Page 19 of Must Love Dragons (Sable Cove #4)

Note to Self: Coming home is the best feeling in the world.

At the end of the week spent in Ashwood Hollow, Kinsley and Zay packed their things, got into his truck, and headed to Sable Cove.

It was a long but peaceful drive, and she got to enjoy the beautiful scenery as they talked about their plans for the future.

Zay’s truck led the way while his clan followed in their vehicles.

The sight of them in the rearview filled her with warmth.

The dragons, who’d lost so much, had chosen to start fresh in Sable Cove, their new home.

They didn’t have to be afraid of discovery. They would keep each other safe. Dragons, witches, a vampire, and a fallen angel, would look out for each other.

Nysa stretched lazily on the seat between them, letting out a purr.

Kinsley scratched Nysa’s head and smiled.

“We’re almost there,” Zay said.

“I can’t believe how much has changed in a week,” she said. “Or really how much has changed since you and I met.”

“Yep, you had one grumpy dragon to deal with. Thankfully I came to my senses and realized what a fantastic person you are.”

“You’re pretty fantastic too.”

When they pulled into the rescue’s driveway that afternoon, the familiar sight of the rescue filled her with warmth.

She’d really missed the animals and being with Delaney.

She would have lived in Ashwood Hollow if that’s what Zay wanted because she’d go anywhere with him, but she was deeply thankful he wanted to be in Sable Cove.

Delaney opened the back door and waved.

Kinsley hopped out, letting Nysa out before closing the door. They met on the steps of the back porch and hugged. “I missed you,” Kinsley said.

“I missed you too. How was the trip?”

“Long but beautiful, the scenery is gorgeous along the coast.”

“I bet. Brody is still sleeping, but I couldn’t wait to see you. I can’t believe you guys are all moving here, it’s amazing! Oh, Hadlee said that the dragons can definitely have her house for as long as they need. She can stay with us when she and Anders come for a visit.”

“Thanks for reaching out, I appreciate it.”

“How was your dragon clan feast?” Delaney asked.

“It was very cool.” The dragons had thrown them a big party to celebrate their mating. Along with a kitchen full of delicious food, they’d spent the entire day packing up the house and the bookstore, planning to make trips in the future to bring everything down to a storage unit for the time being.

Zay and the other dragons joined them, and Delaney said, “Oh by the way! Brody said to tell you that the land next to the rescue would be a great location for a bookstore. There’s enough space on the property for homes, too. It could be a compound where we all live close to each other.”

“That would be so cool,” Lyra said. “It’s great just being able to walk to work.”

Zay nodded. “That was a nice perk.”

They walked the property, the dragons talking excitedly about the land that belonged to the coven and what it might look like to build a bookstore and homes on it.

She stood with Delaney as Zay and Ronan moved their arms dramatically as they talked about building. Zay was pretty dang adorable.

Delaney put her arm around Kinsley. “I’m so happy you’re here, babe. I was worried our coven was going to be split entirely. With Hadlee gone most of the time, it already feels so small.”

“Truthfully, I would have left if it was what Zay wanted. But I would have missed you dearly. When we have kids, they’ll fill up the spaces in our coven, and then when Hadlee joins us for the big ceremonies, our coven will be even larger.”

“It’ll be epic.”

She’d imagined her future would entail finding a mate and staying in Sable Cove to watch over the familiars in need of adoption. When she’d met Zay, she hadn’t known if the future she’d envisioned would come true, because he’d infuriated her with his grumpy, stubborn nature.

And then she’d fallen head over heels for him.

She just hadn’t told him yet.

But she thought tonight she would.

It seemed like the perfect night to tell him that she was crazy about him.

“You know what?” Delaney asked.

“What?”

“I love your new family and friends, and I’m looking forward to what the future looks like with them in it. Sable Cove just got a lot safer.”

“Indeed.”

Zay waved them over and they moved across the yard to listen to them talk about thoughts for a bookstore and homes.

Delaney paused and turned with a soft gasp.

“What’s wrong?” Kinsley asked. And then she felt it. Something magical was in the woods.

“What’s going on?” Zay asked.

“Something…oh my gosh it’s a familiar,” Kinsley said, her hands lifting to her mouth in surprise.

A young raccoon toddled out of the woods and headed for them, eyes glowing gold with magic. It raced right to Delaney, who had a talent with familiars, and scurried into her arms.

“What a freaking cute fluffball!” Delaney said. “Oh, where did you come from?”

Kinsley put her hand on the little raccoon’s head and closed her eyes, merging her magic with Delaney’s, as they did with each new familiar that came into their lives.

“He’s never had a master,” Delaney said.

Kinsley opened her eyes. They’d seen little bits of the raccoon’s life, the young male had been searching for people to help him find a master and had followed his senses to them.

The dragons came over to meet him. He squeaked and purred, his little fingers wrapped around Delaney’s hair as he watched everyone.

“Let’s get him some food and a bath,” Delaney said. “Then we’ll figure out a name for him.”

“How freaking cute,” Sierra said. “What a doll.”

“Ken,” Lyra said.

“Ken what?” Kinsley asked.

“Ken. Like the doll.”

“Oh, we could call him Kenny,” Delaney said. She looked at the raccoon and said, “What do you think? Are you a Kenny?”

He squeaked loudly, his eyes glowing brighter for a moment.

“I think he likes it,” Kinsley said with a laugh. She turned to Zay. “I’m going to give her a hand.”

“I’ll go with the clan to the houses so they can unpack, and then I’ll join you.”

She gave him a kiss. “Sounds good. See you in a bit.”

He nodded and walked away with this clan, and she hurried into the rescue to join her friend.

“This next chapter of my life is going to be pretty entertaining,” Kinsley said as she walked in and greeted the familiars, Nysa making herself right at home on the desk.

“Right? You never know what’s going to happen in Sable Cove,” Delaney said.

* * *

That night, Zay and Kinsley sat on a wooden swing on her back porch, wrapped in a thick blanket. The night sky was impossibly dark and filled with stars, and while it was chilly, they were plenty warm pressed together under the blanket.

Nysa had claimed a spot on Kinsley’s lap.

Zay’s dragon purred contentedly.

On either side of Kinsley’s home— no, it was their home now— his family and clan members had split up and were settled, Lyra and Sierra in one and Ronan and Rorik in the other.

“This is perfect,” Kinsley said with a low voice. She snuggled closer to him and he kissed the top of her head.

“It really is. Because of you.”

He couldn’t believe that not too long ago, he’d been angry and stressed, worrying that his people would be discovered. Now he had his mate by his side, his family was safe, and they were carving out a new life in Sable Cove.

Turned out that getting blasted by that warlock and nearly dying was the best thing that ever happened to him.

They’d also both gotten the mating tattoos, she’d chosen to get the clan’s creed symbols on the inside of her wrist along with his name in a delicate script.

He’d been so surprised when she’d offered to get the tattoos.

She didn’t offer to do it because she was supposed to, but because she wanted to. He loved seeing his name on her wrist.

As much as he loved her name on his back.

And eventually, their kids’ names too.

He couldn’t wait.

His heart kicked hard against his ribs as his dragon let out a trilling purr in his head. Could this moment be any more perfect?

“Kinsley,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

She shifted in his arms so she could look at him, her eyes luminous in the dim light.

He cupped her face and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “I love you.”

She let out a soft sigh and smiled, wrapping her hand around his wrist. “I love you too.”

He captured her lips in a kiss, soft and unhurried, but filled with promises of things to come. When they finally pulled apart, she settled back against him, her hand still in his, his thumb now grazing the tattoo on her wrist.

Love. Family. Loyalty.

The creed that had been part of his clan for generations now meant so much more to him. He hadn’t loved anyone before he loved Kinsely. She was his whole world.

His dragon’s treasure.

* * *

Thanks so much for reading Must Love Dragons !

I hope you enjoyed this fiery romance between a powerful dragon shifter and a fierce witch. The next book in the Sable Cove series will be out in 2026.