Resurrecting Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 13) (17 page)

Rory appeared from the same direction as the others, looking way better than a man had a right to, and when he smiled and winked at her, Claire felt it all the way to the bottom of her soul. When her dragon took his place in front of the other Guardsmen, Claire stood and waited as butterflies danced in the pit of her stomach. The anticipation of mating the man of her dreams was exhilarating.

After a few seconds of silence, Rian began to speak, his voice ringing out loud and clear in the cavern.

“Long ago, when knights and dragons fought side by side for King and country, it became apparent that dragon kin was no longer safe from those who would expose and destroy them. They sought to join with the knights who had so valiantly fought by their sides during so many battles. Thus, through magic and the will of both dragon and knight, the Dragon Shifters were born.

“In the infinite wisdom of our Founding Elders, clans were set up, one for each color of the Dragon Kings whose soul we carry within our own. Each assigned a region in which to make their home and to protect. Over time, some have flourished, some have ceased to exist, and others have been born from the joining of many. As the Leader of the Blue Thunder Clan and brother to Rory, it is an incredible honor to stand among those of not only my own clan, but my brother, Royce from the Golden Fire Clan. And let us not forget our distinguished guests, Maddox MacQueen and Kayne MacGréine. Thank you for your presence and your blessings. We are brothers in blood, brothers in battle, and brothers in loyalty.

“Gathered in the place so sacred to our kin, I can feel how accepted the matriarch of the Clan of the Sun is by our ancestors. They continue to bless us with extraordinary mates for the best among us. Every one of us that finds the light of his soul knows how sacred she is. It is an honor to witness the power of what the Universe put into place at our inception. Tonight, in this holiest of places, we acknowledge and bless the mating of Rory Michael O’Reilly to the one the Universe made for him, Claire Analise Featherstone. Will those seeking to witness this union please step forward?”

Kellan stood with his long dark hair covering the scarred side of his face and addressed the Elders. “We, the five of the Aherne Force of the Blue Thunder Clan, wish to witness and offer our blessing to one born of our blood and the mate of his heart. May their lives now and forever be a testament to all we hold dear...love, honor, and loyalty. As you are one, let your strength see you through many years and the children of your children’s children smile upon you.” He smiled at them both and then returned to his place with the other Guardsmen

Royce then stepped forward and faced the Elders. “I am here from the MacLendon Force of the Golden Fire Dragons and wish to witness and offer my blessing to the union of these two souls, two halves of the same whole. May they live long, fight hard, love harder, and produce many young to flourish when their souls have gone to the heavens. I ask this blessing for my brother and the mate of his soul.” He smiled, stepped back, and bowed his head.

Kayne and Maddox both stepped forward. It was Kayne who looked at Claire when he spoke. “It is with the power of Lugh, the Celtic God of the Sun, that I offer the blessing of this union. May the sun always light your path, chase away the darkness, and shine upon you and yours all the days of your lives and theirs.”

Maddox then added, “From the oldest among us to the youngest, I stand a testament to the power of the dragons and offer this blessing from the ancestors who have gone ahead to prepare us a place in the Heavens. Live long, love often, and never look away from the light of your soul. The universe does not make mistakes. She has given you both life that you may share it. Be happy, as that is Her fondest wish for all her children.”

Demi god and the mad dragon nodded to the Elders and then returned to their spot next to Royce. After the moment of silence following Maddox’s blessing, Rian again spoke. “Your witness and blessings have been acknowledged and accepted Aherne and MacLendon Forces, Kayne, Son of Lugh and Maddox, Keeper of the Ancients. It is truly a blessed event to have such honorable clans and guests together. Rory O’Reilly, you may go to your mate. Please escort her to the Sacred Circle before the Elders assembled here.”

Rory’s ever present swagger was even more pronounced as he walked toward her. His heart, mind, and soul were opened fully to her, just as hers were to him. They shared everything completely, just as she’d always been told it would be. He was her dragon warrior for all time. Just the thought made Claire believe she could fly without her wings.

Her mate took the flowers from her hands, placed them on the seat beside her, and gently slid his fingers through hers. Slowly walking backwards, he led her to the rose petal circle in front of the Elders. Claire blushed for the hundredth time since meeting her dragon as they shared images of all the ways they would be together for all eternity.

Once they were in place, Rian spoke again, “The blue dragons were born of sea and sky. They are symbolic of the vastness of our existence and the infinity of our souls. They possess the ability to experience life from all aspects. They are highly protective and incredibly magical. Blue dragons are known for their patience and loyalty. The blue of their scales symbolizes the boundless sky and the deep calmness of the waters. Blue dragons will see every advantage, protect home and family with their very lives, and welcome the rising tide of change with calm acceptance. To mate a blue dragon is to accept all that they are and honor the power shared between mates.”

“As the matriarch of the Clan of the Sun and the mate of the Dragon Guardsman before you, do you, Claire Featherstone, accept this man and his beast as not only
your
mate, but also that of your phoenix?”

“With all that I was, all that I am, all I will ever be, and all that we are together, I accept this man and his beast into my heart and my soul. I will share everything that I am with him every day of our lives, both here and in the Heavens.”

“Thank you, Claire, we are honored to call you sister. Now is the time of the marking. May the Universe continue to bless you and yours all the days of your life.”

The Elders and the dragons left the platform, leaving Claire blissfully alone with her mate. Looking at the man she could not imagine her life without, Claire was caught in the depths of his deep brown eyes. Rory was amazing and absolutely perfect in every way. He smiled that cheeky grin that made her weak in the knees and she said,
“You know how much I love you?”

“Not nearly as much as I love you.”
he answered before saying,
“I have a surprise. We’re not sharing the mark here.”

“What?” she asked out loud.

Winking, he took her hands and simply said, “Follow me.”

Walking back through the cave hand-in-hand, Rory stopped as they reached the opening and turned to face her. “I wanted to take you to
your
mountain for the marking, but after talking to Olive, I realized it would take too long and I’d get descaled for missing the reception the girls have worked so hard to throw us, so I’ve got the next best thing.” 

He paused and walked them out of the cave onto the ledge then once again turned to face her. “I want us to both transform and fly to the peak of this mountain. I have something special planned. Will you do that with me,
mo chroi’
?”

Her heart filled with so much love for the glorious man standing before her, all Claire could do was nod frantically and throw her arms around her mate. “Absolutely!” Placing kisses one right after another all over his face, she used mindspeak to tell him how much his gesture meant to her.
“Thank you so much. I didn’t think it was possible to love you any more, but you just keep amazing me. Rory O’Reilly, I love you, all of you, in every way possible for all time.”
Then she laid her lips on his and kissed him until she wasn’t sure where she ended and he began.

Pulling back, Rory sighed. “If we keep this up, neither one of us is making it up this mountain.”

“Okay, okay,” she chuckled. “Let’s do this.”

Stepping back to allow for Rory’s magnificent dragon, Claire looked into Rory’s eyes and as one, they called their beasts. Magic filled the air. Claire marveled as her sexy mate turned into the most beautiful beast she’d ever seen.

“You’re not so bad yourself
, mo banphrionsa fiery.”

Because they were already so closely linked, Claire could see how Rory saw her from the image in his mind. She spread her wings, fluffed her feathers, and preened for just a second longer, giving him the whole show. Rory’s deep chuckle vibrated within her, setting both woman and phoenix on fire.

“
I know
, mo ghra’.
I feel it, too. Just a few more hours and we’ll be alone.”
He cleared his throat and she could feel that he was just as affected by their animal attraction as she was.

“Ready to fly?”
Rory asked, his voice deeper and rougher than it had been just a second before. Her dragon had already extended his massive wings when Claire answered,
“Yes, I am.”

Lowering her wings, the phoenix lifted off, hovering in place until her mate was by her side. Together, they glided on the breeze, rolling one way and then the other, his blue and green scales glistening in the evening sun, highlighting the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows of her feathers. Claire flew over his back and lowered herself until only the wind separated her phoenix from his dragon. They flew along, enjoying what only they together could achieve, until Rory signaled it was time to ascend the mountain.

Moving apart, they both pushed their wings against the draft, climbing higher and higher until they reached the apex. Once there, they transformed back to their human forms midair, landing side by side, dressed as they had been during their mating ceremony.

Rory pulled her to his chest and kissed her with a passion that threatened every ounce of resolve she had. Only the sound of someone clearing their throat broke them apart.

“All right you two. Let’s get this marking done. I know a whole lot of people waiting to throw a party in your honor.”

“Kayne?” Claire had no clue what was happening.

“That’s me.”

“What...?”

“I asked him to be here. I wanted your dad to bless our mating and I knew Kayne could make that happen.” Rory looked like he wasn’t sure he’d done the right thing.

“Oh, Rory, whatever I did to deserve you I’d do it a million times over if it meant I would always have you.”

“That means you like?” And there was the cheeky grin again.

“That means I like very much.” She kissed him again, keeping it short and turning to her half-brother.

“You guys ready?” Kayne asked.

“We are,” they said together.

Nodding, the demi god said, “Father, Lugh, Most High God of the Sun, I come to you today with Claire, a child of your heart, and her mate, Rory O’Reilly, made by the Universe for your phoenix and your phoenix alone to stand by her side, love her, protect her, and hold dear all she holds dear. I ask for your blessing on their mating. Show this beautiful couple your favor and honor them with your consecration of their union.”

Kayne bowed his head. Claire and Rory followed suit and waited. It seemed to take forever. Even the sun had lowered until only the top half was visible over the horizon. Just as the phoenix was about to give up, the sky grew brighter, the coolness of the evening air turned warm again, and a voice unlike any she’d ever heard resonated through her being.

“Claire, is that you?”

Looking up, she immediately knew from the looks on Kayne and Rory’s faces that they heard it too. Not sure what to do, she whispered her answer, “Yes, it is.”

“It is wonderful to see you again and to see the mate of your heart at your side. You have chosen wisely. I always knew you were the best among them. As always, you have made me very proud.”

“Thank you.” She tried to sound assertive but knew it wasn’t happening. She was talking to the freaking Celtic God of the Sun. Her heart was about to beat out of her chest.

“You most certainly have my blessing. May you and your dragon live long, love like no other, and have children that make you as proud as you’ve made me. And Rory O’Reilly, know that you have been entrusted with my most favorite daughter. Love her like the treasure she is.”

“You have my word, oh Great Lugh. Thank you for the great honor you have bestowed upon us.”

“Then mark my daughter in the way of your kind. Be happy, Claire, for that is my fondest wish.”

And just like that, the Sun God was gone. Claire looked at Rory then at Kayne, still not sure how to react. The demi god snickered, “The old man sure has a way with words, doesn’t he?” Looking out at the horizon, he continued, “All right, you two, I’m outta here. Don’t leave us waiting down there too long.”

In a flash, Kayne was gone and she and Rory were standing alone on the top of the mountain where her metaphysical father, the Celtic God of the Sun, had just spoken to not only her, but her mate as well. Freaked out did not begin to cover what Claire was feeling.

Pulled from her thoughts as Rory turned her around until they stood face to face and grinned the cheeky grin that made her crazy with desire, Claire melted into his arms. Rory lowered his mouth to hers, stopping just as their lips touched, and whispered,
“Tá tú mo ghrá eternal. Ta’ mo chroi istigh ionat,”
before capturing her lips with his.

Their connection solidified. Their souls became one. Passion unlike any other consumed them both...body, heart, and soul.

A sting on the left side of her neck let her know the marking was complete. Rory pulled her even closer, moved his lips from hers, and trailed kisses across her jaw and down her neck, reaching the spot that was tender to the touch. He licked and sucked the offending area until all thoughts of anything but their naked bodies loving one another fled from her mind.

Placing her hands on either side of his face, Claire pulled his mouth to hers, kissing him until all thoughts of receptions and families were pushed aside by all the ways she wanted to love her dragon. Rory pulled back. Claire saw the glint of mischief in his eyes and asked, “What exactly are you up to, Rory O’Reilly?”