Chapter Thirteen

Grace stared out the window, watching as the snow fluttered to the ground. The wind blew it, kicking up swirls of the white powder into the air, making it hard to see more than a few dozen feet. For the first time all week, she was glad she didn’t have to go anywhere. It was disgusting out there.

She lifted her coffee mug to her lips and took a generous sip. The warm liquid slid down her throat. She sighed, her eyes drifting to the spot where Daire had emerged when he’d landed by the lake.

It had been four days since the full moon. He’d called to say that the threat was gone and she could go home, but then she’d heard nothing from him. She knew nothing would come from their relationship, but she’d hoped they’d at least get a chance to say goodbye.

Maybe it was for the best. A clean break. Her heart ached, and tears misted her eyes at the thought. She would never get over him. In a few short weeks, she’d fallen for him. In all her years with Dave, she hadn’t known what it felt like to be loved. In the short time with Daire, she knew without a doubt what it was like to be worshiped—to have a man who would do anything for you. No man would ever fill her heart like Daire did. Now, she only had her memories and the story on which she was working.

The book was pouring out of her. She hoped readers loved it as much as she did Daire. If they did, it was sure to be a hit. The only thing she was going to change about the story was the end. The characters would get a happily ever after. Even a fictional character didn’t deserve to have their heart broken.

A stray tear slipped down her cheek. She swiped it away and cleared her throat.

She started to turn to go back to her computer when movement caught her eye. Someone emerged from the trees by the dumpster. She leaned forward, knocking her forehead against the glass. Squinting, she could barely make out the form. It was a man, but it wasn’t just any guy. It was Daire.

Her heart leaped into her throat. She set her mug on the windowsill and sprinted for the door. She opened the door and ran out onto the concrete awning and down the stairs as fast as she could without slipping on the ice.

The ice numbed her bare feet, but she didn’t mind. Daire grinned when he saw her, closing the distance between them. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, twirling her around in a circle.

“You came back,” she said. Her lips found his while her hands ran through his hair. This was real, and he was here.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” Daire repositioned her so he was carrying her bridal style. “Let’s get you out of this cold and then I’ll explain everything.”

Grace nuzzled into him as he carried her back to her apartment. Once inside, he set her down and drew her in for another long kiss.

“I’ve missed you. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she admitted between kisses. “It’s been four days. I was so scared you’d gone for good.” She kissed him and then sank back down to the carpet. Her eyes drifted to the floor. “You came to say goodbye, didn’t you?” How silly of her to think he was going to stay. She’d be lucky to keep him for the night.

Daire put his finger under her chin, tilting it up. “I came to stay. If you’ll have me?”

“Wh-what?”

He chuckled and kissed her forehead before drawing her in for a tight hug. “I love you, Grace. I’m here to stay if you want me to.”

Was he serious? Could this really be happening? Had her streak of awful luck finally changed? “I love you, too,” she blurted. “Of course, you can stay.” She laughed as tears trickled down her cheeks. “You can stay for good?”

He nodded, swiping her tears away with the pad of his thumb. “Astraea released me from my servitude. She said that I’ve more than repaid my debt to her for Alannah and Neala.” He chuckled, shaking his head as he led her to the couch and sat down. He pulled her into his lap, hugging her tightly. “In fact, Astraea sent me to St. Joseph for a reason. For you, Grace.”

“Me?” she whispered.

“She wanted to thank me for all I’ve done for the guardians by returning me to my soul mate. You’re my soul mate, Grace. That’s why we were drawn to each other the moment we met.”

“Soul mates?” she repeated, trying to wrap her mind around it. That would explain why she’d been so enamored with him since the first moment. But were those real? Why not? Dragons and werewolves and Greek gods were. Why not soul mates, too?

“Yes. Soul mates.”

“And we can really be together?” she pressed, touching her forehead to his.

“We can.”

“That easy?”

“Astraea is the goddess of justice, too. She wanted to be fair to me, but it took her longer to find my fated soul mate than she thought it would. I’ve got to admit; it was worth the wait.” He kissed her. “I love you so much, Grace.”

“I love you, too. I’m so glad you don’t have to go.” She pulled back. “Are you still a dragon?” She lifted his arm, skimming her finger over the tattoo still inked onto his skin.

He chuckled. “Astraea asked me to give her a few months to find a replacement for me. People are a lot different from how they were in the sixth century. She’ll only call on my services if she really needs me. I’m here to stay.”

“Will you always be a dragon, then?” she asked.

“No. Once she fully releases me from her servitude, I’ll have to give up the dragon. Is that okay with you?”

“You’re the only thing I want, Daire. I’ll take you any way I can.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. Is Caden here?” Daire asked.

She shook her head. “He’s at daycare. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to keep him there. I get my last paycheck next Friday.”

Daire pushed the hair back from her face. “I’ve been working for a Greek goddess for centuries, Grace. We don’t ever have to worry about money. We can look at houses, anything you want. Maybe even purchase the bed and breakfast from the bank and run it ourselves. Or you can do whatever you want. The future is all ours. We can do anything.”

Daire was right. They could do anything together. She closed her eyes and leaned into him. Life had brought her a lot of things over the years, but it had finally delivered her happily ever after.

***

Thank you for reading this Zodiac Shifters romance. A shifter’s mate is always in the stars... We invite you to fall in love over and over again. Visit to learn more.

Welcome to Zodiac Shifters, a series of books with an astrological spin on love. From Aries to Virgo... discover all-new tales of paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

Zodiac Shifters features New York Times, USA Today, and other bestselling authors. Each month expect new releases based upon the twelve astrology signs.

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Below is an excerpt from Tethered: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance Aquarius by Beth Caudill.

Evelyn Brooks raced across a sky tinged purple. Behind her, lightning and thunder clashed within baleful clouds. Her wings dipped in a strong cross-wind, plunged her toward the earth. Muscling through the gale, she climbed into a less turbulent current. She’d never make Raleigh before getting soaked, despite the speed her Peregrine form achieved.

A ferocious roar drowned out the whistle of the wind. The upward flap of her wings faltered, and her blood chilled. Turning into a different current, she glimpsed the silhouette of an enormous beast against the storm’s clouds.

Below her, the treetops of a deciduous forest with red-kissed leaves due to an early frost stood sentry. She took shelter within the branches of an oak tree.

The whoosh of wings induced Evelyn to shrink against the tree trunk and dig her talons into the bark as the limbs swayed. A strong crosswind contorted the tree further. Another roar challenged the incoming storm’s might and silenced the nighttime creatures.

Twisting her head, she glanced through the foliage into the cloud-filled sky. A dark shadow moved against the dark gray backdrop. Gigantic wings lifted a massive creature high into the sky.

Dragons were extinct. Hunted and then stripped of their scales and blood, their magic forever lost to the supernatural communities. For eons they’d guarded and sheltered those seeking wisdom or healing until humans, who couldn’t control their desires, rampaged across the earth and destroyed all the sanctuaries.

Apparently, the purge didn’t destroy them all and the approaching storm disturbed this one’s slumber.

Moving to the East Coast was supposed to keep Evelyn safe. Free her of the disturbing sense that someone watched her. Maybe stimulate her creativity and spark a burst of artistry. Instead, she was denied the escape of flight and forced to hide.

She stared longingly at the sky. Only when she rode the winds, sweeping high above did she find peace. Released from the entanglements on the ground, flying freed her mind and stimulated the creative well inside her. Using her camera to record the beauty around her was potent, but it was nothing compared to enthrallment of soaring in the air.

For over a hundred years, she’d captured the images around her. Recorded life, the daring vistas of the world, and the beauty of nature. Now every time she peered through her lens, clouds blended together, colors were muted, and not a single star twinkled. The wonderment of life around her had vanished.

Despite being able to change shape, she felt shackled to an earth-bound existence. Alone. Heartbroken, even though she had no desire for a mate.

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About the Author

Bethany Shaw lives in Ohio with her husband and two kids. Writing has always been her passion and she loves sharing her stories with readers. When she isn't writing, she is spending time with her family enjoying bike rides, bowling, and board games.