Cao, no!” Ling screamed, nose-diving toward him. A rush of air whooshed past her and she caught a glimpse of copper scales. Liem. Thank the gods.

She raced harder, flapping and kicking, tunneling through the air, but Cao was fast approaching the ground—a valley laden with trees to break his fall.

Or break him.

Liem pushed ahead, edging closer to Cao.

The seconds rushed past her faster, and the vegetations suddenly appeared, out of nowhere, swallowing Cao.

Noooooo! Ling beat her wings, pummeling toward the trees. Cao’s faint yelps rang in her ears. She pushed past Liem and dove through the foliage, branches snapping off her hide.

There. Cao clung to a branch with one hand, fifty feet off the ground. She snagged him as she whizzed past, then opened her wings to glide to the forest floor.

Clasping him in her talons, she lowered him onto the moss-covered forest floor. “Cao?”

“Knew…you’d…catch me,” he wheezed, his body scraped up and his clothes torn and bloodied.

“You fool.” She whipped her head, fighting back her frustration and fear. “You could have died.”

“Nope.” Groaning, he rose on his elbows and managed to wink at her, though it might have been his swollen eye. “Got the pit just in time.”

Ling transformed into her human shape and knelt beside him, cupping his face in her hands. She tilted his head from side to side. “Are you sure?”

“Trust me.” He thumped his chest. “It’s safe inside, and I will recover from these wounds. Although,” he cocked his head, “I wouldn’t mind if you played nurse.”

She scoffed a laugh, exhaling her mass of concerns. “You had me worried for a second. Don’t ever do that again.” Tsking, she straddled Cao, kissing him with a fever matching her still-racing heart.

A male cleared his throat. “Uhh.”

Right. Liem. And Jade.

Ling pulled back from Cao, but didn’t hop off him. She was finally the one smitten and she was going to enjoy every second of making those around her feel awkward.

Like they had done to her for months.

A triumphant smile tugged at her lips while a bright bloom washed across Jade’s cheeks.

“So, ah, this is a thing then?” Liem, in human form now, crossed one arm over his chest to scratch at the back of his neck. “You and the Immortal. Wait, he is Immortal, right? The whole pit thing was confusing as hell.”

“Yes, he is.” She peeked at Cao, joy bubbling inside her. “And yes, we are.” The excitement faded for an instant as she noted Jade’s silence. Shuffling off Cao, she strolled to Jade. “I’m sorry we’ve lost touch these past couple of weeks. Things have been crazy. I’d really love to catch up.”

“Oh, Ling.” Jade threw her arms around her in a warm embrace. “I would love that, too.” Lowering her voice, she murmured, “I want all the juicy details.”

Heat flamed Ling’s cheeks. Because, of course, Liem had heard that. They stepped apart and Cao came to her side, grabbing her hand and squeezing in reassurance. “I can tell you both have plenty to catch up on. Why don’t Liem and I get to know each other, with less hostility this time?”

“Thank you.” She pressed a kiss to Cao’s cheek before waving at the two men as they strode away.

“Okay,” Jade tapped her foot and shot her a no-bullshit stare. “Spill.”

* * *

Less hostility?” Liem snarled at Cao’s remark while they wandered through the forest.

“Yes.” Cao sighed. Dragons. They had long-as-hell memories and held grudges with the best of them. “We both care about Ling, and neither of us is going anywhere.”

The male cast him a sideways, assessing glance. “Perhaps. I’ve never seen Ling this happy.”

He stumbled a little, but didn’t press for details. Truth was, he’d never been this content, either. “Part of it is also her recovering her dragon.”

“Yeah, for sure,” the other man conceded. “I never saw that coming.”

“No one did.” Cao wove through a grove of bamboo and halted at the edge of a marsh.

Liem followed behind him, plucking a stone and skating it across the water’s smooth surface. “Who taught her those dragon-y things?”

Was that a hint of envy in his voice? Guess the guy did consider Ling part of his den. “Her half-brother, Taelen, and her den mate, Ry, did. Taught her how to transform, fly, all that stuff. She’s still learning about the Hive Mind though,” he offered.

“Really? Heh.” Liem twisted, skipping another rock. “I’d be happy to pass along a few suggestions. Could you tell her?”

“Of course.” Cao hid a scoff. Dragon egos.

Liem raked his hands through his locks. “For what it’s worth, I appreciate you keeping Ling safe.”

Wow. Gratitude from a dragon. Had to be a first. “Thanks, mate. I’m glad she has friends like you.”

“Family, Cao.” Liem crossed his arms, a flicker of seriousness flashing in his molten eyes. “We’re family, and now, you are, too.” He narrowed his eyes. “That is, if you’re serious about that ring.”

“Hell, yeah, I am.” Cao puffed out his chest. “Just like I know you are about the one you gave to Jade.”

“How in the fuck—”

“I’m a master thief, dragon.” He broke out into a grin at the bewilderment cutting across Liem’s face. “Of course I spotted the bling.”

“Well.” Liem clamped his hand on Cao’s shoulder. “Then I guess this makes us brothers, too.”

Technically… Aw, fuck it. Let the dragon have his day. Cao gripped Liem’s arm, giving him a solid nod. “Brothers.”

* * *

And…that pretty much sums it up.” Ling sank onto the ground, exhaling heavily. Recounting everything aloud made the events seem even crazier than when they’d been happening to her. But there it was. Fairy tales were a hell of a lot messier in real life. Still, she’d ended up with her prince. Musings of the future cut into her dreaming and she released a happy sigh. “What about you? How are things with Liem?”

Jade had been awfully quiet on that front. Gods, she hoped they were solid. Just the idea of them not being together—

“Tell her, Jade,” Liem strolled into view, nodding in encouragement.

“Tell me what?” Ling shot up onto her elbows and glared at the three of them, knowing glints in their eyes.

“This.” Jade extended her left hand to Ling, flourishing a gorgeous diamond ring embellished with jade gemstones.

Ling’s jaw dropped open. “I thought you said…”

“Hey, if my mate wants something sparkly, the hell I’m going to say no.” Liem chuckled. “Besides, marriage or not, she’s never leaving me.”

“Ooo-kay, Mr. Hoarding Dragon.” Jade shot to her feet and pressed her hands against Liem’s chest. “Remember what we talked about.”

“Ah, right.” Liem seized Jade’s hands and held them tight.

“Are we going to do it, then?” Cao rubbed his hands together, eager.

Embarrassment flooded Ling. “Cao,” she hissed, dashing to his side. “We are not swinging with Liem and Jade.” Ugh. How had his mind even gone there?

“The fuck?” Liem growled, hands fisted, advancing on Cao.

“Hey,” Cao held up his hands, stepping back, “Ling, I’ve taught you well, but that was not what I was suggesting.” He grinned at her, inching away from the fuming dragon. “I meant the wedding. Why don’t we throw a double wedding?”

“A double wedding?” Liem unfisted his hands, his features softening. “Sounds perfect.”

Ling glanced between the two men, then at Jade, who sent her a nod.

“Since you hate being the focus, why not take some of the pressure off?” Cao wrapped his arm around her. “Anything for my Sheep.”

He was so sweet. “I’m game if you guys are?” Her two friends exchanged looks.

“We definitely are.” Jade chimed a laugh and marched toward her.

Ling rushed into her friend’s embrace and they squeezed each other. “Guess this means we’ve got a ton of planning to do.” She released Jade and winked. “Maid of Honor.”

* * *

This was it. Ling exhaled, emptying her lungs, and sucked in a hard breath. Though the moment had come faster than she’d dreamed, her nerves had nothing to do with lack of conviction.

Sheep didn’t enjoy being the center of attention. In a few moments, Ling would be. She surveyed to the right and smiled at Jade. Her bestie looked gorgeous in a slim white gown hugging her slender curves. Ling had gone the full skirt route, with an off-the-shoulder cut bodice that laced up the back.

Cao would have fun with those laces later.

Somehow, they’d managed to pull everything together in a few short hours. Liem had handled inviting guests. Cao had organized the entertainment, food, and décor. She and Jade had enjoyed an afternoon at the spa, full of pampering.

No one had desired the fuss of a large wedding, so only close friends and family had come.

They’d chosen a perfect location. An endless stretch of white-sand, the beach on a remote island where they wouldn’t be disturbed.

Ling twirled a lock of her hair in her fingers, peering around the white tent flap toward the crowd seated on white chairs in the sand.

“You look incredible.” Jade tapped her hand, drawing it away from her twirling. “I’ll be right beside you, and so will Liem and Cao. I’m so glad we get to do this together.”

“Me too.” She beamed at her friend. Jade’s hair was twisted into dozens of tiny braids atop her head, with a few cascading coils bouncing around her shoulders. “Liem is going to snap when he sees you.”

“Ha.” Jade barked a laugh. “He’d better not haul me off in the middle of the ceremony. That dragon has no patience.”

Ling chuckled along. “That he does not. However, I’m pretty sure he knows you’re worth waiting for.”

“Aww.” Jade sniffled and hugged Ling for the hundredth time today. A joyous melody trilled through the air. Then she straightened and puffed out her breath. “That’s our cue.”

She bobbed her head at Jade and swept her arm for the other woman to go first.

With a straight spine and a determined look, Jade withdrew from the tent to stroll down the aisle toward her groom.

Ling wrung her fingers, peeking around the flap, awaiting her turn. Gods, this was awful. Part of her—the part dominated by Sheep—would’ve much preferred a secret wedding.

C’mon, Sheep. Just this once, no hiding.

She respired in a steady rhythm. In and out. Calming herself and the spirit animal.

Once Jade reached Liem, Ling planted one foot forward, then the other. Sheep protested, and Ling’s heart raced, but she stamped down the urge to flee, or blend in, or do anything to ruin this moment.

She’d already crashed one wedding, after all.

You can do it. Taelen’s voice swooped into her mind, encouraging.

Liem’s joined, and so did Lok’s, filling her consciousness with courage, and snuffing out those nasty doubts.

Right. I can do this. Ling straightened her shoulders and stepped out of the tent.

Toward her destiny.

* * *

Though Cao had every faith in Ling, Liem’s hand on his shoulder bolstered his confidence.

“She’s coming, brother.” Liem grunted, jerking his chin toward the tent, where a hand brushed the white silk aside and Ling emerged. Looking so fucking gorgeous.

He immediately regretted how many guests they’d invited. A private ceremony would’ve been wiser.

Because he could hardly wait to tear the priceless gown off her.

“Easy, tiger. If I have to wait, so do you,” Liem grumbled at his side, then took a step to the left and pasted on a grin for Jade.

Cao suppressed a laugh and locked gazes with Ling, sending her reassurance as she glided down the aisle, as though trying not to bolt. At least he grasped her urge to flee had nothing to do with him. Silly Sheep.

At last, she stood before him, a thin veil concealing her face.

Steeling himself, he snatched her hands, gave a firm squeeze, and released them to lift the veil. He struggled to hold in his gasp, but damn. She undid him. Those silver pools sparkled at him and she nibbled her lower lip in a sexy way that made his ballocks tighten.

To his left, Liem muttered something about torture, and frankly, Cao had to agree. This ceremony wouldn’t be over fast enough.

Screw their forty guests. The show he’d planned was for a private audience.

Their officiant for the ceremony cleared his throat. “We have gathered here today to wit—”

The skies shot dark, big, billowy clouds blocking out the sun. Beside them, the calm beach kicked up a storm, the waves rolling in like a surfer’s dream.

The hell?

Cao clutched Ling, scanning for a game plan. If the bloody Dragon King presumed to ruin his wedding…

Spiked tails, blue scales, and plumed heads breached the surface, the waters calming. At least fifty Qinglong dragons drifted toward them, startling their guests out of their seats.

Squinting, Cao tried to spot Ao Guang, Ling’s grandfather, but he didn’t recognize the ancient bastard among them.

Liem took an offense stance, bursting into his massive copper dragon form, and charged toward the horde of dragons. One against fifty? Cao wouldn’t place odds on that, except if the one was a Fucanglong dragon denied his bride.

“Who the fuck are you and what the fuck do you think you’re doing crashing my wedding?” he snarled, those piercing fangs bared.

“Actually,” a female Qinglong glided toward Liem, but peered past him at Ling. “We’re here to pay respects to her. Sorry we’re late.”

“Me?” Ling pressed a hand to her chest, shock rounding her features. “Oh, well, thank you.”

Huh. Cao relaxed his grip and waved at the throng of dragons. Perhaps loyalty to the old King wasn’t as iron-clad as everyone assumed.

“Okay then,” Liem muttered, seeming half-disappointed he hadn’t gotten into a brawl with the Qinglong as he transformed into his human self.

“Shall we continue?” the officiant intoned, glancing between the two couples.

Cao winked at Ling. “Hell, yeah.”

The rest of the ceremony blew by in a daze. He repeated the vows, love eternal and all that, but mostly, he concentrated on the woman who’d claimed his heart. My wife.

Kissing her for the first time after their union was definitely the best part. He swooped in, feathering his lips across hers, lingering, savoring, ready to make this moment last forever.

The crowd’s cheering broke them apart, and he let them have this moment. Sharing in their joy. Celebrating alongside with them.

Because, after all, eternity with Ling belonged to him.

* * *