivy made her decision. However, she risked asking for a few things to see if she could get them. "I want to meet your mate and daughter, as well as the other humans living on Stonefire so I can talk with them. Agree to that, and I'll help you."
Nikki could've brushed her off, but the dragonwoman shrugged. "They'll want to meet you anyway, so I don't see why we can't arrange it."
It seemed almost too easy, but she kept her doubts to herself. "Okay then." Ivy raised her hand and gripped Nikki's. After a few pumps of their arms, Nikki released her hand and said, "I'll go get all the supplies waiting for you in the hall so we can get to work."
Nikki raced out of the room, and Jane said, "You made the right choice, Ivy. I hope you hold up your end of the bargain."
She bobbed her head but secretly hoped she could, too. Even though Ivy wanted to get over her fears and all the misinformation she'd been taught, it would take time. The only question was whether the dragon-shifters would be patient enough with her or grow frustrated, lock her in some cottage, and try to forget about her.
Or, in the worst-case scenario, they handed her over to the DDA, and she never saw the sky again for the rest of her life.
But then Nikki raced back inside with her arms full of bags and boxes, and Ivy didn't have time to doubt or think about the future as the two women helped to make her feel human again.
Chapter Nine
Zain stood inside a private waiting room and resisted pacing. Bram should've arrived by now to witness the mating ceremony. And since his clan leader was always on time, he worried a little.
His dragon spoke up. This was put together at the last minute. And since he has three children and a mate at home, on top of the entire clan to care for, he's allowed to be a little late.
Rationally, Zain knew this. But he wanted to start his assignment with Ivy as soon as possible.
His beast snorted. Mating someone isn't really an assignment.
It is to me. There are no feelings between us, and I have no intention of warming up to her. As I said before, we're not fucking her, ever.
Maybe. I don't fight you often, but when I do, I usually win. So you'd better hope I don't want the human or you won't stand a chance.
All the more reason for me to get the information I need as soon as possible. Once I have it, then I can focus my energy on finding her brother's killer or killers like I promised, which means not needing to be around the human any longer.
His dragon huffed, but his reply was cut off by Bram walking through the door.
Zain expected to see Kai and Jane right behind him, too, but Bram was alone. He shut the door and turned toward him. As the clan leader's blue eyes assessed him, he held his tongue. Bram had the hardest job inside the clan and had done much to improve the lives of everyone living on Stonefire. Zain held too much respect for the male to be demanding or grumpy like he was with almost everyone else.
Bram finally raised his brows. "Are you sure this is what you want? Just because Kai thinks it's the best option doesn't mean you have to agree to it."
Zain shook his head. "It's not just Kai's opinion that matters, Bram. The human talks more to me than anyone else, meaning I'm the best fit for her right now. I can protect her, watch her to determine if she's being sincere or playing us, and learn what she knows about our enemies. There's no downside to it."
Bram snorted. "Said by a male who's never been in love before."
Bram was one of a handful of loved-crazed males inside the clan now, which could be irritating on occasion. "I respect Evie like everyone else, and I'm glad you found her, but that sort of family life isn't for me, Bram. My strengths lie with protecting the clan. That's the future I want, nothing more."
"We'll see, Zain. We'll see." He opened his mouth to protest more, but Bram beat him to it. "I won't keep trying to talk you out of it. However, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't at least ensure this is what you want, aye?" He nodded, and Bram continued, "Then let's go. Kai is on his way, Jane has the mating bands, and with Nikki, we'll have more than enough witnesses. Evie would've been here, too, but our youngest is fussing, and she didn't want to leave him."
They had two boys and one girl, all too young to even attend school yet. Zain didn't envy Bram and Evie at all.
His dragon grunted. It wouldn't be so bad.
Don't go hoping for children, dragon.
If we find our true mate, then your view won't matter.
Ignoring his beast, Zain followed Bram out of the private waiting area and down the corridor to Ivy's room.
Only to find Dr. Sid standing in front of Ivy's door, her arms crossed over her chest and a fro
wn on her face.
His dragon whispered, This isn't going to go well.
As soon as they were close enough, Sid motioned with her head for them to follow her. Bram sighed. "Can't it wait, Sid?"
"No, but this won't take long. Let's go next door to talk. You, too, Zain."
Since no one on Stonefire crossed Sid, except for maybe her mate and Bram when she went too far, they followed. The instant the door closed, she spoke again. "Ivy has only started to regain her strength, and you want to force a mating ceremony on her? And no, don't try to say it's some kind of whirlwind romance, either, because that's bullshit."
Bram raised his brows. "It's not as if Zain's going to jump her, Sid. This is for her safety as much as ours. Once the DDA learns she's here, I'll have no power over her fate unless she's mated to someone inside the clan."
His dragon murmured, So he is thinking of the human female, too.
Sid looked at Zain. "Swear here and now that you'll treat her as if she were your true mate, Zain. That means being nicer to her, not riling her up, and doing everything to ensure she recovers as quickly as possible. No matter what she's done in the past, she doesn't deserve a mate who'll only verbally and emotionally abuses her."
His dragon stood up and growled. Zain answered Sid before his beast could start shouting. "I can't be instantly nice to her, but I won't use her as a verbal punching bag, either."
Bram stepped in. "She'll be watched over, Sid. Ivy may be mating Zain, but Nikki and Jane have plans to visit her and introduce her to Mel and Evie. Maybe even to some of the children, too. She'll be treated well enough. I vow it."
Sid looked at Bram, then at Zain, and back again. "Fine, but you'll heed my medical advice concerning the human. She's still incredibly fragile and could relapse at any moment. At least until we find a permanent antidote for her. And yes, I'm working on that. Or, rather, Gregor is asking all the doctors who've joined our association of dragon doctors to help."
Zain grunted, not liking how the female doctor thought the worst of him. Did he really come off as such an arsehole to others? "I won't do anything to endanger her health. You have my word, Sid."
"Good." Sid motioned toward the door. "Then go and don't keep her waiting any longer."
Bram nodded at Sid in parting before exiting the room and entering the one beside it that was Ivy's. Zain followed his clan leader. However, as soon as Bram moved to the side, revealing the human female, Zain stopped in his tracks and blinked.
Gone was the pale, mussed-hair female. Ivy would always be pale, but the blue of her simple gown made her skin glow, and her ginger hair was piled atop her head with a few tendrils framing her face. However, instead of appearing more orange like before, her hair currently looked a deeper red.
If he didn't know anything about who she was or her past connections, he'd say she was beautiful.
His dragon growled. Yes, she is. But I always knew that. You were just too blind to look. It's sad that she needs a hairstyle and different clothes to convince you she's pretty.
Not wanting to encourage his beast, Zain ignored him and walked the remaining feet to her bed. Before he could think better of it, he muttered, "You look nice."
Wariness filled her gaze. "Er, thank you?"
Nikki snorted. "Don't be modest. You look fantastic, so own it."
Zain frowned at his fellow Protector. "You seem fairly chummy already."
Nikki shrugged. "We came to a sort of understanding. Maybe you should try it, too."
He was about to growl—Nikki was far too good at riling people up when she wanted—but Bram spoke before he could do so. "Enough. Let's get the ceremony started so I can go home and helped Evie with wee Gideon."
At the mention of Bram's youngest child, guilt flooded Zain's body. His clan leader was taking time away from his family to help Zain with his task. So he wouldn't delay it any longer. He asked, "Where are the mating bands?"
Jane held up a box. "Right here. But shouldn't we wait for Kai? He'll be here any second."
"There are a few things to do first, anyway, before we start." Bram motioned toward Ivy. "Has anyone explained how this works to you, Ivy?"
Ivy shrugged. "A little. But Nikki said Zain would go first, so I could just copy him when it comes to the wording of the mate vows."
Bram grunted. "Yes, that's true. Although, feel free to change the reasons why you're mating him to your own. Everyone in this room knows the truth anyway, so no need to lie."
Kai waltzed into the room and stopped at Jane's side. He leaned over to kiss his mate's cheek before speaking. "Let's hurry up. I need to get back to my final Protector assessment drills for Dacian."
Jane opened the box holding the mating bands and handed it to Bram. Once Stonefire's leader had it, he said, "Then let's begin."
Zain faced Ivy. A blush colored her cheeks, making her seem more alive than he'd seen since first discovering her unconscious in the woods. Her eyes in particular were bright and enticing.
And yes, if he didn't know her, he'd think she was more than pretty—she was bloody beautiful.
However, this would be a mating of convenience, nothing more. Which meant he needed to stop noticing the deep blue of her eyes, or the redness of her lips.
His dragon huffed. There's no reason to. With time, we could probably win her.
No. Now hush, or I'll toss you into a mental prison.
Fine.
His dragon curled up into a ball but didn't go to sleep. A mating ceremony was a human need, but the dragon half recognized the importance and liked to witness it, too.
Zain picked up the slightly smaller silver band, one engraved with his name in the old dragon language. He slipped it onto Ivy's bicep—one that was too thin for his liking, because it reminded him of how uncertain her life was—and said, "Ivy Passmore, you were once our enemy, but you are slowly proving you're not anymore. I see potential in you, and intelligence. In exchange for your help, I will protect you with my life. Do you accept my claim?"
Not the most romantic of declarations, but then it wasn't supposed to be.
Ivy nodded. Bram then lowered the box so she could take the bigger band, the one engraved with her name in the old dragon language. He moved to give her better access to his bicep. As she slipped the band on, her fingers brushed his skin. Each tickle sent heat through his body, as well as a yearning for her to touch more than his arm.
Careful to keep his face expressionless, he didn't let on how she affected him.
He most definitely would need to keep his distance from her, or his cock might win out over his brain.
His inner beast laughed, but Zain didn't dignify him with a response.
Once the band was on his arm, he stood again, and Ivy spoke. "Zain Kinsella, when we first met, I fully expected you to kill me, torture me, or do any other number of things I was taught dragons did. However, you have slowly been helping me to understand your kind better. I hope this mating at least does that. Do you accept my claim?"
He wanted to snort at her wording but resisted. Honesty was better than her making up some pretend lies about feelings.
"Yes."
While not required, normally mating ceremonies ended with a kiss.
Zain's eyes darted to her lips, which looked fuller thanks to some sort of lip gloss.
His dragon hummed. Yes, kiss her. Then maybe you won't hate her so much.
No, I won't risk it.
Because there was always a slim chance that she was his true mate. And she wasn't strong enough for a frenzy.
Wait, what? There would be no frenzy. Ever. Not only because he wouldn't kiss her lips, but because fate wouldn't be that fucked up.
Not wanting to dwell on his slipup, Zain leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Which turned out to be a mistake. Her soft, warm skin was bad enough, but the faint scent of female and flowers filled his nose, making him want to lean closer and take a deeper inhale.
As if he were burned, Zain stood upright as quickly as
possible and looked to Bram. "What about the paperwork?"
He snorted. "This is probably the first time someone has thought of the bloody DDA paperwork so quickly after mating a human." Zain merely raised his brows, and Bram sighed. "Fine, fine. My assistant is still working on it since this was put together so quickly. But once my assistant is finished, he'll bring it over. In the meantime, you stay here with your mate. A little surprise from all of us will arrive shortly, and you need to ensure you take care of Ivy."
He studied Bram closely but couldn't glean any extra information from his expression. "What's with the cryptic statement?"
Nikki grinned. "It's called a surprise, Zain."
"I don't like surprises," he muttered.
Ivy smiled—the first real smile he'd seen—and he stopped breathing a second. The human looked years younger, and less like an enemy, when she smiled.
Combined with her hair up and her blue dress, she was going to be a bigger threat to him than he'd thought. And Zain had only been mated to her for a few minutes.
His dragon laughed but said nothing. Probably because he didn't want to scare the human with flashing dragon eyes.
Still smiling, Ivy said, "It's been so long since I had a good surprise that I can't wait."
Of course she'd want surprises, although it made zero sense to Zain. Her last big surprise has been her brother's murder.
And just like that, Zain remembered why he'd mated Ivy and how things would be. No more noticing how pretty she was or thinking he wanted her to smile more often. No, he would protect her and work with her, nothing else.
He expected his dragon to say something, but he merely remained silent. And that made Zain more nervous than anything else.
Chapter Ten
Ivy had expected the mating ceremony to be solemn and perfunctory. And while her vows hadn't been the stuff people dreamed of, the aftermath had been quite nice.
First, feeling Zain's muscles underneath her fingers had sent a thrill of excitement through her body. Not to mention the kiss on her cheek made her blush furiously, as well as woke up certain lady parts she hadn't thought would ever respond to a dragon-shifter's touch.
Persuading the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 12) Page 8