Page 113 of The Mating Claim

Giving a deep sigh, he nodded. “We wizards can see the future and track Others, except when it comes to our own destiny… and our truemates.”

“Lacey is your true soulmate,” the goddess said gently. “The other wizards knew this as much as I did. They could see the dragon birthmarks you and Lacey share, a symbol of your love in the past, a symbol uniting you oncemore.”

“Yes,” he whispered, thinking of all the times he’d felt blinded by his pure love for Lacey, all the times he had tried to deny it and couldnot.

“I must take my leave, but before I do, remember this Drust. Love can find a way. Trust inthat.”

He nodded, watching her vanish, wondering if her words were reallytruth.

Or just a platitude to aid him in making decision. Either way, it did not matter, for he’d already made up hismind.

He would do anything to keep Laceysafe.

This was not goingto be an easy visit. In fact, Drust downright dreadedit.

Always before, he’d enjoyed seeing his family. Skylar and Sebastian’s son was about the same age as Tristan’s twins now, and Crown Prince Alex of Clan Drakon and his beautiful mate Princess Emma had a sweet little girl who was only four months old. Seeing his descendants, and their children, gave Drust a sense of contentment in knowing his linage continued. Usually when he visited, he brought a toy for the children, or a pretty piece of jewelry from his extensive collection for Sebastian and Alex’smates.

Today was different, for he needed to request a favor fromthem.

Drust texted Alex his instructions and gave them all an hour to gather at Sebastian’s castle. It wasn’t far from Alex’s home in Clan Drakon’s castle, and it was much quieter. This conversation must be keptprivate.

He materialized in the extensive gardens outside the castle, where the four milled about, waiting. Their concerned expressions replaced the usual pleasure expressed upon seeinghim.

“Where are the children? Who is watching them?” he asked, dispensing with a formalgreeting.

“The babies are with my nanny, Pops. They’re asleep. Perfectly safe. I trust her,” Alex toldhim.

Pops again. Normally he’d chide Alex for using that nickname. Tonight he felt tooagitated.

“Good. Let’s fly.” Drust shifted into his dragon form and stretched out hiswings.

The four did the same and rose into the sky, following him as he led the way over forest and river, winging on the breeze. He gave no explanation for the flight. They trusted him and expected him to reveal the real reason for his visit when hewished.

Such obedience. Far different from Lacey, who argued and fought and questioned everything. As much as he both enjoyed and expected Alex, Sebastian and their mates to follow his every order, it could beboring.

Lacey was neverboring.

He flew until moonlight revealed a clearing in the forest without access roads or hiking trails. Wide enough for dragons, too.Perfect.

Angling downward, he chose a spot toward the trees to give the others plenty of room. Emma, who had only half dragon blood like Lacey, sometimes had difficulty executing alanding.

He shifted into human form, clothed himself in his typical uniform of cobalt blue trousers, tunic and doeskin boots and waited for theothers.

Turning his back to give Emma privacy while she shifted into her human form and clothing, he studied the trees. Drust waited a few minutes and then turned slowly, regarding them. To see them better, he waved a hand and several torches ringed theclearing.

Alex, tall and handsome, with a proud, regal bearing, his blue-green eyes filled with worry as he slid a protective arm around pretty blonde Emma. Sebastian, who’d sacrifice his life for his beloved Skylar and his son, trying to keep his expressionneutral.

Failingmiserably.

Drust laced his hands behind his back. “I need yourhelp.”

Four collective sighs of relief, followed by eager looks. “Of course Pops. Whatever you need,” Alex toldhim.

“Do not call me Pops,” he said dryly. “I told all of you to call me Uncle Drust. Muchsimpler.”

Briefly he explained about Lacey. Skylar gave him a soft smile, as Sebastian, Alex and Emma practicallybeamed.

“Sounds like true love,” Alex put a hand over his heart, sighingdramatically.