Page 57 of Smoke and Lure

“You fortify me,” Kai continued.“For years, I had to be strong in many ways and for many reasons.I feared I would fail at everything if I weakened or faltered, even for a moment.But then I met this man with shoulders wide enough to block out the sun, who shields me and lets me know it's okay not to be strong.Because when I can’t stand, he is right there to hold me up.You hold me up, Aodh.”

The sight of him was becoming wavy in her eyes while her tears flowed as freely as her words.She pressed on through the tightness radiating along her throat muscles, threatening to lock in her voice.“You let me fly with you and always ensure I know I am flying beside you.You are the leader of your people and my heart.”

She felt his hand tighten around hers, not enough to cause her pain, but so that she knew how what she said affected him.

“I wanted to be loved, and the Great Spirit brought me to you.”

When she was finished, Aodh cupped her face with his free hand as he leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers.

They stood that way for a moment before Aodh started to speak.

He leaned back just enough to hold her gaze again.

“For centuries, I struggled.For a dragon to live life with a hole in his heart is painful and not an easy task.Drahks are meant to live with a mate by their side.Besides fire and the Thunder, it is our very nature.As a leader, my people wanted and needed me to find a mate.Produce an heir and help heal our Thunder.But I could not do this.Could not give my heart and commit myself...until you.Until a beautiful, curvaceous, fiercely gentle soul, bold enough to command a dragon-shifter to help her stood before me.”

Aodh linked their fingers and brought them to the center of his chest.

She could feel the furnace that made up his dragon heart, warming her skin, sending caresses along her arm, and surrounding her heart.Her tears streamed from her chin and down her neck.

“I thought I wanted a mate, but what you gave to a man half living is life in all its abundance.Because of that, I willingly love you, strengthen you, and commit myself to stand before you, behind you, and beside you for eternity, little flame.I love you, Kai Conley, no more.”

Through his words, it was as if Aodh reached inside her and cupped her heart where it would always be safe.Kai dragged their hands to her mouth and kissed the back of his, soaking them both in the rivers of her tears.

Aodh wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.Not caring any longer, he crushed the flowers between them.As he lowered his head to kiss her, Liekki cleared his throat.

The rough, heavy sound halted Aodh.

But Apophis spoke, “I believe you have something you would like to present to Kai.”

The older Drahk’s words jarred Aodh out of the moment, but he gave Kai a wicked smile that promised everything he wanted to do to her after the wedding.

Aodh released her hand, stepped back, and then turned toward Liekki.

Confused, Kai watched the brothers but could not see much beyond Aodh’s wide shoulders.

When he faced her again, he said, “I need your hand, love.”

She started to hand him her free one since she still clutched the bouquet in her left hand.

“The other one.”

“Oh.”She frowned.She started to switch the flowers, but Morlie was quicker and reached around and took them from her.

“Thank you.”Kai smiled at her sister, whose face was also wet.

When she looked at Aodh, she placed her left hand in his.

He opened his left hand, where a ring sat on his palm.“I figured it didn’t make sense to have a wedding without me ensuring you have a ring that always reminded you that you’re my heart.”

Kai gasped as she watched him begin to slide it onto her ring finger, and the black obsidian chips of his dragon’s hearthstone, artfully embedded around the steel, winked at her.

Pure delight filled her as she glanced from it to the man before her and back.“It’s exquisite.I love it.I love you.”

“If you all will join your left hands,” Apophis directed.

“Wait!”Morlie cried out as Kai started to take Aodh’s hand.

She saw everyone's gaze shift to her sister.Kai glanced back at her sister.

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