Bells were still ringing in the town down in the valley as Raul pulled Claire up into his arms, giving her a proud smile.

Her fire dragon wore a black suit today, his shoulders already lightly dusted with snow once more.

Her own white dress was made of multiple layers of white silk that kept her surprisingly warm, even with her mate’s dragon heat to warm her. She was wrapped in a white fur that had belonged to Raul’s great-grandmother. On her arm, the golden bracelet of their mating gleamed. She wore little flowers made of diamonds in her hair—and on her finger, a new diamond shone.

When Raul carried her over the threshold, they were greeted with cheers. Inside, the house was warm. It was heated not only by the new heating system they’d installed in the past year, but also by the natural heat of the hot springs beneath the mansion.

They’d made good progress with their renovations. If everything kept going according to plan, they’d open for the first guests in late spring.

But this year, they’d have a calm Christmas just to themselves.

Hopefully, it would be the last calm Christmas for many years. Claire couldn’t wait to see what sort of adventures would await her as the mother of a tiny dragonet—but whatever was waiting for them, she knew it would be worth all the sleepless nights coming up.

You all right? Raul asked through the bond.

Claire nodded in reply. She’d only successfully tested a week ago, and so far, they hadn’t shared the news with anyone. Fortunately, even though her breasts felt rather sore these days, she hadn’t been suffering from morning sickness so far.

Which was for the best, because after months of looking at pictures of wedding cakes, not even her little dragonet was going to ruin her enjoyment of the six tier cake in the form of a giant snowflake.

All around them, flashes went off and phones were held up high as everyone tried to get the best snapshot.

Giggling, Claire held on to Raul’s strong arms. It was good to be the center of attention for once—for all that she loved organizing events, this time, so many of their friends and family and people from the town had helped out that Claire was looking forward to what was promising to be the best day of her life.

Another flash went off, and then, at last, Raul relented and let her down.

Flushed and filled with happiness that seemed to bubble out of her, she walked into one of the rooms they’d already finished renovating. It was large enough for a big reception—hopefully, one day they’d be able to host weddings for their guests as well.

But today, the large hall with its lovingly restored decorations of gilt was decorated in their wedding colors: white and red, snow and fire. They had red roses and white candles on the tables, and real snow kept falling in ever heavier flakes outside.

“One moment,” Raul said, before they’d even made it to their table.

Claire watched, shocked, as Raul went down onto one knee.

“You can’t ask her after you’ve married her, you idiot,” Dylan called out among the laughter of their friends.

Raul gave him a quick grin, but then returned his eyes to Claire’s.

“Claire, you’ve given me so much more than I’d ever hoped to find,” he said. “My heart is yours, forever.”

Briefly, his eyes lingered where her belly hadn’t yet started to swell, but where even now, tiny as a snowflake, new life was beginning.

Through the bond, she felt his awe and tenderness. Even though they’d agreed to keep it a secret for now, she couldn’t keep herself from briefly resting her hand against her belly, lovingly whispering to the tiny spark within her, You’ll have the best daddy anyone could possibly have.

His eyes shone with the same overwhelmed joy she felt. For a moment, he reached out, covering her hand with his own.

I love you, little spark, he said tenderly.

Then he drew his hand away, looking up into her eyes.

“I’ve given you my ring, and I’ve given you my heart. But I also want you to have my dragon’s heart. It’s where it belongs. My heart has found its home with you. Forever.”

Gently, he pulled a necklace from his pocket and dropped it into her hand.

An excited murmur rose from the crowd, but Claire wasn’t able to look away from what was now resting on her palm.

It was a ruby—but not just any ruby. This was the jewel her hand had pulled from the pile of treasure. It was the uncut, dull gem that had saved their life, down in Alistair’s lair. It was the heart stone of Raul’s dragon.

But now it was no longer dull and lifeless. It had been cut and polished to perfection, so that every side of the jewel reflected the light in a myriad shades of red. It was like holding a living flame in her hand.

Against her skin, she could feel its warmth. She could also feel the power of Raul’s dragon concentrated within it, the fiery essence of him, his strength and unbridled passion—and the overwhelming love that kept him by her side.

She held the ruby back out to him, biting back tears of utter happiness as she thought of the great adventure of parenthood before them. “Will you put it on for me?”

She’d worn a simple necklace that had once belonged to his grandmother—but she thought that his grandmother would understand. After all, it was not every day that a dragon gave you his heart.

And this was the most special heart of all. Her Christmas Dragon’s heart.

And it was worth more to her than all the treasures in the world.

***