Dragon Series: Dragon Heat
Page 21
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 21
Xanther ran a hand through his thick hair in frustration. “I don't want to see her."
"Can't you see this is killing her?” Alyssa pointed to Lady Isabella who was standing awkwardly by herself after being ignored by Xanther. “She is your mother and she didn't only come here for our wedding. She came to see you."
"She can go home. I didn't ask her to come."
"I did."
"Why?"
"Because she is your family, and that makes her my family too. I don't see why you are acting like a big baby. At least you have a mother. I don't."
"Alyssa, I don't want to talk about this right now.” Xanther turned and walked away. He walked out of the reception room and headed for his solar.
"Then when, Xanther? Next week? Next month? She won't be here then and you can't ignore the problem and make it go away."
"Why not? That's what she did."
"She did what she had to because she loved you."
"She didn't love me or my father."
"She loved you more than you think. She sacrificed herself and her life for yours."
"Don't give me that pack of lies."
"Then don't pull the wool over your eyes. It's you who doesn't want to see the truth."
"I know enough."
"What do you really know of the Elisaid?"
"Just get to your point, Alyssa."
"You know just enough to make bad judgments about them. Do you know of the curse they live with?"
"What curse?"
"I thought so! Why do you think there are no men among them? Do you think they would really choose not to have love in their life?"
"Perhaps they like hurting the men in their lives too much."
"Have you been completely blind to the pain your sister is going through right now? She is in love with Liam, but the curse she lives with will kill him if she stays with him after a child is born."
"Alyssa, do not tell me that she is plotting to leave him already."
"In all honesty, I don't know what she is planning, but if it were me, I would choose to suffer rather than lose you."
"You are not one of them, so don't speak like that.” He spat the words out in disgust.
"Maybe not by blood, but in spirit I am. How can you judge your mother so harshly? I know she loves you. Do you think attacking her will make her choose differently? It won't."
"But it might make me feel better,” he muttered.
"But it doesn't change things. If you want to make a difference, than we need to find a way to break the curse."
"Just how long has this curse been around, Alyssa?"
"Probably six hundred years or so."
"And how do you suggest we break this curse when no one else succeeded over the last six hundred years?"
"That's why I need to find Autumn."
"You're not leaving me, Alyssa."
"Is that a command? I love you, Xanther, but the Elisaid were my family when I had no family. I can't let them down."
"And why do you think this Autumn can help you when no one else could? Who is Autumn anyways?"
"Evidently, she is a librarian."
"A librarian?” he scoffed. “What's so special about a librarian? How can a librarian help? Why can't you go read the same books she has and find the answers yourself?"
"Because that would take a lifetime."
"Don't even think of leaving me, Alyssa. With or without a wedding, we are mated and it is for life. Now that I found you I can never let you go."
"I wasn't going to leave you. Not for good anyway.” Alyssa watched his eyes darken at her words. “Just long enough to find Autumn and figure out how to break the curse."
"Why? You are not an Elisaid. They have made their life choices and they choose to live by that curse. Let them find a way to break it."
"Look Xanther, I have no idea what dark magic Isabella did in order to bypass that curse over her head, but you are a part of this as much as I am. You should not exist. It goes against the curse to have a son, and that may mean that you live in freedom from the curse, but you carry Elisaid blood, and what does that mean for our children?"
"What of them? They will be dragon blood and they will be proud of their heritage."
"And Elisaid blood will flow in their veins as well, which means their lives could be touched by that same curse."
She waited for a moment for her words to sink in. “Would you tell them they are cursed before or after they found their mate?"
"They might not be cursed. There is no way to—"
"So you would wait until after the curse claimed their mates’ lives?"
"No, Alyssa. Don't put words in my mouth. I don't know what I would do."
"Do you want children?"
"Yes. Many children."
"Me too, and I want them to have the chance to lead happy lives. With the chance for finding love and keeping it."
"What do you want from me?"
"I want to spend my life with you, and I want us to be a family. All of us. That means your mom and your dad. Go to her and talk to her.” Alyssa raised her hand to his face and he put his hand over hers. “For me?"
"Alright, but I am not making any promises. And I am doing this because I love you, not for her."
"Thank you Xanther."
Tenderly he kissed her hand.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Epilogue
Alyssa never imagined something so beautiful as her own mating ceremony. Xanther had said it was a traditional wedding, but it was like no wedding she witnessed. The great hall was filled with everyone she had grown to love, familiar dragon faces, Xanther's father, and his men.
She felt such love and hope fill the space in the cavern. Her heart warmed, as she saw the wall lined with the Elisaid. Her sisters in heart if not by blood had come to support her and share this happy time in her life. It was rare to see them leave their mountain hideaway. They were dressed as always, simply in black robes. Their robes hid the many weapons covering their bodies.
Xanther was in all his animal glory, in his true dragon form. He walked erect to where she stood waiting on the alter steps. As in the ancient tradition, he dropped the gift at her feet, a slain cow. It was a sign of his respect and a sign that he would care for his mate for all time in every way.
Alyssa licked the cow tentatively in acceptance, before licking Xanther's neck submissively. This was her mate in every way. He put his front paw over her heart, and she followed his example, putting her claw on his chest where his heart lay beneath.
His thoughts echoed in every mind. Alyssa, on this day I thee wed, to have and to hold, for all time. As my lifemate, my life is now yours to command and you alone will hold the key to my heart. I give myself to you, the keeper of my heart.
A feeling of comfort and love came into her heart such as she had never felt before. This was the man she loved. The man she had always loved and always would love. There would be no one else who could take his place. For all her life, he alone would be her mate. He alone would hold her heart.
Xanther, you have my heart and always will. On this day I thee wed, to have and to hold for all time. You are my true life mate and as my life mate, my life is yours to command. You alone will hold the key to my heart. I give myself to you, the keeper of my heart.
The End
[Back to Table of Contents]
About the Author Missy Lyons
Missy Lyons was one of four girls born in Santa Maria, California. She grew up along the beach and back in the country, catching lizards and climbing trees. She is currently trying to be a city girl living with her family in Nashville, Tennessee.
Missy loves to write romance almost as much as she loves to read it. She is a multi-genre author ranging from contemporary romance to fantasy. Her favorite genre to write is paranormal romances. From dragons to druids, her work is inspired by fairy tales and daydreams.
You can s
ee more of her work at www.missylyons.com. Missy loves hearing from her fans and you can reach her by her website at www.missylyons.com.
Other titles by Missy Lyons
39 And Holding Him (print/e-book)
Boyfriend for Hire (e-book)
Bound by Desire (e-book)
Closing the Deal (e-book)
Dark Secrets: Blood Ties (e-book)
Naughty or Nice (e-book)
* * *
Visit www.redrosepublishing.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.