intention is to love her and protect her all of our lives. I will be true to her, cherish her, and put her happiness above my own.”
“But you’ve only just met.” Adora didn’t understand how her sensible baby girl could fall in love with two men in nearly as many days, much less how those two men could claim to love her just as deeply, just as fast.
“Gareth knew her the moment he saw her. It’s the way of knights to know their mate almost on sight. I like to think I would have recognized her too, had I been the first to meet her. As it stands, since Rohtina told me of her intention to mate with Kelvan, I’ve been introduced and found time to get to know Belora. But my heart knew her already. When I first looked into her eyes, I knew I’d found what I’d been seeking.”
“Why didn’t you say anything before now?” Belora’s whisper carried in the quiet room.
Lars shrugged, his turquoise eyes locking on her as if she were the only one in the room. “It wasn’t yet time. Now it is. You’re ready to hear it and I’m ready to say it. I love you, Belora. If you let me, I’ll love you truly for the rest of our lives.” He sank down to one knee, humbling himself before her. “Will you be my wife?”
Tears streamed down her face as Belora reached down and kissed Lars on the lips, dragging him upward so she could put her arms around his thick, muscular frame. He wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her deeply, holding her close as the others watched, knowing they had been forgotten.
Just for the record, you understand, what’s your answer? Kelzy’s amused voice broke them apart.
“Oh, I think she said yes, Mama Kelzy.” Adora leaned comfortably back against Kelzy’s sparkling foreleg, watching her daughter with amusement.
Lars and his partner seemed to be surprised by Adora’s familiarity with the older dragon.
Well, I think that’s settled, isn’t it?
“I’m still not totally sure I’m comfortable with this two husband arrangement.”
Child, do you trust me?
“Well, of course I trust you. You raised me, didn’t you?” Again the two newcomers were surprised by the conversation, but didn’t interject.
Then trust me on this. It’s the way of Lair life and no hardship on the woman, I can assure you. Your girl will come to no harm with her two mates and will, in all likelihood, be very happy.
“You promise?” Adora held out her little human hand to the huge dragon.
I promise. Kelzy put one huge talon carefully into the small woman’s hand and they shook once as if in some childhood ritual. It was totally charming and utterly strange behavior for a fighting dragon – especially one of Kelzy’s stature.
“Okay then.”
Now off with you three. Adora and I have plans to discuss for tonight and plots to hatch. Kelzy swept one of her great wings toward the entrance shooing her guests out.
Belora hugged her mother once and headed out with Lars and his dragon partner.
“Your mother is definitely and interesting woman,” he mused as he settled his arm around her waist.
“Lady Kelzy practically raised her from the time she was just a toddler ‘til she was about ten years old.”
Kelzy? Raise a human child? The others talk about her strange ways but I didn’t realize there was some truth to the tales.
“Lady Kelzy was the best thing that ever happened to my mother.” Belora defended her mother and the older dragon fiercely. “She has a kind heart and a pure soul. If the other dragons have a problem with that then they’re just bigoted idiots.”
Rohtina stopped short on the wide ledge they were traversing to turn her large head toward Belora. She blinked her golden topaz eyes down at her for a moment, considering her.
You’re brave for a human female. I think we’ll get along just fine.
Rohtina moved to the edge of the cliff and launched herself magnificently into the sky while Lars and Belinda watched.
“Either she hates me or we’re starting to find some common
“But you’ve only just met.” Adora didn’t understand how her sensible baby girl could fall in love with two men in nearly as many days, much less how those two men could claim to love her just as deeply, just as fast.
“Gareth knew her the moment he saw her. It’s the way of knights to know their mate almost on sight. I like to think I would have recognized her too, had I been the first to meet her. As it stands, since Rohtina told me of her intention to mate with Kelvan, I’ve been introduced and found time to get to know Belora. But my heart knew her already. When I first looked into her eyes, I knew I’d found what I’d been seeking.”
“Why didn’t you say anything before now?” Belora’s whisper carried in the quiet room.
Lars shrugged, his turquoise eyes locking on her as if she were the only one in the room. “It wasn’t yet time. Now it is. You’re ready to hear it and I’m ready to say it. I love you, Belora. If you let me, I’ll love you truly for the rest of our lives.” He sank down to one knee, humbling himself before her. “Will you be my wife?”
Tears streamed down her face as Belora reached down and kissed Lars on the lips, dragging him upward so she could put her arms around his thick, muscular frame. He wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her deeply, holding her close as the others watched, knowing they had been forgotten.
Just for the record, you understand, what’s your answer? Kelzy’s amused voice broke them apart.
“Oh, I think she said yes, Mama Kelzy.” Adora leaned comfortably back against Kelzy’s sparkling foreleg, watching her daughter with amusement.
Lars and his partner seemed to be surprised by Adora’s familiarity with the older dragon.
Well, I think that’s settled, isn’t it?
“I’m still not totally sure I’m comfortable with this two husband arrangement.”
Child, do you trust me?
“Well, of course I trust you. You raised me, didn’t you?” Again the two newcomers were surprised by the conversation, but didn’t interject.
Then trust me on this. It’s the way of Lair life and no hardship on the woman, I can assure you. Your girl will come to no harm with her two mates and will, in all likelihood, be very happy.
“You promise?” Adora held out her little human hand to the huge dragon.
I promise. Kelzy put one huge talon carefully into the small woman’s hand and they shook once as if in some childhood ritual. It was totally charming and utterly strange behavior for a fighting dragon – especially one of Kelzy’s stature.
“Okay then.”
Now off with you three. Adora and I have plans to discuss for tonight and plots to hatch. Kelzy swept one of her great wings toward the entrance shooing her guests out.
Belora hugged her mother once and headed out with Lars and his dragon partner.
“Your mother is definitely and interesting woman,” he mused as he settled his arm around her waist.
“Lady Kelzy practically raised her from the time she was just a toddler ‘til she was about ten years old.”
Kelzy? Raise a human child? The others talk about her strange ways but I didn’t realize there was some truth to the tales.
“Lady Kelzy was the best thing that ever happened to my mother.” Belora defended her mother and the older dragon fiercely. “She has a kind heart and a pure soul. If the other dragons have a problem with that then they’re just bigoted idiots.”
Rohtina stopped short on the wide ledge they were traversing to turn her large head toward Belora. She blinked her golden topaz eyes down at her for a moment, considering her.
You’re brave for a human female. I think we’ll get along just fine.
Rohtina moved to the edge of the cliff and launched herself magnificently into the sky while Lars and Belinda watched.
“Either she hates me or we’re starting to find some common
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