Page 34 of Fallen for the Two-Headed Dragon

Rathym watched them walk away, Dana’s bright smile warm as the Great Flame.

“Wait.” He sauntered up to his beautiful mate and pulled her flush against him. It didn’t matter that his friends were there, ogling his display of affection. He tilted her chin up and claimed her mouth, slowly, reverently. When he stepped back, she wobbled on her feet and his breath came in little smoky pants.

“I love you.”

“And I you, my treasure.” He kissed along her jawline and murmured in her ear, “I am yours. We belong together.”

Chapter Eighteen

Dana

The extensive stone street was endless, seamlessly weaving through the dunes like oil in water. Colors and textures and delicious smells flooded all of Dana’s senses. The entire market square was obviously designed for dragons, with high-reaching walls broad entryways. Most of the buildings either didn’t have roofs or had a sheen-like veil of magic that acted as the ceiling.

Although the architecture heavily favored dragon-kind, there were lots of accommodations for other species. Dana had almost tripped on a circular puddle about one inch deep and a foot long that was carved directly into the floor of a bath shop and smelled like sea salt and full clouds. When she asked Ana about it, she’d explained that there was a rising population of sirens and näcken, both of which required salt water dips to survive.

“What’s a näcken?”

“Water spirits with a whole culture around music. Some of them can shapeshift, too. There’s one who plays the violin at the pavilion every now and then. If they’re out today, we’ll have to stop and listen! Their voices are angelic.”

Most of the shops had small sections carved out for non-dragon customers, but not all of them. It was very clear that this was a city eager to become inclusive. Most of the citizens and shop owners were kind and ready to help Dana cobble together a wardrobe. She’d brought a dress that she’d fully intended to wear, but with Ana’s cajoling, she decided to splurge on something unexpected to surprise Rathym with.

“What about this one?” asked Ana, holding up a champagne-and-plum gown fit for royalty. The fabric seemed to scintillate like scales in moonlight.

“That’s fucking beautiful! But I don’t see anywhere for my arms to go?”

“Ahhh,” the shopkeeper cooed. “This garment was created for a particularly picky naga who was more snake than woman. Let me see.”

Ana handed the stunning dress to the flaxen dragon, who held it up against Dana’s torso. Over her shoulder, Dana saw her reflection in the dragon-sized mirror. She couldn’t help but laugh at what she saw. The beautiful woman in the mirror couldn’t be her. Whoever the doppelgänger was, they looked gorgeous.

“This garment can easily be tailored. It could be transformed into any neckline you prefer, although I would suggest a narrow V-line for someone of your frame and bust.”

Dana glanced at Ana in the mirror, whose wide eyes mirrored her own giddy excitement.

“Could it be ready by the ball?”

“Of course! Come by at daybreak for a final fitting.”

“Thank you! How much will I owe you?”

“You are Sir Odrydimere’s plus-one, hmm? You may have anything you wish in this market. You need only mention his name.” The shopkeeper winked, then gathered the beautiful dress and disappeared into the sea of tulle and sequins.

“Rathym is going to lose his shit when he sees you in that.”

Dana’s skin prickled at the thought of her dragon being unable to keep his claws off her in such a public setting. Would he make it through the ball without losing control of his downshift? She giggled at the thought of his body rebelling at the mere sight of her. The barrage of mental images had her grinning like a sex-crazed fool.

Ana bumped her shoulder and laughed maniacally.

“You really do love him. You know, I think you’re exactly what he needed.”

“What do you mean?”

“He spent centuries avoiding his feelings. You? You’re so easy to read, your mortal pining and human empathies like a….a breath of fresh air. You haven’t collected a centuries’ worth of regrets and sorrows. You’re just you, all the time.”

Dana watched her new friend stumble for words. She couldn’t tell if Ana was complimenting her or not. Ana must have sensed it because she gave Dana a warm smile and shook her head.

“I see the way you ground him. The way he softens around you. I have never, ever seen him that way, and I’ve known him since he was a boy of thirty years. Basically grew up with him.” She took Dana’s hand and slipped it under her elbow. “I’m glad you found him. How did you two meet, anyway?”

Dana laughed.

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