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No, Belora, she has every right to ask such a question. Lars raised
Belora s small hand, stroking her palm soothingly. My intention is to love
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her and protect her all of our lives. I will be true to her, cherish her, and
put her happiness above my own.
But you ve only just met. Adora didn t understand how her sensible baby girl
could fall in love with two men in nearly as many days, much less how those
two men could claim to love her just as deeply, just as fast.
Gareth knew her the moment he saw her. It s the way of knights to know their
mate almost on sight. I like to think I would have recognized her too, had
I been the first to meet her. As it stands, since Rohtina told me of her
intention to mate with Kelvan, I ve been introduced and found time to get to
know Belora. But my heart knew her already. When I first looked into her eyes,
I knew I d found what I d been seeking.
Why didn t you say anything before now? Belora s whisper carried in the
quiet room.
Lars shrugged, his turquoise eyes locking on her as if she were the only one
in the room. It wasn t yet time. Now it is. You re ready to hear it and I m
ready to say it. I love you, Belora. If you let me, I ll love you truly for
the rest of our lives. He sank down to one knee, humbling himself before her.
Will you be my wife?
Tears streamed down her face as Belora reached down and kissed Lars on the
lips, dragging him upward so she could put her arms around his thick, muscular
frame. He wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her deeply, holding her close
as the others watched, knowing they had been forgotten.
Just for the record, you understand, what s your answer? Kelzy s amused voice
broke them apart.
Oh, I think she said yes, Mama Kelzy. Adora leaned comfortably back against
Kelzy s sparkling foreleg, watching her daughter with amusement.
Lars and his partner seemed to be surprised by Adora s familiarity with
the older dragon.
Well, I think that s settled, isn t it?
I m still not totally sure I m comfortable with this two husband
arrangement.
Child, do you trust me?
Well, of course I trust you. You raised me, didn t you? Again the two
newcomers were surprised by the conversation, but didn t interject.
Then trust me on this. It s the way of Lair life and no hardship on the woman,
I can assure you. Your girl will come to no harm with her two mates and will,
in all likelihood, be very happy.
You promise? Adora held out her little human hand to the huge dragon.
I promise. Kelzy put one huge talon carefully into the small woman s hand and
they shook once as if in some childhood ritual. It was totally charming and
utterly strange behavior for a fighting dragon especially one of
Kelzy s stature.
Okay then.
Now off with you three. Adora and I have plans to discuss for tonight and
plots to hatch. Kelzy swept one of her great wings toward the entrance shooing
her guests out.
Belora hugged her mother once and headed out with Lars and his dragon partner.
Your mother is definitely and interesting woman, he mused as he settled his
arm around her waist.
Lady Kelzy practically raised her from the time she was just a toddler til
she was about ten years old.
Kelzy? Raise a human child? The others talk about her strange ways but
I didn t realize there was some truth to the tales.
Lady Kelzy was the best thing that ever happened to my mother. Belora
defended her mother and the older dragon fiercely. She has a kind heart and a
pure soul. If the other dragons have a problem with that then they re just
bigoted idiots.
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Rohtina stopped short on the wide ledge they were traversing to turn her large
head toward Belora. She blinked her golden topaz eyes down at her for a
moment, considering her.
You re brave for a human female. I think we ll get along just fine.
Rohtina moved to the edge of the cliff and launched herself magnificently into
the sky while Lars and Belinda watched.
Either she hates me or we re starting to find some common ground.
Lars reached down and placed a kiss on her hair. Oh, she likes you all right.
You just passed her test.
That was a test? She spun in Lars arms to look up at him as he nodded.
She holds Kelzy in high esteem. You probably don t realize it, but Kelzy and
her partner Jared are the leaders of this Lair. They oversaw its construction
and Kelzy leads the dragons here. She holds a lot of power and is one of the
most respected dragons in the land. She serves the royal family directly.
Others may gossip about her sometimes undragonish ways, but my
Tina admires her greatly. She wants to be just like her, and of course Kelvan
is a lot like his mama, and she loves Kelvan.
I had no idea.
Tina s hard to read until you get to know her.
Sort of like her partner, you mean? Belora teased him with her smile.
He nodded with a self-depreciating grin. I d have to admit you re probably
right on that one.
It warmed her heart to see his smile. She reached up and palmed his cheek,
urging him down so she could place a light kiss on his lips. One kiss turned
to two, then two turned to more until they were all but necking right in the
open, for anyone to see.
Gareth came upon them long moments later, his chuckle finally penetrating the
fog of desire that swirled around them.
I see you two have come to terms.
Belora eased down and a little apart from Lars. Both were breathing hard.
I asked her to be my wife and she agreed, Lars reported, never removing his
hot turquoise gaze from her.
Gareth slapped his friend on the back in congratulations, but Lars was so
solidly built it barely made an impression. Gareth grinned happily when
Belinda finally tore her gaze from Lars to realize they d drawn a small crowd
of onlookers.
Single knights were watching them, some with appreciation, some with longing
in their eyes. It was disconcerting at first until she realized all looked on
them with true happiness that their fellows had found a woman to share their
lives. She realized in that moment that she, in a small way, represented hope
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