Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“What did you think when she didn’t run?” Lalani asked.
“Her scent had lured me there. The bath was an attempt to not turn her off completely. Brigitte proceeded to lecture me about the need for talking before fighting.”
“Didn’t you have to kill some people that attacked you?” Lalani asked.
“Yes. She shouldn’t have been out there alone. It wasn’t safe. I took care of the problem quickly. In the aftermath, Brigitte decided maybe having a dragon around was okay,” Khadar said with a laugh.
“It was a violent time back then.”
“It was. Surviving was difficult for humans. Between diseases and lack of medical knowledge, many didn’t survive to see forty. Especially women. Brigitte was my mate for over a hundred years.”
“How long do you think I’ll live?” Lalani asked.
“My heart says forever. The future is never sure. We’ll enjoy every minute together, Princess.”
She smiled and had opened her mouth to celebrate that idea with him when hands clasped over her eyes. Knowing with Khadar there, it had to be someone safe. She didn’t panic.
“Guess who?”
“Aurora?” she guessed, deliberately choosing the wrong mate.
“Aurora? Do I sound like this?” Ciel launched into a description of the epic party on the square in the exact tone that their friend would have spoken.
“That’s amazing, Ciel. I really knew it was you,” Lalani revealed as she turned around to hug her friend.
“She sounded just like me, didn’t she?” Aurora said, stepping forward to get her hug as well.
“She could be a perfect imitator. You probably could have made millions on scam calls,” Lalani suggested.
“Too bad there aren’t any phones. There’s one job possibility that tanked now,” Ciel joked.
“The watermelon contest is next. Let’s go watch,” Aurora suggested.
“That sounds like fun,” Lalani agreed. She looked up at Khadar for permission.
“Go, Princess. Stay with the group.”
“Yes, sir!” Lalani answered, snapping to attention and saluting.
“Oh, you’re going to get in trouble for that one,” Ciel whispered as they hurried away.
“Maybe he’ll forget,” Lalani said, crossing her fingers, already regretting her mocking movement.
“Dragons never forget,” Aurora reminded her.
They joined the crowd, standing in front of the long tables set together. Fifteen contestants stood behind the tables with their hands clasped behind their backs. In front of each person sat a large watermelon wedge.
“Who talked Ardon into competing?” Lalani asked, staring at the immense man who looked like he could eat the whole thing, rind and all, in a bite.
“He lost a bet with Oldrik,” Ciel explained.
“Those other contestants don’t look too happy to be competing against a dragon, even in human form,” Aurora said.
The whistle blew, starting the watermelon eating challenge, just as an enormous shadow passed over the area. People scrambled out of the dragon landing area as the black dragon dropped to the earth. Trapped in his claws were two men who cursed like sailors while a woman clung to his neck with desperate determination.
Ardon ran off the stage and toward Keres. Lalani hooked her arms with Ciel and Aurora and towed them over to find out what was going on. As soon as the woman slid down to the ground, Keres shifted and held the two men by their collars.
“Caught these two sneaking over the border,” Keres announced, shaking the men slightly.
“You didn’t just drop them a few miles away?” Drake asked.
“The border people vouched for them. One is part of the founding families that gave us Khadar’s mate,” Keres explained.
“Derek Lowe?” Lalani said, stepping away from the others.
A man a few years younger than her turned to smile at her. “I see my reputation as a ladykiller is still active in Wyvern.”
Lalani had to laugh at his rakish smile. “I don’t know about that, but I just found out my birth mother had a son named Derek Lowe.”
“You couldn’t be Lalani?” he guessed, shrugging off Keres’s hold and walking toward her.
“Suzanne told you about me?” Lalani asked.
“Your name was on an ornament on our Christmas tree every year. And I loved celebrating your birthday. Cake is important to kids. Your birthday was a fun day. I still remember it, March twenty-sixth.”
“That’s amazing. Our mother was amazing.” Lalani felt tears coursing down her cheeks and didn’t even try to wipe them away. She felt Khadar’s presence behind her and leaned back to let him support her.
“You’re a dragon’s mate?” Derek said as his eyes widened in shock.
“This is Khadar.” Lalani introduced him.
The man and shifter nodded at each other as they silently sized up each other.
“Can I give you a hug?” Lalani asked.
“Every time we see each other from now on. We have lots of time to make up,” Derek said, stepping forward to hold out his arms. He squeezed her tightly before releasing her and stepping back.
“Did I hear you say our mother was amazing?” he asked, emphasizing the past tense she used.
“I’m sorry. You probably hadn’t heard. She was killed in an accident just after I came to visit. Did you know your dad is gone, too?”