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Rimi bounced in place as the large bronze dragon circled and landed. Accompanying him was a blue dragon who carried a slight woman on his back. Keres had explained to her that Oldrik and Ardon shared a mate.

“Oldrik!” She raced forward to greet her brother and meet those special to him. His dragon was magnificent. So much different from the dragon he’d turned into the first time.

In a flash, he shifted and ran forward. To her dismay, he stopped a few feet short of her and held out a warning hand. “I would love to hug you, sister, but I do not wish to cause you pain.”

“Pain? Why would you hurt me?” Rimi asked, completely confused by his actions.

Keres reassured her, “Rimi, I should have explained. A new mate bond protects the couple by discouraging contact with others. It also causes pain when you range too far from your shifter.”

“Were you struck with pain when you ran to greet me?” Oldrik asked .

“No. I didn’t feel anything but excitement to meet you,” Rimi told him, bewildered.

“Perhaps because you’re a dragon, things are different for you. Let’s try this.” Oldrik stepped forward to hug Rimi and stopped in his tracks when a vicious, low growl rumbled from Keres’s throat.

Laughing, Oldrik commented, “Looks like things are different for you, Rimi, but Keres needs you to stay away from me for a while.”

“Or forever,” Keres suggested.

Rimi shook her head and turned back to her brother. “My goodness, you have grown up. Your dragon is huge!”

“And you are as lovely as always. Have you been okay? I didn’t want to leave you alone.”

“You had to, Oldrik. You would have endangered me more if you’d stayed with me.

One dragon might succeed at hiding their presence.

Two would never have survived. Besides, you had a horde and mates waiting for you.

” Rimi honestly didn’t harbor any resentment toward her twin.

The ways of their species weren’t his responsibility.

“Thank you, Rimi. I’m glad fate has brought us together again.”

Oldrik sniffed the air around her. His gaze locked with hers. Her twin had always been perceptive. Say nothing, please.

He nodded subtly. “Let me introduce you to my mate and my bonus.” Oldrik turned to smile at the willowy blonde who approached. He held out his hand and tugged her close.

Rimi could feel love arching between the couple as well as the other shifter who approached. Keres had referred to them as a triad.

“This is Skye and Ardon.”

“Hi. It’s great to meet you both.” To her dismay, Rimi heard her voice tremble.

Standing out in the open and meeting people scared her.

She’d hidden for too many years away from everyone.

Suddenly, this was too much for her. Keres wrapped a protective arm around her waist. She knew he would save her from any threat.

“We will go inside,” Skye announced and stepped away from Oldrik to walk next to Rimi.

Giving Skye a glance of bone-deep gratitude, Rimi tried to walk at a normal pace when she really wanted to flee. Why had she dashed so far away from the house to meet Oldrik?

“We can run if you’d like,” Skye told her.

“I need to learn that I’m safe now. I’m sorry. You may not—not know what’s—what’s wrong with me,” Rimi stammered.

“Everyone has something wrong with them,” Skye reassured her simply, and then gave her an assessing look. Can you hear me?

Yes. You are easy to understand. How can you talk to someone other than your mate?

Keres was the first dragon I met. He could hear me, too.

I think she loves dragons so much, she can talk to everyone, Keres stated, obviously fond of the petite mate.

Rimi didn’t like that.

It’s easier for me to talk through thoughts. Keres was the first person to answer me. Skye explained. I drew a picture of him. He put it up somewhere.

It is in my office. Let’s go there to talk and Rimi can see it.

Deciding to keep an eye on this other mate in case she had designs on Keres, too, Rimi followed her mate into his office.

Keres waved his guests into the comfortable seating area by the windows.

Oldrik and Ardon selected a wide sofa and Skye climbed on Oldrik’s lap to snuggle against his chest. The move was natural and practiced.

Watching them together, Rimi’s suspicions of Skye being out to steal her mate evaporated.

Keres sat in an oversized armchair and scooped Rimi onto his lap. Still rattled by the outside incident, she appreciated sitting in the circle of his powerful arms. Her mate’s closeness soothed and reassured her. Skye must feel the same way.

“Did you sense you were mates instantly?” Ardon asked.

“She tried to chop my head off,” Keres said easily. “Then she dropped an entire mountain of rocks on top of me.”

“I did not!” Rimi said, shaking her finger at him. When he quirked an eyebrow at her, she admitted, “Okay, I released that blade to protect myself.”

Good for you, Skye cheered her on.

“Thank you. And the rocks came from him burying us alive to keep two marauding dragons out of the cave,” Rimi explained.

“And it collapsed as you dug your way out?” Ardon guessed.

“Exactly,” Rimi answered before muttering, “I dropped rocks on your head.”

“A slight exaggeration, perhaps,” Keres admitted. “We both felt the bombshell when we touched.”

Did I see you both have mate marks? Skye asked, holding up her hand to display the dragon on her skin.

“We do. Is that unusual?” Rimi asked.

“I’ve never seen a mate mark on a dragon. Only on a human,” Oldrik told her. “Perhaps because you’re both dragons?”

“Who knows?” Keres said, shrugging. He’d already told Rimi he didn’t care whether they were the only mated dragons in the world. She loved that he simply cared about her.

You love him.

Rimi’s gaze ricocheted from Skye to Keres, who described his journey to the other shifters.

They can’t hear me. Only you, Skye reassured her. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you .

I haven’t told him yet.

Do you think your feelings will change?

No. Never.

Skye beamed at her. I’m glad Keres found you, Rimi. He needed love.

So did I, Rimi admitted.

My picture of Keres is on the wall behind Keres’s desk.

Rimi slid off Keres’s lap and walked closer. It was an astonishing piece of art. Her mate was majestic in his powerful dragon form, yet Skye had woven a sad note skillfully into the design. She had realized Keres’s time was limited as she crafted the portrait. Tears gathered in Rimi’s eyes.

Would you let me draw you together in dragon form to replace that one? He’s not alone anymore.

Turning to meet Skye’s gaze, Rimi nodded. I would like that. It may take me a while to become comfortable outside, Rimi warned.

I bet Keres can empty a ballroom or something.

I bet you’re right.

In unison, the two women turned to stare at the dragons lounging together. Ardon noticed them watching.

“Do I need to get a sketchpad from home?” he asked.

Yes, please. Oldrik and Keres can clear out a room while you’re gone, Skye announced.

“Anyone want to bet he won’t get back until we’ve moved a thousand pieces of furniture?” Oldrik joked.

“Oh, I’ll make sure that happens,” Ardon said and chuckled as he walked to the door.

Rimi wrapped her arms around herself as she looked between those filling Keres’s office. She was welcome here. Keres stood and hugged her tightly.

“Come, Snowflake. Skye will probably like the library. It is very spacious without the furniture,” he suggested .

Do you have a cave? Maybe one with glowing light?

Keres met her gaze and smiled. I think I have exactly what you’re imagining, Skye.