Page 82 of Burned

“It’s… beautiful. I don’t want to ruin it.”

“You won’t.” Dempsey appears with a smaller tray. “You get to keep that one or devour it later when you’re alone.” His cheeks bloom pink. “Whatever you want.”

I take the rectangular tray from Alrick, taking in all the details of the oversized cookie, shaped like a dragon and decorated in orange-and-black tipped scales, breathing a stream of fire.

“It’s your snickerdoodle recipe,” Alrick says. “Your mom hooked me up so I didn’t have to ask you.”

My throat clogs with emotion thinking about all the effort he went to just to create this for me. Sometimes my life feels like a dream.

“Thank you. It’s the nicest gift I’ve ever received.”

Alrick beams. He looks beautiful with his long hair in a low bun and just a bit of flour dusting his beard and upper cheek. We spend our days tending to Drake Security business and our nights floating on an ocean of love as we make dinner together and curl up to talk and love and plan for an amazing future.

“Let’s eat these,” Dempsey says, passing out cookies to everyone. “There’s always room for dessert.”

I set the tray down and pull Alrick into my arms, nuzzling my nose against his cheek. “I love you, treasure. This is a wonderful surprise.”

“If I could paint, I would’ve done that so I could capture your beauty and keep it forever.”

“I’m right here. You can see the dragon whenever you wish. Forever.” I exhale slowly, allowing my dragon to surface and peer at our mate. Scales flutter across my skin and my cock thickens.

Alrick moans. “You’re even better than cookies.”

I chuckle. “Good to hear. Happy Yule, my stunning mate.”

“Happy Yule, Balriss.”

Wrapping my arms around my love, I close the space between our mouths, tasting his kiss. He still smells like the ocean, heather, and thyme, but now the smoky scent of me is embedded in his skin too. As it should be.

Alrick breaks the kiss slightly, our lips still brushing together as he asks, “Is it rude if we sneak off to do a little private celebrating?”

“Our brothers will be just fine without us.”

His eyes fill with tears as he steps back. “Our brothers. Our family. It’s more than I ever let myself wish for.”

“I know.” I kiss his forehead. “And we still have your family compound in Norway to visit later this week.”

He nods. “I used to hate this time of year. I’d sit in my cold room wondering what life could be like with a real family. We could make ornaments and bake cookies and eat ourselves sick. I lost hope that I’d ever have that, but…” He shakes his head. “It’s still weird that my dad looks forward to my visits.”

“You deserve to be loved. By your father, your brothers, our loved ones, and me. You’re worthy of it.”

“I know. Fate chose me for you, so I must be alright.”

I glance beyond him, happy to see my family sitting in a circle eating cookies, drinking hot chocolate, and chatting.

“See yourselves out when you’re ready,” I tell them, scooping Alrick into my arms and throwing him over my shoulder.

He laughs, waving to everyone. They all whistle and clap as I ascend the stairs to our bedroom.

Once upon a time there was a sad, lonely dragon who gave up on love, but one day, a mighty Viking showed up and filled the dragon’s heart to overflowing. The two lived happily ever after.

And it was absolutely worth the wait.

The End

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