Page 20 of Dragon Enchanted (Secret Kingdoms: The Draquonir #1)
EPILOGUE
I taly - King Ryker’s Estate
The estate was something out of a dream. Just like the wedding ring on her finger and the man with his arm draped over the back of her chair. The estate belonged to Vector’s family, the Draquonir family. She’d done a quick online search and nearly fainted. No one in the world knew what they really were, of course. Dragons. Immortal, shapeshifting, gorgeous freaking dragons.
What the world did know was that they were rich. Not just I own a couple skyscrapers in London, rich. Old money. Billions upon billions upon billions, according to the internet. Every male member of the family had countless paparazzi photos, rampant speculation about why there were so many highly sought after bachelors who refused to get married. God help the ladies of the world, every single one of them was freaking gorgeous. King Erik and his guardians, too.
Raven knew why. They couldn’t just see a girl, date her and fall in love. No. The dragon had to choose, and, according to her new sister-in-law, Katy, Raven was only the second human bride ever.
The dragons were dying. Giving up hope. Not because they didn’t have any females. In fact, a couple of them were on King Ryker’s personal guard, just as hopelessly single as the men. For some reason no one understood, the dragons had stopped finding mates, someone to share their dragonfire with.
Raven was staring at Ryker, wondering what his dragon looked like. Vector told her his brother’s dragon was black as night. Obsidian. She’d seen Erik and his silvery brilliance. Vector’s ruby red. Beautiful and so surreal.
Not for the first time in the last few weeks she wondered how the hell she’d ended up visiting Italy, married to a billionaire dragon with deadly, magical in-laws.
Life was unpredictable and slightly insane. She leaned into Vector’s shoulder and soaked in his heat. And perfect.
He leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “I love you, mate.”
She would never tire of hearing it. “I love you, too.”
“This place is amazing.” Raven smiled at Katy, wanting to be friends. They were, after all, sisters now. She’d never had a sister before. Or a mate totally, hopelessly, completely devoted to her. And to getting her naked and begging at every available opportunity. Not that she was complaining.
“We only come here on weekends. Ryker has a lot of work in the city.” Katy sighed and gave Ryker a look Raven knew all too well. Love. Devotion. Trust. “Although I do love flying out here.”
Ryker lifted her hand and placed a gentle kiss in the center of her palm. “Which is why we come.”
If Vector wasn’t lightly rubbing her back, Raven might be jealous. Hell, a few months ago she would have sold a kidney to get a love like that. Now she had it and still couldn’t quite believe it was real. Kind of like this fairy tale castle.
Set deep in the rolling hills of Italy, surrounded by centuries-old vineyards, the castle-like villa stood tall and timeless, its stone walls glowing gold in the sunset.
The air smelled like earth and wine, like sun-warmed grapes and aged oak barrels, with the occasional crisp scent of dragonfire, of magic, sparked around them.
Because Vector and his brother weren’t the only dragons nearby.
Not by a long shot.
The massive outdoor table stretched across the stone courtyard, lined with elegant lanterns, overlooking the vineyard.
And every seat was filled.
At Vector’s right sat his brother, Ryker, who was—somehow—his complete opposite. Where Vector was emerald eyes, white hair and red fire, Ryker was darkness and night—raven-black hair, piercing dark eyes, an air of sharp, lethal arrogance that reminded her more of a predator than a noble king.
And yet?—
The moment his mate, Katy, nudged him playfully in the ribs, Ryker grumbled, sighed, and kissed her temple with the most reluctant affection Raven had ever seen.
Raven smirked.
So, the terrifying, brooding dragon lord was completely whipped.
Noted.
At the other end of the table, Erik and several of his guardians sat together, their presence imposing, their movements sharp and precise, the weight of their power undeniable.
Across from them, Alrik sat in eerie silence, sipping wine, his black hair gleaming under the torches, his haunted eyes constantly flicking to the edges of the courtyard, where more guardians---more dragons —stood guard in the shadows.
Because even here, in paradise, they weren’t safe.
The Guild had been defeated decades ago. Or so the dragons had believed. But the battle in Scotland had proven that the war was far from over. And Raven had learned the dragons were kings because they didn’t just rule their own clans, but all the supernatural races, beings she’d believed were nothing more than myth. Werewolves. Elves, dark—like Alrik, and light. Although she hadn’t met one of them yet. Vampires. Fairies. Witches and mermaids. Everything. It was all real. All secret.
She’d also found out that if she’d rejected Vector, Alrik would have followed Draquonir law and executed her to keep their secret. Humans weren’t allowed to know. That was their law, one of the ways they protected themselves—and the humans—from things getting too messy. The law was enforced brutally and without exception. That fancy sword Alrik had attached to his hip would have been used to remove her head.
Raven’s fingers tightened around her wine glass. She hadn’t quite forgiven him for that, yet. Rude.
“Did you know, Ryker?” Erik asked, his deep voice cutting through the night. “That The Guild had rebuilt its power base?”
“No,” Ryker admitted, dark eyes narrowing. “We thought they were finished.”
“As did we. They have been quiet a long time,” Alrik murmured, his voice calm, but laced with something colder. “We destroyed one of their strongholds. They have been revealed. They will retaliate.”
The table fell silent.
Raven’s heart thudded.
Retaliate?
Vector’s hand found hers beneath the table.
A warm spark of dragonfire raced up her arm, curling through her veins, soothing her. Her breath eased. She turned to look at him—her mate, her love, her forever.
Green eyes glowing, watching her with an intensity that stole her breath.
It didn’t matter what came next. It didn’t matter who they would have to fight.
She had this moment. This peace, this love, this life.
Her heart swelled, full to the brim with happiness, with bliss, with something too vast to name.
She lifted her wine glass and smiled. Let them come. She had every confidence in her mate and his family. In their future. No matter what happened, she was exactly where she was meant to be. At his side. Part of him.
Forever.