Page 54 of Smoke and Lure

Chapter Ten

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“But we’re already mates.”She reached up to the big man holding her and cupped his cheek.“You don’t need to do this.”

Aodh turned his face into her palm and kissed it but never took his flaming gaze off her.“This is what I want.”

Kai didn’t move for a moment as she assessed every muscle and feature of Aodh’s, trying to ensure he wasn’t only doing this because he thought she needed it to have faith in what they shared.Since living among the Drahk and having Aodh as her mate, she didn’t dream about a wedding as she had when she was younger.Hell, all the people inside the Wall she knew who decided to make their relationship legal only went to the Dispatch magistrate and signed a paper, no ceremony, no vows, just ink on paper.Done.

Now, it wasn’t necessary to her.Because she didn’t feel as if their relationship lacked anything to prove they were committed to each other for eternity.

Are you sure, mate?

Let me do this for you.For us, little flame.

Thefor uscaused a sizzling in her core that spun up and around her heart.This man made her burn in so many ways.

“Alright.”Joy bubbled up inside of her and out.“Yes!”

Aodh chuckled and pulled her in closer.She inhaled his roasted-cinnamon scent, which always brought her comfort and made her clit pulsate.Kai pressed closer as she slid her hand up to the opening of his shirt and danced her fingers lightly along the hot markings along his collarbone.

Little flame, if you want this wedding to happen.I suggest you check your desire until the ceremony is over.

Heat filled her face.Kai bit her lip and took a step back.“Sorry.”

He shook his head as he banked the blue flames in his gaze.“Go with Tana and the other ladies.I’ll be the man with Liekki and Apophis in white.”

Kai laughed because everyone was dressed in white, including the spiritual leader and Liekki.Still, she turned.She was shocked to find Tana and Eilidh standing with Morlie behind her.

“Let’s get you ready for this wedding.”Tana smiled before leading their small group out of the large crowd.

Behind them, Aodh was speaking in Drahk.He thanked the Thunder for sticking around for the proceedings and helping him pull it together for his mate.

“Aguya Kai!”they all chanted collectively.

Kai’s breath caught in her throat at the dragon-shifters' acceptance and support.It amazed her that even if they believed human weddings were trivial compared to the bond of claimed mates, they still not only kept a secret from her what Aodh was planning but also helped.

The Mckenna had been busy today.His ability to communicate all this without her hearing even a whisper of it in her mind was proof of his extraordinary mental fortitude and strength.

She wasn’t offended that he could block her from his thoughts.The man was centuries old and had a lot of time and genetics on his side.However, she liked not only having Aodh in her head but there was a peaceful sense of belonging she felt when she could identify and communicate with Drahks in their dragon form.Again, she wondered if once she had the babe that seemed to be growing at an exponentially fast rate, she would lose that link to the Thunder.

No one truly knew the answer.Her great-great-great-grandparents were the last Drahk-human mating pair, and neither lived long enough to provide historical data.

As she and the other ladies passed them to stand on the fringe of all the activity, Kai could see Drahks doing things to transform the space from a final flight ceremony to a lovely wedding venue.They were not doing anything elaborate but simple things that would make the moment memorable for her and Aodh to cherish.

Idalia, the leader of the growers and gardens, directed some of her workers as they carried in small, filled sacks and handed them out.

Kai’s head was spinning.

Tana stepped before her, blocking her view.“Anala made this veil out of dragon flowers and the same lace she put on your dress.”

Kai’s eyes misted over, but she blinked the dew away, knowing that she would never stop if she began to cry now.At the textile building, she’d assumed that the dress Aodh asked Anala to give her was only extra nice compared to everyone else because she would speak for her great-great-great-uncle; however, now that everything was coming together, Kai could see the dress had a dual purpose.

Kai lowered her head to allow Tana, slightly taller than she, to affix the ring of flowers and lace to her head.

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