Chapter 22
Blaze wanted to go back to Arena, take her back to bed, and claim her fully. His inner dragon demanded it of him. However, he had a responsibility to his clan to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Once that was done, his priority would be Arena.
After last night, there was no doubt in his mind that she was his true mate. His feelings for her had never gone away in all that time apart. Now he knew without a doubt that he was in love with her. The question was, did she love him?
He knew that she desired him. Her kisses and the way she touched him left no doubt about that aspect. However, sexual compatibility did not equate love. Their dragons recognized one another as mates. That was something neither of them could deny because both their dragons tried to break out multiple times. Their gold glowing eyes had been evidence enough of that.
Arena may not want to claim someone like him, with no official title or wealth to offer her. How would her clan react to him? Would they think badly of them because he was Zocor’s bastard son and Arena was mated to Zocor? What if they didn’t accept him as Arena’s mate? If she had to choose between him and her people, would she chose him? Would he allow her to give up her rule? He would never do anything that would harm Arena. But could he give her up for her own good?
“You look like you’re in deep thought,” a voice said beside him.
He had stopped walking and was leaning against the railing in front of the barn. The male speaking to him was General Rainier. “Good day, General.”
“Would you like to take a flight?” Rainier asked, pointing to the sky.
“Won’t the humans see us?”
“It’s a very cloudy day, and we are far from the nearest town. As long as we stay over the ranch land, we should be fine.”
“Sounds great.”
He followed Rainier into the barn. Rainier stopped when he reached the last stall to take his clothes off. Blaze followed suit. Minutes later he was in the sky, the cool wind flowing over his scales and his dragon exulting in the sense of freedom. This was exactly what he needed to clear his mind.
*****
Arena couldn’t stop smiling. She walked along an open field that overlooked the mountains. Happiness filled her. There was no doubt in her mind that Blaze was her true mate. Her dragon had been pushing to claim him, which surprised her. It wasn’t unusual for Drakonian females to want to claim their males but true mates were rare and therefore females claiming mates became infrequent over time. Her dragon was roaring to go but she wanted to make sure that he felt the same.
All these many, many years, she had been longing for and mourning the loss of Blaze. Not that she hadn’t loved and mourned Zocor. But Blaze had been her unrequited love. Before she could never have conceived claiming him as hers but Zocor had been gone from her life for many centuries and Blaze was back. It was a miracle, and one she would not turn her back on.
She did have concerns about how her people would receive Blaze. No one knew who he was, which may be the easiest way to introduce him but it wasn’t the right way. Blaze, as Zocor’s only son, was the true heir. It was his birthright and she would make sure to do right by him for both Blaze and Zocor’s sake. Her last gift to Zocor would be to restore his heir to rule over his people.
She took out her phone and dialed Dax’s number selecting the video chat. He answered on the second ring and his face appeared on screen.
“My queen, how are things going there?”
“Wonderful.”
“Were any of our people among the newcomers?”
“Yes, in fact, I have the most unexpected but amazing discovery. Zocor’s son is alive.”
“King Zocor did not have any dragonlets.”
“He did. His name is Blaze. Zocor and Blaze’s mother had an encounter that resulted in a dragonlet, long before I was mated to Zocor.”
“Why was this never known?”
“Zocor did not know about the dragonlet until much later in his life. By that time, he had mated with me and he thought it would dishonor me to claim Blaze.”
“Well, that should be welcome news for those who have greatly missed King Zocor. We will give him a special welcoming banquet.”
“I want to do more than that. I want to give him what is rightfully his — the power to rule.”
“That’s preposterous! We don’t know this male. Is he qualified to lead? We won’t give you up.”
“This is the right thing to do. Zocor would want it.”
“No offense my queen, but Zocor has been long gone from our people. We all recognize you as our rightful leader.”
