Her eyes widened as she looked at the necklace, then back to me. “It’s beautiful.”
“May I?” I gestured toward her neck.
She nodded and turned as I unclasped the necklace, bringing it around her neck. My fingers brushed against her skin as I secured the clasp, and I felt her shiver slightly.
When she turned back to face me, the diamond rested perfectly on her chest.
“How does it look?” Her fingers came up to touch the stone.
“Perfect,” I breathed, unable to take my eyes off her. “Like it was made for you.”
She smiled. “Thank you.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine, a gentle kiss that quickly deepened. When she pulled back, her eyes were bright, and the smile on her face made my dragon rumble with satisfaction.
“I love it.” She paused and took a deep breath. “I’m really happy I’m here. With you.”
Those simple words resonated through me, and my dragon went completely still. I’d been waiting my whole life for her, and now here she was, this remarkable woman who somehow fit perfectly into the empty spaces of my existence.
There were a thousand things I wanted to tell her—how seeing her smile made all the years waiting worthwhile, how the way she tucked her hair behind her ear fascinated me, how finding her had filled a void I hadn't even realized was there.
The words gathered in my throat like treasure I wasn’t ready to display. But we had time.
We had the rest of our lives.
Chapter 29
Liz
Ifinished washing the last dish and handed it to Reese. The kitchen felt quieter than usual, or maybe I was just more aware of the silence. Outside, I could hear the guys talking under the awning, the low rumble of their voices occasionally broken by laughter.
Reese took the dish from me. “So, are you ready for tonight?”
I dried my hands on a dish towel and leaned against the counter. “I think so, but I don’t really know what to expect.”
“It’s kind of like a dragon wedding ceremony. And then sex afterward.”
“Cave sex?” I couldn’t help the skeptical tone in my voice. “My knees and back aren’t what they used to be. I don’t know if I’m built for that.”
Reese laughed. “Don’t worry. They set up blankets, pillows, the works. It’s really cute how they take care of their mates.”
I glanced out the window. Lucan caught my eye and smiled. It had only been a few days since he’d marked me as his, but somehow it already felt like the most natural thing in the world.
My eyes went to the fully extended awning. “Do you think the awning is sentient?”
“I think it’s possessed. It seems to only work properly when someone is moving out.” She gave me an expectant look.
“How long was it before you moved in with Kade?” I didn’t know if there was a dragon relationship rulebook I was supposed to be following.
“Pretty much immediately. Once the bond is there, being apart feels like something is missing.” She sighed, her smile turning wistful. “I showed up here swearing off men, and the next thing I know, I practically fell into his arms.”
“I’ve wanted to move in with him since he’d marked me, but I wasn’t sure how to ask. Or if it’s too soon.” I twisted the dish towel between my fingers. “Is that crazy? We’ve known each other for what, a few weeks?”
“With the bond, time works differently. When they know, they know. I’m sure he wanted you to move in the second he knew you were his.”
Lucan stepped into the RV at that exact moment. “You would be correct.”
“And that’s my cue.” Reese squeezed my arm as she passed. “You’ll do great tonight.”
The door closed behind her, and Lucan moved closer, his presence filling the space. “My home has felt empty without you in it.”
