He helped me form the design that represented our journey to the stars, and then sealed it with one final twist that brought the knot together. “The celebration shared with our dread and loved ones.”
I finished my knot and clutched it to my chest as I smiled at my mate. “Thank you, my Raven.”
“You are one of us now, Eliel. This is your magic too.” He laid his hand over mine, holding the story-knot to me, and then leaned in to kiss me. When he eased back, he grinned. “Now, get up. We must get dressed and see that the completion of our knots holds true.” He stood up and held his hand down to me.
“The completion?” I took his hand and got to my feet. “Oh! You mean we have to celebrate now?”
Raven laughed as he fetched my clothing. “Yes, although I would say it's more something we want to do rather than have to.”
“Yes, I just meant because of our knots.” I tried to take my pants from him, but he knelt to help me into them.
“I know what you meant, Mate.” Raven finished dressing me, and then dared to try to dress himself.
“That's not fair!” I yanked his pants from him and knelt. “You dressed me. I get to dress you.”
Grinning, he stepped into the pants I held open for him. “Thank you, Mate.”
I stared up at him as I fastened his pants, and then slid my hands over his chest as I stood. “It's my pleasure.” I grinned back at him and took his tunic from him.
Raven bent so I could get the white leather tunic over his head, and then he pulled his hair free as I smoothed it over him. His belt came next, the leather heavily beaded, and his lava-glass blade hanging from it. I strapped it around his waist and then knelt once more. With one hand on my shoulder, the King lifted his foot for me to slip on his boot. I laced it, and then did the next. At last, I stood and smiled at my resplendent mate.
“Not a speck of gold on you,” I declared.
With a low, lusty growl, he closed the distance between us and pulled me into his arms. “Nor on you. We've done well, Mate.”
“Shall we make a spectacle of ourselves and show off our clean skin to our dread?” I played with the fringe on his chest.
“Just one more kiss.” Raven bent his head.
Chapter Forty-Two
Over twenty minutes later, the Dragon King and I emerged from our tent to join the celebration. My mate's “one more kiss” had turned into a feral round of rapid lovemaking with me on my hands and knees, and only our pants pushed down. It was a memory I would cherish forever, my mate's loss of control a source of pride for me that magnified my pleasure. But I was happy to leave the tent for a while. This was our celebration, and I wanted to be a part of it.
The festivities were getting wild. Everyone had a drink in hand, and many also had a companion. Sounds of lovemaking came from several tents. I lifted my brows at my mate.
“They add their love to ours.” Raven motioned at the tents. “It's a gift, my foundling.”
“A gift. Mmm-hmm.” I smirked. “It sounds as if they're enjoying our gifts.”
“They had better.” He took my hand and led me toward the sound of drumming. “I don't want any bad-fucking energy to taint our union.”
I burst out laughing and leaned into his side, curling a wing around him as we wove through the crowd and nodded atthe people who bowed to us. The night was lit with torches that added a sexy ambiance. Or maybe it just seemed sexy because of all the sex going on. Some people didn't have tents and simply found a dark place to make use of. Raven and I nearly stumbled over a couple writhing together on a blanket. He cleared his throat and pulled me away, but not before I saw the flash of turquoise eyes.
I gaped up at him and whispered, “Was that your—”
“She's your mother too.” He cut me off. Then his lips twitched.
We burst out laughing together.
“Your parents—I mean, our parents are naughty!” I declared.
“It's tradition.”
“But why don't they have a tent?”
“They probably do, but prefer the risk of being seen.” He chuckled.
“As I said, our parents are naughty!”
