He encircled her waist and pulled her close, his mouth claiming hers. “I love you a little bit more each moment I am with you.”
Before she could protest that he could not possibly love her already, he kissed her mouth and robbed her of her words and all coherent thought.
Chapter Fifteen – Kelos
They flew down the mountain on silent wings. The moon was high above them, casting his shadow onto the trees, but there were no living creatures around to bear witness to the dragon and his mate as they flew home.
Kelos’s dragon was elated to have their mate on his back. If he had a choice, he would spend the whole night flying over the high peaks and down into deep valleys, thrilled at being as one with the woman they had waited for their whole life.
But Amber was concerned about Margie and the kids, and Kelos was wise enough to know their relationship would suffer irreparable damage if anything happened to them while he’d promised to watch over them.
He dipped his left wing and they banked, the tip of his wing skimming the tip of an old pine tree.
With a surge of speed, he headed straight for the cabin, his muscles straining with each wingbeat as he flew straight and true. Was he trying to impress his mate with his strength and agility?
Perhaps. But the dragon knew his time was short. Soon, his mate would return to the human world where there was no place for a dragon. Kelos’s dragon knew that, unlike many other shifters, his time with his mate would be limited to these secret clandestine meetings.
There would be no frolicking in the waterfall like a bear might with his mate. There would be no lying on the grassy plateau sunning himself as a cougar would. His life and that of their children would depend on keeping his secret safe.
“Thank you.” As he landed in the clearing in the trees where their night-time adventure had begun, Amber slid from his back and stood leaning against him.
The dragon closed his eyes, absorbing her warmth, inhaling her scent, as he fought the need to gather her up and take her away from here. He was scared she might get hurt if the people who were after Margie and the kids found them. If he lost her now, his life would have no meaning.
Let her go, his human said. She needs to check on her family and then sleep.
The dragon nodded and affectionately puffed smoke in Amber’s face.
“Thank you,” she repeated, only this time it was said in a sarcastic tone. He puffed one last plume of smoke before he closed his eyes and centered himself. The nearness of his mate affected his senses and he didn’t want to screw up his shift and look like a fool.
The dragon took a couple of steps back, then stood frozen in time staring at his mate before he let go of the world and allowed his human form to return.
“You had fun?” Kelos asked as he stepped forward toward his mate.
“I did.” She shook her head. “Not exactly what I would have expected for a first date. Seeing a pile of treasure is a first.”
He grinned. “I am not like any other man you will ever meet.”
“That is true.” She took hold of his hand and looped it around her shoulders. “You certainly are special.”
“We are special.” He kissed her cheek. “Let’s go inside. I think your sister-in-law and the children are in bed.”
“Is it that late?” She looked down at her watch. “Wow, I had no idea. Time flies when you are having fun and that dragon ride was fun.”
“Do you want tea?” Kelos asked as he opened the back door and they went inside. He pushed his senses outward, double-checking that everything was as it should be in the house.
“Yes, please.” Amber pulled out a chair and sat down. “Are they all right?” She pointed toward the ceiling. “I don’t want to go and check on them in case I wake them.”
“They are fine,” he assured her as he set the kettle on the stove.
“Good. They need a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, I’m going to have to talk to Margie about Fabian. I’m concerned we’ve not heard from him.” She ran her hands across the tabletop.
“I thought you weren’t supposed to make contact.” Kelos placed the two mugs down on the counter and went to the fridge for the milk.
“We’re not. But under the circumstances, shouldn’t we at least try to check if he’s all right?” She leaned her elbows on the table and clasped her hands under her chin. Keeping her voice low, she said, “For all we know, something could have happened to him.”
Kelos nodded. “Of course, if no one is there to check up on him, anything could have happened.”
“Thanks.” She pressed her lips together. “I thought I was overreacting, but you’ve just confirmed my worst fears.”
“If you can’t get hold of him, I could fly to wherever he is and take a look for you. Check in on him.” Kelos had to offer even though he didn’t want to be parted from his mate.
“I can’t ask you to do that,” Amber insisted.
“You didn’t ask me. I offered.” Kelos poured the tea and came to sit across the table from her. Placing the two cups on the table, he was just about to sit down when he froze and turned his head to the side. His eyes narrowed as he listened to the sounds of the night. Beyond the forest, he could sense something.
“Kelos.” Amber reached for his hand, her touch jerking him out of his daze. “Is there someone there?”
He switched his attention to his mate and shook his head. “It was just a shifter passing by.”
“Are you sure?” she asked in a hushed voice.
“Absolutely.” He slid into his seat and reached for her hand. “I’m sorry I worried you.”
“No, I’m glad you are alert.”
