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Never in her wildest dreams had Melora imagined that her life could be so wonderful.

Nerissa curled her sister’s hair while chatting happily away as she helped Melora get ready for her one year wedding anniversary. “Aurie is going to be so enchanted—as if he isn’t already.” She giggled.

It was comforting to finally see her sister so cheerful and relaxed. Papa had sucked the joy right out of their lives. Melora scowled at the memories. But no longer would they have to wash extra laundry and hide their money to make ends meet.No longer would they have to spend their days in fear.

After the attack, Aurie and Galen had taken Papa into town and turned him over to the bailiff. They discovered that without Sir Calix’s wealth, Papa’s debts had been too high, and he was facing prison even without the added charges of assault. His creditors had been threatening him for months, but instead of changing his ways, Papa had tried to use his daughters to solve his problems. No longer. Now he would have to face the consequences of his actions on his own.

A knock sounded on the bedroom door, bringing Melora back to the present.

“Are you nearly ready?” a warm female voice called. “Your husband is growing quite impatient, though I daresay a lesson in patience wouldn’t hurt him.” Melora smiled her heart warming as she invited her mother-in-law in.

Sunniva bustled in oohing and ahhhing over Melora and helping Nerissa with the final touches. She’d almost immediately become the mother the girls had never had. “Oh Melora, you look quite the vision. I’m certain Aurie won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” She added a gold rose, one of the few that remained, those pieces Aurie had given out of love—to Melora’s hair and clapped her hands in delight. “There now, you’re perfect. And he’ll be even more thrilled with the news!”

“News?” Nerissa asked, looking quite puzzled. She looked back and forth between them. “What news? Mel, what aren’t you telling me?”

Melora’s eyes were wide, her cheeks warm. “How… how do you know? I haven’t told anyone.”

“You have a certain glow about you. Mothers know these things. I only needed to take one look at you to confirm what I was already sure of.” She glanced meaningfully at the hand Melora had unconsciously been rubbing against her flat stomach. “Besides, Lyra said you’ve been nauseous and recently saw a healer who’d left you grinning.” She clasped her hands under her chin with a happy expression. “Aurie will be so delighted.”

“I’ll have to have a word with Lyra,” Melora said firmly, though her smile betrayed her.

“Are you saying Mel is pregnant?” Nerissa’s eyes were wide as she looked at Melora, positively bubbling with excitement.

Melora’s lips twitched, still smiling. “Don’t you think I should tell my husband first?”

Nerissa’s jaw dropped. “ That’s why you wanted to plan this whole evening!” Then she squealed and bounced on the heels of her feet. “I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt!” She did a little dance. “Valhalla! You need to tell Aurie! You look perfect. Let’s get you out of here.” Nerissa squeezed her again, then nearly dragged her out the door.

Melora laughed at her sister’s gleeful behavior, allowing herself to be pulled down the hall. As Nerissa went on ahead to let everyone know she was coming, she took a breath to calm her racing heart, remembering she still had to share the news with Aurie. She knew Mama was right, he would be thrilled—and he would make a wonderful father. He had a heart of gold—thankfully not literally. He spent hours helping others in the village now that things were back to normal, and they had further discovered that the gold he’d given to others with pure intentions had miraculously remained.

Drawing another deep breath to calm her excited insides, she smoothed out her white gown as she walked—the same gown she’d worn nearly a year ago at a similar evening she’d prepared just for him. She paused, her eyes lingering on the wooden banister at the top of the grand staircase. It looked so different now that it was stone and wood instead of gold. She caressed the wood for a moment. She loved every nick, every worn spot where countless hands had touched it, and how it held the memories of generations of his family. Now the history of her family would join with his as they made this home theirs.

She remembered with a grin the time she and Aurie had nearly tumbled down the stairs because she’d over-polished the gold. Oh, how she loved his dragon-form, both then and now that he could transform at will—a strange but wonderful piece of the curse that had remained. Suddenly, she pressed her hand to her belly—would Aurie’s ability to transform affect their child? A new wave of anxiety at the news she was about to share washed over her. She shook herself, realizing Aurie was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. Come what may, they would deal with it together.

The gentle strains of a violin filled the air as she descended, her eyes fixed upon the dashing figure of her husband. His black curls had been tamed into submission, his jaw smooth-shaven and firm. He swallowed, and his lips parted.

The moment was achingly familiar. She had only just started to realize her love for this man the first time they stood like this, gazing longingly at one another—unable to touch. This time, he was dressed more simply in a plain linen tunic and trousers, covered by a long blue jerkin she had lovingly sewn for him. His affectionate grin made her insides burn. She pressed a hand against her roiling stomach once more.

“I swear you get more beautiful with each passing day.” He bowed and held out his arm.

She chuckled, shaking her head as she reached for him, enjoying the feel of his powerful arm beneath her hand. They had made it only halfway across the ballroom before he paused and wrapped her in his arms. “I hope you don’t mind, but I think we should dance first. I couldn’t wait all the way through dinner to hold you close.”

Laughing, she squeezed his biceps. Since the curse had been broken, he seemed to be making up for the loss of physical contact. She didn’t mind. His tenderness and love made her feel more cherished than ever before.

She reached up to whisper. “I always enjoy a good dance before dinner.” Since she couldn’t quite reach his ear, she pressed a kiss to his neck.

He growled and pulled her flush against him, pressing a kiss to her temple. Piano music joined the violin.

“I think that’s our cue to dance,” she murmured.

His deep chuckle sent chills down her spine before he spun her around the room in an intricate dance they’d practiced many times. It wasn’t long before she became lost in him and his movements. They were dancing on the clouds of Arindia. The warmth of his palm against her back penetrating straight through her, their hands forever intertwined—she was living out her fairytale. Never had she felt so needed, so precious and loved. Their story was just beginning.

“Aurie.”

“Yes, my love?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Is it about how utterly attractive you find me? Because I don’t think you can ever tell me such things too often.”

“No,” she said with a laugh, gently swatting his chest. “Well, I mean, you are devastatingly handsome and attractive. But more importantly, you’re kind, thoughtful, and strong. A man worth his weight in gold.”

His breath hitched before he swallowed. “That’s more like it.”

Her eyes danced as she gazed up at him. “That’s why I think you’ll make a wonderful father.”

He stilled. “Father?”

“Aurie, you’re going to be a father. I’m pregnant.”

“I’m what?!” He crowed in delight and picked her up, spinning her round in a circle, making her dizzy with happiness before he dipped her elegantly down and swooped in for a kiss. His lips were sweet and passionate. She wrapped her arms around his neck, threading her fingers through his hair. He picked her up and they continued to kiss, their touch warm with desire. Joy filled her entire body. She had everything she’d ever imagined and more. She never would have expected to fall in love with a dragon and turn him into the man of her dreams.

Aurie laughed, his lips hovering over hers. “I can’t believe it! I thought I needed gold and wealth to be happy, but it turns out that all I need is you. Melora, you’ve made all the dreams I didn’t even know I had come true.”

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.”

She grinned as he captured her lips once more.

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