Resurrecting Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 13) (16 page)

“Come in,” Rory called out.

“Everybody decent?” Kellan asked as he walked in carrying a huge stack of pizza boxes, followed by Lennox, who had what smelled like chicken wings, and Royce and Rian with coolers of beer.

“Party anyone?” Brannoc asked, carrying a bag of chips and a bag of soda.

“Do I have a choice?” Her dragon chuckled as Claire crawled off his lap and walked to the kitchen to help set up.

Pearce, Declan, and Kayne followed, carrying paper plates, cups, and napkins. Maddox walked in with a fifth of Scotch and blustering about damn fool kids two seconds before Kyra, Audrey, Calysta, and Clair’s cousins arrived with enough cakes and cookies to feed an army, which was good because as she’d found out since meeting her mate and his brethren, they could eat...lots.

As soon as everyone had their food and drink, Rian stood and spoke above the noise, “I’d like to propose a toast.”

“Oh shit,” Rory chuckled under his breath.

“That’s enough outta you,” Rian feigned irritation before grinning and continuing. “No, seriously. To Claire, all I have to say is good luck.” Rian had to stop as the roar of laughter drowned him out. When everyone calmed down, he went on, “And call any of us when he gets outta hand, because he will. We’ll kick him back into shape for you.”

Again everyone laughed so loud Claire couldn’t hear herself think. When she could finally talk, she chuckled, “Not to worry, if he pisses me off I’ll just burn his dinner...or his clothes...or his...”

Everything else she was going to say was swallowed up by the dragon’s laughter and the jokes Rory’s brethren were throwing around. Rian waited until everything quieted down and quickly finished, “And to my youngest brother, you got lucky. Claire is awesome. Don’t screw it up.”

The house was again full of amusement and teasing, which lasted until the wee hours of the morning. When everyone had gone home, Claire happily let Rory carry her up to bed and was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

The sounds of whispers and giggles woke Claire from a sound sleep. Laying her hand on Rory’s side of the bed, she was surprised to find it empty. Rolling over and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she saw a long stemmed red rose laying across a note.

See you in a few hours, Mrs. O’Reilly. I love you, Rory.

Sniffing the rose, she recognized Olive’s laugh and hollered, “Y’all could wake the dead.”

“Whatever, lazy bones. Time to get up and get ready. You’ve got a date with a dragon,” Gabby yelled back with a smile in her voice and Claire heard the rest of her cousins chuckling along.

“We have coffee,” Karleigh sang like a little girl on the playground.

“I’ll be right there.” Claire jumped out of bed, wrapped herself in Rory’s huge terrycloth robe, and headed down the stairs.

“See, told ya’ that would get her down here,” Olive grinned, handing Claire a cup of coffee with the perfect amount of cream and sugar.

“Have I told you, you’re my favorite, Olive?” Claire laughed before taking her first drink of the best cup of coffee she’d ever had.

“Yes, but you can tell me again,” Olive snickered while the others teased, “Suck up.”

“Since you’ve stayed in bed all morning, we gotta get you ready. Kyra said she trusted us to get you there on time while she, her mom, and Audrey worked on the reception.” Ettie was eating a muffin almost as big as her head that smelled so good Claire’s mouth watered.

Looking in the basket on the table, she found a blueberry one and took a huge bite, moaning as the scrumptious pastry filled her senses. When she was able to talk, the phoenix finally answered, “If the food is anywhere near as good as this, all anyone’s gonna do is eat.”

“You know it. I got the recipe,” Olive chuckled, sitting down with a fresh cup of coffee.

“So, as I was saying before you decided to make love to a muffin,” Ettie snorted a laugh. “You need to get showered so we can do your hair and makeup before your escorts get here.”

“Escorts?” Claire asked, wondering what that was all about.

“Yes, escorts,” Karleigh said while flipping through a magazine, “I thought you looked this stuff up years ago?”

“I did, but I don’t remember any mention of escorts.”

“Well, they’re coming and from what Kyra and Audrey said there are more surprises along the way,” Gabby added over the rim of her mug.

“Well crap. Guess I better shake a tail feather,” Claire snickered and ducked when Tilly threw a half-eaten muffin at her and laughed.

“Really? Tail feather? You really suck, Claire.” 

Two and a half hours later, Claire’s hair was up in a loose bun with curly tendrils around her face and her cousins had so perfectly applied her makeup that she had to look twice in the mirror to make sure it was her own reflection looking back at her. Tears that she refused to let fall filled her eyes from the gratitude and love she felt. The phoenix turned her chair and said, “Thank you guys so much. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I love you all to pieces.”

For one of the only times she could ever remember, not a one of her cousins had a quick comeback. Instead they all said they loved her too and hugged her. She felt more tears coming and absolutely refused to mess up her makeup so she ended up being the one making a joke. “Okay, okay, okay, enough feelies for today. If we keep this up, I’m gonna ruin your gorgeous makeup job.”

“Oh no, you’re not.” Karleigh pretended to push everyone back with her hands. “Back it up y’all. We do
not
have time to redo the face.”

They were all giggling like schoolgirls when the doorbell rang. Running down the hall, Olive yelled over her shoulder, “I got it.”

“Yeah, we got that,” Ettie teased.

Olive reappeared just a few minutes later carrying a large, white gift box bound with royal blue satin ribbon and a beautiful matching bow. Her cousin set the box on the bed and squealed, “Open it. You know I can’t stand unopened presents.”

Walking to the bed, Claire carefully untied the bow, lifted the lid, and stood speechless, completely overwhelmed by the gorgeous silk gown delicately folded within. With shaking hands, she lifted the gift card with her name perfectly scripted across the front and gasped as she read,
Dearest Claire, you are not just my life, you are my everything. Forever will never be enough. All my love, Rory.

Lifting the garment from the box, Claire was overwhelmed by the attention to detail in the beautiful garment. The baby blue fabric shimmered in the sunlight. The same sunlight that highlighted the royal blue flames exquisitely embroidered in a sporadic pattern the entire length of the skirt. Looking in the full length mirror while holding the dress in front of her, Claire was once again stunned by the beauty of the garment. It had thin, satin straps delicately sewn into a sweetheart neckline with a corset type bodice she was sure would show off her full bust to perfection.

Yep, that’s my mate.

“Cinderella, party of one,” Karleigh sing-songed behind her.

“You’re gorgeous, girlie. Now, stop holding it and let’s get you dressed. I’m sure Rory won’t mind you showing up in your undies, but I’m thinking those old Elders might lose a scale or two,” Gabby giggled.

Reality set in as Tilly zipped her into her dress and wrapped the thick royal blue ribbon around her waist. She really did look like a princess. If anyone would’ve ever told her this was how her life would turn out, Claire would’ve laughed in their face. But here she was, and dammit if she couldn’t be happier.

One quick look in the mirror and a swipe of lip gloss was all she had time to do before the doorbell chimed again.

“This one’s all you.” Delilah kissed Claire on the cheek as she walked by, as did each one of her cousins, before she walked down the stairs to answer the door.

Claire was surprised to find Royce and Kellan on the porch dressed like they’d stepped right out of a Knights of the Round Table movie. It made sense. That was where it had all started for the dragon shifters.

Rory’s brother and best friend’s black pants were tucked into the top of their polished knee-high black boots that Claire was sure she could see her face in if she dared to kneel down. Their long-sleeved black undershirt gave the perfect backdrop for the brilliant blue of their surcoats that were an exact match to the color of Rory’s dragon’s scales. Silver braiding trimmed the top and sides, but it was the dragon in the throes of battle embroidered on the front that made their uniforms magnificent.

“Are you ready, Claire?” Royce asked.

“Yes, I am.” She smiled at both men, who turned until their backs were to her, crooked their elbows, and looked over their shoulders, returning her smile.

She placed her hands on their arms and the Guardsmen escorted her down the steps toward three gorgeous Appaloosas. Tears once again filled her eyes as she immediately knew Rory had arranged for these exact horses after she’d told him the story of Homer and the wild Appaloosa she’d helped the old Choctaw chief break. She marveled at the tiny blue flowers woven into each horse’s mane and the horse’s blue saddle blankets that exactly matched the Guardsmen’s uniforms. 

Royce and Kellan helped Claire onto the most decorated of the horses and stood by while she got situated to ride sidesaddle before climbing upon their own mounts. Their ride to the ceremony took them through the woods behind Rory’s house and past the house her cousins were staying in. Each tree along their path had been decorated with a royal blue ribbon and bow holding six red roses. It was absolutely stunning and so much more than she’d imagined when she’d read about the dragon mating ceremonies.

As they exited the trees, Kayne, also in dress uniform, stood holding a bouquet of at least three dozen red and yellow roses. Her horse slowed. She felt Kayne speaking directly into the horse’s minds and winked in his direction.

The demi god approached with a huge smile, handed her the roses, and bowed before returning to his post. She thought about teasing him for being so formal but couldn’t bring herself to ruin the majesty of such a special day. The card attached read...
You’re almost here,
mo banphrionsa fiery
. Today we start our forever. I love you more than you will ever know. Always and forever, Rory.
She sat still for only a moment, feeling overwhelmed and so blessed words failed her even in her own mind. 

When their horses started to move again, they circled a flower-filled meadow where hummingbirds and butterflies danced from blossom to blossom before stopping at the base of the mountain she knew to be special to the dragon clan. Royce turned in his saddle and said, “I know you’re an expert rider, just wanted to let you know we’re headed to the first ledge.”

Claire’s eyes followed his gesture to a narrow path carved into the side of the rock and she nodded. “Lead on.”

Grinning, Royce turned forward, made a clicking sound to signal the horses, and led the way up the side of the mountain. The trip was slow but extraordinarily beautiful. Not only was the natural scenery breathtaking, but royal blue bows with red roses just like those from the path had been attached to vines and outcroppings that grew along the trail. Rory had thought of everything.

It wasn’t long before they stopped on the landing that led to the mouth of a huge cave. Royce dismounted and moved to the side to help her down while Kellan held the reins. Once her bare feet touched the light blue carpet strewn with red and yellow rose petals, the Guardsmen escorted her to the cavern opening. Her hands slid from their arms and Kellan presented her with her bouquet and then he and Royce disappeared into the cavern. She knew from talking to Stefan they would be part of the ceremony, so she waited to the count of three before following.

Entering, Claire stopped and stared, overcome by the splendor. She was no stranger to caves having lived her life on a mountain, but none of them could compare to this one. The raw power of the cave vibrated around her. Their combined power flowed back and forth, recognizing her as the matriarch of the Clan of the Sun and sharing its secrets with her.

The minerals, rocks, and gems embedded in the rock sparkled and shined in the light of the candles hanging in sconces all over the cave walls. There were huge stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor standing guard, protecting the sanctity of the ancient power filling the cavern. Walking on the blue carpet, Claire followed the sound of a stream flowing into a pool.

Straight ahead, the phoenix saw an entrance brightened by several candelabras. Following the scent and feel of her mate, Claire stepped over the threshold and the water flowing down the wall, tinkling like little bells as it made its way into the lagoon. Looking around the grotto, she saw huge Grecian planters filled with enormous bunches of the red roses. Four chairs resembling olde world thrones sat upon a raised platform beside the pool and an archway decorated with blue ribbons positioned in the center of a circle of red rose petals sat in front of that.

Claire saw the small white chair she was to occupy sitting to the side of the platform and made her way to it. As soon as she was seated, the Elders she’d met over the last week appeared on the platform. Rian was first as the Leader of the Clan and the Head Elder. He gave her a nod while the others—Niall, Stefan, and Marcas—all smiled in her direction. A rustling to the right drew her attention as the Guardsmen of the Aherne Force appeared.

Watching the men file in, she noted the slightly different hues of blue of each man’s surcoat. Kellan’s was midnight blue; so dark it could’ve been mistaken for black. Brannoc’s was the blue of the ocean and Lennox’s, the exact opposite of Kellan’s, so light the blue was barely discernable. Declan’s primary blue matched the straightforward man she knew him to be. Lastly, there was Pearce, whose surcoat had an iridescent glow added to its cobalt color that made her wonder how brightly the scales of his dragon would shine in the sunlight.

She wasn’t surprised to see Maddox in his deep blue surcoat, Royce in royal blue with faint green highlights, and Kayne in a gold so bright it had surely been fashioned with cloth made of sunshine. Smiling at Kayne, she let him know how much it meant that he was there.