Kelos nodded. “If you can’t get hold of him tomorrow, I’ll go and check in on him.” He couldn’t bear to see her afraid. If there was any way he could sort this out for her, he would.
Whatever it takes, his dragon agreed.
Whatever it takes. His fist clenched before he forced himself to relax. Fabian was trying to do the right thing. Yet it seemed he was the one being punished. Perhaps it was time for the dragon shifter to step in and break a few bones and burn a few homes.
But the days when he could sort out problems with blunt force were gone. To help his mate, he would have to use his head.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Amber told him quietly. “I’m glad we met.”
“Me, too.” His forehead creased as he saw the distress on her face.
But what had he expected? That he would find his mate and they would have sunshine and rainbows every day of their lives? He’d be a fool if he thought their lives would be easy.
You mean why would things change now? his dragon asked.
Yes, life has never been exactly easy, Kelos agreed.
“We’ll get through this together,” he promised his mate.
“That’s why I’m so glad you are here,” she said. “Even though I feel bad for dragging you into my family drama. But at least I’m not in this alone.”
“I’m here for you. Every step of the way.” Perhaps that’s how things would be different for Kelos from now on. He’d faced trials and tribulations all his life. He’d lived as an outcast, never feeling as if he belonged. Yet when he was with Amber, he didn’t feel alone, he didn’t feel like an outcast.
She was his soul mate.
“If you go to see Fabian, I’m coming with you.” She looked up and met his eyes and he knew in an instant there was no arguing with her. “Can you find someone to look after Margie and the kids?”
“Yes.” Kelos nodded. “I have a couple of friends I can ask.”
“Not Shawn,” Amber added quickly. “I don’t want him getting caught up in this. Not when he has Jane to care for.” She sipped her tea thoughtfully. “I should never have come here. Not really. I was selfish to put Shawn and Jane in danger.”
“Don’t do that.” Kelos hated seeing his mate beat herself up about something she could not change. “You trusted your gut. You went to Shawn because it felt right.”
“And I met you.” Amber looked down at her teacup. “What you’re trying to tell me is fate stepped in. If I hadn’t trusted my gut and gone to Shawn, I would never have met you and wound up here. Here where a dragon shifter can protect those I love.”
“At least you haven’t been waiting around as long as I have.” He’d waited and waited. It was as if there was a hole in his heart that only his mate could heal and while he waited for her, it grew bigger. Or maybe the hole had been in his soul. Wherever it was it had gone, now he was whole, he was complete.
“Okay.” She straightened her shoulders and looked up at him. “I’m going to trust in you and trust in fate.”
“Agreed.” He averted his eyes. “I still don’t like the idea of you being in danger. I can go and see Fabian alone.”
“And I don’t like the idea of you going to see Fabian alone, so I’m coming with you.” She sipped her tea, her eyes wide as she added, “Equals, remember?”
“Equals,” he agreed. Although, tomorrow, he might try to persuade Margie to ask Amber to stay.
That is underhanded, his dragon said. But he didn’t disagree. They both wanted to keep their mate safe.
“We should go to bed.” Amber drained her tea and stood up. Her cheeks glowed from their night-time flight over the mountains. He’d never seen anyone or anything more beautiful than Amber with her tousled hair and bright eyes. Even though the corners of her eyes were pinched with fatigue, she was stunning.
“We should,” he agreed, his voice husky as he stood up and collected the mugs from the table and placed them in the sink. “It’s been quite a day.”
“That is an understatement.” Amber came to him and slipped her hands around his waist, before leaning her head on his chest. “It’s not every day you get to ride on a dragon’s back.”
“You can ride on my back at any time.” He encircled her in his arms and cradled her against him. Breathing in her scent, he lowered his head and kissed her cheek. “I’m at your mercy, Amber. For a beast that has fought in wars and learned to survive by hiding his true self, that is a scary thing to admit. But I know I’m safe in your hands.”
“Because you are in my heart and always will be.” She tilted her head back and looked into his eyes, “I’m at your mercy, too. I might not be a ferocious dragon, but I have a heart and that heart belongs to you. I can’t explain how or why after only knowing you a day, but I know it nonetheless.”
With a sigh of contentment, he lowered his head, his lips seeking hers. Amber nipped his bottom lip before sliding her tongue over the bruised skin, Kelos groaned and tightened his hold on her as their kiss deepened.
He wanted her. And as she took his hand and led him to the living room, he knew she wanted him, too. The dragon was about to claim his mate.
Or the dragon was about to be claimed by his mate.
Either way, his dream was about to come true.
Chapter Sixteen – Amber
Amber tugged at the hem of his T-shirt, pulling it over his head and casting it aside before she reached out and stroked his bare chest. The
