Chapter 3
“The dragon doesn’t want to see you,” Amelia, Skye’s mother, stated firmly.
“I’ll return quickly then.”
“Really, Skye. You just got home. Don’t you want to spend some time with your father?”
Skye looked at her father, who gathered his tools to go work in the public gardens. It seemed everyone had a purpose now. She walked over to kiss her father’s cheek before he left.
“We missed you, Skye,” he said to her with a wink.
That gesture told her so much. Her mom had always fussed around her. Her mother meant well. She’d tried to fix Skye. Unfortunately, her efforts hadn’t worked. Well, at least not to her mother’s goals of making her fit in with everyone else.
Grabbing her sketchbook and some pencils from her room, Skye headed for the door. When she was several blocks from the town square, Skye wanted to stop there first to draw the statue from a distance. She forced herself to keep walking, not allowing herself to be distracted.
Amusement bubbled inside her. She’d sketched thousands of images of this dragon over the years. Today would be the same but different. The light and shadows would play over the polished stone with its small patches of roughness. She’d always pretended those were scales instead of weathered spots.
The square bustled with people scattered here and there in clumps. Eavesdropping, she figured out what was happening. Some people called guardians were meeting with people who needed them. Citizens of Wyvern, still missing family members, could enlist a dragon’s aid in searching for them from the air. Her mother must have given these helpers her last known location. Alerted that she was missing, Keres must have widened the search for her. That extra effort had brought her, Brooks, and Derek home.
She settled into a quiet spot at the side of the raised dais and opened her sketchpad. Life flowed around her like a river as she concentrated on capturing something elusive inside the stone creation. A rush of energy brought her attention back to the present.
Two handsome men stood before her. One was older, with a bit of silver at his temples. His eyes were deep blue, reminding her of the magnetic orbs she had gazed into before. The other was his opposite. Dark where the elder was blond. He viewed the world through amber-colored eyes.
A fantasy of these men pressing kisses to her neck and shoulders ignited a heat inside her she’d never felt before. She imagined the sensation of their close-cropped beards brushing across her skin. The resulting arousal flowing through her body shocked her. Normally, Skye didn’t like people touching her. Flustered, she stared at them, trying to understand her reaction.
“I don’t think she recognizes us, Ardon,” the massively built blond suggested.
“And she forgot to come meet me. Now I know why, Oldrik.”
These were dragons. Their names etched themselves into her brain. Ardon. Oldrik. When they each reached to help her up, Skye did something completely out of her norm. She voluntarily placed her palms on theirs. Fire burned through the top of her hands, stealing her breath away as they lifted her to standing.
Looking back and forth between the dragons, she saw their eyes flash as they stared at her. One pair bright blue and the other pure bronze. If she hadn’t already thought she would burst into flames at any moment, Skye would have run and never stopped. They felt the connection too.
“Mate,” Ardon claimed her as he tried to draw Skye close.
A vicious growl came from the older dragon. “Mine.”
Neither released her hands as they turned to confront each other. Their bodies formed a living triangle, bristling with territorial mating energy. The hustle and bustle of the square died out as Oldrik’s challenge echoed on the stone walls surrounding them. Yanking herself free from their grip, Skye stepped forward instinctively, pressing her hands to their chests as she created a human barrier between them.
She shifted her attention back and forth between the two shifters, trying to figure out what to do. Raw masculine power radiated from each man. She suspected their dragons were close and the men would soon yield to their more powerful form to end this.
You’re scaring me. Please.
Ardon’s eyes lost a bit of their fire first. His chest relaxed under her palm.
And you said you aren’t polite.
Sensing Ardon was back in control, she addressed Oldrik, enlisting his assistance to pull him back from the brink of violence. I don’t understand this. Can you help me?
His ice blue stare unthawed. Mate. I do not mean to scare you. What you felt was the mating bond snapping into place. Look at your hand.
Skye stared at her hand pushing against his shirt. A faint raised line formed in the shape of a roaring dragon, darkening with every breath. The earlier searing sensation echoed in her mind. She protested, It hurt.
A fleeting injury that I regret.
Ardon interrupted their mental conversation. How is this possible? She has two marks.
They all turned to stare at Skye’s other hand, holding Ardon back. It, too, held a darkening dragon outline.
Two mates. That’s why Ardon and I were confused. You smelt like ours, but something was missing.
Mates?
Bewildered, she glanced back and forth between the dragons. My picture today was unlike any other. Today, the dragon statue blurred my vision. I drew two. One blue and one bronze. Skye waved a hand toward their feet.
The dragons glanced down at the sketch pad, which had tumbled to the ground. Opened, it revealed an exquisite depiction of two dragons facing off against each other. Blue snout to bronze.
“I don’t think they’re going to kill each other now.”
The grumbling words interrupted the trio. As one, they turned to see Keres. Standing with him were five more men who Skye suspected were dragon shifters as well.
“The whole horde didn’t come?” Ardon’s tone held a distinctive ring of annoyance.
“The call alerted everyone. More will arrive. Seems like you all figured everything out,” one suggested.
Drake popped into Skye’s mind from Oldrik. She nodded as Ardon sent her Gold dragon .
Waves of panic gathered around her. She’d been okay with her mate, but all these dragons and the attention of the large crowd overwhelmed her. She grabbed their shirts under her fingers and balled the material into her fists. “Help me.”
“Take her. I will create a path,” Oldrik commanded.
Ardon scooped her up in his arms and followed the blue dragon. Oldrik roared, and the crowd scattered apart. She could feel him wavering between dragon and man and rallied to send him calming thoughts. That exhausted the last of her energy. Skye welcomed the blackness creeping into her mind, erasing her fright.
Oldrik studied his mate’s beautiful face. He couldn’t find her more enchanting. Those big blue eyes and the pale hair gave her an ethereal look. Her slight body was tall and willowy, invoking his protective instincts. He collected special treasures. Her value eclipsed everything.
Working together, he and Ardon had transferred her to a beautiful outdoor plateau between their mountains. Now he held her cradled in his arms as they both sent her mental reassurances. The tension inside her had evaporated as soon as they’d distanced themselves from the curious crowd that had gathered around them.
“Do you know of this happening before?” Ardon asked.
Oldrik shook his head. “Never in our horde. Logically, I’m sure we’re not the first. It would take a special mate to bond with two dragons,” he said. Even he could hear the pride in his voice at the uniqueness of his mate.
“Shall we figure this out before she wakes up?” Ardon asked him.
“Our lives will change immediately. What’s your comfort level in interacting with our mate?”
“Whatever she needs is what she will get,” the younger dragon answered.
“Agreed. I want Skye to feel at home with us. So, one household?” Oldrik suggested.
“And one lair in the case of danger,” Ardon added.
The two dragons stared at each other. Allowing another dragon past the entry of their lair was dangerous. The visiting dragon would know the location and safeguards in effect for the host dragon’s treasures. Taking refuge, however, would only happen in the gravest of peril.
“My lair,” Ardon volunteered.
“My castle, and my word that I will never use any information I glean from your territory for personal gain.” Oldrik promised in exchange. This type of oath between dragons was unheard of. Dragons were at their core focused on accumulating more and more wealth. Even within a horde, a weak dragon’s valuables could be at risk.
“I will promise the same, Oldrik. Our perils will be shared as we enjoy our mate. We need to start on even ground. I will, however, reserve the right to entertain Skye in my mansion alone.”
Oldrik nodded his approval. “We will each need private time with our mate.”
You guys are chatty.
“We are sorry to disturb you, Skye. Are you feeling better?” Ardon asked, brushing her hair away from her face.
I need Blunze.
Both dragons bristled, ready to kill whoever their mate desired over them. Skye opened her brilliant blue eyes to reveal her amusement. The corners of her mouth trembled as laughter filled her thoughts.
Do you have my backpack? I will introduce you to Blunze. She struggled to sit up, and Oldrik propped her up against his chest. Thank you. Is it okay if I talk to you this way?
Of course, mate. Ardon grabbed the backpack they’d stripped from her shoulders and handed it to her.
You keep calling me mate.
Do you remember the names written on the risers of the steps leading up to the dragon statue you were drawing? Oldrik asked.
Yes, of course. When I was a child, my mother said they must have done something special for the town. My great-great-grand aunt’s name is there, but she didn’t know why.
Those are direct descendants of the founding families of Wyvern. They are also dragon mates. Ardon exchanged a glance with Oldrik, and the older dragon suspected Ardon was also baffled that her family had not shared this.
Is there something important about being a founding family?
Oldrik tried to explain. Yes. When Wyvern was settled, the dragons agreed to provide protection for the city in exchange for fated mates, who they promised to cherish. Any member of those first families might become a mate of a dragon who lost his.
You’ve had multiple mates?
Yes, Skye. Our lifespans are much longer than those of humans. Mates live much longer than unclaimed Wyverns, but eventually their bodies become tired, and they are lost to their dragon. Oldrik allowed her to see and feel the sorrow in his mind and heart for his lost mates.
You miss them.
Always. Each mate is special and unique. We will cherish you for all the time we have together and mourn your loss many years from now. Oldrik paused to allow her to consider that before asking, Could you share Blunze with us? I am very curious about my competition.
Skye unzipped her bag and pulled out her stuffie. This is Blunze. We communicate through our minds too. Well, I talk, and he listens. He’s a blue dragon who I added bronze scales to when I learned to sew. He’s much happier now. So am I.
Blunze. A combination of bronze and blue. Ardon appeared pleased, and Oldrik suspected he enjoyed that their mate hadn’t been satisfied with a plain blue dragon.
You must think you’ve been saddled with the stupidest mate. My best friend is a stuffie. I struggle to speak out loud. People make me uncomfortable....
Oldrik interrupted her. Mates are the most special of creatures. You would not be our mate if you were not perfect for us. We will strive to deserve and cherish you. You are a gift. We will thank fate for you every second of every day.
Really?
I will never lie to you, Little One , he promised. Nor will Ardon. Fair warning, we will sense if you do not tell us the truth and spank your bottom thoroughly.
Spank me? I’m not a child.
Ardon pointed out, For us, you are incredibly young. It is also how we’re wired. Dragons are dominant over other species. We are at the top of the food chain.
Conceited much?
You joke, but this is a fact of nature. It may take you time to adjust to the level of care you will receive from us. We already know you have had fantasies of a mate who rewards and punishes your behavior, Oldrik said casually. He disguised his own arousal from his mate. She would soon learn how closely aligned their needs were.
What? I didn’t tell you anything like that.
Your body did the moment Oldrik mentioned a spanking. Ardon sniffed and continued. There are no secrets between mates.
I smell?
You have a delicious aroma of desire. Oldrik loved the play of emotions on her expressive face as he explained things to her. Skye enchanted him.
Skye moved suddenly to press her lips to his, and Oldrik locked his muscles to remain in control. His surprise only lasted a fraction of a second as he tasted his mate. Needing to touch her, he lifted a hand to cup the back of her head. Oldrik held her in place as he deepened the kiss.
The instant arousal, which had flared inside him at their bonding, roared into an inferno. Delicious heat filled him, making Oldrik crave more. He swept his tongue lightly over the seam of her lips, feeling her tremble. His mate clung to his shoulders as she allowed him to deepen the kiss.
He tightened his arm around her as a growl sounded behind. Oldrik’s possessiveness flared. Skye was his mate. Ardon would have to grow accustomed to seeing him kiss their mate. The sensation of her heart beating against his chest reminded him of her fragility. He pushed his need to claim her away.
When he lifted his mouth, Oldrik steadied Skye as Ardon stepped forward to draw her into his arms. She kissed the bronze dragon with the same enthusiasm and desire. Their mate was very receptive to pleasure. Her small greedy sounds did not help calm Oldrik’s cock.
To his surprise, he enjoyed her interaction with Ardon. Had that caused the other shifter’s growl? Arousal instead of possessiveness?
Oldrik smiled at that thought. Perhaps sharing his mate from time to time with the other dragon wouldn’t be as hard as he suspected. He had gleaned from kissing her she wasn’t a complete innocent, but Skye was definitely not used to the cascade of sensations that came from being with a dragon. Or, two .
When Ardon lifted his mouth from hers, Skye looked back and forth between the two dragon shifters as she tried to process what she’d set into motion. Ardon’s bronze eyes glowed hot, signaling to Oldrik that Skye’s other mate had enjoyed the kiss they’d shared together. Their mate was perfect for them.
Am I going to have dragonlettes? Is that what they call them? Or lay eggs? What is the result of mating? She interrupted his thoughts.
Ardon’s lips twitched, and Oldrik squashed his own humor at that question. Of course his mate would have a myriad of questions about her new life. He had not expected her to skip so many steps to that particular consequence.
Only a female dragon can bear young. They are rare. Oldrik explained without allowing his answer to hold a ring of amusement.
He didn’t share that he had a sibling who was female. Only his horde was aware he had a sister, and no one could locate her—even Oldrik. It was information that Skye didn’t need to know now.
Is that why you need mates?
Dragons live for hundreds of years. Alone, they risk losing their connection to the world and being trapped in solitude and even madness.
Like Keres?
Oldrik’s gaze met Ardon’s in shock. How had their mate picked up on this in the short time it had taken for the black dragon to fly her back to Wyvern? Why did you think of him, Skye?
His inner darkness is growing. I could feel his need but didn’t understand what he was missing. Will he find a mate before anything bad happens?
We do not know, Oldrik admitted.
Let’s focus on you, Little One, Ardon suggested. You are exhausted. We will fly you home to eat and rest.
I need to go back to the square. I forgot my sketch pad.
Lalani has it, My Treasure. She and Khadar will visit soon and return it to you. In the meantime, we’ll find you more paper. Ardon promised as he stood.
He held out a hand to help her rise. When she hesitated to place her palm on his for a second time, he assured her, “No more pain, Little One. The mate bond has already snapped into place. As long as we stay close until the connection matures, you will have no further pain.”
When she stood next to Ardon, Oldrik rose to his feet as well. They each took one of her hands to consider the dragon shape that now appeared fully formed on her skin. The other mates only had one mark. Oldrik was not surprised that his mate was special.
I’ve had short-term boyfriends before. Never two at the same time.
Having two mates is new to us as well. Ardon and I have already discussed how we will handle this, Oldrik said.
Don’t you think I get any say about this?
It is up to your mates to care for you. If you have concerns, of course we will listen. Ardon stepped forward to run his hands down her arms to reassure Skye.
Skye swayed, and Oldrik looped an arm around her waist. Blunze .
I’ll bring him, Skye, Ardon assured her as he leaned down to collect the stuffie and her backpack.