Page 49 of Dragon Exposed

“Okay, if he’s any indication of what we’re facing, maybe I’m not ready to meet the whole family.” She looked up at me, her brow furrowed. “I don’t think your brothers like me.”

“Ash has the weight of our entire clan on his shoulders. Declan… doesn’t seem to like anyone or anything right now, and I don’t know why. It’s not you though. Believe me on that.” I leaned down and kissed her softly, trying to keep it chaste, even though the idea of taking her back to bed and avoiding everyone for at least another hour or two was sounding better and better by the second.

She sighed as I pulled away, letting her eyes open slowly. “Is there anyone who’s going to be on our side when we go out there?”

I smiled softly. “Knowing you’re on my side is all I could ever need. Whatever happens, know that none of this is your fault, and if anyone even tries to blame you for any of this, let me know, and I’ll take care of it.”

Izobelle shook her head. “I’m not hiding behind you in this, and I’m not letting you take all of the blame. If something comes up, I’ll hold my own. We’ll face it down together. If we’re going to be a couple, if I’m going to be your mate, I’m not going to let you fight my battles, and I’m not going to let you be the only one making decisions or leading. If we’re doing this, we’re partners.”

I smiled softly down at her as I pulled her in close against me again. “I am lucky to have such a fierce mate. I should thank the fates every day for giving me a warrior, unafraid to go into battle. If the Gods bless you with a dragon form of your own, I have no doubt her beauty and strength will surpass all others.”

Izobelle’s eyes grow wide, and I can tell I’ve caught her off guard. Sometimes, it was easy to forget just how little humans knew about dragons. I wanted to spend hours teaching her, showing her who I was, how incredible it would be when we soared together through the clouds, just like when we spent the day riding around the carriage in Central Park.

“You think I could actually become a dragon?”

I shrugged. “Let’s go out and meet with the others, and you can ask Finley and Quinn yourself.” I tugged her toward the front yard, hoping that whatever happened, whatever the group had to say, she’d still be on my side when all was said and done.

Declan had transformed the yard into a tent city, set up like a festival or something, with huge canopies filling the center, with smaller tents set up all around the outer edges, with plenty of space in between.

And in the very middle, a cacophony of voices filtered out.

Without even a cue from me, Izobelle headed that direction, her fear and nervousness replaced by curiosity.

“Are you ready?”

She nodded once, reaching for my hand. “Just keep your promise, and I’ll be okay.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” I grinned, leading her inside the tent with a deep breath.

This was new territory for the both of us. For her, a group of dragons, all wanting to meet her, to get to know her. For me, this was the first time since I’d been a youngling, that I was facing down the wrath of a king, and the first time ever that I’d face it from my brother.

“Come in, sit down.” Ash’s tone was firm, sounding more and more like our father with every passing day, and his mate sat next to his empty chair, her belly softly swollen with their baby.

I couldn’t wait until Izobelle and I were mated, and we’d have a chance at babies of our own.

Izobelle and I claimed two empty chairs, and she scooted hers closer to mine, her fingers finding mind under the table.

I couldn’t blame her. The tent set up was intimidating, to say the least.

I recognized some of the faces, but most of the women, and a couple of the men, were completely new to me.

All eyes were on us.

At least, for her part, Krystana looked excited to be here, and her gaze was trained on Izobelle, rather than the somber stares I was getting from everyone else.

One of the women I didn’t recognize stood, and the two men on either side of her both looked up at her adoringly. She had two glowing stones on her wrists, both the deep blue of the lapis lazuli clan.

Maybe I was wrong about dragons only having one mate.

All the more reason to keep Izobelle all to myself.

Ash nodded at me and Izobelle as he said, “This is Michelle, and her mates, Darius and Khalid.”

Izobelle’s hand gripped mine as she said softly, “Mates?”

Krystana nodded, grinning widely. “Isn’t it insane? Gods, you have to hear their story. It’s unreal.”

Ash’s glare shut our sister up, and she leaned back in her chair, pouting a little.

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