Page 36

My days of fighting fire were over. Now, I embraced the flames. Fire, in all its manifestations, would sustain me. I'd never fear it again. Never face death in its embrace.

Interesting fact: most firefighters don't die in a fire. It's usually a heart attack that gets us. Our hearts pay the price of heroism. That much hadn't changed.

I had dared to love an impossible man. A man who wasn't only a man. Dragon. King. Asshole. Literal force of nature. And I lost my heart because of my bravery.

Good riddance.

I tried not to grin as I strode down an aisle with Kaspian. The room we crossed was vast and yet full nearly to capacity. The throne room. Because, duh, there's a throne in it. That's where we were headed—to the dais at the end of the room where the throne perched. A woman waited there too. Kaspian called her the Vas, but that wasn't her name. Some kind of mistress of ceremonies. He said the role used to include keeping a gathering of Dragons in line. Because when you got that many Dragons together, things didn't go well. But that was before they regained their Water Magic and found balance. Now, they weren't so volatile.

Frankly, if this was Kaspian in balance—not volatile—I was grateful I hadn't met him sooner.

But back to our walk. I should have been worried. Somber. It was a momentous occasion, and I was about to be judged by thousands of Dragons. In person. Yup, they were all there, on either side of me. Even worse—if a single one of them found me lacking, Kas would lose his crown. Or me.

But I wasn't worried. I was happy. So fucking happy. That stupid happiness people feel in the flush of love. Kas and I had spent the last few days doing a deep dive into each other. Don't be nasty. I don't mean sex. Well, we had a lot of that too. But it wasn't fucking anymore. We made love. That term used to give me the squiggles—you know, all scrunched up inside and out. Not now. Now, I was one of those annoying fuckers who reveled in the fact that I made love to my man.

That deep dive I mentioned? We spent hours talking. Kas made time for me every day. We always ate our meals together at the very least, but more often, he would take us out into the city for lunch and a stroll. That's when we'd talk. Childhoods, dreams, favorite ice cream flavors. All of it. We bonded in the way I wanted to bond. No magic except for the magic of conversation. And it was more powerful than I knew.

The love that had burst into being between us that day I escaped/he saved me—had grown into something so brilliant and big that it blew my damn mind. I never knew I could feel like this for another person. Lay down my life kind of feelings. Even better—live for him kind of feelings. Yup, I was living for another man. That's what happens when you give your heart away. And I had never been happier.

So, it didn't matter what happened next. Yeah, I'd be upset if Kas had to give up his crown, but I knew he cared more about me than about ruling. He would gladly walk away from all he'd built just to build another life with me. And he'd see it as an adventure. I knew this because we had talked about it. We were both content with whatever life brought us because we'd be living that life together. That kind of security is priceless.

To either side of us stood the Aravult Dread, their expressions solemn. Not grave, but serious. They bowed as we passed by—a wave of big, beautiful people acknowledging the biggest, most beautiful badass in the room. I may have been biased. But hey, Kas won their tournament. I was going by their standards.

At the end of the hall, just before the steps of the dais, stood the most important Dragons—the nobles. Kaspian's parents were among them. They both had Kaspian's deeply tanned skin, and both were blond—his mother had the platinum hair, but neither had his brilliant green eyes. That was all Kas. They nodded at us and smiled, both certain that the presentation would go well.

I grinned back, relieved that I could let it out at last. But Kaspian squeezed my hand and shot me a quelling look. So I pushed my grin down as we climbed the steps. By the time we faced the room, I was looking solemn again. That was the appropriate manner for a non-Dragon mate about to be presented to a dread.

Don't ask me what was said next. I barely remember it. The Vas spoke, and then Kaspian said some nice things about me. I didn't speak. I just looked grim. Until they started coming up to me and welcoming me into their dread. Then I smiled and thanked them, Kas nodding over their shoulders to let me know it was all right. It felt like the reception line at a wedding. “Thank you for coming. Enjoy the food.”

Actually, that comparison is accurate. Every Dragon there came up to me, shook my hand, and welcomed me to the dread. I had dated an Italian guy once, and if we had gotten married, the reception would have been a lot like this. Just switch out hot Dragon ladies for gray-haired nonnas. When the line dwindled down to the last few of them, even Kaspian's lips were twitching. And when the last Dragon welcomed me, the whole room applauded.

I officially became Duke Demetrius of the Aravult Dread. No longer human. Or at least, not in the eyes of my new people. Which was kind of awesome for many reasons. Kaspian would keep his crown, I would keep Kas, and I would get a new tribe. I belonged. As I said, my days of fighting fire were over.

On the walk to the dining hall, I said goodbye to Earth and all my friends there. This was the start of a new life. Eternal life. It was almost like dying and going to heaven. A heaven full of Dragons. A heaven for firefighters.

And then we were feasting. Kaspian and I sat at the royal dining table at the end of the hall, set on a dais in the exact manner of the throne. Speaking of which, there was a throne there too, just behind a table. My chair was nearly a throne, but all that mattered was that it was beside Kaspian's.

“Why do you have a throne room and a dining room?” I asked Kaspian as he filled my plate with food he wanted me to try.

Kaspian glanced at his father, who had chuckled.

“The boy isn't wrong,” Rasc, Kaspian's dad, said. “It's a waste of space.”

“Hardly.” Kas returned to filling my plate. “It's necessary for times like this, when I must gather the dread.”

“Why can't you gather them in here?” I asked.

“Then we'd have to move all the tables.”

“You mean the castle staff would. You wouldn't have to move shit.”

Taneya, Kaspian's mother, gasped.

“Sorry, Ma'am,” I hurried to say. “Forgive my foul language.”

Kaspian snorted. “It's not the word that shocked her, Mate. It's the way you used it. I told you, your human fascination with using that word is odd. And disgusting.”

I grimaced. “Yeah, I know. It's a hard habit to break.” To his mother, I said, “On my world, that word can be used for several things. In the case of that sentence, it meant 'anything.' He wouldn't have to move anything.”

“Ah, I see.” She looked at Kas.

“You'll get used to it. And he will adjust as well.” Kas moved on to filling his plate. “I enjoy it now. It entertains me and reminds me of my time on his planet.”

“It's just a type of vernacular,” Rasc said. “I've heard 'shit' used in such a way before.”

“No, you haven't.” Taneya smacked her mate.

“Yes, love, I have. In . . . where was I?” He frowned. “Oh, yes. I was in Racul.”

“Really?” Kaspian asked. He looked back at me. “The longer you're here, the more I see how our worlds mirror each other.”

“Are you concerned about your mate's safety?” Rasc set a hand on Kaspian's shoulder. “If those Tyasmorans thought of using him, others will too. I heard about one of those Earth humans getting captured by magic-users before. They tried to open a portal to Earth with him.”

“What?!” Kaspian snarled so loudly that the entire hall went silent.

“Just a bad joke!” I called out. “We're fine. Everything's fine. Enjoy your meal! Yay, Aravult Dread!”

Our guests went back to eating, casting worried glances at their king. Meanwhile, Rasc continued his cautionary tale, telling my mate about magic making tears between worlds. It was unnerving to know that I could be used to open rifts, not just upset the balance here with tales of Earth. But Kas was beyond unnerved. It was too soon after my capture for him to hear about it. Kaspian's hand clenched over the arm of his chair. The wood creaked.

“Hey.” I set my hand on his shoulder. “We're blessed by the Goddess, remember? I'll be okay.”

“What is oh-kay?” Rasc asked.

“It means fine.” Kas took a deep breath, released it, and set his stare on me. “You're right. I don't want to ruin your feast. Eat, Mate.”

“Oh, hell no.” I pointed my fork at him. “Don't think for a second that I didn't that tidbit about another Earthling. You're going to tell me about them right now. Why didn't you mention it before? It would have been nice to know that I'm not alone here.”

“Earthling.” Taneya grinned. “I like the sound of that word.”

I lifted a brow at Kaspian.

“I didn't want to share you with them.” Kas grimaced. “Not back then, when we were still settling our bond. And you were never alone, Met. I told you that.”

“Kaspian!”

“I would have told you.”

“When?”

“Soon.” He shrugged. “I forgot.”

“How many of them are there?”

“There are two other men here. They live in kingdoms far away from ours.”

“Well, it sounds like you're finally going to do some traveling, Kas.”

Kaspian sighed. “I will send word to their mates and ask for a visit. But, Met, one of them is mated to a Sea Dragon king.”

“A Sea Dragon? There are Sea Dragons?!”

“Yes. They were in hibernation while the Dragon God was imprisoned. But now, they're free, and they're back to ruling the seas.”

“Do they live on islands?”

“No. They live underwater.”

“How the hell is a human living underwater?”

“Their cities are warded with Air Magic. They live under domes that are full of air. Most of the underwater folk can breathe air and water. So, their cities give them the best of both.”

“That poor guy is living under an air dome?” I leaned back and shook my head. “Thank God you aren't a Sea Dragon.”

“The Goddess helped us, not the God.” He motioned at my plate. “Eat. Try the fried krell first. It's my favorite.”

“It might be fun to visit, though. Do you think we could go to this underwater city?”

Kaspian chuckled. “I will ask the king. I think he'll be amenable. He'll want to make his mate happy, and I'm sure this human will want to meet you.”

“Sweet!” I knocked my shoulder into his. “Thanks, babe.” Then I took a bite of the krell and made happy sounds.

“You like it?”

“Oh, yeah. It's good. Reminds me a little of fried sweet potatoes.”

“Wait until you see what's for dessert.”

I leaned in to whisper. “I thought I was dessert.”

Kaspian smoothly turned his head to kiss me. It was quick but wonderful, and when he eased back, he grinned. “Maybe we can take our dessert to bed. Then I can have my cake and eat it too.”

“Look at you! You remembered an Earth saying. Nicely done. And yes, we should absolutely do that.”

Except that when dessert came, it wasn't cake.

“Cookies!” I exclaimed when the servers laid two platters of warm cookies on our table.

“Not just any cookies. These are flavors that I remember from Earth. I had to investigate the ingredients with the cooks. But I think we came up with some very close results. Try this one.” He put a cookie on my plate.

I took a bite. “Oh my God! Peanut butter and chocolate! We need to take some of these with us when we visit the other Earthlings.”

Kaspian chuckled. “Of course. I'm glad you like it. This one is similar to that miso sesame cookie I enjoyed.” He grabbed a cookie, broke a piece off, and handed it to me.

I opened my mouth, and he fed me like a baby bird. Cuz that's what you do when you're in stupid love. Then I grinned. “It's crazy how close this is. You have a good memory.”

“And a great palate.” He winked at me.

All around the room, Dragons groaned in delight as they enjoyed warm cookies, fresh from the oven.

“These are delicious!” Rasc declared. “I would like your chef to instruct mine on the preparation.”

“It's called a recipe, Father.” Kaspian smirked from me to his dad. “The chef can write down instructions that other chefs know how to follow.”

“Ah. I see. Yes, of course.” And then he was sighing through another bite.

“Shall we take our cookies and run?” Kaspian whispered to me.

“Is it all right for us to leave our party?”

“I'm the King.”

I snorted a laugh. “Aren't we supposed to have our first dance?”

“Our first dance?”

“It's a human thing. They do it at weddings. Their first dance as a married couple.”

“Ah. There will be dancing in a little while. We could stay and have our first dance if you wish.”

I looked around. As much as it was nice to have the party and the thought of dancing in public was great, I wanted to be alone with Kas. Then the dancing could get dirty.

Grinning, I looked back at him.

Kaspian grabbed one of the platters and stood up. The room went silent.

“My people, thank you for traveling across the kingdom to welcome my mate into our dread. I have said this many times already, but I want you to remember that I have him because of Ensarena. Many of our kind have felt betrayed by our goddess after discovering that she entrapped our god. She did not react well to his release, and she did some terrible things to Dragons, including a Dragon king. But she is still our goddess, the divine force who gave us life. The arguments between gods are not for us to judge. I continued to give respect to Ensarena because of this, and she blessed me for it. I urge all of you to show her love now when she needs it most.” He took my hand and lifted it. “Here is proof of her love for us!”

The Dragons got to their feet to applaud, several cheering as well.

When the noise died down, Kas said, “And now it's time to show my mate some love. Goodnight, everyone.”

The cheering came again, this time with some good-natured laughter. Rasc and Taneya stood up to hug both of us before we left. Then, with one hand carrying the cookies and the other holding my hand, the Dragon King of Aravult led me out of our celebration feast and to the royal bed.