by Kinsella
“Coming? Time to meet the in-laws.” Ruana skipped out of the room and made her way down the stairs to the front door, Zan hard on her heels.
“Holy shit!” There was no other word that sprang to mind as he watched a dragon land in the yard outside the door.
Over forty-five feet long, Decklyn had navy
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scales and golden eyes. Zan was soon to learn that those eyes followed him in all forms.
Anryn wandered out of the house and straight up to the ferocious beast that was snorting smoke in agitation.
“Hey honey! You made good time.” She reached up and stroked her hand down his scaled, reptilian neck. He let out a snort and pulled away from the caress. “Why don’t you shift forms and I can introduce you to Ruana’s choice.”
Her hand reached out once again, this time to scratch him under his chin. “C’mon honey. Let’s be civil about this. The baby is fine, and I’m not going to spend the next nine months chained to your bed.” An evil leer lit her face, “As much fun as that has been.”
A resigned huff flew out of the dragon’s mouth and he shook his enormous head in frustration. Slowly he began to shrink, taking the shape of a man, but retaining the wings and claws that he had possessed in his earlier form. He was handsome enough. His features hewn by a rough hand, his scales almost imperceptible in the human form. He was also naked.
“Don’t ever run from me again Anryn.” His hands grabbed her arms and he lifted her effortlessly to hold her eye to eye with him. His golden slitted eyes burning into her green and black gaze. She dangled in the air unconcerned,
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waiting. Finally he sighed and brought her in for a gentle kiss. Her hands came up to cup his face and soon she was sliding down to stand on her own two feet once again.
“You know that when the clan needs me, I’m there. It would be best in the future if you put aside your anti-social behavior patterns and just came with me.” Her hands restlessly stroked his shoulders and chest. Petting and soothing him.
His arms wrapped around her and held her close. Breathing in her scent, resigning himself to a lifetime of chasing this woman around the globe. Not the worst fate he could have imagined. At least the view from behind was pleasant.
Decklyn grinned then, exposing his teeth, causing Zan to flinch. Those were some serious fangs.
“Decklyn, I would like to introduce you to Ruana’s wolf, Zan. Zan, this is Decklyn.” How she could make herself understood while mashed against the enormous chest was beyond Zan, but her voice chimed out clearly.
“Please to meet you.” Decklyn reluctantly released his mate and extended his hand to Zan. He took it in a handshake that was polite and controlled on both their parts.
Ruana hovered nervously nearby. She did know that Decklyn had, at some point in the past, hunted members of wer clans for sport. She hoped
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that he would be polite.
“You as well, please come inside. I’ll see if I can find you something to wear.”
“Wear? Oh, right.” He shrugged and followed Zan into the house. Each male keeping his female within his embrace as they entered the house.
Zan was brought up short as he saw the other members of the Warder clan that Anryn had mentioned earlier.
“Albina and Imaran I presume?” The pale woman with white hair stood next to a man with obvious exotic ancestors. He sighed and shook his head, then walked forward to take their hands. He would have to ask Ruana about warding his house to keep out her family after this was all over. The intrusions to his territory were setting his nerves on edge.
“I’m sorry, we would have introduced ourselves when we arrived, but you were…occupied.” Albina’s voice was quiet. Everything about her was so serene it was unnerving. The only spot of color in her face were her blue eyes and the red flower of her mouth.
In contrast her companion was a study in the harsh colors of the desert. Mahogany skin, black hair and deep black eyes took Zan’s measure as he approached them.
Satisfied with what he saw, Imaran offered his assistance. “I see that Anryn and Decklyn have
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been traveling without clothing again.” He clapped his hands together, and where an afghan had lain against the couch, clothing for the couple appeared.
“I think I need a cup of coffee.” Zan walked swiftly to the kitchen, still keeping Ruana in tow.
“Zan, could you let go now? I promise not to take off.” She spoke to him in low tones, knowing that his nerves had had enough of a jolt for the moment.
“Huh? Oh sure.” He filled the carafe with water and began the mundane activity of making coffee for the oddest group of beings that he had ever imagined.
And he had just signed on to join the family.
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Chapter Six
he coffee maker chugged away, the dripping and chirping of the mechanism the only noise in the silence surrounding Zan. The smell crept through the kitchen with the insidious insistence endemic to the beverage. T
“A little overwhelming aren’t they? You are regretting your decision now aren’t you?” Ruana was miserable, tears welling in her eyes. Her fingers picked at the tabletop, shaking slightly.
“Ruana, just give me a moment, ok?” His hand reached out to grasp hers across the table, his thumb began to rub against her palm, giving her what comfort he could. His mind was still grappling with dragons, djinn, dryads and witches. Well, he was a werewolf, so why not?
Seeking comfort, Ru moved over to sit in his lap, cuddling against him. She could feel his confusion battering at her mind. The bonding was something that she was not going to tell him about until…well, maybe in ten years. She figured that
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he might have come out of his shock by then. She dug deeper into the emotions that were leaking into her mind, and she found his resolve to have her. He still hadn’t changed his mind. She sighed in relief and snuggled closer as she let his mind work through the new information that challenged everything he had ever believed.
* * * *
“So, how do you think he’s taking it?” Imaran conjured drinks for them all.
“Fairly well, I think.” Anryn frowned at Decklyn as he took her wine away. “I can occasionally have a glass you know.”
“Best to abstain until the baby arrives. I read it in a women’s magazine.” Albina started laughing. The air of authority that the dragon assumed was almost ridiculous, until Anryn added her two cents.
“He’s not kidding. He has read every damned book on modern pregnancy and the appropriate diet for me that it’s no wonder I ran.” Despite her acerbic comments, she snuggled against her mate and pulled his arm around her. The clothing that Imaran had provided was comfortable, but covered less than Zan’s shirt. The halter top and sarong were made of a gossamer fabric.
Fortunately Decklyn gave off a lot of heat. He
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was wearing a similar outfit, a loose vest that left his wings free, with a wrap kilt. The fabric was nice and soft. She breathed deeply and slowly, nodding into one of the naps that she had become infamous for since she had become pregnant.
“Imaran, may I complement you on your choice of clothing?” Decklyn’s voice was deep and soft, carefully not waking Anryn. “She hasn’t cuddled with me like this since the first week we were together.”
Imaran dropped his own voice to a whisper. “You mean the week when you used your talents to knock her out, then seduced her?” A dark chuckle rolled over the sleeping dryad and she stirred and shifted restlessly.
Decklyn resettled her quickly, stroking her arms and thigh to calm her. “Yes, that week.”
* * * *
Twisting in his chair, Zan filled the coffee cup he had put on the counter. He slowly sipped the dark, bracing brew. Ruana kept her head clear of the mug. He seemed to really need that coffee.
“So
, you take your coffee black?” Idle chitchat seemed the way to go.
He seemed willing to play along. “Yes, how do you take yours?”
“Three cream, three sugars, more like syrup
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than coffee.” She paused for a moment. “Do you think that we could rejoin the others in the living room? We need to make some plans.”
“Are there any more of your clan joining us today?”
“Only my mom and dad, possibly one other. Are you expecting yours?”
“Max and Arissa. Our pack Alpha, Merlin. Oh, and his bodyguards. Anyone else will be an uninvited guest.”
“Ok. My troops are ready.” Ruana thought for a moment. “Oh, hell.” In an instant she was out of his lap and heading for the living room. Entering the room to find Anryn snoring gently in Decklyn’s arms, she stopped short, Zan right behind her.
Whispering, “When is she going to wake up?” she crept closer to the couples making themselves at home.
“In about ten minutes, what’s up?” It was not the first time that she had heard Albina’s inner voice, but the strength of it always surprised her. It was at such odds with her delicate appearance.
“Zan has some relatives coming to the house today. I am afraid that the wards will hurt them, or leave them vulnerable. A rough start with his pack is not what I need right now.”
“I’ll have Decklyn wake her then. She can nap later.” A smile lit Albina’s face. “Actually, now that she’s pregnant, she can nap right after she alters the
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wards.”
Decklyn frowned for a moment and then slowly began to rub Anryn’s back. Less than a minute later, she was sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
Ruana explained the situation, Zan standing behind her, his alarm creeping into her mind. Anryn yawned, rose and stumbled for the door. She missed.
Decklyn rose up off the couch and sighed as he steered her out the door and down the driveway.
The rest of them sat in silence after Ruana had fetched coffee and cream for them. Ten minutes later, looking considerably more alert, Anryn walked through the door, Decklyn on her heels.
“Well, I’m glad you woke me up. Not only was your family on their way, but there were three werewolves snagged in the outer ward. Decklyn scared them off.” She didn’t go into detail, but resumed her seat on the couch, then scooted over as her husband sat next to her, carefully settling his wings over the back of the couch once again.
Albina perked up, “Perfect timing. Ruana, your parents are here.” As she finished speaking, the door shuddered under the knocking of David’s fist.
Zan went to the door, to meet his soon-to-be father-in-law. The two wolves sized each other up. Each glaring at the other to assert their superiority.
“Mom! Call him off!” Ruana went to Zan’s side,
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and Victoria went to David’s. Each female broke the eye contact that the males had going by the simple expedience of stepping between them.
With no respect for the traditions of the werewolf way of life, the women dragged the men into the living room.
“Sit down David! Behave or I’ll send you home.” Victoria was much more aggressive than usual, but after all, her baby’s happiness was at stake. Stupid macho posturing was not going to wreck it.
He sat. The sullen expression on his face would have made her laugh, if Zan had not been wearing its twin.
“Dad, this is Aleczander Masters. Brother to Maxwell Masters, of the Silverfang clan. Zan this is my father David Weldon, and my mother Victoria.”
“Call me Vicky, dear.”
“Pleased to meet you both. Be welcome in my house.”
David relaxed into the couch and smiled ruefully at Zan, then glanced over to his daughter. “Well, at least you had the sense to choose someone who could protect you.”
He didn’t get the chance to elaborate on that point as the door swung open to admit Max, Arissa and a man whom she could only guess was Merlin. It was rather funny, as Merlin bore a
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startling resemblance to both Max and Zan. Only he was an older version.
Zan jumped to attention and hastened to make the introductions. “Ruana Weldon, this is the Alpha of the Silverfang clan, Merlin Masters. My father.”
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Chapter Seven
“am pleased to welcome you to our clan, Ruana. Max has spoken well of you.” Merlin was as handsome as his sons, the silver streaks running through his hair the only indicator of greater age. I
“I am honored to meet you as well.” She went up to him and placed her forehead in the center of his chest, neck bent in submission. His hand came up to close on the back of her neck, and she felt the pressure of his grip. She didn’t move. She kept her breathing even, despite the pain that was beginning to radiate from her neck. Minutes flew by in silence as he applied sufficient pressure to crush the neck of a regular human. Finally, she reached her threshold and her legs buckled under her.
Merlin caught her and raised her back to a standing position and held her at arms length until her legs would once again hold her weight.
Zan was right behind her to take her from
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Merlin as he handed her over.
“You have a strong one there Zan. Take care of her.” Merlin looked extremely pleased.
“My turn.” Victoria stood and addressed the members of the Warder clan that were in attendance. “Do any of you have reservations about welcoming Zan into our clan?”
Silence. The werewolves looked vaguely puzzled. None of the Warder clan members who had arrived had any objections to the match. They had all discretely tested and probed him with magic as soon as they had arrived. He passed the tests. With the added bonus of his not running screaming from the farmhouse when he met them.
“Will you defend Ruana’s choice?”
“Aye.” Five voices spoke as one, David adding to the crowd.
“Will you witness the hand-fasting? Right here…right now?”
“Aye.”
A grin broke over Victoria’s face. “Anryn, open a gateway to Realm. I think we have a final guest.”
The rest of the Warder clan burst into laughter. They knew what was coming, or more to the point who.
Anryn wandered out the door once again, completely oblivious to the admiring looks from Merlin and Max. Decklyn was not. His fangs came out, gleaming and vicious. The two wolves took a
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good look at the dragon following his wife out the door and kept their eyes to themselves.
The rest of the crowd trailed them out, the wolves puzzled and the Warders laughing. Anryn took up a position between two trees and stretched her arms out from her sides.
Ruana took Zan’s hand and whispered, “Watch this.”
A shimmering light surrounded Anryn, building swiftly to a blinding glow that had the wolves yelping in confusion. A circle of light shot from her to the two trees she had selected. It formed a web between them, thickening in width until a shimmering doorway was visible.
From the doorway, a figure emerged. Graceful, tall and garbed in flowing robes, it was impossible to determine the sex of the figure. As it cleared the gateway, Anryn closed it. Decklyn moved in and caught her in his arms as she slumped forward. “You’re done for today.”
“Eylonwy!” Ruana rushed forward and threw her arms around the figure.
As the light faded behind it, the figure was shown to be female. With extremely pointy ears. She hugged Ruana in return and walked forward to greet the rest of the clan members. After a round of hugs all around she turned to be introduced to the others.
“Eylonwy Warder, this is the Alpha of the
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Silverfang clan, Merlin Masters, his daughter-in-law Arissa Masters, and his sons Maxwell and Aleczander.” Victoria made the introductions. “Members of the Silverfang
clan, this is our elder Eylonwy Warder. She oversees all unions of our clan members. She also has the ability to bind magic into the union, defending both members against all attacks.”
Eylonwy smiled graciously and shook the hands of the Masters family, one by one. At Zan she stopped. “Are you ready to join our little circus?” Her full lips parted in a grin.
He took a deep breath and looked at the expectant faces around him, “I am.”
“Then shall we?” A graceful hand swept forward and flowers bloomed around the two trees that had housed the gateway. In a matter of moments that corner of the yard was covered in a riot of color that created a beautiful and natural setting for the ceremony.
“Zan, Ruana, will you step forward? Anryn, Merlin. You as well.” Eylonwy backed into position, her rainbow robes flowing around her graceful form as she moved. “Sorry for the hurry people, but we are under the gun here. I can feel them coming.”
From the air, it seemed, she drew a length of red silk cord between her fingers. She gestured for Ruana and Zan to take each other’s hands. Silently
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she bound their hands together.
“Bride, do you give yourself of your own free will?”
With a long look at Zan, “I do.”
“Groom, do you give yourself of your own free will?”
Zan looked to their joined hands, around at her family and his, then, “I do.”
Another cord appeared in her hand and Eylonwy wrapped it around the first. “I call upon the Air to witness.” A gentle wind blew through the bower, ruffling the petals of the flowers and scenting the area with perfume.
“I call upon the Earth to witness.” Another cord tied into place, as a rose bush sprang up between the couple.