Page 67 of Lahaina Noon

Vaughn looked at her,I know but you didn’t understand it then, you do now. You’ve so much more control. You need to show them what we can do, how strong we are together. I have a reason for asking, my love. You know I would never do anything to harm you. I promise, you will be okay. I’ll help controlit from my end.

Bridget nodded. She did trust him. If he needed her to make a show, he had a good reason.

Ivan stepped forward, silent until now. “If it pleases the Council, I have business elsewhere to attend to. I’ve no interest here,” he stated as if he was bored with the whole proceeding.

Bridget stared at him in confusion. Why wasn’t he supporting his son? Ivan did not meet either of their gazes and waited patiently for the Council to answer.

Baltrus waved a hand negligently, “Go, go, your only role was to deliver him to us, and you performed well. Be about your day.”

Ivan gave a slight bow, turned, and walked out, leaving them alone in the room.

Bridget turned a bewildered stare on Vaughn, and he looked at her with equal confusion. Had the whole ‘Ivan returned home to reclaim his relationship with his son’ merely been a ruse to lure Vaughn here? She let her anger boil at the Council for using him, and the way they had kept him like a prisoner, away from his own family when he’d needed them the most. Suddenly, she had the cold calculation she needed to channel Vaughn’s magic as sharply as the blade of a knife. She smiled darkly and raised her hands. They wanted a show? She’d give them a spectacle.

She closed her eyes and opened herself to the magic. It began whirling through her, and she welcomed it like a long-lost friend. It was warm and buzzing, snapping and crackling. Her skin thrummed as the sensations coursed over her body like an electric current. The hairs on her arms and neck stood at attention. Her scalp tingled, and she realized her hair was floating up from her head. Her eyes flew open, andshe smiled at Hilde, who flinched. She heard gasps as the room went pitch black a moment before a beam of pure light shot from Bridget’s fingers. It burned brightly; several of the Council shielded their eyes from its glare.

She saw Baltrus snarling, so she twisted her fingers slightly and directed them at him. Her light swirled into a flaming dragon, which leaped from her fingertips. She watched his eyes widen in alarm and gave a satisfied smirk as it passed inches from his nose. Then, she flicked her wrist and sent the light hurtling at Hilde, who squealed, jumping back from the table and ducking out of sight.

Enough, my love,Vaughn chuckled, the pride evident in his voice.You’ve made your point.

Bridget let the magic relax, and the dragon returned to her, disappearing into her fingers. The room slowly brightened again, and Hilde regained her seat.

She pulled her shirt aside, revealing the mark, and looked up at Vaughn.

“Your eyes are as black as my scales,” he said with a beaming smile that stole her breath.I’m so proud of you, Bridget, my love. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Council be damned. When they came to their senses, her eyes were once again her own.

She smiled shakily at him, and he winked. They linked hands, turning to face the Council together. United as one.

Wu clapped, and Silver Hair joined him. “Well done, my dear. Well done. Mistress Hilde,” Wu turned to her, “You challenged, she answered. Do you accept?”

Bridget could see that the answer would cost her some pride, tasting like sour grapes, but she couldn’t deny what she’d seen.

“I concede if I must too… this… woman,” she sneered.

“Bridget,” Vaughn said. “Her name is Bridget. If you address my mate as anything less again, I will take great offense.” He snarled and spit flame at her feet as an indication that he was deadly serious.

She saw Hilde’s eyes widen; she remembered that most dragons could not produce flames in their human form, so it was an exclamation point to his statement.

“Bridget, I concede my challenge to you. You have proven to this council that you are indeed the Drake’s true mate. I commend you for your excellent, um, control,” Hilde concluded with a tentative smile at Bridget.

She nodded with grace and squeezed Vaughn’s hand. Things were looking up.

“So. What,” Baltrus said with anger in his eyes. “That only proves my point. He took a mate against our orders and a strong one. Imagine what their children could do! He should be punished, now.”

Bridget was stunned, she hadn’t thought of it like that.

Wu contemplated in silence before stating, “Fortunately for Drake, it is not up to you but the Council as a whole. I call for a vote to decide.”

Baltrus slammed his fist on the table. “Why a vote? It is law! He was given terms; he willingly and knowingly broke them. He admits, do you not?” he growled at Vaughn.

Vaughn dipped his head in acknowledgement.

“See? We do not need to vote on this, it’s clear as day.”

Wu finally snarled at Baltrus, who was jabbing his finger on the table. Baltrus sat down with alacrity. “How quick you are to judge Baltrus, have you never been wrong? Were you never young and passionate once? Have you always been so stuffy and angry? I called for a vote, so vote we shall. Those in favor of prosecuting?”

Baltrus’ hand shot up. Hilde wavered as if she wanted to vote against Vaughn but was a little afraid. Baltrus glared at her, and she raised her hand.

Wu nodded, “Two to prosecute, those opposed?” He raised his own hand, and Silver Hair raised hers too. They all looked at Hood who continued to sit still, remaining silent. Bridget wondered if he was asleep.

---