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“I’ve been patient, but I want to claim you as my own in front of the clan, Jane,” Kai stated.
Bram jumped in. “You two can argue about when to have your mating ceremony later. Tell me, and I’ll be there. However, for now, Director Abbott is waiting for our reply.” Bram stared at Nikki. “I need an answer. Will you allow a public ceremony in front of cameras?”
Nikki gazed up at Rafe. “What do you think? If we do this, it might help the others. But at the same time, the army might discharge you because of bias.”
Rafe turned her in his arms until she was facing him. “I’ve served my country for almost eighteen years. If they feel it’s time to discharge me, then it’ll be worth it if I can stay with you.” He brushed her cheek. “Besides, I’m still rooting for the name Xena for our daughter and need to stick around to see if you choose it or not.”
Nikki rolled her eyes. “If it’s a girl, I’m not naming her after the warrior princess.”
“Then mate me, Nikki, and we’ll have months to decide what to name our child.” Cupping her cheek, he murmured, “And I promise to do all the cooking if that’s what it takes.”
She smiled. “Well, in that case...”
Rafe snorted. “Good to see where your priorities lie.”
Looping her hands behind his neck, Nikki grinned. “Your cooking is a bonus, but even if you burned toast, I would still want to mate you, Rafe Hartley.” She kissed him. “Let’s do it.”
The second Rafe nodded, Bram’s voice filled the room. “Right, then I’m going to contact Abbott’s assistant and confirm. The ceremony will be in three days.”
Nikki looked to Bram and blinked. “Three days?”
“Aye, three days. Tell Dylan what you need and he’ll get right on the armbands.” Bram motioned to Evie. “Come, love. You can help me set this up.”
Before Bram could make his exit, Nikki spoke up again. “And what about my secret plan? Do I have the okay to do it tomorrow?”
“If you can be back in time for the public ceremony, agree to wear the new prototype protective dragon armor, and allow Kai to accompany you, then, yes. Everything is in place for you to make it happen,” Bram answered.
Rafe gave Nikki a curious look as Bram and Evie left, but Melanie walked up to them before he could ask anything. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
She nodded, and Mel left with Tristan. Only Kai and Jane were still inside the room with Nikki and Rafe.
Nikki turned in Rafe’s arms and leaned against his chest. “I’m sorry we derailed your mating ceremony broadcast plans.”
Jane waved a hand. “No worries. Kai wasn’t too keen on the public aspect of it anyway. He only agreed because he loves me.” She looked to Kai and he shrugged. Jane’s gaze returned to Nikki’s. “Besides, the open leadership contest down on Skyhunter might be a better way to launch my series. Provided the winner is open to the idea and an interview.”
Marcus King, Skyhunter’s former leader, had been one of a handful of people working with White. They had apparently struck some deals about favorable treatment and relocation to a remote island to start a new clan in exchange for tossing most of his clan to the proverbial wolves. Marcus, along with his cohorts, were imprisoned in a DDA facility. A new leader would be chosen in the coming weeks.
Nikki’s dragon hissed. Turning on one’s clan is one of the most dishonorable things a dragon-shifter can do.
Believe me, I know. But the only good out of it is we might have a new ally down south.
Her beast huffed. I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Rafe’s voice interrupted her conversation with her dragon. “As much as I love hearing about your future plans, sister, maybe we could talk more about this later? After all, the woman I love just agreed to mate me. I might, I don’t know, want to bloody kiss her
.”
Jane grinned. “I suppose so. Although, you know, you do sort of owe me for that.”
“Jane,” Rafe said in exasperation.
Jane laughed. “Fine, I’ll go. Besides, Kai and I have some planning of our own to do.”
Jane looked at her mate and Nikki saw the love shining in both of their eyes.
Between Kai and Jane’s upcoming mating ceremony, as well as Nikki and Rafe’s, Stonefire would probably have a huge gathering to celebrate. The only downside was that because of the quickness of it all, Nikki would have to wait to meet Rafe and Jane’s parents.
Kai guided Jane out of the room, only pausing to nod at Nikki in approval. Once she was alone with Rafe, she faced him again. “I know what you’re going to ask, and before I explain, I want you to know it was a surprise. That’s the only reason I didn’t tell you about my secret plan.”
