Page 95 of Galadon
Rayna looked at Lorcan with surprise. “Is that true? I’ll have some sort of membership with the Faegud?”
I remembered always feeling alone and like an outsider until I became a member of a toriq. Though many still feared me, a strong community connection came with it. I felt the tangible difference when the former Faegud pendragon performed the official ceremony to admit me, which included blood oaths. A good leader could help their people be happy and prosper both mentally and physically.
“Yes.” Lorcan nodded. “It will be similar to Bailey because you’re a slayer, and outside of certain rules, such as your killing members of another toriq, can’t be held against us, and if they kill you while you’re hunting in their territory, we cannot retaliate. If you’re harmed while on official duties for us or while on our lands, then you are afforded the same protections as a full member. Though obviously, we’ll do all we can for you regardless, for Galadon’s sake. He’d make us all miserable otherwise.”
She gave him an amused grin. For me, I was simply grateful that if a time ever came when I needed backup to protect my mate, then I’d have it after this. Unlike when the Kandoran took her last time, and only Lorcan showed up with the Taugud.
“Great, thank you,” she said, then turned her beautiful gaze to me. “Galadon, I’ve never hidden my feelings, which you know very well. Most everyone here was aware of my attraction to you from the beginning. I mean, let’s face it, you are the most good-looking man and dragon I’ve ever seen. It was a shock the first time I saw you because I’d never been drawn to a shifter, but the connection I felt with you was instant. I had no desire to deny it since I’d been waiting for you for years.”
She blew out a breath. “But maybe I should start a little farther back to the Straegud seer’s vision of us. She told me I’d have the greatest battles of my life to gain my soulmate, but itwould be worth it if I had patience and gave it my all. I spent about five years imagining what you were like, and every time I got lonely while on the road, I reminded myself we’d be together someday. That my solitude wasn’t forever.”
A lump formed in my throat. How would I have felt if I’d had years of imagining her and waiting for her? To know my soulmate was coming? Then she treated me rudely and rejected me time and again? I hadn’t understood her tears that day when she’d explained her feelings for me, and she’d sworn we could be together if I would only try. Still, I’d felt terrible sending her away in such a cold manner. It had torn at me, but I’d been blind to the pain of my past and thought I was doing the right thing for both of us.
I looked into her eyes and willed her to understand that I would strive to be everything for her that she ever wanted. Never again would I purposely harm her or push her away. It was why we stood here now, making these vows to each other.
Rayna continued, “So I think I’ve done everything I can to prove my feelings and love for you. That I would never hurt you like you thought. Just know nothing makes me happier than standing by your side through the good and the bad. Whatever our future holds, we’ll figure it out together.”
I nodded, hoping she understood I wanted the same.
My beautiful slayer held up the armband. “I pledge my mind, body, and soul to you, Galadon. I am yours forever.”
She dropped the metal band—similar to the other except larger—into the fire. This time, the flames turned white. Rayna closed her eyes and made her wishes for me. Something told me that whatever they were, they would be perfect. Of course,tradition dictated we never repeat them, or else they wouldn’t come true.
She opened her eyes, and love shined there, with the flickering firelight cast on them. Together, we reached into the fire and took hold of the arm bracelets. The heat warmed my fingers, but it couldn’t burn either of us. The flames returned to red and orange as we drew out our bands.
My gaze never left hers as I moved around the brazier and stepped closer to her. I lifted the symbol of our bonding and clamped it to her upper right arm. She closed her eyes as I bent to kiss her forehead, per tradition.
Next, she repeated the process, clamping the band to my upper right arm. I lowered my head as she pressed her lips to my face. It was a solemn act, with open and sincere love flowing between us. It was hard to believe I’d ever rejected something so inspiring and powerful. If I could go back in time, I’d slap myself for being a fool.
I took Rayna’s hands in mine, and we recited, “Mates forever.”
The power of that moment couldn’t be understated. It washed over us, strengthening the bond we’d already formed. My mother had told me that soulmates were exceptionally rare, but when they occurred, the pair could become an unstoppable force. I believed her.
We turned toward our audience, and they cheered for us.
Aidan came up first and clasped my arm, congratulating me. “I’m glad it worked out for you two, but if you ever need advice, I’m happy to help.”
“Thank you.” I glanced at Rayna, where she hugged Bailey, careful of the female’s protruding stomach. “To keep her happy, I’ll certainly ask if I need it—which might be often if I’m honest.”
The pendragon chuckled. “That’s wise of you. My greatest advice is to listen when she expresses her needs and support them. If she must hunt, you have to let her do it, but find a way to make it more comfortable for you. I can’t pretend it’s ever easy to let my mate out of my sight.”
I could only imagine, considering he was forced to let her go while pregnant with their son, and she couldn’t return for five years. Orion had already made his first shift to dragon form when he finally met his father. I didn’t think I could have survived that kind of separation.
“It’s certainly going to be difficult to live up to your example,” I said, meaning it.
Aidan gave him a wry smile. “I know you protected me with your magic during that mission to Dallas when Lorcan and I barely made it out of there with the Ghastanan hunting us. Then, you protected Bailey with another storm so she could escape Nanoq’s wrath and flee to the Coalition. Rayna has saved my mate’s life as well.” He clasped my shoulder, his discomfort with me clearly waning with the friendship we’d formed. “The same as when the Kandoran took you, we’ll always be there when you need us.”
“Thank you,” I said, trying to wrap my mind around having allies—friends—who could be that loyal. “It means a lot.”
Aidan stepped away, and Titan took his place, clasping my arm. A hint of anxiety reflected in his gaze, but somehow, he shoved it down until only sternness was left in his expression. “Idon’t care how strong you are. If you hurt her again like you did that day, I will kill you or die trying.”
“Good,” I said, gripping his arm in return. “If I do it again, I deserve to die.”
The shifter released a breath. “Glad we understand each other.”
We withdrew our arm clasp, and I received congratulations from Lorcan and Kade next. My mother had already spoken to Rayna. She waited until I was done with the others and wrapped me in a warm embrace. Any lingering anger I felt for her was gone, with only love for her in its place. She stood up to me when others didn’t dare to protect my mate, as well as healing her multiple times. Ujala had done nothing except give since she arrived, and it was time I let go of the past.
Dipping my head, I whispered in her ear, “I forgive you, Ama. Though I still don’t understand all the reasons for what you did, I do believe you had good intentions. That’s all that matters now.” I kissed her forehead and pulled back. “I love you.”
