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When he settled, he shook his body while his wings folded neatly against his sides once more.

“Do I have any naysayers?” He narrowed his eyes in a silent challenge.

“Who am I to disagree with something ancient?” Aneirin sighed before sitting, as though he couldn’t care less.

“Although I do not necessarily approve, I will not disagree with you,” Eridile answered before he sat as well.

“I still do not approve, and I will make that known.” Kelherian turned his head to the side with an irritated huff and refused to sit.

The last person standing was Nayana the Loathsome. She just stood there on all fours and glared.

“You can stand all day, Mother, but the trial has ruled in my favour,” Geryon bit, taking her stare head on like a challenge.

As soon as he called her his mother, Valerie realised they looked so similar she should have seen it earlier.

“I am merely disappointed that two of my sons have chosen Witches as mates.” Her eyes trailed over them to see past their shoulders. “Rurik was a special case, but he has achieved so much greatness to have what he wants. As always,youhave chosen to be a thorn in my side.”

She is Rurik’s mother as well as Geryon’s... That means...Horrified, Valerie covered her face to hide it.I walked to his brother’s lair covered in the evidence of the night we shared and asked him to kill me.

No wonder he said no. What were the chances?

Geryon looked up towards Faerydae still standing over them. He gave him a grin, the same cocky one he usually wore.

“Yes, but it does appear the gods and spirits are on my side, as always. I have never cared what you think, and I will not start doing so now.” He looked down to Nayana as Valerie felt herself lifted from the ground by his curling tail. He made her face Nayana, who bared her sharp fangs at her. “This is the female I have chosen, and if you do not sit, you will not see either of us again.”

“Geryon...” Valerie whispered.

Her words were cut short by him snapping his jaws in her direction to quiet her. She immediately shut her lips at the sharp, disturbing sound.

With a huff, Nayana sat, unhappy with his ultimatum.She does not want him to disappear from her life completely.

“So, it is decided then,” Faerydae said, his wings lifting in triumph when his chest puffed out proudly. “If Valerie agrees to the claiming, then Geryon the ShadowHunter may take her.”

“Ifshe agrees?” Geryon asked, tilting his head to the side.

The ethereal Dragon turned his head to him with a warm chuckle.

“Just because she cares for you right now does not mean she may want to be bonded to you for eternity. You still have much work to do.”

“You are jesting, right?”

“Do I look like I am one to joke, boy?” He snapped his head to her. “He is overconfident, is he not? Are you sure you would not prefer flames, to join me?”

“I am sure,” she answered, much preferring the new path laid out for her.

I can live, and Faerydae does not believe I will turn.To know that warmed her heart more than it ever had been. She peeked over at Geryon.I can live with this big, idiotic Dragon if I wish to.

Nothing was set in stone, but it meant Valerie was absolutely free. She no longer had a reason to fear for her future.

Faerydae nodded his head at her and turned to the Elders, making sure they all agreed.

In the background, Geryon lifted her so she was closer to his face and they could speak quietly. “He was joking, right? I did risk my wings being ripped from me to save you this day.”

Valerie folded her arms and turned her head away. “I did not ask you to save me.”

“Incredible.” He shuddered. Then, to her abject horror, he drew his tongue over the side of her arm and face. “You sure do like to be difficult.”

Valerie made ablerghface as she wiped his saliva away.Disgusting! He licked me!