26
Kieran
Earth Always Provides
Beautiful. Brave. Reckless.
But it was her fear that struck me the most. The essence of it was foreign to my body, but she pushed through and marched with determination deeper into the caverns.
I’d never been this afraid until I fell in love.
And I did love her—more than life itself.
She is our fated mate.
If I had any doubts, they were erased. I could feel Ember in a way I’d never felt anything before as the mate bond slipped into place between us.
This was real. Impossible. But undeniable now that the evidence was staring me in the face.
There was still so much to explore. “Can you hear me?”
Ember jumped, looking wildly around the dark tunnel as the flashlight beam bounced off the cave walls. “I think I’m going crazy. It felt like you just spoke inside my head.”
“You can do it too.” I smiled, feeling another piece of the bond slip into place.
Her nose scrunched as she thought. “Like this? We can talk to each other?”
“We can.” I put my hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the larger tunnel where the dragon-fire lanterns lit the way.
“This is nuts,” she whispered, closing her eyes as if that would help her think. “I’m going to have so much fun with your head.”
I laughed as I tucked her close to my side, worried she might trip on the rocks.
It’d been ages since I’d studied mating bonds, back when I was still young and hopeful I might find mine, but I knew instinctually that ours was solidifying.
The stories hadn’t adequately warned me of the intensity of my need to protect.
I reached out with my senses to the jewel of my hoard, making sure Bemouth was aware of our presence and checking that Dahlia was contained.
My heart was torn in too many places. I couldn’t abandon them in their old age, but I couldn’t live if anything happened to Ember.
“The runes are in here?” Ember asked.
I felt her excitement course through me as we stopped in front of the cavern entrance and she reached to tie up her hair into a messy bun on top of her head.
What is that…
“Is that her?” Bemouth’s voice boomed in the cave, shaking dust from the walls as his massive tail swished from side to side.
I knew that to a human he must look a monster, but Ember didn’t let that break her stride.
“I am a her.” Ember smiled brightly as she stepped away from my arms. “And you are? ”
I tried to get another look at her neck as she reached out her hand toward Bemouth, but my dragon gave a possessive rumble at the thought of her touching another male—even one as old and dear to me as Bemouth—and the feminine roar of rage from the back cavern mirrored my response.
Bemouth chuckled, amused by our reaction, as he cocked his elbow and lowered himself to Ember’s height. “Best if we bump elbows for now until the mating bond is firmly in place.”
“Is it not real yet?” Ember looked at me as she brushed her hand over her neck, touching the spot where I’d bitten and claimed her.
“It’s real.” My voice was ragged and my heart beat harder in my chest.
I’d gotten a glimpse of the mark on her delicate skin.
There’s no way…
“It’s very real, just new and in need of nurture. Enjoy the fun times ahead.” Bemouth was still laughing as he stood back, ushering us deeper into the cavern.
It’d been so long since I’d seen him this excited, and I somehow knew . Even before he stepped aside, I could feel the change in the air.
Everything from this moment on would be different. Earth had given us a gift.
“Today is a special day for us all.” He beamed, leading Ember to the runes on the cave wall .
“Is this the prophecy?” Ember blew out a slow breath as her face lit up with wonder.
The ancient runes were written in our language. She wouldn’t be able to read them.
But she traced her fingers across the engraved stone anyway, mouthing little whispers to herself as if they were familiar.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away—couldn’t believe this was happening.
So many years. So many lifetimes come and gone while we waited, stagnant, unchanging.
First born of fire.
Strength forged of flame.
When a dragon’s heart dies…
“These look newer.” Ember frowned as she stood back to study the marking near the break in the circle.
Life begins again.
“That one is new.” I swallowed down the emotion in my throat, scarcely breathing as I stepped up beside her under the ancient runes I’d studied my entire life, knowing they would never change.
I was wrong.
Earth always provides.
And I was a fool to doubt Her.
“When?” I asked Bemouth.
The fire of new discovery shone in his eyes as the old dragon removed his glasses to wipe up a stray tear. “A few minutes ago. The earthquake loosened some of the rock to reveal it.”
“Impossible,” I whispered, still looking at Ember as I leaned on the cave wall, sagging against it with relief and trusting it would hold my weight.
After all this time, She chose to speak to us now. Through Ember. My miracle.
First born of fire… I traced the image identical to the symbol etched on the cave wall, now a small pattern seemingly tattooed on Ember’s neck right above the twin marks of my fangs claiming her as mine.
“Nothing is impossible.” Ember shivered under my touch, looking up at me with adoration and a burning curiosity in those beautiful hazel eyes. “We just haven’t figured it out yet. So, tell me about this prophecy…”