Epilogue #2
A knock sounded on the door, silencing everyone instantly.
Eurwen watched in amazement as the mates rose from their places and filed out of the cottage.
When they were gone, Con entered. Eurwen turned on the stool and looked her father over from head to toe.
He wore a tux jacket and a formal shirt along with a kilt in a tartan she had never seen before.
“You look dashing,” she said as she got to her feet.
Her father stood staring at her for a long moment.
“I know,” Rhi said as she walked to her mate and kissed his cheek. She turned her head to Eurwen. “We have a gorgeous daughter.”
“Aye,” Con said as a slow smile pulled at his lips.
Eurwen got to her feet and fidgeted with her gown. “Is the gown too much?”
Rhi made a sound in the back of her throat. “Not even close. Wait until you see Vaughn’s face.”
Eurwen moved her gaze to Con and raised her brows in silent question.
“It’s perfection,” her father said.
Con then looked at Rhi, who nodded and patted his arm. “Right. Well, then, I’ll see you both outside.”
“Wait,” Eurwen said as she took a step forward. “Don’t forget.”
“Heading there now,” Rhi said before teleporting out.
Con quirked a brow. “Everything all right?”
“Perfect. I just have a wee surprise,” Eurwen said with a smile.
Con cleared his throat. “We have a couple of traditions. I always gift my King’s mate with a piece of jewelry.”
Eurwen had learned of this tradition from Rhi when they had gone shopping the day before, but she was still excited to see what her father presented her with. When he held out a small gold velvet box, she eagerly took it.
Anticipation fluttered in her stomach as she slowly opened the lid. The instant she saw the Montana sapphire with its teal color that perfectly matched Vaughn, her mouth fell open. The stones themselves were stunning, but it was the ring that took her breath away.
“If you doona like it—”
“It’s perfect,” Eurwen interrupted him before he could finish.
She drew out the full finger ring and slipped it onto her right index finger. The teal stones wound in a delicate, beautiful pattern from the base of her finger to her nail. She held out her hand and gazed at it, struck by its simplicity and splendor.
“It’s me,” she said after a moment and looked up at Con.
Her father was beaming. “I’ve never been so worried about handing a piece of jewelry to someone as I was you.”
“You did great,” she said and wrapped her arms around him for a hug.
For a heartbeat, he didn’t move. Then he wrapped his arms around her. “You’ll never know how happy your mother and I are to be here.”
“I have an idea.” Eurwen leaned back and smiled at him. “Now, if we don’t stop this talk, I’ll start crying.”
Con took her hands and stepped back as he shook his head with a proud smile. “It’s a good thing you and Vaughn found each other. Otherwise, every eligible King out there would be after you.”
Eurwen laughed, her heart full. She, Con, and Rhi had a long way to go, but they had already crossed the most significant hurdles.
“Shall we?” Con asked as he held out his bent arm for her to take.
She looped her hand around the crook of his arm. “Let’s.”
Vaughn shifted his shoulders, the jacket feeling tight. The sun was setting, the sky streaking in the most amazing colors, but he didn’t see any of it. His eyes were locked on Eurwen’s cottage as he waited for her to appear.
He stood at the outcropping of the mountain at Cairnkeep.
Dragons had begun pouring in hours ago. The sheer number of them kept most of the Kings in awe.
Vaughn popped his knuckles and adjusted the sleeves of his dress shirt beneath his tux jacket.
Other Kings, also dressed in their finest, surrounded him.
Suddenly, voices quieted. Vaughn turned to find Rhi making her way toward him.
Her long, black hair was pulled away from her face to cascade down her back.
She wore a black sleeveless tulle gown with a plunging neckline and a fitted waist. Gold metallic leaves grouped tightly together at the top and spread apart the farther down the dress they went.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you fidget so much,” Rhi told him.
Vaughn swallowed hard. “I’m worried she willna come.”
Rhi flashed him a wide smile. “She’ll be here. Now, I wanted to do this privately, but you were already out here.”
“What?” he asked worriedly.
Rhi held out her palm to reveal a black velvet box.
Vaughn blinked at the unexpected gift.
“Kings have never been gifted anything for their matings before, but that’s because a King has never married a Dragon Queen before.”
Vaughn reached for the box, his hand shaking. He opened the hinged lid to find a gold dragon head torc bracelet with Celtic knotwork.
“Eurwen told me how the two of you met. I felt it fitting that a nod should be given to the Celts.”
Vaughn put the bracelet on and bowed his head to Rhi as he placed his right hand over his heart. “I’m honored and touched by such a gift. Thank you.”
“Get ready,” she said with a knowing grin. “You’re about to get your socks knocked off.”
No sooner were those words out of her mouth than the dragons surrounding them went silent. It was so quiet, a leaf falling could have been heard. Vaughn didn’t need to ask what had caused it. He knew.
He spotted the top of Con’s head. Thankfully, Vaughn didn’t have long to wait until he got to see his mate. When he did, his lungs seized at the exquisite woman making her way to him through the throng of people and flowers.
Eurwen’s golden hair was pulled back in a messy style with wavy locks framing her face.
The teal gown was a masterpiece of lace and tulle.
The upper bodice dipped into a low V in the front and back with wide floral lace edged in beaded teal fringe four inches long that brushed against her arms. The waist was cinched tight before the polka dot tulle and floral lace fell gently to her feet.
A three-foot skirt train trailed behind her.
The dress was feminine and unique, just like his mate.
It wasn’t until she reached him that he saw the gold multi-strand head chain that adorned her hair along her center part before draping into two separating parts across her forehead to meet at the back of her head.
Vaughn didn’t wait for Con to bring Eurwen to him. He met her halfway and gazed into her silver eyes with wonder and joy. When she put her hand in his, he felt something on her finger and looked down to see the full finger ring of Montana sapphires, a gift from Con.
“Wow,” she said as she looked him over. “Can you please wear that more often? I like you in kilts.”
He grinned and tightened his fingers around hers. “You are exquisite. And, aye, I’ll wear it anytime you want.”
“Everyone is watching us.”
“I only see you.”
Her smile widened.
They walked to the outcropping together where Con awaited them. Vaughn glanced out over the mountains to see the dragons watching them. Before, only Kings were allowed to witness ceremonies, but it seemed fitting that the dragons were present.
Con drew in a breath. “It wasna that long ago that Rhi and I learned we had children. I’m happy to be at a binding ceremony with my daughter and Vaughn, King of Teals. I couldna imagine two people more worthy of each other than you.”
Vaughn faced Eurwen and took her hands in his. They stared into each other’s eyes, smiles upon their lips.
“Vaughn, do you bind yourself to the Dragon Queen, Eurwen?” Con asked. “Do you vow to love her, protect her, and cherish her above all others?”
“Absolutely,” Vaughn replied in a clear voice.
Con turned his attention to his daughter. “Eurwen, do you bind yourself to the Dragon King Vaughn? Do you swear to love him, care for him, and cherish him above all others?”
“Oh, yes.”
Vaughn glanced at her left arm, but no dragon eye tattoo appeared, which proved that Eurwen was, indeed, a Dragon Queen. A King and Queen mating, which was a first for all of them.
Con raised his voice for all to hear as he said, “I present our first mated Dragon King and a Dragon Queen!”
Vaughn vaguely heard the Kings’ cheers and the dragons’ roars as he pulled Eurwen into his arms to seal their union with a kiss. When he pulled back to gaze down at his mate, she was smiling brightly.
“You are being heralded,” she said.
Vaughn frowned, then turned when she pointed over his shoulder. All the Teals flew in a circle, their roars louder than any others.
“Go,” Eurwen urged him.
Vaughn linked his hand with hers. “We go together.”
Her smile proved that he had said the right thing. Together, they moved to the edge of the cliff and stepped off, shifting into dragon form and going out to meet the Teals. As they flew, the tips of their wings brushed.
Vaughn had never thought to see his Teals again, much less fly with them. The dragons welcomed him, their voices congratulating him and filling his head. He was with his dragons and his mate. Life couldn’t get any better.