Page 31 of Unexpected Mate

Our mate moved forward to the top of the staircase and gazed at the faces in the ballroom with serene confidence.

“Goddess Tiamat, Dragoness of the Sea.”

The servant had barely spoken these words before purple fireworks began to sparkle behind Tia. Blue light flowed up her arms, lighting up her scale like tattoos. Her hair blew gently and she tucked it behind her ear on one side, displaying Leo’s intricate claiming mark. Sneaky little minx. She moved down the stairs unhurried, creating the illusion shewas floating.

Wait a second.

Shewasfloating.

Our warlock had been practicing, and now the whispering between Damien, Tia and Leo made sense. They had been planning an entrance that would leave people slack jawed. Looking at the faces in the crowd, it was a success. There would never be a dull moment in my life again.

I grinned like a lovesick pup as my queen made her way toward us.

Ihadn’t been too keen on Leo and Damien’s plans for my entrance, but they talked me into it by telling me it would be good to show off a bit, and hopefully make people think I was at full power. I knew that Leo just wanted to try out what he had been practicing, and Damien wanted to make an entrance that no one would ever forget, but I caved and let them have their fun.

However, when I saw the women undressing my mates’ with their eyes, and the smell of their arousal slapped me in the face, I was extremely happy I had agreed. I wanted to make it clear that these men were mine, and that you didn’t want to test me. My instincts brushed uncomfortably against my skin. I shouldn’t even be able to feel them while on Ivleek. It just needed to last a few more hours.

The next two hours were a mind-numbing blur of meaningless conversations. The women would find reasons to stand near my mates, accidently bumping into them and petting them. My teeth ached from grinding them together. I had learned enough about the supernatural world to know that this was extreme disrespect. Soulmates were considered sacred and touching another’s claimed mate in desire was unacceptable. My instincts wanted me to take my mates on the floor in front of everyone, but the logical part of my brain knew I needed to keep my cool. I wanted to be respected, not thought of as a feral animal.

I spotted a familiar face coming my way and I squealed excitedly. I threw my arms around his neck. “Ernie!”

“Well, hello to you too, precious one.” Ernie laughed into my hair and patted my back. “I’ve been seeing some interesting things in my dreams - you have certainly been busy.”

“That’s putting it mildly.” Turning, I motioned toward Leo and Ivo. “Ernie, you’ve already met my wolves and vampire; meet my dragon and warlock.”

Ernie eyed Ivo with wonder. “Is it truly you old friend?”

Ivo let out a rumbling laugh. “You were a newborn warlock when I last saw you!” he said with a smile. “I see you have grown back your hair and eyebrows.”

“Laugh it up - the hair grew back and I learned to control my magic.”

Ivo clapped him on the back. Ernie turned toward Leo, his face freezing.

“Hi, I’m Leo! I’ve been looking forward to meeting you!” Leo eagerly held out his hand.

Ernie still didn’t move. Leo glanced back at me. “Is this normal for him?”

“How should I know? I’ve only met him once!”

Ernie held out a trembling hand. Leo reached out and grasped it. His purple magic crackled and popped like electricity as it circled around their clasped hands. Ernie watched it with amazement and slowly lifted his watery eyes to Leo’s face.

“My son.”

I choked on my champagne - Luke thumped me on the back. Leo tried to pull back his hand, but Ernie hung onto him. “I thought you were dead. That I would never see you again. Yet here you are, a grown man.”

“I, uh, really don’t know what to say,” stammered Leo. Ever a sweetheart, he was trying to be polite but he was clearly uncomfortable.

“Please, can we speak privately?” Ernie asked. “I never attend these events, but my visions kept pushing me to come. I was sure I needed to be here. And now I understand! Please, let me explain things.”

Leo, darling. Ernie is eccentric, but he isn’t crazy. Maybe he can help answer some of the questions I know you’ve been obsessing over since the battle.

Leo nodded his head, and then looked around.

“Where should we go?” he asked.

“Come, the gardens are well lit, we can speak privately there,” replied Ernie. “Plus I need fresh air. Between your mate’s heat, and the disgusting lust of the female guests panting after your circle, I can barely breathe in here.”

My skin felt tight, my sluggish instincts trying to press forward at Ernie’s words. But then he fake gagged and I gave a weak laugh, some of my tension easing. I watched as he and leo walked off. Ernie had a little bounce in his step, and I hoped they could figure out this unexpected relationship. I smiled at the thought of Leo having a dad, one that had the same wacky sense of humor.

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