For Sam, the moment was completely life-changing. There were three dragons standing in the garden where men had been.
Sam’s pragmatic side - remember the side that paid the bills and knew exactly how the world worked – that shattered completely. Dragons were real, and Sam could actually see they were real, because they were right there in front of him.
His romantic side, the part that wrote about fated mates and paranormal love, and impossible happy endings, was doing backflips, cartwheels, and a full gymnastic routine.I was right.
“Oh, my gods,” Sam whispered. All three dragons watched him patiently, waiting and letting him process.
His legs moving before his brain fully engaged, Sam walked across the lawn toward them. The rational part of his mind screamed that it could bedangerous, that dragons were known predators –Look at those teeth!
But the heart stones were still glowing, embedded in each massive chest, still pulsing in flawless synchronization.
Sam approached Urien’s dragon form first, maybe because Urien had been the gentlest with him. The dragon lowered his enormous head, bringing his face level with Sam’s. Being so close, Sam could see the individual scales, each one precisely formed, overlapping like armor. He could see the intelligence in those blazing blue eyes and knew without a doubt those were Urien’s eyes.
His hand shook as Sam reached out. The scales were warm beneath his palm and surprisingly smooth, although they did have a slight texture to them.
“You’re real,” Sam whispered. “You’re really real.”
Urien made a sound - a deep rumble that started in his chest and vibrated through the ground beneath Sam’sfeet. It wasn’t a growl – if anything, it was like an enormous, earth-shaking purr. The sort of purr Basil would be totally jealous of if he ever heard it.
Mabon’s dragon echoed it, then Rux joined in, until all three of them were purring like the world’s most terrifying cats.
Sam laughed. He couldn’t help it, but after what Basil had done to the three men… “You’re giant scaly death machines, and you’re actually purring.”
Urien’s eyes crinkled at the corners as if he was smiling.
Sam moved his hand along the scales, marveling at the warmth and texture. “You’re beautiful. You’re all beautiful.”
His brain was still struggling to comprehend, but Sam’s heart was singing. The three incredible dragons had chosen him – because of who he was, and no other reason. They had chosen him.
Choosing them back meant choosing everything that came with it – Sam knew that wouldn’t be easy. There was likely danger, and the Council laws Mabon had mentioned, the probability of outliving everyone he knew if he accepted the bond, and the sheer impossibility of explaining his relationship to Maya or Emma or anyone in his normal human life. It meant stepping off the edge of everything safe and familiar and trusting that three dragons would catch him. Sam wanted to take that step so badly.
“My cat tried to murder you,” he said suddenly. “Basil tried to kill you because he knew you weren’t human.”
Mabon’s dragon nodded, a distinctly human gesture that looked bizarre coming from a creature with a head the size of a car.
“He was protecting me.” Sam’s voice softened. “From dragons.”
All three of them lowered their heads, like they were ashamed.
“No,” Sam said quickly. “No, I’m not…I’m glad he’s protective. But you’re not dangerous, not to me.” He paused. “Are you?”
Three heads shook in unison. The movement was so synchronized that Sam laughed again.
“The gifts,” Sam said, his mind racing to catch up. “The gold bar. That was from your hoard.”
Rux’s dragon nodded enthusiastically.
“Dragons hoard precious things.” Sam looked at each of them. “And you gave me part of yours.”
Another round of nods.
“Because I’m your Treasure.”
The purring intensified until Sam could feel it in his bones.
Sam walked to Mabon next, reaching up to touch the dark scales. They were cooler than Urien’s and as smooth as obsidian. “You tried to buy the coffee shop because you wanted to give me security. To make sure I’d be taken care of.”
Mabon’s dragon made a soft whimpering sound.
