Coming back to the present, she was impressed with the silver rope that trimmed their uniforms, but it was the intricate stitchery on the front that took her breath away. The scene depicted a dragon in flight, so like what she knew of Rian’s beast that there was no doubt her mate had had a hand in this design as well.
They both wore a black long-sleeved undershirt and pants, as well as knee high black boots polished to a high shine. Each young man placed her hand on their bent elbow, leading her to an ornately decorated carriage, not unlike the one her father had given her for her thirteenth birthday. It was deep mahogany with elegant carvings bordering the door and decorating the ledge of the entire vehicle. Audrey felt like the princess she had once been and smiled at the nostalgia of it all.
As Liam and Jace opened the door, a set of four steps effortlessly rolled to the ground. The young Guardsmen helped her into the carriage, making sure she was comfortable before shutting the door. Audrey marveled at the light blue, crushed velvet seats and beautiful mural covering all four walls, depicting an entire dragon lair in the midst of a celebration. As her eyes took in the splendor of something obviously from a time she knew so well, she caught sight of a bouquet of long-stemmed red and white roses tied with a single royal blue ribbon lying on the seat opposite her.
Reaching across, Audrey brought the flowers into her lap and inhaled their succulent aroma, dreaming of what was still to come. A small card was tucked lovingly in her bundle of flowers and carried a simple message that made her heart beat just a bit faster. “Not heaven. Not hell. Not the Devil himself can keep me from your side. Love, Rian”
The carriage slowed and the scent of sea air filled the carriage. Audrey was shaking with anticipation when the young Guardsmen finally opened the door. Helping her down, Liam held her flowers while Jace took her hand and walked her toward her destiny.
Once her feet were on the wooden bridge decorated with red and white roses, like those she carried, tied with royal blue ribbons blowing in the breeze, Liam handed her the bouquet and the two retired to either side of the bridge and stood as if standing guard.
“Thank you,” she whispered and smiled as they responded, “It was our pleasure.”
Step by precious step Audrey came closer to what she’d been dreaming about every night for a hundred years after standing on the very beach before her. Making her way onto the sand by the light of the candles burning so brightly on the candelabras along the path, she took her time and gazed in awe at the elaborate preparations Rian had made in less than a day.
Ten yards from where she sat stood a massive archway covered in red and white roses, along with hundreds upon hundreds of blue and white ribbons woven through the lattice work and dancing on the wind as if celebrating right along with her. To the left sat three ornate chairs on a large platform. They resembled the thrones her father and mother had used outside the castle when addressing their village. The podium too was decorated with red and white roses spilling from large ceramic urns wrapped in enormous blue and white bows. There was also a large circle drawn in the sand right in front of the dais, with tiny white tea roses as the outline.
Growing impatient, Audrey was pleasantly surprised to see three of the Elders of the Blue Dragons’ Clan – Niall, Marcas, and Stefan. It was not unlike when they’d paid her an impromptu visit earlier in the day while she was having her makeup done; only this time, she’d known they would show up sooner or later. Rian would be up there as the Head Elder for other ceremonies in their future, but for this one, he had another role to fulfill.
Audrey’s attention was drawn to the left as five of the Guardsmen of the Aherne Force appeared. Sadness filled the air at Rory’s absence and for the hundredth time that day, she offered a prayer to the God of her fathers that he would be okay.
Watching the men file in, she noted the slightly different hues of blue of each man’s surcoat. Kellan’s was midnight blue, so dark it could’ve been mistaken for black. Brannoc’s was the blue of the ocean and Lennox’s, the exact opposite of Kellan’s, so light the blue was barely discernable. Declan’s primary blue matched the straightforward man she knew him to be. Lastly, there was Pierce, whose surcoat had an iridescent glow added to its cobalt color that made her wonder how brightly the scales of his dragon would shine in the sunlight.
To her surprise, Royce, Lance, Maddox, Drago, and Kayne filed in behind the other Guardsmen. She was honored that they’d come to the ceremony and also freaked that the man she’d thought was a hellhound for a hundred years was actually a powerful Demi-God/Dragon Guardsman.
Oh well, I’ll think about this later. It’s my mating night. Nothing’s taking this train off the rails.
Shaking her head, Audrey looked back at the men her mate held in such high regard. Royce’s beautiful royal blue surcoat with green accents was truly fitting of the gentle giant that no matter what was always there for family. Lance, whose dress uniform was gold and black, grinned and winked, letting her know even a trip to hell had not robbed him of his sense of humor. The bright blue with silver highlights of Maddox’s surcoat matched what Rian had shown her of his good friend and mentor’s true personality, not the grumpy exterior the old dragon showed the world. The flaming red of Drago’s uniform next to the bright golden yellow of Kayne’s finished the line of Guardsmen with a bang and flash. Standing together, they reminded her of flames.
The sound of boots on the sand came from the opposite direction of where the Guardsmen had entered. Turning in her chair, Audrey’s breath caught in her lungs as Rian appeared looking better than a dragon had a right to. She could do little more than stare. Her pulse raced. Her heart beat like thunder. Rian walked to his place beside the archway, holding her hostage with his hypnotic gaze.
After a few seconds of silence, Stefan, the Spiritual Elder of their clan and Rian’s uncle, began to speak. His voice rang out loud and clear across the sand and sea.
“Long ago, when knights and dragons fought side by side for King and country, it became apparent that dragon kin was no longer safe from those who would expose and destroy them. They sought to join with the knights who had so valiantly fought by their sides during so many battles. Thus, through magic and the will of both dragon and knight, the Dragon Shifters were born.
“In the infinite wisdom of our Founding Elders, clans were set up, one for each color of the Dragon Kings whose soul we carry within our own. Each assigned a region in which to make their home and to protect. Over time, some have flourished, some have ceased to exist, and others have been born from the joining of many. As the Spiritual Elder of the Blue Thunder Clan and uncle to Rian, it is an incredible honor to stand among those of not only my own clan, but also the Golden Fire Clan. We are brothers in blood, brothers in battle, and brothers in loyalty.
“We are here, in the place where it all began for these two lovers a hundred years ago. It is only fitting that where the seed was planted, so will it be sown. The earth has been long blessed by our ancestors that have gone before us. Every place we find the light of our soul is sacred. It is an honor to witness the power of what the Universe put into place at our inception. Tonight, under the light of the same moon that continued to bring these two souls together, we will acknowledge and bless the mating of Rian Alexander O’Reilly to the one the Universe made for him, Audrey Catherine Dobresou. Will those seeking to witness this union please step forward?”
Kellan then stood with his long dark hair covering the scarred side of his face and addressed the Elders. “We, the five of the Aherne Force of the Blue Thunder Clan, wish to witness and offer our blessing to one born of our blood and the mate of his heart. May their lives now and forever be a testament to all we hold dear…love, honor, and loyalty. As you are one, let your strength see you through many years and the children of your children’s children smile upon you.” He rejoined his Force when he was finished.
Royce then stepped forward and faced the Elders “We, the two present from the MacLendon Force of the Golden Fire Dragons, wish to witness and offer our blessing to the union of these two souls, two halves of the same whole. May they live long, fight hard, love harder, and produce many young to flourish when their souls have gone to the heavens. I ask this blessing for my brother and the mate of his soul.” He stepped back and bowed his head.
After the moment of silence following Royce’s blessing, Stefan again spoke. “Your witness and blessings have been acknowledged and accepted Aherne and MacLendon Forces. It is truly a blessed event to have two such honorable clans together. Rian O’Reilly, you may go to your mate. Please escort her to the Sacred Circle before the Elders assembled here.”
* * *
Rian stalked towards Audrey. His mind opened fully to hers. His emotions became her emotions, his thoughts her thoughts. She was his prey, and oh so very happy to be caught by this dragon warrior. He took the flowers from her hands, placed them on the seat beside her, and gently slid his fingers through hers. Slowly walking her back to the Elders, he filled her mind with images of all the ways he was going to make her his for eternity.
Once they were in place, Stefan spoke again, “The blue dragons were born of sea and sky. They are symbolic of the vastness of our existence and the infinity of our souls. They possess the ability to experience life from all aspects. They are highly protective and incredibly magical. Blue dragons are known for their patience and loyalty. The blue of their scales symbolizes the boundless sky and the deep calmness of the waters. Blue dragons will see every advantage, protect home and family with their very lives, and welcome the rising tide of change with calm acceptance. To mate a blue dragon is to accept all that they are and honor the power shared between mates.”
“Now is the time of the marking. May the Universe continue to bless you and yours all the days of your life.”
The Elders left the beach as the Guardsmen positioned wicker panels around the couple, giving them privacy where there had been none. In a flash, the dragons were gone and Audrey was alone with her mate.
Looking at the man she would give her life for, Audrey could only stare. Rian was magnificent in more ways than she could fathom. He smiled that smile that made her weak in the knees and she chuckled, knowing he’d heard her thoughts. It was a comfort she’d never expected to feel to know he felt exactly the same way. The longer they stared at one another, the deeper and darker his eyes became, until they glowed from within.
Rian lowered his mouth to hers, stopping just as their lips touched, and whispered, “Tá tú mo ghrá eternal. Ta’ mo chroi istigh ionat,” before capturing her lips with his.
