“I promise you that we will be just as naughty at the next dread celebration.”
“Oh, no, we are not!”
He grinned wickedly.
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing and focused on the drumming circle we were approaching.
Raven leaned in to whisper in my ear, “You know you want to be naughty. Shall we start tonight? I see a nice dark spot between those two tents.”
I shoved playfully at his chest, but then I looked at the spot in consideration.
The Dragon King laughed boisterously.
People turned to look at us and then bowed or offered their blessing to our mating. They made a path for us to approach the drumming circle. A huge group of Dragons that included several of Raven's knights formed the circle, all sitting cross-legged, facing inward. They were taking turns, pounding the taut hides strung across rings of wood until they tired and passed the drum to another Dragon waiting nearby. I wasn't sure if it was so that everyone got a chance to drum or so that everyone got a chance to enjoy the party. Maybe both. In the center of the drumming circle, people danced around a bonfire, moving around it clockwise.
“Dad?” I murmured as I stepped closer to the ring of drummers to stare at the circling dancers.
Sure enough, both of my parents were dancing around the flames, wings moving through traditional Lelurra patterns to meld our cultural dances with those of the Dragons.
“At least they're not having sex in public,” I muttered.
“Shall we?” Raven took my hand and led me to a passage between the drummers.
“I haven't danced in years.” I tried to draw back, but he kept tugging on my hand until I gave in.
“I imagine it's like flying.” He eased me to the edge of the dancers. “I'll help you.”
Focusing on his stare, I felt confidence infuse me. Raven would always be there to help me through anything, big or small. And I would be there for him as well.
“All right, Mate. I trust you.” I let him ease us into the throng.
It wasn't the sort of dance you do with a partner. There was no gripping Raven's shoulder or following his lead with his hand on my waist. We held hands and danced, facing and moving forward. The drums took us, and my feet moved in the ancient ways of my people, my wings bending into poses that expressed my joy. The pounding surged through me, going into the earth to ground my happiness and up to the sky with the wind of my wings to cast my hope into the future. Dancing would have been easier if we had let go of each other. But we didn't do that. We would never do that.
As we made a round, Raven's naughty parents—mine now—entered the dancing and came up behind us. Ahead of us were my parents, and we moved so that the six of us formed a familial unit. I felt embraced by their love, buoyed up to the Gods in gratitude and happiness. I started to sing, but it was more of a chant, made to match the drums.
“Hear me fire,
hear me ground.
I flew through a storm,
I stand on sacred stone.
I am still a child of air,
but I am not alone.”
My parents joined in, and then several more Lelurra voices lifted to add to the music. Many people from my tribe had come to Ahanu with my parents, most for me, but some had also come to be reunited with Kisa. I glimpsed her standing just beyond the drummers, several Lelurra men around her, all with their wings lifted protectively. She'd be going home after the celebration, and I knew she'd be all right. As if she felt my attention on her, Kisa met my gaze, waved, and added her voice to mine. Yes, she'd be just fine.
The Dragons picked up the chorus, and thousands of voices rose to vibrate through the night, stirring the magic that wasn't meant to be magic. All those people were there for the Dragon King and me. They sang for us. And that had power. I felt the spell form around me, binding me not just to my mate, but also to the people who loved and supported us. Our family and dread. The musical magic spread out from the palace and rippled over the kingdom.
“Same fire,
Same breath,
Same stone.
We are bound.”
