by Chant, Zoe
Braeden gave the water dragon an unimpressed look. “Don’t pretend I’m the one making your life difficult. After spending the morning with you, I'm not surprised you have trouble finding a mate.”
“Hey now,” the water dragon protested, “I’ll have you know that for the past ten years, I’ve won Most Eligible Council Bachelor every year.”
Braeden frowned, then suspiciously turned to Damon. “Is that a thing?” he asked.
“No,” Damon said, then laughed. “But if it were, I have no doubt he would’ve won.”
Timothy gave the fire dragon a victorious smirk.
“Of course,” Damon added, “flirting with every single model on a cruise is no guarantee at all that you’ll find a mate.”
“In fact,” Gregory added dryly, “I’d say it’s a pretty good guarantee you won’t.”
Timothy crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I’ll have you know that I’m a World Championship Finalist flirter. A First Degree Charmer. A—”
Autumn laughed. “It’s not about flirting,” she said, even though she had to admit he was charming. He was just too charming. “It’s about love. And commitment.”
“Ugh. My one weakness.” Timothy grimaced. “Okay, I’ll admit it. I haven’t found a mate since the chimera told me to. But not for lack of trying. Anyway, I’ve got a genius plan. After the ceremony, I’ll fly to LA and spend my nights partying my way through every single club there. Bulletproof plan. She’ll fall for me the instant she’ll see me, and then we’re done with this thing and can finally move on.”
“Good luck,” Braeden said, his expression making it obvious that he thought it was the worst plan he’d ever heard.
Damon only shook his head. “Call us if you need help. Really. I mean it. We might not always see eye to eye, but we know a bit more about human mates than you do.”
“Or call Autumn and me,” Naomi added, rolling her eyes at Autumn in sympathy. “Because your experts in the mysterious ways of the human women are standing right in front of you.”
“Will do,” Timothy said carelessly, clearly convinced that his genius plan would work out without a hitch.
Then, at last, the otter children started cheering, clearly in the hope to speed up the boring talking to get to the good parts that involved cake.
A moment later, everyone else joined in. The giraffe florist hurriedly bumped against several baskets hung up high, releasing a cloud of golden glitter that drifted through the air, showering them all in sparkles.
“I guess that’s our signal,” Damon said and laughed. Still holding on to Autumn’s hand, he stepped forward together with her.
At the same time, the sheriff had come forward as well, and now presented Damon with a small box.
Damon took hold of it and turned towards Autumn.
“I love you,” he said simply, his eyes the deep, warm brown of the earth. “Until the end of time itself, I am yours.”
“Until the end of time, I am yours,” she repeated, joy filling her with liquid heat. It was so strong it felt like her heart couldn’t possibly contain all the love inside her.
The mate bond pulsed with golden warmth between them as Damon opened the small box and drew out a necklace.
It was a polished, round stone of amber, encasing a tiny, perfectly preserved flower. In the light of the sun, the stone sparkled like the light of the sun itself had been trapped in it.
Gently, he fastened the chain around Autumn’s neck. The amber came to rest against her skin. It felt strangely warm and seemed to pulse with the same rhythm as the mate bond.
“My mate,” Damon said huskily. “And now also the lady of the earth.”
Autumn drew in a surprised breath as she felt a tickle of energy rushing through her, gathering at her fingertips.
There was a flower arrangement in front of them that had somehow drawn her attention. When she focused on it, she could dimly see another sort of energy that pulsed through it.
The energy of the earth. My element. Our element, Damon’s voice whispered through the mate bond.
Slowly, Autumn raised her hand. The amber at her throat grew even warmer—and then the energy tickling in her fingers pulsed out from her.
Instead of the gorgeous flower arrangement, a strange bush blossoming with at least twenty different flowers had suddenly appeared.
No, Autumn realized a heartbeat later. It was still the same flower arrangement. Only, with the power of the earth moving through it, she’d made the flowers grow roots. New shoots had blossomed into new flowers, and fragrant clusters of red, white and yellow came bursting out of the ground.
Amazed, she raised her hand to look at her fingers. Then she turned to Damon, laughing as the cheering around them intensified.
“I guess we’ll never have to worry about flowers for our table again,” she said, and then she was drawn into his arms.
Damon’s mouth was warm on hers, his strong arms hugging her tightly as he kissed her. Autumn gladly surrendered to it.
His love was streaming into her—and in turn, her own love was flowing towards him through the mate bond. Dimly, she could hear what had to be the song only his dragon could hear: the song of earth and stone and flowers.
Her earth dragon had come home, and the earth was rejoicing. And so was Autumn, because she’d finally come home as well. Home to him—and home to a love as generous as the earth, and as invincible as metal.
My mate, she whispered into the bond, more flowers sprouting at her feet.
Until the end of time, Damon said, the warm glow of the bond increasing until all she could see was Damon. Forever.
***
A note from Zoe Chant
Thank you for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. You can also visit my webpage, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You are also invited to join my VIP Readers Group on Facebook!
Please consider reviewing Mated to the Earth Dragon, even if you only write a line or two. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.
And keep paging through to read a special sneak preview of the first book in this series, Mated to the Storm Dragon.
***
More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant
The Christmas Dragon’s Mate. (Christmas Valley Shifters #1). A lonely bookkeeper in search of Christmas + a mysterious dragon shifter with a past full of pain + a beautiful snow castle hiding a ruthless enemy = one glittering Christmas romance!
The Christmas Dragon’s Heart. (Christmas Valley Shifters #2). A curvy hotel manager longing for a real home + a broken fire dragon shifter who hates Christmas + a lost dragon hoard = a magical Christmas romance!
Mated to the Storm Dragon. (Elemental Mates #1). A curvy artist down on her luck + a dragon shifter running out of time + a powerful enemy with an ancient grudge = a romance as hot as dragon fire!
Fated for the Dragon. (Lost Dragons Book #2). A curvy scientist on a mission + a reclusive billionaire dragon shifter + a powerful enemy bent on revenge = one heart-pounding romance!
Pet Rescue Panther. (Bodyguard Shifters # 2). What's hotter than a sexy man holding an adorable kitten? A sexy, protective panther shifter cop holding five adorable kittens!
Leader Lion. (Protection, Inc. # 5). A tough lion shifter bodyguard hiding a lonely heart + the determined stage manager he'll protect with his life + deadly danger behind the scenes = one sizzling thrill ride of a romance!
Firefighter Unicorn. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 6). His touch can heal anything — except her. Her touch can kill anyone — except him. He’s her salvation. She’s his doom.
The Dragon Prince’s Baby Bargain. He's a dragon prince promised in an arranged marriage to a princess who's just disappeared. She's a lonely virgin on vacation who just happens to look exactly like the missing princess. Has he got an offer for her...
DefenderDragon. (Protection, Inc. # 2). A curvy backpacker who loses a shoe
at a ball + a lonely dragon prince facing an arranged marriage to a princess he doesn’t love + magnificent castles and deadly assassins = one thrilling romance!
The Billionaire Dragon Shifter’s Christmas (Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters #3) A curvy newlywed wife + a dragon shifter mayor + a small town Christmas celebration = one snowy, sexy holiday romance!
Bear Cop. (Enforcer Bears #1). A curvy baker with a troubled past + a protective bear shifter cop with a secret of his own + an accident that leaves them stranded in the wilderness = one untamed romance!
The Easter Bunny's Bear. A BBW bunny shifter with a pony farm + a lonely bear shifter hunting a dangerous werewolf + a criminal werewolf pack causing trouble = one steamy springtime romance!
And many more!
Zoe on Audio
Dancing Bearfoot – Audiobook - A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.
KodiakMoment – Audiobook - Workaholic wildlife photographer + loner bear shifter + Alaskan wilderness = one warming and sensual story.
HeroBear - Audiobook - A wounded Marine who lost his bear + a BBW physical therapist with a secret + a small town full of gossips = a hot and healing romance!
***
If you love Zoe Chant, you’ll also love these books
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Billionbear Heir, by Annora Lynn. Curvy fashion designer Cat returns to her hometown—only to stumble straight into the arms of bear shifter Marius, heir to a fortune. Can Cat learn to love again, and can Marius protect his new-found mate and reclaim his father's legacy?
Laura’s Wolf, by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine Roy Farrell, scarred in body and mind, thinks he has no future. Curvy con artist Laura Kaplan, running from danger and her own guilt, is desperate to escape her past. But together, they have all that they need to heal. A full-length novel.
The Christmas Tree Bear, by Rosie Lynne. Bear shifter Willis Barnett meets his fated match in Charlotte Caldwell when she hopes to earn extra money as Santa Helper’s on Willis’ family farm turned Christmas Tree Town for the holidays. A romantic comedy novella.
The Strength of the Pack, by Jorrie Spencer. Seth Kolski, a werewolf, hides his heritage and passes for normal. Until he meets Jamie.
Taming the Beast, by Honey Dover. Beauty is a paranormal investigator hired to deal with a man cursed to become a monstrous beast. Helping him recover his humanity will change her life.
Claimed by the Wolf, by Candi Jackson. Zenobia Jones ends up pregnant after a night with a billionaire—and lands herself in a war between werewolf packs. A full-length novel.
The Right Bear's Arms, by Nora Eli. After a sizzling one night stand with bear shifter Jake, curvy Katie realizes her perfect man is everything she's tried to avoid. If they can both stop running from their pasts, they may find a destined future together.
Dragon’s Luck (Shifter Agents # 3) by Lauren Esker. Gecko shifter and infiltration expert Jen Cho teams up with sexy dragon-shifter gambler "Lucky" Lucado to win a high-stakes poker game. Now they're trapped on a cruise ship full of mobsters, mysterious enemy agents, and evil dragons! A full-length novel.
Discovering the Dragon, by Sofia Stone. When reporter Chloe Martin investigates Lancaster Gold, she finds herself tangled up with the oldest son—Isaac Lancaster, billionaire dragon shifter.
***
Mated to the Storm Dragon
By Zoe Chant
Special Sneak Preview
Trust Jeff Tyler to make use of any chance to get some publicity for his gallery.
Naomi blinked into the blinding flashes of the cameras, smiling nervously at the waiting reporters. Jeff had told her to dress nicely for Mr. Mysterious Billionaire—but Jeff had failed to mention that he’d invited the press.
Naomi had put on her favorite black cocktail dress for the occasion. These days, it was also her only nice dress, but it hugged all of her curves in just the right way. And the mysterious buyer wouldn’t know that it had lasted her five years already, after she got it on clearance.
“Smile, baby!” Jeff hissed in her ear, grinning triumphantly at the cameras.
It went on for way too long, but a moment later, she was saved from all the attention when a newcomer entered the gallery. Flashes went off again, and the man froze for a moment, a displeased look on his face.
Then he strode forward, disregarding the gathered journalists—coming straight towards where Naomi and Jeff were waiting.
That has to be the mysterious buyer.
Naomi felt her knees go weak. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting. Eccentric billionaires, in her mind, were old and feeble, with white hair and flashy glasses, spending their afternoons by a pool, where they made bids at art auctions from their phone.
But there was nothing old or eccentric about this man.
He had to be in his thirties, with the broad shoulders and incredible biceps of a man working at a construction site, and not someone who lazed around on a patio all day.
His hair was a peculiar color somewhere between blond and brown, as if he spent enough time outside that the sun had bleached strands to gleaming gold. It looked a little windswept, although surely someone rich enough to drop twenty thousand dollars on a painting wouldn’t walk here.
Perhaps he’d just stepped from the private jet that had brought him here—or a helicopter. She couldn’t quite pin it down, but there was something about him that made her think of gusts of wind tugging at his hair, and the warmth of a gentle summer breeze.
But right now, there was nothing gentle about his expression.
He strode forward with powerful steps, exuding an air of command. He stopped in front of Jeff, displeasure on the handsome, rugged face that made something inside Naomi tighten with unexpected need.
“I said I wanted to meet the artist,” the stranger said, his voice accompanied by an angry rumble in his chest. “I said nothing about reporters.”
“Now, now,” Jeff said breezily, turning to beam at the gathered reporters once more. “Just a bit of fun for the press, won’t take a minute, and then I’ll let you and Naomi have a chat.”
The stranger gave Jeff a disbelieving look, his eyes narrowing with obvious displeasure when another flash went off—and then he turned, and for the first time, Naomi looked straight into his eyes.
She felt as if lightning had struck her. As though someone had pulled the ground away from beneath her feet. She was falling, falling... and yet she was still aware of standing in the gallery, next to Jeff, looking at the stranger in front of her.
The stranger had her dragon’s eyes.
She gasped very softly. She couldn’t look away. His eyes were a light gray—the color of storm clouds, filled with the distant illumination of lightning.
She’d never seen anything like it. She’d never felt anything like it.
No, that wasn’t right. She’d felt it once—that one night of overwhelming inspiration, that final night before the constant worries and work drained away what was left of her creativity.
That entire night, she’d felt as though she was carried along by an incredible force—a storm that had picked her up and pulled her along. She’d imagined riding through thunder and clouds and laughing at lightning, filled with a deep, overwhelming joy at the powers of nature.
That had been the image she’d seen in her mind, the picture she’d painted with bold strokes and little dabs for detail: a dragon, master of the elements, a powerful creature commanding the wind.
Freedom.
That was what the dragon had been—and that was what she also saw in the eyes of the stranger.
“I’m sorry,” he now said, his voice a little hoarse. “I’m Gregory Drago. You must be the artist.”
“Naomi Edwardson.” Sh
e gave him an overwhelmed smile.
Again a flash went off far too close, blinding her for a moment so that she flinched.
A heartbeat later, he’d taken hold of her elbow, shielding her from the cameras with his body. At the contact, another shiver went through her. For a moment, she could feel the wind on her face, taste the freedom that had seemed out of reach for so long now...
Then the reporters came forward, clearly overjoyed at the chance to get a picture of the mysterious billionaire protecting the artist.
“Jeff!” Naomi called out, frustrated by the way he’d yet again used her success to orchestrate this ridiculous PR event for his gallery.
But Jeff didn’t answer. As the reporters came crowding closer, she couldn’t even see him anymore. Hadn’t he been right beside her a moment ago?
“Wait a moment—here!” Gregory said triumphantly, still pressed so close that she could feel the heat of his body.
He reached out behind here. There was a sudden click—and then something opened, and she found herself pushed through into what was revealed to be a tiny storage room, crammed full of boxes.
Another storm of flashes was let loose, and Gregory firmly pulled the door close behind them.
And just like that, everything was dark.
She could still hear the sounds of the journalists outside. The door was rattling now, but fortunately there was a key on the inside, which Gregory used to lock it.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the room has a key because Jeff’s having an affair with that new secretary of his, Naomi thought, and then her mind fell silent when she became aware that she was trapped in a cramped space with the most incredibly handsome and charismatic man she’d ever seen.
A man who was forced to stand so close, thanks to the towering stacks of wooden boxes, that her breasts were brushing against his chest.