Page 125 of The Dragon's Mate

“I can’t believe they actually stopped,”Kaida said. “Is it the councils everywhere?”

“The councils in Canada and Europe haveagreed to stop as well, but the Russian and Asian councils flat out refused toput an end to the banishments,” Sika said. “No one’s heard a word from Australiaand New Zealand.”

“It’s good that they’ve ended thebanishments,” Kaida said.

“It is,” Sika replied. “In Europe they’re allowingtheir dragons to fly during the day as well. There have been videos all overthe internet. Cadmus said it’s best if we hold off for a while longer though.I think mostly because of Bren’s father.”

She wrapped her arms around her knees. “Ican’t wait until we’re allowed to fly during the day. I have never flown inthe light before.”

Kaida stared guiltily at her coffee mug asSika said, “I’m very happy for you, Kaida. Will you and the human try for hatchlingssooner than later?”

“It is not serious between us, Sika,” Kaidasaid. “It can’t be.”

“Why not?”

“Do you honestly think the clan would allowa human to live with us? They think it’s a phase, remember?” She stood up andpaced back and forth angrily. “They believe that I will come to my senses soonand mate with someone like Drago. They don’t care that Bren is my mate, or -”

She shut her mouth with a snap as Sikasmiled gently at her. “Not serious, huh?”

Kaida rubbed at her temples. “Am I makinga mistake, Sika?”

“No,” Sika said. “If you love him and he isyour mate, then you should be with him. Do you love him, Kaida?”

Kaida stared at her best friend. “I think –ye -”

The knock on her door sent her alreadyracing heart into overdrive. She walked to the door and yanked it open, frowningwhen she saw who it was. “What do you want, Drago?”

He pushed past her. “We need to speak.”

“Good morning, Drago,” Sika said.

“Hello, Sika. How is the hatchling?”

“He’s good,” Sika said.

“Will you leave us? I’d like to speak toKaida alone,” Drago said.

Sika glanced at Kaida. Feeling more than alittle annoyed, Kaida nodded. Sika stood gracefully and kissed Kaida’s cheekbefore leaving the cabin.

“Why are you here, Drago?” Kaida carriedher coffee cup to the kitchen and dumped the coffee down the sink.

“We need to speak about our future,” Dragosaid.

She stuck the coffee cup into the dishwasherthen turned to face him. “We don’t have a future.”

A scowl deepened the lines on his forehead.“I am aware of your indiscretions with the human, Kaida. We all are. You stinkof him.”

“What’s your point?” she said coolly.

“My point is that despite your,” Drago paused,“infatuation with the human, I’m willing to overlook your foolishness so thatyou may take your proper place at my side.”

She stared in silent shock at the redheadeddragon. He couldn’t actually believe that she would be his mate, could he?

Taking her silence for acceptance, he said,“We leave for Belinda’s clan tomorrow. You should spend time with yourgrandmother today, she’s been missing you the last couple of weeks.”

“Have you gone mad, Drago? Is that it?”Kaida said.

She thought her dragon would be angry atDrago’s assumption that they would simply bend to his will, but her dragon wasn’teven remotely angry. Amusement was its sole emotion and she had to fight tokeep the smile off her face as her dragon’s amusement grew.

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