Her dragon’s instincts kicked in with startling clarity. The mechanics of her new body felt natural, like remembering a dance she’d always known. When Draven launched into the sky, she followed without hesitation, her powerful wings catching the wind currents.
Flying was pure exhilaration. The world spread beneath them in breathtaking detail—volcanic ridges painted in sunset hues and the pink sea glittering like scattered jewels. Her dragon reveled in the freedom, in the strength, in the rightness of soaring beside her mate.
This is so impossible,her human mind whispered, but her dragon disagreed. This was destiny finally revealing itself—fate’s perfect surprise that made everything click into place. She caught a gust of wind and flew higher, joy singing through every fiber of her transformed being.
TWENTY
DRAVEN
Draven’s obsidian dragon soared through the afternoon sky, his massive wings cutting through air currents with practiced ease. Beside him, Lila’s crimson dragon moved with surprising grace for someone experiencing her first shift. The sight of her scales gleaming like polished rubies in the dying sunlight sent a surge of possessive pride through his chest.
She had dormant dragon DNA this whole time.
The revelation still stunned him. They’d both assumed she was purely human, yet her adaptation to his world, her natural ability to calm his fire madness, the inexplicable pull between them—it all made perfect sense now. Fate had been orchestrating this from the beginning.
Lila,he projected through their telepathic link, his dragon’s voice rumbling with satisfaction.Can you hear me?
Her crimson head whipped toward him, her green eyes wide with surprise.How are you—? We can talk like this?
You’re a dragon now.Warmth flooded their mental connection.The mate bond is stronger than what we had before. We can feel each other’s emotions even more clearly.
This is so incredible.Wonder colored her mental voice as she executed a perfect banking turn, following his lead througha thermal current.I can sense everything you’re feeling—your amazement, your pride, your...
My overwhelming desire to claim you again the moment we land?His dragon purred with predatory satisfaction.
Her laughter echoed through their link, musical and free.Yes, that too.
Despite this being her first transformation, she handled flight like she’d been born to it. Her instincts guided her through complex maneuvers, her powerful wings finding optimal air currents without conscious thought. Watching her embrace this primal side of herself, stirred something deep and possessive in his core.
You’re magnificent,he told her, meaning every word.Born to be my dragon queen.
The setting sun painted the volcanic landscape below in shades of orange and crimson as they began their descent toward the cabin. Draven landed first, his claws finding purchase on the rocky ground before he shifted back to human form. Sweat glistened on his skin from the extended flight, his hair damp and wild.
Lila landed moments later with surprising elegance, her transformation back to her human form smoother than most experienced shifters achieved. She stood before him, naked and flushed, her chest rising and falling with exerted breath. The dragon mark above her heart caught the fading light—his royal sigil permanently etched into her skin.
“That was...” She shook her head, searching for words.
“Life-changing?” He closed the distance between them, his hands finding her waist. “Surreal? Exactly what was meant to happen?”
“All of the above.” Her fingers traced the defined muscles of his chest. “I can’t believe I’m actually a dragon shifter. My wholelife, I’ve felt like something was missing, like I was searching for a piece of myself I couldn’t name.”
“And now?”
“Now I feel complete.” She leaned in to kiss him, her lips soft and warm against his. “We should get cleaned up. We’re both rather... sweaty.”
He chuckled, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest. “A shower sounds perfect. Though I should warn you—seeing you in dragon form has left me rather... inspired.”
“Inspired?” Her eyebrow arched in challenge. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
“Among other things.” He pulled her flush against him. “You have no idea how attractive you looked soaring through the sky. How right it felt having my mate beside me in the air.”
“Your dragon has always been sexy to me.” She gave him the brightest smile. “And I have to admit, it did feel so right to fly beside you, even better than flying on your back. I can’t wait to do it again.”
He guided her back toward the cabin, and his mind raced with everything that was transpiring in his life. First, the discovery of Veyra’s treachery. Then, the revelation of Lila’s dragon side. And tomorrow, his mother’s funeral. Yet beneath the anger, wonder, and grief, something had finally shifted.
The fire madness—the constant anxiety and doubt that had plagued him for eighteen years—had vanished completely. His mother had been right. The completed mate bond with his fated mate had cured what no healer could touch.
“Draven?” Lila’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “You’re broadcasting some intense emotions through our bond.”
