Val walked between Markus’s mother and sister, listening to them tell stories about Markus when he was young. Even after all these centuries, they still could remember what was important to them.

“Markus couldn’t wait until he could shift and fly. He would stack boxes and climb on top, then fling himself off.”

“Oh my gosh! That must have been terrifying!”

“At first it was, but nothing I said could have stopped him. So his father would make sure there were plenty of cushions on the floor for him to land on.” Lania laughed at the fond memory.

“When did he finally shift?”

“He shifted when he turned thirteen. That’s the age all dragon shifters start to come to maturity. I’m grateful because he was so busy the first two years, learning how to shift and fly, that it kept him away from the girls his age.”

“I can’t imagine how hard that would be with his body changing so much and then going into puberty.”

“Exactly. Most parents get their boys into warrior training as soon as possible to help teach them discipline. His father, one of the last things he did before he took his final flight, was to enlist Markus in training”

“When did your husband…mate die?”

“Markus was eighteen and Destiny just five. Falcus was a captain in the Elite Warriors and had a mission that took him to the region ruled by King Dyson. There were rumors that females and children were being used as slaves. A battle broke out and Falcus never returned.”

“I’m so sorry, that must have been horrible.”

“There was suspicion that King Dyson might have had something to do with Falcus’s death, but it couldn’t be proven.”

“I’ve met him. He’s an asshole.”

“He wasn’t always like that. I actually had come from Dyson’s region and grew up there alongside him. Many thought that we would eventually mate. When I visited the capital city of Drakonia with my parents, my dragon felt the pull toward Falcus. We mated and bonded, that was that. Dyson never approved of the mating but since I moved to live with Falcus under King Reichardt’s rule, he could do nothing about it.”

“This is all so crazy. A few days ago I had no idea there were other beings in the world. Now I am trying to wrap my mind around the idea of shapeshifting dragons from another planet.”

Lania patted her back. “It’s a lot to take in, I know.”

Val yawned. “Excuse me, I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.” She blushed at remembering why—Markus made love to her on almost every surface in the bedroom.

“Why don’t you go lie down and get some rest. I will be checking to see how arrangements for dinner are coming along and Destiny has online courses.”

“What are you talking classes for?” she asked Destiny, who was sweet and shy.

“A doctor…healer. Though I don’t know if I’ll even be allowed to go to medical school—too many humans.”

“Destiny, we’ll speak with King Reichardt again. I’m sure something can be worked out.”

Destiny didn’t reply but there was clear doubt in her pretty eyes.

“Well, I think I will take that nap. It is such a pleasure to have met you both.”

Lania and Destiny took turns hugging her. Markus’s mother hugged her a second time. “I’m so glad that Markus has found you. He is truly lucky.”

“I’m the lucky one. Markus is amazing.”

“We’ll see you later in the main lodging. Destiny and I have our own cabin not far from here.”

“I’ll see you then.” She watched as they removed their dresses and shifted into dragon form. They leapt straight up into the air and their large wings caught the wind. That was so cool, but she would be too self-conscious to shift and be naked.

Turning, she headed back to the large two-story ranch house, which was more like a lodge. The front doors were barn doors. She entered inside and after a few minutes of walking around, she realized she was completely lost.

She neared a set of large French doors and paused just outside the room. One door was partially open and she could hear what was being said. Some of the people she couldn’t recognize their voices but with Markus she could tell which one was him.

“I found my mate right here on Earth within weeks of arriving.”

“With a human? That’s forbidden. The female needs to be disposed of and you will be punished for breaking the laws we set here.”

“My mating is complete. We are fully bonded and Valorie has accepted my dragon fire. It is against Drakonian law for any to interfere with a fully bonded pair. Our souls are tied.”

“That’s hasn’t happened in…”

She didn’t wait to hear the rest of what they said. Val couldn’t see their facial expressions, but she heard the disgust some of them had toward humans and toward her. It hurt that they thought so little of humans. It also infuriated her that they would consider separating her from Markus.

The worst part was not knowing if Markus would stand by his words that she was his mate and he wouldn’t give her up. He had just been reunited with his family and people after years apart. He might be able to bond with a dragon shifter. Was she wrong to try to hold him to his word?

Finally finding the right hallway that led to their bedroom, she decided she needed some time to process everything and make a decision on what she should do next. The thought of giving Markus up nearly broke her heart. Somehow in the short amount of time that she had known Markus, she had fallen in love with him.