Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Everything was ready. Except for her.
The last twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind. Katla hadn’t known what to expect from the others at Iron Hall , but they had been exceedingly kind and welcoming. She would put her past to rights somehow. That was the least she could do for the dragons.
She walked across the bedroom floor and stood in front of the full-length mirror. Katla stared at her reflection, clothed in an off-the-shoulder orange, red, and yellow ombre gown. Its A -line cut was pleasing, and the deep V in the front showed off her breasts while the cinched waist flattered her. The bell sleeves added a dramatic flair, but it was the length that dragged behind her that she particularly loved. Rhi had called the material silk. All Katla knew was that it was soft and she felt amazing in it.
Katla touched her hair. She’d chosen to wear it loose down her back, though she had pinned the sides back. The woman staring back at her was nothing like the one who had left the vine forest, and she was miles away from the person she had been when she lost her family.
The future was uncertain, but she had Merrill to walk the path beside her. And a new family. She was ready for it all. The ups and the downs. The good and the bad.
Her door burst open, and Maely and Aven walked in with bright smiles. Katla’s mouth dropped open when she saw them. Aven was in an ombre gown, the top red and the bottom orange while Maely’s was orange on top and red on the bottom.
“ Rhi said you’d enjoy the surprise,” Aven said.
She went to the girls and wrapped her arms around them. “ Both of you are beautiful.”
“ So are you,” Maely said as she gazed at Katla’s gown.
Katla looked behind them. “ Where’s Perick ?”
“ He’s with Merrill . We cannot get him away,” Maely answered with a roll of her eyes.
Aven chuckled. “ And to think, not that long ago, we were wandering the forest homeless. Now look what we have.”
“ This place is pretty incredible,” Katla agreed. “ So are the people.”
“ Tamlyn said we’re part of that now,” Maely told her.
Katla smoothed her hand down the girl’s black hair. “ That we are.”
Aven motioned to the door with her head. “ It’s time to go.”
Katla eagerly walked out of the chamber with one girl on either side, holding their hands. Against all odds, she had found a family again. There was still much healing to do, but they had a good foundation now. They would continue to improve on it, and the future was brighter than it had ever been. But that’s what happened with love.
Then there was Zora . The realm had some healing to do, as well. Katla planned to be right next to Merrill and the others to face Villette and any other enemies that rose up.
They turned a corner and found Con waiting. He wore a kilt with a black jacket over a white shirt. He nodded to the girls, who smiled at Katla and let go of her hands to keep walking.
“ They were anxious to see you, so I sent them for you,” Con explained.
She watched the girls vanish around a corner. “ So much has been going on that I’ve not had a chance to speak with you alone. I know this must all be moving very fast for you?—”
“ I assure you it isna. However , I’m here now if you wish to talk.”
Katla nervously clutched her hands together. “ I don’t think I’ll ever be able to adequately repay all of you for what you’ve done for me and the children. Especially me.”
“ You love Merrill . That’s all we need.”
“ Thank you.” She blinked, her eyes burning with unshed tears. “ I’ll make amends for the actions of my past somehow.”
Con dipped his chin as he smiled. “ Now . It’s tradition for me to walk the mate to meet her King . It’s also tradition for every mate to receive a gift from me.” He held out a small, black velvet box.
Katla stared at it. A gift. She wasn’t used to those. Hesitantly , she took the box and opened it. Inside was a large, pear-shaped orange pendant hanging from a gold chain.
“ On our world, the gem is called a spessartite garnet.”
“ It matches Merrill’s scales.” She excitedly took the necklace from the box.
Con held out his hands. “ Shall I ?”
She turned and moved her hair out of the way as he clasped it around her neck. Katla touched the pendant once it lay against her skin and faced Con once more. “ Thank you. This is beautiful.”
“ You’re very welcome. If we doona get there soon, Merrill will come looking for us. Ready ?” he asked.
“ Very .”
They shared a smile before walking into the great hall. Katla would never get tired of looking up and seeing the enormous tree that hung above them, its roots shooting out in all directions to hold it up. And the pool below that collected the water that dripped from the roots. It was just one part of the amazing city that took her breath away.
Rhi was waiting for them by the pool, along with the girls. The Fae smiled in greeting. Katla had gotten to know Rhi over the last day since she had helped Katla find her gown. The other mates at Iron Hall had excitedly stepped in to help with everything. Love . A home. Family . Friends . It had seemed a distant dream until Merrill .
They halted in front of Rhi . The Fae was jumping them to Cairnkeep since Katla hadn’t been there. She was hesitant to go to the capital since it was on dragon land, but Con and Merrill assured her that all would be well.
There was no time for Katla to say anything. Rhi touched her hand, and the next moment, she was outside. Sunlight streaked the ground between huge clouds while snow flurries danced in the air. Katla lowered her gaze and saw the guests lined up on each side of an aisle. At the front, near the cliff’s edge, stood Merrill in his kilt.
“ I’ll see you up there,” Con said.
Katla barely heard him. She saw Rhi leading the girls into the crowd. As Katla scanned the crowd, she caught sight of the other men wearing kilts. And then she spotted Perick , whose kilt matched Merrill’s .
She looked at Merrill once more. He wore a bright smile. After that, he was the only one she saw. He gave her a small nod, and she started in his direction. Before she knew it, she stood before him. He took her hands as they faced each other.
“ Wow ,” he whispered as he gave her an appreciative once-over.
Her heart was nearly bursting with happiness. “ Wow , yourself.”
“ Welcome , all,” Con said as he took his place to lead the ceremony. “ There is nothing more joyous than a dragon who has found his mate. Sometimes , it comes easily. Other times, it doesna. But there is no denying the bond between two people who are destined to love. I know I’m no’ alone is saying that Merrill and Katla have shown their love to one and all and earned their place among us.”
A loud cheer rose up.
Katla glanced at the audience in surprise. A few had accepted her, but she never assumed others would.
“ It’s now time to welcome Katla as Merrill’s mate,” Con’s voice boomed. “ Merrill , do you bind yourself to Katla ? Do you vow to love her, cherish her, and protect her above all others?”
Merrill’s expression was serious and earnest as he stated, “ Aye .”
“ Katla , do you bind yourself to Merrill , King of Oranges ? Promise to love him, cherish him, and protect him above all others?”
Katla’s heart filled with joy. “ Aye .”
A slow smile curved Merrill’s lips. He had explained about the mark that would appear on her upper left arm. Pain seared her flesh, but it only lasted a moment. When she tugged her sleeve down, she saw the dragon-eye tattoo.
“ The proof of your vows and your love. Everyone who sees this will know Katla has been marked as Merrill’s mate for eternity!” Con shouted.
Her ears rang with the deafening cheers. But it was all quickly forgotten as Merrill kissed her.