“He didn’t forgive it. He simply took our lives for those that were lost,” Rowan said stiffly.
“In other words, he saw reason,” Sophea said, flashing Rowan a smile that made him want to strip her bare and cover her with kisses. “Which is saying a lot considering that he was ready to smite Rowan where he stood. But back to this group wedding business…” She slid him a considering look. “If we did want to get hitched, then maybe that’s something we should consider.”
“See? Sophie is on board with it,” Gary said, his face scrunched up in thought. “I see it now… an orange blossom arch. The brides in ivory satin with lashings of antique lace trailing after them. Jim with baskets of flowers to be strewn. Me in a top hat, riding him, and cascading petals down the aisle…”
“Dude, I am not a pack mule. Not even for you,” Jim told the head. “But I do like the idea of a top hat. Aisling, can I have a top hat for the wedding?”
“Sophea,” Rowan told his mate, pausing a moment at that last word. He was a bit surprised at how strongly he felt toward her. Not that he wasn’t growing to be very fond of her before… the event… but now, no matter what she said, he knew in his heart that she was his mate, the woman placed on the earth to complete him and make him happy to the end of his days. Which had suddenly, thanks to the interference of the First Dragon, grown to an impossible number. “I’m at my limit. Either I’m going to have to fight every man here or I’ll kiss the breath out of your lungs in front of everyone.”
“Ooh,” she said with interest lighting her eyes. “Do I get to pick which you do?”
“Yes. And assuming you’re going to go for the kissing, I should warn you that if you don’t want witnesses to what I’m about to do to you after that, and believe me, I have a mental list that is growing with each minute you stand there being impossibly deliciously tempting, then you might want to ensure the others leave.”
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Jim said with a low whistle. He nudged Gary, and asked sotto voce, “You got a camera on you? A dragon claiming his mate for the first time is sure to be Internet gold. Viral video fame, here we come!”
“And I think that’s just about enough from you,” Aisling said before Sophea could reply to Rowan. She grabbed the demon by his collar, causing Jim to squawk, “Help, help, I’m being repressed!”
“You’re going to be a lot more than repressed if you keep that up,” Aisling told the demon, and with a backward look at Rowan, said simply, “It was very nice to meet you both. I’m glad you’re not a dragon killer any longer, not that I bought that whole story, because I know how stubborn the dragons can be about seeing things their way and only their way. Do let us know if you need any help with demons.”
“Don’t let us know,” Drake corrected her, taking her arm and escorting her from the room. “Mate, I’ve told you that you are not to undertake dangerous tasks while you are with child. I won’t have you risking yourself or the babe…”
“Three down,” Rowan muttered under his breath, looking out of the side of his eyes at Sophea.
She had a thoughtful look on her face, and was eyeing him back.
“What?” he couldn’t help but ask her.
“Just what’s on this list of yours? Is it something… wicked? Something to do with your chest? And me licking it? Is it a nipply list?”
“I like nipples,” Gary the head said sadly. “I sure miss mine.”
“I believe that is our cue to leave, as well,” Ysolde said, sliding her hand in Baltic’s. “I’ll repeat what Aisling said and welcome you to the weyr. It would be nice to see the red dragons rebound from the terrible tragedy that befell them. If you need Baltic’s sword arm, or my magic, do let us know.”
Baltic looked interested for the first time as he followed her out of the cabin. “Do you think we should stay? I haven’t gotten my hands dirty in a good battle in far too long, not even a heated practice session. Pavel is too busy mooning about his latest inamorato, and even Kostya is polite these days. That mate of his has ruined him for sport.”
“I heard that!” Kostya yelled, and stormed out of the door after them. “I’ll show you who’s ruined!”
Aoife gave Rowan and Sophea a wry smile. “So nice to meet you, Sophea. Rowan, welcome to the dragonkin. I’m glad to see you well. Let me know about the group wedding. I think one might be kind of fun. Kostya! Don’t you dare get yourself hurt again! If you keep breaking that collarbone, it’ll stay broken…” She was gone in a flurry of scattered threats toward her dragon.