Nick knew that Lucy had a long way to go before her wounds were physically healed. She had been starved for quite a while and she had also been beaten and scratched pretty severely. He wasn’t sure how long it would take for her to heal from her psychological wounds, if she ever would. Abuse victims often suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. However, Lucy was strong, because she had survived this long. She came from a strong, loving, supporting family. He knew in his heart that although it would take some time, Lucy would heal.
After breakfast, Lucy and Lana decided to go for a walk. Clarence and Nick opted to help some of the people working in the courtyard.
Although his hands were busy, Nick’s thoughts were constantly on Lana. His eyes followed her as much as they could.
“Nick. Nick,” Clarence said, clearing his throat.
“Yeah?” Nick asked, startled out of his reverie.
Clarence laughed at him. “You haven’t heard a word I said, have you?”
“I’m sorry. I was just thinking,” Nick said.
“Judging by where your eyes have been straying, you’ve been thinking about my daughter,” Clarence laughed.
“You caught me, Sir,” Nick said.
He continued helping in the courtyard, but still, his thoughts remained on Lana. He felt a tightness in his chest when he thought, I am afraid to let her out of my sight. Vardok’s crew is still out there, and I couldn’t stand it if something was to happen to her.
Nick knew that he was being ridiculous. Lana fought the dragons just as hard as he did. She was just as responsible for the rescue of her parents and sister as any one of those who fought. She had proven that she could hold her own in a battle, and wouldn’t appreciate the idea that he felt like he had to protect her. Yet, he couldn’t vanquish the feelings.
After lunch, Nick and Lana strolled through the wooded area outside of the courtyard. They stopped by a creek that was so clear that they could see the fish swimming and a turtle playing in the mud.
“You know I love you,” he said.
She smiled at him. “I love you.”
“I was thinking of asking your father if he would give me permission to have a formal mating ceremony,” Nick asked, almost shyly. Although he knew that Lana loved him, he was caught by the sudden fear that she would deny him.
“I think that’s a brilliant idea,” Lana said, staring into his eyes.
Nick leaned over and consumed her lips. The passion in his kiss promised a lifetime of love and passion.
He traced her lips with his tongue and nibbled on her bottom lip. He pushed his tongue into her mouth, claiming her as his until her body was healed enough to consummate their formal mating.
Nick spent the rest of the afternoon trying to find the right time. He knew that Clarence liked him and that Clarence would give his permission. However, he still was nervous about asking.
After dinner, Lana and Lucy went to her room. Lana was trying to help Lucy cope with everything she had been through.
Nick slipped outside and stared up at the night sky, thinking that the moon and stars had never looked so beautiful. Half the time you can’t even see the night heavenly bodies in the city, either because of the smog or because of the bright city lights.
He was so engrossed in watching the sky, that he didn’t hear Clarence and Sara approaching until they were almost next to him.
Nick stood up so quickly that his head began to swim from vertigo.
“Hi, Nick. There is something fascinating about the stars and a full moon, isn’t there?” Sara asked. “They are magical.”
“They are,” he agreed.
Nervously taking a deep breath, Nick said, “I was hoping to talk to you both tonight. You know that I love Lana. So much so that I would lay my life down for her.”
Clarence smiled and nodded, but didn’t say anything, waiting for Nick to finish.
“Well, I would like to have your permission for a formal mating ceremony with Lana. I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with her. My life would be empty without her,” Nick said, the words pouring out once he got started.
Sara smiled and clapped her hands together. Clarence put his hands on Nick’s shoulders. “I know you love her. You have shown that. It is obvious by the way you look at her. I admire you, your character, and your bravery. I would be honored to have you as my son.”
“Thank you, Sir,” Nick said.
20
Lana
The day of the mating ceremony was hectic. Lana wore the same tunic her mother wore when she married Clarence. Even Lucy got into the mood. For the first time since she had been rescued, Lucy was smiling and laughing with everyone else.
When they had a second alone, Lana asked Lucy how she was doing.
“It’s hard sometimes, but I know I’m going to be okay. When I feel stupid and start beating myself up for not seeing what was going on, I remind myself that Brian, well, Dizag, fooled a lot of people. I also keep reminding myself that I still have a whole life ahead of me, thanks to my brave, incredible sister, and her sexy mate. Dizag may have taken a couple of years away from me, but he doesn’t get to have the rest of my life. That is for me,” Lucy said.
Lana hugged her sister and said, “You are the brave one.”
Then, Lana asked, “Do you think you’ll ever love again?”
Lucy laughed and replied, “I know I will. I just happened to have the off chance of being targeted by a handsome, manipulative, psychopathic dragon shifter. What are the odds of the next handsome man to catch my eye being the same?”
“I don’t know, Sis. Some people have all the luck—or bad luck,” Lana said, teasing her sister.
Lucy became sober
