Unexpected Mate (Dragon Goddess #2)

Chapter Eleven

I strapped my weapon harness around my chest and quickly settled my swords in their sheaths against my back. The harness was butter-soft leather and had been hand-crafted to fit my body perfectly. It allowed my wings to move freely, while also positioning my swords in a way that kept me from slicing them accidentally. Mithraheal had gifted it to me, and while I scolded him about spoiling me, it had thrilled me.

Bending down, I slipped my twin knives into the hidden sheaths inside my boots. Outside, my face showed calm confidence, but a tumultuous storm whirled inside me. We had planned this attack down to the last detail; we had practiced our movements until they flowed like water without conscious thought. I had enjoyed private moments with each of my mates, and my bonds had never felt so strong.

The pressure building in my ears distracted me from my inner turmoil.

“Wizards incoming!” I yelled. My mates looked up from strapping on their own weapons and I nearly fainted on the spot. How did I get so lucky? Each man was jaw dropping in his own way, and all were shining examples of powerful warriors. It was rare to see Mithraheal out of a suit, and the sight of him clad in expensive leather that clung to his skin in all the right ways had me wishing for one more hour alone with him.

The cool mountain breeze swirled around us and I rubbed my arms, more out of habit than actually being cold. It was quite a handy perk to have dragon fire warming you from the inside out.

Gregor popped into the yard first, followed quickly by the wizards we had come to know well during the planning of our attack. We had spent many hours researching Draven’s business dealings, all of us horrified at how low he was willing to go to secure alliances and power.

The things being done behind closed doors, the lives being ruined by his smuggled shipments, the sudden disappearances of those who crossed him; all had sent me rushing to the bathroom several times to empty my stomach. I had watched these wizards’ reactions too, when they thought no one was looking. They had been just as outraged; their hands had shaken and their jaws clenched. I could not understand their customs regarding the nadir, but I also knew they were not all heartless.

My spine stiffened as the last wizard popped in—Elani. It surprised me that she was willing to face me again so soon. I crossed my arms across my chest, my eyes narrowing and mouth tightening as Gregor walked toward me. We would take Draven down this morning, with or without the help of the wizards.

Gregor stopped in front of me, then he dropped to one knee and bowed his head. Soft thuds sounded around me as one by one every wizard in the yard dropped to one knee. They were back-lit by the gorgeous pinks and golds of the sunrise, the sun slowly making its climb above the mountain range. It was surreal, and to be honest, it totally freaked me out. This was not the quiet life I had always believed I would live. The prophecy had ensured I couldn’t have that life; at least not until things had been set right.

Whine about it all you want, but you were born for more. Today is just the beginning.

Beasty and her sucky pep talks, just what a girl wanted while she waited to find out if she had started a war with the wizards, shortly before she had to leave to take out a murdering piece of dog crap who was determined to take power that did not belong to him in order to take over the world like an old-school cartoon villain. How was this my life now?

“The council spent many long hours last night discussing your requirements for our continued alliance,” said Gregor. “Our elders were given the chance to view nadir customs through an outsider’s eyes; something that hadn’t been done in centuries. Overwhelming disgust and sorrow plagues them now. The council wishes to thank you for risking so much to help members of the wizard community. All contracts regarding the nadir will be reviewed, and they will have the option to renegotiate or cancel those agreements. At this moment, the council is working to ensure that fair housing, career, and study options are made available. An apology to the nadir is being aired in the community as we speak. It will take some time, but the changes are already in motion.”

Gregor stood and turned toward Leo, whose gentle eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Gregor crossed his arm across his chest, his fist pressed against his heart.

“The council, the wizards present, and I myself, all wish to apologize for our behavior toward you. Your skills have been an incredible asset within our community, and yet you never received acknowledgement of that fact. The disrespect with which you have been treated, intentionally or unintentionally, was unacceptable. Our council is grateful for your offer to work on cases for them in the future. If you chose to accept, they will pay handsomely for your skills and time. The marking between you and Tia was a shock to the council; they are confused by it. Bonds to mates outside of the wizard community are always discussed with the council first and only completed once they receive approval. This applies to all wizards. Scholars are researching the mating mark you left on Tia’s neck, and the council wishes to have the pleasure of you and your mate’s company once they have information to share. At this time, the contract with Elani is void.”

Leo stood still, at a loss for words. Cool relief flowed across my frayed nerves, and hope soared in my heart. Things were changing .

Elani stepped forward, keeping her head bowed. “Leo and Tia, I am sorry for my behavior and blatant disrespect of the mate bond in your home,” she said. “I wish you both happiness.”

“We are proud to call your circle our allies,” added Gregor, “and we are ready to follow you into battle.”

My stomach turned at the word “battle”, my almost forgotten nightmare flashing through my mind. No, it wouldn’t be anything like that bloody scene created by an anguished mind. This was a stealth mission; no muss, no fuss. Raw fear began to tighten a fist around my heart, and a tsunami of anxiety threatened to drown me beneath it.

You are the dragoness of the sea - a tsunami could not kill you. Focus on now, worry will have you second guessing your every action and that could be deadly.

Dang. When had Beasty gone from crazy nymphomaniac to wise sensei?

Hardy, har, har. Her tone dripped with sarcasm, and I smiled.

I stepped forward with my arm outstretched. Gregor met me and we clasped our forearms together, prepared to fight side by side. Slowly, each wizard rose from their kneeling position and stepped forward to offer their arm, and each time I clasped it tightly against my own. Elani also stepped forward; her arm shook a little as she held it out. Without hesitation, I extended my arm and clasped hers just as firmly as I had with the men.

“I know you will find the happiness that I have found with Leo, and it will be more than you hoped for,” I said .

Her eyes met mine, and for the first time that morning she smiled back at me.

“I know I will,” she replied. “I just hope I don’t have to wait forever. Our species live an awful long time!” Her lilting laughter broke the lingering tension between us, and I couldn’t resist laughing with her. It was so true; my Mithraheal had waited many human lifetimes for his soulmate, me. I caught his eye and blew him a kiss. The elegant king of the blood driven lifted his hand, pretending to catch my kiss, and then pressed it to his lips.

My anxiety became joy, and hope fluttered inside me. Running, I threw myself onto Luke’s back. In a swift motion, I freed my sword and lifted it into the air screaming: “Forward into battle, my noble stead!”

My playful moment with my mate was taken far too seriously by the wizards and my ears rang with the whistles of swords slicing the air as they were quickly drawn. Luke and Levi threw back their heads and released an eerie howl that echoed in the lush valley below. The wizards joined with their own battle cry. It was a sound the raised the hair on my arms; one that movie producers could never reproduce.

My noble stead took off, ready for battle, and I whooped as I bounced on his back… all the way to the sleek black SUV.