Page 112 of Dragon's Honor

Tristian didn’t speak for a few moments while he stared across the ocean to the horizon. “I would’ve claimed my mate already if it hadn’t been for my father intervening. He wanted me to mate with your sister. He was setting up negotiations between him and your father. No disrespect to Krystana, she’s beautiful and a little spit fire, but she’s much like a little sister to me.”

“Why not Jasmine of the Lapis Lazuli Clan?”

Tristian chuckled. “Jasmine and I have been friends since we were children. She’s also like my little sister. Not to mention, I feel sorry for any man who gets involved with her. She’s a little crazy and a bit of a terror. She’ll keep her mate on their feet for sure.” He looked wistfully out at the water. “Not that it matters. None of the remaining females would be worthy. I have my mate. I just have to find her and make my proper claim.”

Ash laughed. “Fair enough.”

“I should let you have your time with your mate. I know you must be burdened with rebuilding your clan.”

“If I can. It may be that I join my mate’s clan instead. But for now, I’m king. We’ll see if I can keep the title.”

“No one has as much honor or grace as you do, Asher. You are a great king for your clan.”

“Tristian, you’re an opal dragon, and I would never take that from you…”

He looked over at Ash.

“You’re welcome to be part of my clan as a brother. You belong with a clan. Don’t stray off into the wilderness. You’re likely to end up giving into the craze, and then what?” Ash glanced over when he saw Finley approaching, still in her dragon form.

You should listen to Ash, Finley said.

Tristian turned his gaze to her.

Finley continued,You need friends and family to get through this. We’ll help find your mate. We’ll help keep you safe for her too.

Tristian squeezed his eyes shut, a staggering breath leaving him. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”

You do. You deserve another chance. You deserve to find your mate and claim her. You deserve good things, Tristian. You just have to fight for it now.

The opal dragon took in a few steading breaths and lifted his chin a little. “You’re right. Wallowing in my grief isn’t going to help anything. If I’m going to show my clan and my mate that I am worthy, then I need to be worthy.”

Tristian held his hand out to Ash. “Brothers.”

Ash grinned and took his hand and pulled him into a hug. “Brothers indeed.”

Tristian pulled away and moved back a few paces and then shifted into his glorious dragon. He bowed his head to Finley.

You are a wonderful human and an amazing dragon, Finley. You make a hell of a queen. Don’t let the elders push you around, and they will when they find out what you are. But I’ll be by you and your king’s side, so just let them try. I wish you and your mate every happiness.

He pushed off the ground and into the air. Ash looked away protecting his face from the sand that blew around them.

The opal dragon disappeared into the clouds.

Finley shifted into her human form. “Do you think he’s going to be okay?”

Ash nodded. “I do. He needs to find his mate, but I think he’s going to make it.”

She smiled at him. “You all right?”

Ash gathered her into his arms enjoying the feel of his mate naked and in his arms. “I am. I was just thinking about the future. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but the future is going to be something we can be proud of.”

Finley grinned. “Speaking of the future…we don’t have a lot of time here.”

He hoisted her up into his arms, her legs wrapping around his hips, nestling her wet, hot center against him. “Is my mate in need of my cock?”

She rocked against him gently. “You feel very needy yourself suddenly.”

“For you…always.” He kissed her deeply.

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