The hole where Mica had pulled out the scale ached, but it was Kathryn’s concern that made the pain bearable. Patrick let out an amused chuckle as he shifted back to his human form.
Kathryn gasped in surprise.
Catching up her hand, he pulled her into his arms. God, she felt good against him.
Shock held her stiff in his embrace.
“It’s all right,” he whispered as he held her. “It will grow back.” His hand ran down her back, soothing her. “Thank you for defending me.” Pleasure tingled through him as he held her. Mine.
As she slowly relaxed against him, Kathryn wrapped her arms up around his shoulders, holding him to her. “I thought I lost you.” Her voice wavered with remembered fears. Laying her head on Patrick’s shoulder, Kathryn buried her face in the crook of his neck.
Patrick could feel her tears trickling down his chest. “Shhh,” he soothed her, stroking his hand down her back again. Tilting his head over, he rested it on hers, comforting her as she cried. “It takes more than that to put me down.” Not much more, but he did survive it. After a moment, he sighed. “But what Mica said is true.”
Kathryn raised her head to look at him.
“I could carry you out of here, but the swim across the lake would likely drown us both.” He raised his hand up and caressed her face, wiping her tears away. “I promise I will never leave you.” He gazed into her eyes, gauging her reaction as he spoke. “We have much to talk about, but dragons bond for life. I am yours, if you will have me.”
Surprise, fear, and delight flashed across her face. She froze as answering words eluded her.
Patrick leaned in and kissed her before she could find something to say.
She melted in his arms again.
“You don’t have to answer me now,” he said as he held her, “but I do have something for you.” Releasing her, he caught her hand before turning to Mica.
Kathryn’s eyes fell to the flash of red as Patrick took the scale from the waiting mage. They followed it down as Patrick wiped the scale across his thigh, cleaning the blood away. Blushing, she turned her face away from him.
Letting out a soft laugh of amusement, Patrick held the scale up between them. “This is for you.”
Kathryn turned back and looked as the crimson scale. It sparkled in the low light of the cavern. “What?” she asked as Patrick raised her hand and laid the glittering piece in her palm.
“It’s customary to share a scale with one's chosen mate.” He closed her fingers around the warm scale. “Usually, the process is more complicated than this, but a true sharing can wait for a more appropriate time.” He took a deep breath and let it rush out of him as he looked down. “Something else we will need to talk about.”
Waving the issue away for a more appropriate time, he looked back into her eyes. “For now, I want you to keep this.” He wrapped his hand around hers, closing his scale inside her fist. “This is my promise to you. I will not leave you.” Folding her arm up against her chest, he pulled her back into his arms so her hand was pinned between them. “I love you.”
Joy flashed across Kathryn’s face as she yanked her arm out from between them and threw it around Patrick’s neck. “I love you, too.” Tears burned in her eyes as she held him and smothered his face in kisses.
Laughing, Patrick caught her head in his hand, pressing his lips to hers. After a moment longer, he released her from the kiss. He held her to him, letting his emotions roll through him. He had held women before, but none of them stirred his soul the way a true-bonded mate could. They still had much to discuss, but he let himself embrace the instincts pulling him towards her. Mine. The thought had been passing through him all day, but this had a note of finality to it that warmed his heart. Even if she decided that life with a dragon was too much, he would always be hers.
Drawing in her scent one last time, Patrick nuzzled her hair before pushing her back out of his arms. He looked around at the cavern once more. Guards were set, both to watch the two rogue dragons and to keep the eggs warm. He would have to contact the prince as soon as they got back to the castle. Hopefully, Zane had already made it with his letter, and things would be in motion. His biggest problem would be dealing with the townspeople. Oh, that was going to be a joy.
Sure that everything here would hold, he turned back to Kathryn and squeezed her hand. “Go with Mica. He will get you out and to shore. And I will join you there.”
Kathryn opened her mouth to protest.
“Please,” Patrick cut her off. “I need to know you’re safe, and I can’t do that right now.” Pulling her back into his arms, he pressed his forehead to hers. “I will meet you on the shore, and we will go to town together. I promise.”
She pulled back and looked at him. “The town?”
Patrick let out a joyless laugh. “I have to explain to Eustace and the villagers why their castle is filled with dragons.” That was a conversation he was sure wouldn’t go over well.
Concern crossed Kathryn’s face.
“Please,” Patrick begged again. “Go with Mica, and I will see you on the other side.” He petted her hair back and cupped her face.
Slowly, Kathryn nodded. “All right,” she agreed.
Patrick could tell she was not happy with the outcome, but no other answer would do. “Thank you.” He kissed her forehead and released her to the waiting mage.
Mica shifted into his grand form and scooped her up.
“Take a deep breath and hold on tight,” Patrick coached as Mica limped over to the water’s edge with Kathryn clutched in his claws. “You’ll be fine, and I’ll meet you on the other side.”
Kathryn nodded and clung to Mica as they disappeared into the water.
Seeing nothing else he could do here, Patrick shifted back to his greater dragon form and followed his love out. It was time to deal with the village.
12
Two fights with a rogue dragon, four swims across the lake, two runs between the lake and the town, a badly injured dragon with eggs, and a wing dislocated twice made for a very long day. And it wasn’t over yet.
The walk back to town was much more leisurely than Patrick had planned. He had tried to get Kathryn to climb on his back so he could carry her, but she refused. Instead, she insisted they walk at a relaxing pace. At first, it had irritated him. He wanted to get back and deal with the town so he could get things done, but now, he was grateful for the time. While Kathryn’s fingers slid over his scales, soothing the tension from him, he thought about what he was going to say to the elders. He now had something intelligent to say and wouldn’t just blurt out the first thing his tired mind could come up with.
Cresting the short rise that hid the town, the towers of the castle came into view. Patrick stopped to look over the shallow valley. This was his domain—at least, it was for now. The entire area was buzzing with activity. Dragons circled over the castle as the townsfolk scurried around in fear. He didn’t see any pitchforks or torches, but Patrick was sure those weren’t too far away. Maybe they would attack him when he returned. Maybe they would listen. But that didn’t matter. He had chosen this path, and he would walk it proudly.
Taking a deep breath, Patrick reared up on his hind legs, flared his wings, and roared his return. An answer echoed from the castle as the people of the village scampered for cover. Settling back to the ground, he ruffled his wings and set off towards the village with Kathryn at his side. The feel of her hand on his shoulder gave him the strength to face what he needed to do. As long as she accepted him, he didn’t care what the villagers thought.