The wrong others do is not your fault, Legion.
If they are dragon, it is my responsibility and that of my clan. I will talk to Thorn.
Talk?
He understands, perhaps even better than I realized.
Mara pursed her lips. “Legion is asking Thorn if he will move to the loft.”
Tempest tilted her head to the side. “He does that? Asks the dragons what they want?’
Mara raised an eyebrow. “Of course. He isn’t a dictator. He’s leader of the clan because he holds the power of the dragon species. Legion loves them. He... lost his family protecting them.”
Tempest put her head down. “I am sorry.”
Legion shimmered in her mind. Thorn will live with the girls. He had planned to anyway.
Mara smiled. “Looks like you have a new roommate.”
Tempest head came up and her lip twitched. It wasn’t quite a smile, but it was a start. “Thank you.”
Mara put her hands up. “Don’t thank me. Thorn planned to live with you, anyway.”
Natalie came into the room and sat on the bed beside Tempest. “Did I hear we have a new roomie?”
Mara laughed. “Better start practicing all those meat recipes.”
Natalie smiled. “Thorn likes sweets too.”
Tempest scrunched her face. “Sweets make Daisy gassy.”
Natalie put her hand over her mouth before clearing her throat. “Good to know.” She winked at Mara. “Thanks for... you know.”
“Conner will work at the shop during the day, and Thorn will guard you at night. Legion will ward the new building. There will never be an incident like that again.”
Natalie patted her chin with her finger. “New store and loft that are double the size. Two new pets, plus a fab new roommate. I could get used to this.”
Mara smiled, loving how Natalie could always look at the positives in any situation. “The wolves will look less conspicuous than...”
“A forty-foot dragon.” Natalie interjected.
Mara’s laughter reflected in her eyes. “Yeah, that.”
Tempest leaned toward Mara. “Are the dragons really that big?”
“Legion is bigger. Anyway, having Thorn there will make me feel better. I need to know you, Tempest, and Alana are safe.”
Natalie glanced away with a frown. “About Alana.”
Mara’s smile faded. “Tell me she didn’t leave.”
Natalie sighed. “You know, Alana. She can’t sit still. She said to tell you she is sorry. Honestly, I think she was on the verge of tears.”
Mara let the familiar sting settle in her chest. “I’m pissed, but not surprised. I should be thankful she stuck around as long as she did. This was a record for her.”
Natalie laughed. “It was. Alana is ... Alana.” Her smile fell away. “So, this is our life.”
“Yeah, looks like,” Mara said.
“Any regrets?”
Mara shook her head. “Not one.”
Natalie fiddled with her fingers. “What’s next?”
Mara glanced at the door. “I have a bonding ceremony.”
Natalie frowned. “What is that?”
Legion’s warmth filled her mind as his presence neared. “We are about to find out.”
Epilogue
Mara pulled the white wedding dress out of the box, thankful that Draco had saved it from the fire. Her fingers tingled as she touched the short train. She touched the material, looking for the source.
Natalie leaned over the bed, looking at the dress. “Is something wrong?”
Mara touched a pearl button that adorned the neckline. “I’m not sure. I feel a slight current running over the material in the dress. There’s something sewn into the hem.”
Natalie ran to the closet. “I saw an old sewing kit in the closet.” She returned with a woven basket. She pulled out a thin silver tool. “Use this to pick the hem. I can resew it when you’re finished.”
Mara took the sewing pick, proceeding to cut several stitches before the edge of paper emerged. She pulled the note through the small opening. “I think it’s a letter.”
Natalie’s eyes widened. “Sewn into your mom’s wedding dress?”
Mara unfolded the letter, sucking in a quick breath as the familiar handwriting flowed over the cream parchment. “It’s from my mother.”
“What does it say?” Natalie asked eagerly.
Tears welled at the corner of Mara’s eyes. “It says:
Dear Mara,
If you are reading this, then I was wrong, you are druid. For that, I am sorry. Please don’t blame your sister. There are forces beyond your comprehension at work. I asked your sister to leave, to keep you and her safe. This sacrifice was necessary. When the time comes, I beg you to forgive her.
Know that I love you both. Please take the necklace sewn into the side panel as my last gift to you and save the dress for your sister.
All my love
Mom
Mara laid the dress on the bed, feeling for the side panel. She removed the white gold necklace from the side. The one her mother had worn around her neck for most of her adult life. She and Alana had looked for it when she died. “I love this necklace.”
Natalie helped her put it on. “Well, this takes care of something old and blue since it has sapphires for stones, but what about a dress?”
Mara turned to the mirror, running her fingers over the antique necklace. “This isn’t a wedding. I don’t have to follow traditional rules. What do we have for clothes here?”
Natalie shrugged. “Conner brought us new clothes. They are in the closet. I haven’t looked through them yet.”
Mara folded the white wedding dress. “The dress was too small for me anyway; I don’t mind saving it for Alana. I just don’t know if I can honor my mother’s last request. I know Alana believed she was protecting me, but why leave now? The dragons will protect us.”
Natalie touched her arm. “Give her a chance to explain.”
Mara ran her fingers over the blue stone in the center of the necklace. “I would, if she were here.”
Natalie dropped her arm. “Yeah.”
Mara smiled as she entered the living room of the cabin. Tempest sat on the couch with Daisy and Thorn while Conner and Natalie stood in the center of the room. The white crystal, resting on the small table was shaped
