Legion smiled at her. “You are breathtaking.”
She had chosen a long white dress from the clothes Conner had provided. The chiffon overlay hugged her curves and accentuated the necklace her mother had given her. Natalie had done her hair up in intricate braids with tiny white flowers and gold thread woven in. She had cried when she saw the goddess in her mirror.
Legion held two gold silk ribbons. He took her hand and tied them intricately between both their wrists, binding them together. His eyes flickered with golden fire. The emotion in them so thick, it warped the air.
Legion’s voice echoed with that of his dragon. “Tha thu leam a-nis agus gu brath.You are mine, now and forever.” He put his hand on the crystal. Nodding for Mara to do the same.
She did as instructed, feeling the power run through her. Ancient. Soothing. She could feel Legion’s dragon. It’s anticipation. It’s love.
Legion took a deep breath as the power of the crystal flowed into him. “Tha ar cumhachd, ar cridhe agus ar n-anam ar n-anum mar aon. Our power, our heart, and our soul are one.” His eyes blazed with golden flame. “Tha cridhe dragon gu brath agus bheir mi meinn dhut. A Dragon’s heart is forever and I offer mine to you.”
Mara nodded several times.
Legion smiled. “You must speak your assent.”
Mara swallowed. “What do I say?”
“Anything you wish.”
“Legion Rule, you are the piece of my heart I didn’t know I was missing. If we have eternity together, it will not be enough. I love you and relish every moment in your care.” The crystal hummed, the carved runes glowed and pulsed. White threads of power latched onto their souls, weaving them irrevocably together.
She was inside Legion’s mind when she felt her magic spike. She couldn’t tell where he ended, and she began. With the power of the crystal enhancing their bond, they were like one being, intertwined with love, power and destiny.
Legion opened a landscape in his mind. It looked like a sky at night with a thousand stars of different colors. It wasn’t until he spoke to the twinkling lights in his mind, that she understood the truth. My brethren. My friends. My family. I have found my mate. Mara is the seer of the druids, and together we will seek her sisters. Reach for your mates. The dark dragons seek to take that which is most precious. Call them to us. Wake if you sense your other half.
Several lights glowed brighter, dropping from the sky. They appeared closer and closer until one pulsed in front of them. Legion, I congratulate you on this momentous occasion. I have initiated my awakening. My mate has yet to mature, but I sense her. We shall fly again.
I look forward to it, my brother. Legion said before opening his eyes and taking his hand from the crystal.
The power subsided, dimming to a low hum that rippled in her blood. “That was unique.”
Legion untied the silk ribbons. “I admit, I didn’t expect so many would wake this quickly. There are more druids close to emergence than I suspected.”
Mara took the ribbons when Legion gave them to her. “How many are coming? Do we have enough settings for dinner?”
Legion put his arm around her. “The awakening process is slower than that.”
“That dragon said soon.”
Legion smiled. “Soon is a relative term for a dragon. It will depend on how deep his hibernation was. Awakening can take a week or a year. We won’t know until his eyes open.”
Mara leaned in. “That dragon had a strange accent. He spoke English but...”
Legion kissed her head. “He spoke Gaelic, but since I know the language, you do as well. Bram is... old.”
Mara raised an eyebrow. “So are you.”
“Yes, but most dragons take turns waking and familiarize themselves with the modern world. At least every couple hundred years. Bram has not awoken in over a thousand. I’m surprised he will be one of the first.”
Conner’s eyes widened. “Bram is waking? Well, this should get interesting. Bram was never flexible in his world views. He will be in for a surprise when he meets a modern-day druid.”
Mara winked at Conner. “Don’t worry, a modern woman won’t have an issue putting an overbearing man in his place.”
Conner’s eyes twinkled. “So, I noticed.”
Natalie poked at the crystal before Conner laughed.
“It’s harmless and only used for bonding ceremonies,” Conner said.
Mara ran a finger over the dormant crystal. “It’s really beautiful, and powerful when you’re connected to it.”
Legion ran his hand over it in a sort of reverence. “My father told me this crystal was the most sought-after object in dragon history. Until today I didn’t understand what he meant.”
Mara linked her fingers with his. “Because it binds you to the one you love.”
“Yes.” He turned to Natalie and Conner. “Will you excuse Mara and me for a moment? I wish to walk with my mate.”
Natalie and Conner shared a glace and a smile. “Oh yes, please.” Natalie said too quickly.
Legion led Mara outside. “Spill it,” she said.
Legion laughed. “Your best friend has a kind and giving heart, but she has the worst poker face I have ever seen.”
Mara bumped his shoulder playfully. “I know. Natalie couldn’t get away with anything.”
Legion knelt down on the grass and produced a golden ring. The band was thin and had two dragons entwined throughout. “Mara Krane, you have graciously agreed to be my mate. I would consider it an honor if you would marry me in the custom of your people.”
Mara touched the carved ring. “It’s stunning. I didn’t think that we needed to get married, that the crystal married us in the eyes of the dragons.”
Legion nodded. “We are, but you are my greatest gift. One given to me by humanity. The mages took their female brethren for granted. It is not a mistake I wish to repeat. Besides, I wish all the human males to
