Delicious smells woke Val from her slumber. Sitting up, she watched as Markus balanced a huge tray full of food. “Do you need some help?”

He looked up and smiled at her. “I’ve got it. I figured you would be hungry when you awoke.”

Her stomach growled at that moment and they both laughed. “You would be right.” Val wrapped the blanket around her body and got off the bed, walking over to sit in one of two chairs at a small table. “By the way, I forgot to ask you earlier…where exactly are we?”

“A section of land my people call a ranch. It’s named after King Reichardt.”

She had raised a fork with scrambled eggs and froze with it inches from her lips. “King R Ranch?”

“Yes, do you know of it?”

“Only rumors of how it’s the biggest ranch in Arizona and extremely private. I don’t know anyone who has ever been here before.”

“King Reichardt…Rei said that we could explore and go wherever we like.”

“I am off today so that sounds exciting. Did any of your family make it through the portal or come with you on the battle cruiser?”

“My mother and sister came through the portal. Rei said that he sent word and they will arrive tomorrow. I can’t wait for you to meet them. They will love you.”

“I don’t want to interfere with your reunion with them.” She couldn’t imagine having family she hadn’t seen in years. In addition, his sister and mother had been on Earth hundreds of years even though it had only been a decade for Markus. Finding Markus had arrived to Earth would be a miracle. It was sure to be an extremely emotional and private moment.

“Of course you should be there, you’re my bonded mate.”

“Uh, your what?”

“Bonded mate. I knew you were meant to be mine the moment I saw you. My dragon recognized you as ours as well. Then I was able to share my dragon fire to heal you. Only a true mate would survive the fire of a dragon.”

“Okay, let’s backtrack a minute. Last night I was stabbed in my stomach.” She moved the blanket to part it over her stomach. There was no sign of any stab wound. “You healed me? Exactly how?”

“I kissed you and breathed my dragon fire into you. Your body and soul accepted it and you were healed. Then when we made love this morning, our souls fused together. Can you not feel my emotions?”

“I…” She couldn’t believe everything he was saying. How could she survive dragon fire? What was he talking about—her being able to feel his emotions? That was crazy…or was it? She closed her eyes and sorted out her confusion and disbelief, pushing that to the side. A strange feeling came over her, feelings of frustration and desire, but those weren’t her feelings. She opened her eyes and stared at him in surprise. “I can feel you.”

Smiling wide, he picked up a biscuit. “Yes, we are fully bonded and our connection will only grow stronger and stronger over time.”

“But…you dragons live for hundreds of years. What’s going to happen when I slowly grow old and die while you remain young and handsome?”

“That’s not a problem now that I have shared my dragon fire and bonded with you. You will age like a Drakonian.”

“Holy shit! I’m immortal?”

“Not immortal. We can die, but it will be difficult for any to cause us true harm. If our hearts or heads are removed, we will die.”

She shivered with the image of those two horrible things happening. “I can’t believe I will live for hundreds of years.” Getting up, she walked over to the dresser and dropped the blanket. “If I had known I would stay this way for almost forever, I would have lost a few pounds.”

Markus came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You are perfect.”

Tilting her head back to look up at him, she saw that he truly believed that. She could also feel his devotion and his…dragon? “Your dragon, what does he think of me?”

“That you are beautiful, sweet, delicious, and ours.”

Strong desire pulsed through her entire body. “I have never felt like this for anyone before.”

“Neither have I. It’s special between true mates. Not everyone finds theirs. I’m truly blessed to have you and I will treasure you for the rest of our lives.”

Tears fell and she turned to wrap her arms around his neck. “I’m scared because this is so strong and new, but I won’t give you up.”

He chuckled. “Glad to hear that because I will never give you up.”

Leaning down, he kissed her and fire ignited inside of her making her moan. A simple kiss from him had her body primed and ready to go another round of lovemaking. He bent and lifted her up, carrying her back to the bed. He came down on top of her and she loved the feel of their bodies sliding against each other. This was not only where she wanted to be, but where she felt she belonged.