by Rinelle Grey
Mesrian had come to the rescue with an outfit that she said Wayrian, a young dragon who Ostrian had been pushing to mate with Taurian, had been going to wear.
Lyrian was fascinated by that story, and she would have loved to know more. It seemed Taurian and Karla had a rocky start too. That thought gave her a little more hope for her and Brad. Maybe there was some way they could figure this out.
But she couldn’t worry about that right now. Her clan was in danger. Her worries about the relationship between her and Brad paled in comparison to what might happen if the humans discovered the lair.
“Does it look all right?” Kyrian asked, nervously pulling at one of the strings of wooden beads.
“It’s fine,” Lyrian told her gently.
She felt a little bad for the dragon. She’d been the one who had insisted she renounce her clan and join Rian clan. She hadn’t expected that her own clan would have so much trouble accepting the newcomer.
Then again, for them Trima had been an enemy for three hundred years. For her it had been mere months since the clans had separated.
As if reading her thoughts, Kyrian asked, “Do you think they’re ever going to accept me?”
Lyrian wanted to insist that they would, but the reality was, she didn’t know them well enough to be sure of that. Ostrian seemed to have some influence over the clan, and he was quite clearly dead set against it.
Then again, he had apparently objected to Taurian and Karla’s mating as well, and no one seemed to have an issue with that anymore.
“Those who matter will always accept you,” Lyrian said, pulling the dragon into an embrace.
Kyrian held stiff for a moment, and then her body relaxed, and she hugged Lyrian fiercely back. When she pulled back, Lyrian’s shoulder was wet with tears.
“Thank you,” Kyrian said, sniffling a little. “I don’t know why I’m so emotional over this. Normally I’m not like this, I assure you.”
“A mating is always an emotional time,” Lyrian assured her. “Your reaction is perfectly normal.”
And most dragons didn’t have to deal with the uncertainty and ostracising that Kyrian was facing.
They just had to accept the fact that they would be tied to another for the rest of their lives. That made even dragons, who had known about the bond their whole lives, nervous. She wasn’t surprised it kept Brad away.
She was nervous about it herself. That was why she hadn’t told Brad a year ago.
Why she had held herself back since he returned.
Although it was becoming less of an impediment, and more of a draw as each day went by.
Kyrian straightened her back. “Well, it’s only going to get worse if I sit around imagining all the things that could go wrong. Let’s go get this done.”
Lyrian smiled. “That’s the spirit.”
As they headed out into the main cave, she couldn’t help feeling that Kyrian was doing a far better job of this than she was.
*****
“Brad, bring Anarian and sit over here,” Mesrian instructed him, pointing to the row of furs on a small ledge near the front of the cave.
Brad frowned. “Isn’t that where the princes and Lyrian are going to sit?”
It was either that, or the bridal party, and there were too many seats for that.
Mesrian frowned. “Yes, it is. Your place is here, beside Lyrian.”
Brad felt his face heat. The clan obviously still thought he and Lyrian were going to be mated, despite his insistence that they weren’t. He wasn’t sure if he’d said it directly to Mesrian or not, but he was pretty sure it didn’t matter. He’d seen how news could make it around the whole hospital in a matter of hours, he was pretty sure a dragon lair wasn’t any different.
And from the sharp look Mesrian was giving him, she knew.
Brad stared at her, thinking fast. “Actually, I think my place is beside my brother,” he said firmly. “He asked me to be here for his mating. He’s the one who needs my support.”
Mesrian’s eyes narrowed. “We only have three of our ruling dragons. That makes people nervous, especially when we’re facing an enemy.”
Brad shrugged. He felt like saying, ‘So what?’ but that sounded a little heartless, even if the truth was, it wasn’t his problem. It also wasn’t one he could solve. “I don’t see that my presence helps any,” he said instead.
The old woman’s eyes narrowed as she eyed him and the baby sleeping in his arms. “The clan has come to trust and rely on the prince’s human mates. Karla and Lisa have both proven their dedication and usefulness to the clan. I’m sure, with time, you will prove yours.”
Maybe he was wrong. Maybe she hadn’t heard. “Lyrian and I aren’t planning on mating.” Every time he said it, it was a little easier, and that made him sad.
Mesrian seemed unruffled. “So I have heard. I also heard that you helped convince Ostrian to keep to the truce the clan made with the Trima dragons. That your words were wise and true. We need that right now. You are also the father of the next generation. People need to see that the future princess has support, from both her parents.”
“Of course Anarian has my support. And Lyrian too.”
“Then how about you show it?”
Brad stared at her. How had the old woman managed to talk him around into believing that sitting next to Lyrian was the right thing to do? The way she put it, it was the only option available to him.
Except…
“This is my brother’s mating, and people are having trouble accepting that too,” Brad said firmly. “If I have any influence with the clan, I need to use it to help him. I think I should be sitting with him.”
His argument was perfectly valid, and not at all an excuse not to sit next to Lyrian. Not to take a place he didn’t think he deserved. Or to avoid pretending to be something he wished he could be.
Mesrian’s eyes gleamed golden. Brad couldn’t help feeling she was impressed with his response. But all she said was, “Before you can use your influence, you have to prove you have it.”
Meaning, he had to sit next to Lyrian.
Brad’s heart sank even as it soared. The up and down motion, the sudden swinging between excitement and hopefulness and disappointment, made him feel a little sick. He just needed to make a clean break, couldn’t anyone see that?
But the old woman’s hopeful eyes stared up at him, and he knew that everything she said was true.
Brad bit back a sigh.
It was only one evening. He could do it for one evening, couldn’t he?
Maybe even just part of an evening. “There must be some point during the ceremony when it would be appropriate for me to move and sit next to my brother, wouldn’t there? That way I can show my support to both.”
Mesrian nodded, as though she’d already planned her response. “Between the main meal and desert would be the perfect opportunity. Changing seats to mingle with the guests is appropriate at that point.”
Brad nodded. “I’ll do that then.”
As though it had been his decision. But as he settled on the furs and watched the old woman walk away, he couldn’t help thinking that he’d been manipulated into doing exactly what she wanted.
As the other dragons began to come in and take their places, and he was the only one sitting on the ledge, Brad began to feel uncomfortable.
The other dragons shot him curious looks, but no one questioned his place.
Nor did Taurian and Karla, when they joined him. They both smiled at him, as though it were perfectly normal that he was there. So did Lisa and Verrian when they arrived.
Now, the only royal missing, was Lyrian.
*****
When Lyrian walked into the main cave behind Kyrian, and saw Brad sitting with her brothers, her heart thumped in her chest. Did this signify something? He was sitting in the position her mate would occupy, holding Anarian, who was just beginning to fuss.
Of course. He was the father of her child. No one would question his seat, but if h
e were absent, it would show a rift in the clan. That had to be why he’d been seated there. But who was responsible, and how had they convinced Brad?
Her eyes searched the room, catching Mesrian’s old, golden eyes staring back at her, twinkling. The old woman gave her a wink.
Lyrian apparently had more to thank the fire dragon elder for than just helping arrange the mating. She gave her a smile and inclined her head. She already suspected that she and Mesrian were going to be firm friends. Maybe she would be able to help her find someone to care for Anarian when she couldn’t be there.
Taking her seat next to Brad, it was hard not to reach out and touch him, just for the comfort the familiarity would bring. She wanted that closeness. Craved that closeness.
“This was Mesrian’s idea,” Brad said under his breath. “I hope you don’t mind.”
Did he really not know?
“I’m glad you’re here. I’m going to miss you when you’re not.”
Brad’s eyes widened, and the flicker of light in them warmed Lyrian far more than it should. He stared at her for several, long moments, and Lyrian’s breath caught in her throat at the expression in his eyes. It held uncertainty, yes, but also… was that love? Hope?
Lyrian stared at him, struggling to believe that it might be possible. It must be the mating ceremony that was making Brad emotional. When it was over, and life was back to normal, he’d remember all the reasons they couldn’t be mated.
Taurian cleared his throat.
Lyrian broke eye contact, and sat down quickly, her thigh warming where it pressed up against Brad’s, and her hands touching his as he handed Anarian to her. As Lyrian sat and listened to her brother begin the ceremony, the warmth of Brad’s closeness spread through her body.
This was right. How could it ever be wrong? Brad belonged here, next to her and Anarian.
Was there any chance he would see that? Was she crazy to continue to hope?
“Dragons and humans, thank you for your presence here today,” Taurian said, his voice quiet. No one in the room missed his words though, they were all silent, waiting.
Taurian turned to Nate and Kyrian, who stood just in front of the rocky ledge. “Before we begin the ceremony, I need to make sure you both understand the seriousness of the relationship you are about to enter into. Once you mate for the third and final time, you will be bonded for life. Nothing on earth can break this bond, even death. If one of you dies, you both do.” Her brother’s voice was serious.
This part of the ceremony was usually private. Lyrian wondered what had prompted her brother to make it public.
Taurian turned to Kyrian, and said, “Do you understand this, Kyrian of Rian clan?”
The young dragon swallowed, though Lyrian suspected her gesture was more from nerves than doubts. “I understand, Prince Taurian.”
As a dragon, even if she was from Trima clan, she would understand the ramifications. She’d grown up with them, like Lyrian had, and accepted them. That was just the way it was.
Nate, on the other hand…
Taurian turned to Brad’s brother, who stood next to Kyrian, holding her hand. “As we welcome more humans into our clan, it is my job to be sure that you understand the commitment you are making. There is no infidelity in dragon mating’s. All desire for anyone other than your mate disappears. This relationship is like nothing you’ve ever experienced as a human.”
Nate swallowed too, and his eyes flicked to Kyrian as Taurian asked, “Do you understand, Nate of the humans?”
“I understand, Prince Taurian,” Nate said firmly, his voice certain, his gaze not leaving his mate’s eyes.
Lyrian had to look away. The love shining in their eyes was almost too much to bear.
“Good, then let the ceremony begin,” Taurian said, and sat back down.
Verrian stood up and took over. “Both parties have confirmed their understanding of the seriousness of the bond they are about to enter into” he said. “If you will all take a seat, the ceremony is about to begin.”
The other dragons and humans moved in closer, sitting cross legged in a circle on the sand.
Using his magic, Verrian amplified his voice so that it was perfectly loud for everyone, though Lyrian suspected the sound would not be heard outside of the cave.
“Today we welcome not one, but two new members to our clan,” Verrian said solemnly. “Kyrian and Nate, as you stand before me, your love for one another is obvious. But a mating requires more than just love. For both of you, this ceremony means not just a commitment to your mate, but also to Rian clan.”
Lyrian scanned the crowd then, looking for anyone who might be an impediment to this mating, and thus to the cohesion of her clan. Unsurprisingly, the humans all looked supportive. They accepted a change in loyalty more readily than the dragons.
Her eyes sought out Ostrian, sure he would be the most likely to object. To her surprise, he sat next to Aunt Mary, with his granddaughter and her human mate on the other side. His face did look a little grumpy, but it was hard to say how much of that was an objection to the ceremony, and how much was habitual.
No one else showed any signs of objecting, so Lyrian turned her attention back to Verrian.
“Mating is a serious commitment for anyone, human or dragon,” Verrian continued. “It means choosing to be together, even when you disagree. It requires accepting that you are both mortal and can make mistakes. Are you both willing to put the needs of your relationship, and the clan, above your personal needs?”
Lyrian glanced sideways at Brad, wondering what he thought of all this. For the first time, she wondered what human celebrations were like. Were they similar, or vastly different?
Brad was staring at his brother, his face a mixture of awe and envy. His jaw was set, but his eyes misty.
He glanced over at Lyrian, his eyes widening a little when he realised she was watching him. Brad’s hand reached over and his fingers curled around hers, warm and strong, giving her hand a squeeze.
Lyrian had no time to wonder if it meant anything, because her part of the ceremony had come.
She stood up and faced the crowd, Anarian in her arms. “I attest to the fact that both Kyrian and Nate have already demonstrated their commitment to each other, and to Rian clan. I believe they have the dedication to each other, and to Rian clan, to have a successful mating, and to be an asset to our clan.”
Kyrian’s eyes held just a little hero worship as she stared at Lyrian. Her expression made Lyrian distinctly uncomfortable, but she didn’t shy away from meeting the young dragon’s eyes. This was part of her position as princess, she could no more reject it than she could reject the colour of her hair.
Nate inclined his head in thanks, and flashed a grin at his brother.
“Are you both ready and willing to be mated?” Lyrian asked them.
“We are willing,” Nate and Kyrian said in unison.
Taurian spoke up again. “Then let us share a meal together as a clan before you solidify your personal relationship.”
It suddenly hit Lyrian that no one had told Nate what to do next. She wasn’t sure what happened in human celebrations, but all dragons knew what happened next.
“Make an excuse to kiss her,” she said into his mind.
Nate’s eyes widened, and it occurred to Lyrian that she might not be the only one who had told Nate of his mate duties.
He grinned widely and turned to Kyrian. As his eyes met those of his mate, they flared with passion.
Lyrian sat down, busying herself with fussing over Anarian, as Nate said loudly, “Food can wait, I’ve been waiting all day for this.” And he bent and kissed his mate.
“More, more, more,” the crowd chanted.
Lyrian joined her voice with theirs because it was expected. Not because she wanted to watch them kiss.
Their obvious passion just reminded her of what she couldn’t have.
This should have been a moment of triumph. She was home, her family was together, part of them
at least, and she was witnessing the union of a brave young couple.
But all she could think about was the emotional distance between her and Brad, despite their physical closeness. She wanted him to be leaning over to listen to something she said, like Karla was with Taurian, or rubbing her legs up against his, like she could see Verrian and Lisa doing. They were trying to be discreet, but failing miserably.
Brad’s hand reached for her arm, resting there, warm and full of promise.
Lyrian hardly dared look at him, half afraid she’d see sympathy in his eyes.
But when her eyes met his, they were dark with a shared passion that took her breath away.
It wasn’t real, she tried to remind herself. Matings always reminded people of their own romantic feelings. The emotion ran high, pheromones almost seeping off the couple who had to be pulled apart by their laughing friends and family, and led back to their seats.
As conversation rose to a hum around her, Lyrian barely noticed. She only had eyes for Brad, and her heart thumped at the expression on his face.
This time, there was no mistaking it.
Chapter 7
Brad wasn’t quite sure what he was doing. Nothing had changed. Things between him and Lyrian were exactly the same as they had been a few hours earlier.
Yet suddenly he felt a surge of hope. A tingle of possibility. Perhaps it was watching the certainty with which his brother had chosen the young lightning dragon. Perhaps it was his talk with Karla earlier.
Whatever it was, his mind seemed a little less closed to the possibility of mating.
A little more open to taking the risk of being with Lyrian for the rest of his life.
His heart was urging him to make a choice. Telling him that if he wanted to, Lyrian could be his tonight. That this awful feeling of loss and sadness, the fear that he was making a mistake, and letting the best thing that had ever happened to him slip through his fingers, would be gone. And he’d never be alone again.
His mind was still scared. It peeped at the idea from behind a curtain, half afraid that even just looking would put him in danger.
But he was looking.
He would never get tired of looking at Lyrian. That was one thing he was certain of.