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Mara smiled. “It’s starting. It will take some time, but we have a wedding to plan. I saved Mom’s dress for you.”
Alana smiled. “Thank you. Kell mentioned that. I really appreciate it.”
Mara winked. “It would never have fit me.”
“You’re beautiful Mara. Inside and out. You have always been special, and it had nothing to do with magic.”
Mara hugged her sister again and for the first time since she was a teen, she didn’t try to break their connection. “I am so glad you are back.”
“I don’t deserve a sister like you,” Alana whispered.
“Yes, you do.”
They both turned toward the forming temple as Adara called to Alana. Her body went stiff as the caves wavered and her body formed in the room with the table and six chairs. Adara stood behind the altar with the large leather-bound book.
“It is time, Alana. Place your circle in its place. It will strengthen me until your sister calls to me.”
Alana took her circle from the pocket in her jacket and placed it in the inset with the etching of a fox’s eye. Mara had given it back to her, and she was thankful to have her sister in her life. “There is only one artifact left. I don’t think you want to retrieve that one.”
“No. I would allow myself and my children to perish before releasing that monster on humanity.”
Alana felt the surge of power as her circle connected with Adara. “This will be enough then?”
“It will have to be. Have faith in Tempest. She has a momentous task.”
“What do I do now?” Her life had been a series of tasks, and for the first time she had no idea what her next move was.
Adara smiled. “You have a bonding ceremony to attend.”
EPILOGUE
Alana stood in front of the small table with the silver cloth and antique carved crystal. Her heart raced as she wet her lips, staring at the dragon she would tie her heart and soul to for all time. She had never wanted anything more and had chosen to do the bonding ceremony before the wedding in her eagerness.
Kell held two blue silk ribbons. He kissed her cheek lightly before taking her hand and tying the thin strips of fabric intricately between both their wrists. His eyes flickered with crystalline fire intertwined with his love and commitment. It was so thick, that it warped the air surrounding them like heat waves off the pavement in the middle of summer. Kell’s voice echoed with that of his dragon. “Tha thu leam a-nis agus gu brath. You are mine, now and forever.” He put his hand on the crystal, motioning Alana to do the same.
When she did as he instructed, warmth traveled up her arm. Ancient. Powerful. It connected them in a way she hadn’t thought possible. Kell’s dragon reached for her, wrapping around her heart, taking up permanent residence in her soul. Contentment. Conviction. Eternity.
Kell’s eyes flared as the power of the crystal flowed into him. “Tha ar cumhachd, ar cridhe agus ar n-anam ar n-anum mar aon. Our power, our heart, and our soul are one.” His breath heated the surrounding air. “Tha cridhe dragon gu brath agus bheir mi meinn dhut. A dragon’s heart is forever, and I offer mine to you.”
Alana swallowed the emotion swamping her. She was unused to being in a room full of people but she wanted her family, especially Mara, to be part of her sacred vows. “Kell, you were the first person I reached for when the loneliness of my life was too much. You have been there for me every second since and I hope to return the security, safety, and love you have shown me. You are more than I dreamed of in a partner. Even if we have eternity together, it won’t be enough. I love you and look forward to our life together.” The crystal hummed as the carved runes glowed and pulsed. White threads of power latched onto their souls, weaving them irrevocably together. Tightening around them until two souls became one.
She was inside Kell’s mind when her magic reached for his. Waiting. Accepting. She couldn’t tell where he ended, and she began, and she couldn’t be happier. The crystal enhanced their mate bond as if they were one being intertwined with love, power, and family.
It wasn’t just Kell’s power; it was the power of all the dragons. The consciousness of the dragon species, their magic, was tied to her and Kell. She recognized the light glow of the druids intertwined with that of the dragons. The claw had tied their species together for all time. Both would perish or flourish and she vowed it would be the latter.
She was supposed to wait a few seconds to allow the influx of magic between them to stabilize, but she couldn’t. She leaned into him and pulled his head down to hers. Love. Gratitude. Desire. She put everything into that kiss, showing him without words what he meant to her.
His eyes sparkled when she released him. “I like you impatient.”
“We could skip the wedding,” she said with a lilt in her voice.
Mara cleared her throat. “Not happening.”
Alana winked at Kell. “I don’t want Mom’s dress to go to waste.”
Kell slipped his hands around her waist. “You have never looked so beautiful, and I know your mother is smiling down on you.”
“Thank you. This means more to me than you know.”
