Looking at the purple and pink horizon as she continued to sit between the two grizzlies, Mimi kept looking over her shoulder, wondering where Banning had gone. With her curiosity finally getting the best of her, she called to Beau. “Where is he? I can’t even reach him with the whole mind-talk thingy or whatever you call it.” She turned and raised a single eyebrow, adding with a grumble, “What is he up to?”
Holding up his hands in surrender, the enormous man who really did remind her of an overgrown teddy bear, chuckled. “I plead the fifth.” Adding with a wink, “I appreciate that you are a force to be reckoned with, but that man of yours can breathe fire and I like my fur right where it is.”
Laughing despite her questions, Myanna made an okay sigh with her thumb and forefinger and snorted, “Gotcha, Chief.”
Listening to the sounds of Charlie and Amos’ bears lightly snoring on either side of her, an unfamiliar whooshing sound drew her attention upward to the evening sky. Letting her head fall back, Mimi searched the ever-darkening heavens, gasping in excitement as an absolutely gorgeous glowing white dragon circled overhead.
Closer and closer to her he descended, folding his long, elegant wings into his body and touching down with a grace she didn’t expect from such an enormous creature. Jumping to her feet, she quickly crossed the distance to her mate, watching as he laid his stomach on the dewy grass and his head on his front paws. Her hand instantly reached for the radiant scales covering his snout, marveling at the dichotomy of the smooth iridescence covering an impenetrable core.
“You are simply breathtaking,” she sighed, slowly running her fingertips across his jawline and onto his neck, reveling in the electricity of their connection as it popped and crackled between them.
“Want a ride?” his voice whispered through her mind. “I have a surprise for you. But only if you feel well enough, that is.”
“Oh, hell yeah. I feel better than I’ve ever felt. Whatever you and Martha did has me feeling like I could do anything.”
Laughing aloud, steam rising from his nostrils, Banning instructed, “Then climb onto the top of my paw. Use the large outstretched scales on my legs and then the fingers of my wings as steps to get on my back.”
Scrambling up just as her dragon had explained, Mimi sat at the base of his neck, using the spike protruding from his scales as a handle like the horn of a saddle. Grinning from ear-to-ear, delighted beyond anything she’d ever experienced, Mimi giggled like a schoolgirl as she teased, “Giddy up, Dragon Man.”
Starbursts of magic filled the air, touching her skin like hundreds of butterfly kisses as her dragon rose to his feet and with a single flap of his partially-extended wings, whisked them into the clouds, heading for Mount Unktena, the mountain named by the Cherokee Indians because it was shaped like the head of a dragon. “I’m guessing Beau had something to do with where we’re going?” she asked with a chuckle.
“Maybe,” Banning teased, the image of his smiling face flowing through her mind.
Wonder and awe filled Mimi with such joy as she let the reality of her new life settle into her soul. Not only had her dreams come to life, but the best part was that she was madly in love with Banning. He was everything she could have ever wanted in a husband and so very much more.
Looking down as they flew across Lake Ama, her heart nearly burst with love as she watched the reflection of her riding upon the back of her dragon skim across the dark water. All too soon, she saw the tip of Mount Unktena and felt Banning making his gradual descent to the plateau.
Touching down with the same grace she’d seen him execute in her back yard, Mimi climbed off his back and stood back as magic once again filled the air and she watched the magnificent dragon become the man she loved. Rushing into his outstretched arms, she gushed, “Thank you so much, Banning. So very, very much.” She laid her lips to his and speaking directly into his mind, whispered, “I love you so much.”
Pouting as he ended their kiss way too soon, Mimi saw the twinkle in his eye and asked, “What are you up to?”
Dropping to his knee, Banning produced the most spectacular oval cut moonstone ring she had ever seen. The adularescence, or inner fire, of the stone was absolutely stunning, not to mention the striking round rubies surrounding the brilliant gem and the intricate filigree design of the white gold setting and band.
Tears filled her eyes as Banning gently lifted her left hand to his lips, kissed her ring finger then, while looking up at her, asked, “Will you, Myanna Aryn Havers? Will you be my lifelong mate, the light of my soul, and the love of my heart?”
Letting her tears fall freely, Mimi nodded frantically as she hiccupped, “Oh yes, yes, a million times yes.”
Sliding the ring onto her finger, Banning got to his feet, wrapped his arms around her, and with a kiss that she felt to the very bottom of her soul, showed her with actions instead of words how very much she meant to him. Pulling away with a deep breath, his dragon gave her a sexy half-grin as he winked, “If you have no objections, I would like to complete the mating ceremony of the dragons right now.” He quickly kissed her again before adding, “I just do not think I can wait another day.”
Her feelings mirroring his, Mimi instantly agreed. “I can think of nothing better.”
Taking a step back, Banning slid his hands down her arms, intertwining his fingers with hers as he walked them to the center of the plateau. No sooner had they stopped than he explained, “This ceremony is usually performed by the Elders of the Clan, but since I cannot contact any of my kin, and am not willing to wait to find them, we will improvise.”
Mimi felt Banning’s sadness at his inability to reconnect with those he called his brethren lurking just underneath his incredible love for her and the exhilaration of what they were about to do and promised herself to help him find his family as soon as possible.
“I don’t care where we have our wedding, just that we do. I can think of nothing better in this whole wide world than officially being your wife, or mate, or whatever.”
Loving the beautiful smile of her dragon and the love shining in his eyes, Mimi listened intently as Banning began, “Long ago, when knights and dragons fought side by side for King and country, it became a foregone conclusion that the dragons were no longer safe from those who would expose and destroy them. These mighty warriors sought to join with the knights who had so valiantly fought alongside them during many a bloody battle. Thus, through magic and the will of both Dragon King and Knight, the Dragon Shifters were born.”
“In the infinite wisdom of our Ancients, Clans were set up, one for each color of the Dragon King whose soul we carry within our own. Each assigned a region in which to make their home and to protect not only the dragons, but also humanity, from harm. Over time, some have flourished, some have ceased to exist, and others have been born anew from the joining of many. As the Leader of the Berserker Force, it is an incredible honor to have not only found, but to be mating, the One the Universe made for me.”
“Gathered in this place of beauty, I can feel the Blessing of the Ancients, of the Goddess of All, and of the Universe, who we eternally thank for all that we know. They continue to bless us with extraordinary mates for the best among us, to ensure not only the continuation of our race, but the pure white dragon magic meant to keep evil at bay.”
“Every one of us that finds the light of his soul knows how sacred she is, how absolutely perfectly she complements all that we are. It is an honor to have been found worthy of such a gift. Tonight, in this blessed place, I am spellbound by the redemption I have found in the heart and soul of the extraordinary female, my mate, Myanna.”
“As there are no others here to offer their blessing, I…”
Banning’s words were overshadowed by a bright light shining upon them from the heavens above. A cool breeze ruffled the curls on Mimi’s shoulder at the same time that hundreds of tiny white butterflies appeared out of nowhere, landing on her and Banning’s clasped hands.
The shadowy figure of a beautiful woman appeared out of the light. Looking closer, Mimi immediately recognized the resemblance and in awe whispered, “Is that your mom?”
Nodding, Banning smiled, the love he had for his mother shining brightly in his eyes as he murmured, “Yes, my love, that is my mother, Evelyn MacCallion, the former Queen of the Lunar-White Dragons.”
Not understanding what he meant by ‘former’ but entranced as the vision of his mother began to speak, Mimi’s questions faded away as Evelyn’s lyrical voice rang out. “From the oldest dragon to the youngest of our kin, I stand as a testament to the power of the Dragon Kings and offer this blessing from the Ancients and Ancestors who have gone before and prepared our place in the Heavens. Live long my son. Love as often as you possibly can. Protect your mate with all that you are and never look away from the light she brings to your soul.”
“Myanna Aryn Havers, you are greater than you know. Amazing beyond words, with an intellect that others can only dream of possessing. In the days to come you will learn of your place in the magical world of the Dragons. But today, it is my honor to first offer the blessing of all Dragon Kin on Earth and in the Heavens to both you and my beloved son.”
“May your lives now and forever be a testament to all we hold dear…love, honor, and loyalty. As you are one, let your strength see you through many, many, many years, and the children of your children’s children smile upon you.”
“And now, Myanna, I give you not only my son, but also my crown. May the Heavens and Earth and all in them acknowledge and show fealty to the one true Queen of the Lunar-White Dragons. The Universe does not make mistakes. She has given you both life so that you may share it. Be happy, as that is Her fondest wish for all Her children.”
Stunned speechless, Mimi watched as Banning’s mother disappeared, the butterflies flew over in the darkness, and the bright, white light extinguished. Still in shock, she said the first thing that came to her mind, “Holy crap! A husband and a crown? Just call me Cinderella.”