She leaned back and cupped his face. “No, Cam. I can’t explain it as a woman of science, but my gut says this is the right choice. Probably something I’ve wanted for a long time but pushed deep down, both because of what happened with my parents and because I didn’t think I’d find a man to love.”
He kissed her. “Then we’ll finish the frenzy. After that, tell me whatever you need to make that serum for others. I reckon even the other clan leaders and doctors would jump at the chance to help you, too.”
“Good, because that would definitely speed up the process.” She kissed him. “But for now, I just want to enjoy my frenzied honeymoon with my new mate. And to do that, I need a nap first.” She snuggled against his chest again. “Love you, Cam. And tell your dragon I’ll be ready again soon.”
“Love you, too, lass. And both of us can wait as long as you need. Even if I have to wrestle my beast inside my mind, I’ll do it.”
She smiled. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
And Emily drifted off to sleep, dreaming of her new future with her dragonman and how she could help other true mates in the future.
Epilogue
A Little Over a Year Later
Emily walked next to Cam, carrying their son, and willed her heart to slow down.
As if reading her thoughts, Cam squeezed her waist and said, “It’ll be all right, love.”
“You say that, but you know my mother will be there.”
A few months ago, she’d received a letter out of the blue from her mother, saying her father had passed and that she was returning to the UK. She’d also asked to meet with Emily.
It’d taken her days to finally write a reply, clearly stating she’d be willing to meet but that she’d mated a dragon-shifter and had a half-dragon son.
Surprisingly, her mother had said she was happy for Emily and still wanted to see her.
And so now, Emily, Cam, and their son, Luca, were heading to Cam’s parents’ house for dinner. Emily’s mother, Sandy, had arrived about fifteen minutes ago and been shown to theAlexander household. She’d taken Cam’s suggestion that his family could win her over first, and so far there hadn’t been any calls or text messages saying her mother had run for the hills.
Luca squirmed a little and scrunched his nose, making her smile. He was an active baby and loved being included in everything. Mary said he must get it from her, as she and Tor were the only ones who thrived with people and crowds.
Even if his personality was more like Mary’s, Luca had dark hair like Emily, as well as blue eyes that were probably going to stay blue, like both her and Cam. Part of her was disappointed that he hadn’t inherited Cam’s ginger hair. But they wanted one more child at some point, so who knew.
She readjusted her son’s blanket and said, “Are you ready to charm your other grandmother, Luca? I can use all the help I can get.”
Cam said, “Aye, he will, but I still think things will be fine.”
She bit her bottom lip a second before replying, “I hope so. I’m just glad she’s free.”
She’d talked on the phone with her mother a few times in recent weeks, to finalize her trip, and she sounded more like the parent Emily remembered, the one who’d taken her side and been proud of her whenever her dad wasn’t around.
But being on the phone didn’t mean a sure thing when meeting in real life, especially since she hadn’t been able to read her mother’s body language.
Cam’s pupils flashed a few times before he said, “My dragon says he’s ready to help charm her, too, because no one can resist him.”
She smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. He’s right, of course. Especially if he does flight maneuvers that end with diving into the sea.”
Despite what had happened the first time Emily had swam with Cam, he’d never hesitated to accompany her on a dive, or tosimply allow her to sit on his dragon’s belly as they floated on the water on a hot day.
Well, hot by Scottish standards, which was still pretty cool. But Emily was used to the cooler weather and sea breezes now, and barely noticed it any longer.
They reached her in-laws’ house, and the door opened when they were a few feet away, meaning Emily couldn’t draw out their walk any longer. At least it was Angus standing in the doorway, so she had a little more time to prepare herself.
Angus grunted and motioned with his head inside. “Come on, they’re waiting for you in the living room. Mary’s given her two cups of tea already, and if you don’t intervene, your mother will be full of caffeine, and that probably won’t make things easier.”
“No, you’re right.”
She was about to enter, but Angus held out his arms. “I want a turn with wee Luca because they’ll take him at the earliest opportunity.”
