by Ariel Marie
Nervousness filled his chest as he opened the door. He turned to her and grabbed her smaller hand into his as he led her into the room. The lights came on as they walked inside. It was a few stories tall, and filled with all the treasures he’d collected over the centuries. A gasp echoed behind him as they walked further into the room.
He turned to find her frozen in place with her eyes wide.
“Oh. My. God!” she breathed out.
Worry filled his chest as she was finally here, and he wasn’t sure if this was a good or bad reaction. He turned, and his eyes scanned the rows of priceless artwork, piles of gold bricks, and shelves filled with the finest diamonds and jewels.
“Is this not good enough?” he asked, turning back to her.
“What?” she screamed, her voice ending on a squeak. “Are you kidding me? This is amazing. Vander, how long have you been collecting this?”
“Practically all my life,” he answered truthfully. He reached for her hand and came to stand near her. His heart slammed against his chest as he stared down into her green eyes. “Faye—”
“Yes, Vander?” she whispered.
“From the moment my dragon heard your voice in that hospital room, it was drawn to you. You are who I’ve been collecting this treasure for. It is all for you, my mate—”
“Vander, I—”
“Please, let me finish,” he said, placing a finger on her lips to silence her. Her eyes softened as she nodded.
He needed to get this off his chest. Over the centuries, he knew that none of the women in the past were his mate. It would only be a matter of time before she would blow into his life and knock him on his ass. He just had to wait for that moment, only it was he who fell from the sky and was delivered to her.
“You are my mate, and dragon shifters prepare their whole lives for the day that they meet their mate. Everything I own is yours, if only you will have me.”
There. He laid it out on the table for her. Now, panic began to creep up into his chest as he waited for her reply.
“Are you done?” she asked with a cocked eyebrow. He nodded as he waited for her answer.
His dragon slammed into his chest, demanding to be let out. Vander knew his dragon was insisting that he could convince her to mate with them, but he just pushed his beast back.
“Before you cut me off, I was going to say that I don’t need treasures. It’s you I want. Forever.”
Relief flooded him as her words sunk in. He gathered her to his chest and covered her mouth with his. Thoughts of mating with her officially crossed his mind, and he wouldn’t mind consummating their mating now. She must have known where his thoughts were going.
“Vander,” she gasped as she pulled back.
“Yes?” he questioned, nipping her bottom lip.
“I have got to take a shower. I smell like a drowned rat.”
He barked out a laugh. He didn’t care what she looked like. He pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her.
“Okay, stinky. Let’s get you showered. We can come back so you can explore our treasure.” A smile spread across his face as he led her out of the room.
Faye Adams was the perfect mate for him. His dragon was now satisfied that she had accepted them. Exploring the treasure could wait for now. It was time for him to take care of his mate.
Epilogue
Faye smiled as she rubbed her swollen belly. She was sitting at the window seat, staring at the beautiful scenery below. Aside from Dragon’s Keep, she loved their penthouse condo. It had been seven months since her and Vander completed their mating. He had made due on his promise to give her everything that he owned.
She knew it was the dragon in him, wanting to make sure she was well cared for. He’d given her not only the world, but a gift that was now nestled inside her womb. Her belly jumped from the baby giving a swift kick, as if to acknowledge her rub. It had been a whirlwind mating. Her life had definitely changed for the better since making the lifelong commitment with her mate.
His family had accepted her immediately, once she was introduced to them. Her family had fell in love with Vander just as quickly as she did. They were told that Vander was a shifter, but she was unable to tell what kind to keep with the code of dragons. They were curious at first, but in the end, it didn’t matter. Her family saw how much they loved each other, and they let it be.
The sound of the doorbell filled the air. She rushed from her seat to the front of the condo. In her current condition, it was more of a rushed waddle.
“It’s your family,” Vander called out from the foyer. They had invited both sides of the family over for a small dinner party. Laughter floated through the air as she arrived to find her parents, Clark and Lynn, coming through the door. Her brother, River, filed in behind them.
“Daddy!” She thrust herself into her father’s waiting arms. He laughed as he crushed her to him, only her belly prevented them from getting closer. It had only been a week since she last saw her family. They were close, and she missed them dearly.
“Hey, pumpkin,” her father greeted her with a tight squeeze.
“Oh, my! Look at that belly!” her mother exclaimed as they gathered around her. River shook Vander’s hand with a laugh.
“I know,” she groaned as she pulled back from her father. Her long maxi dress showcased the fullness of her growing mound.
“Hey, River.” She greeted her brother with a hug. River, unlike her, was much taller, topping over six feet tall.
“Hey, sis,” he murmured, kissing her on the forehead. She looked around, and didn’t see his latest girlfriend. She cocked an eyebrow at him, and he knew what she was asking. He shook his head, and she knew what that meant. He was single again. Her brother went through women like a gambler went through money. One day, she hoped he would find “the one” and settle down.
“Dinner should be ready in a moment.” She motioned toward the dining area. Her eyes connected with Vander’s as he drew closer to her. Her family’s voices and laughter carried off down the hallway as they moved into the condo.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, gathering her into his arms.
“That I’m so thankful for you falling out of the sky,” she murmured. Reaching up, she plucked an imaginary piece of lint from his shirt.
“I told you, when I see something I want, I go after it. You and I will be forever.” He bent his head down and covered her mouth with his. She melted against him and knew that she better be ready. If the past year was a preview of their future, she knew she better buckle up and prepare for what her dragon warrior would have in store for her.
The End
Acknowledgments
To my family, thank you so much for going along for the ride! This journey has been amazing and I’m so glad that you have been right there by my side.
My team is amazing! My editor Dana, my assistant Amanda, my beta readers and even my street team, I just want you to know that you are appreciated! You help me become the writer that I am!
To my fans! THANK YOU! It is because of you that I keep writing. It still amazes me that you choose to read my books. If you are new to me, WELCOME! Hope you stick around!
I can’t wait for the next project! Keep your kindles charged! More is to come!
Love,
Ariel Marie
About the Author
Ariel Marie is an author who loves the paranormal, action and hot steamy romance. She combines all three in each and every one of her stories. For as long as she can remember, she has loved vampires, shifters and every creature you can think of. This even rolls over into her favorite movies. She loves a good action packed thriller! Throw a touch of the supernatural world in it and she’s hooked!
She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio where she currently resides with her husband and three beautiful children.
For more information
www.thearielmarie.com
[email protected]
Also by Ariel Marie
An Erotic Vampire
Series
Vampire Destiny
The Dark Shadows Series
Princess
Toma
Phaelyn
Teague
Adrian
Nicu
The Mirrored Prophecy Series
Power of the Fae
Fight for the Fae
Future of the Fae (TBD)
Stand Alone Book
Dani’s Return
A Faery’s Kiss
Fourteen Shades of F*cked Up: An Anthology
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