Smitten

by Vivienne Savage

  “Daddy’s on his way, too.” Astrid slid past Marcy into the room.

  “Okay. Perfect then. Astrid, you’re up first.” Chloe turned her daughter toward the doors, but the girl peeked back and blew Ēostre a kiss.

  “I love you, Grandma.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Astrid led the way down the aisle and sprinkled multicolored rose petals across the grass. Chloe followed behind her daughter in a matching dress, walking on satin slippers in lieu of heels.

  “You are the very definition of elegance, Mother.” Saul stepped in the doorway and offered his arm. “Are you ready?”

  Ēostre looked up at her son. Something told her he was asking about more than the wedding, and she had to wonder if she was ready to officially profess her love to not only their fellow dragons, but to the rest of the world as well. “I am. I really am, Saul.” There was no turning back. She’d already given Max her heart.

  “Then let’s get you to your husband-to-be.”

  On her son’s arm, Ēostre couldn’t imagine a day more perfect. As they stepped out into the garden the bridal march began to play, beautiful harp music filling the air with an ethereal quality. Everyone in attendance rose to their feet but she barely saw them. Hey eye, her every focus, was on Max.

  “Don’t rush,” Saul muttered under his breath, giving her hand a squeeze. “While it might be amusing, it’s far from dignified.”

  His humorous observation made her smile and loosened the last bit of nervous tension in her stomach. Each step forward brought her closer and closer to Max. Her mate. Her future.

  He filled her vision, a handsome figure in his black tux with a ruby red tie and vest. The smile on his face was brighter than a volcano’s heart and his eyes were solely on her.

  “I leave you with a good man. One I’ll be proud to call my stepfather,” Saul murmured in a low voice for the pair of dragons alone. He gave her fingers a last squeeze before he placed her hands in Max’s. “Take care of her.”

  “You have my word,” Max promised.

  Saul took his place at Max’s side as Best Man, the guests retook their seats, and the officiant stepped forward. They had purposely chosen a secular ceremony, preferring to leave religion out of the equation. Dragons, who had been venerated as gods themselves at one time, didn’t believe in any particular religious deity.

  “Welcome, everyone,” the man greeted. “Today is a day of celebration, and even a little bit of history. Before today, the only president to get married here in the White House was President Grover Cleveland, in 1886. But this isn’t about history. This is about Maximilian, Ēostre, and their love.”

  Ēostre listened to the words about love and commitment without ever taking her gaze from her mate’s. Despite the show for the human world, she took every word to heart.

  “Do you, Maximilian, take Ēostre to be your wife?”

  “I do, with everything that I am.”

  “And do you, Ēostre, take Maximilian to be your husband?”

  “Completely.”

  The officiant smiled at them both. “The bride and groom have asked to exchange their own vows of love and fidelity as they present one another with their wedding bands. Maximilian, if you’d begin, please.”

  “A moment please, I need my ring bearer.”

  They reached the moment of truth. Ēostre hadn’t actually seen Spartacus successfully perform what Max wanted. Her mate insisted for it to be a surprise.

  Movement near the back rows caught her eye, Watatsumi with Spartacus on his arm. Everyone turned then to watch as Max held out his arm. He whistled once and his parrot took to the air.

  Please don’t fly off. Please don’t fly off, she prayed. She had faith in Maximilian, and absolutely none in the naughty bird that had become part of their lives.

  The African Grey soared across the garden. For a moment, as he made a circle around the rose trellis that served as their wedding bower, Ēostre was certain the bird would make a break for it with their shiny rings — not that she looked forward to wearing the bands for anything more than symbolism. It was the sentiment behind it that mattered most to her.

  He didn’t. He landed neatly on Max’s upraised wrist and dropped a small pouch into the man’s hand. Promptly, without missing a beat, he threw his wings up in the air and cried out, “Special day!” Tilting his head as he remembered the rest of his well-practiced surprise, Spartacus made a kissing noise up to her. “Love Ēostre.”

  “Good job, my friend. Thank you.” Maximilian turned a smug smile back to his mate and spilled the rings from the pouch onto his open palm as Spartacus launched himself off of Max’s arm and settled on the top of the trellis. A few attendees clapped or laughed at the display.

  “That was lovely.” Ēostre took the ring meant for Max and cupped it in her damp palm.

  “A wise man once said less is more,” Maximilian began as he clutched her hands in both of his. “And when it comes to summing up my feelings, Ēostre, I find no amount of words can adequately communicate my love for you. From the first day we met, I knew my heart could belong to you and no one else.”

  The simple gold band he slipped on her left hand was adorned with delicate etchings in a floral knotwork pattern. She recognized Max’s handiwork in the design.

  “I never thought my heart would open again after past heartbreak, yet you snuck in, took me as I am, and brought light to my darkened spirit.” Her fingers trembled. Her entire body buzzed with joy and love, so much that she didn’t know how she managed to contain it. Her dragon wanted to fly. To break free and soar in an elated aerial dance with her new husband. “You are the sun who brought me clear skies, Max, and each day with you has been brighter than the last.”

  “Beautiful words from both of you. Here, among your family and friends, and before our entire nation, you have affirmed your love and choice to join your lives. Therefore, it is my honor to pronounce your union as man and wife. You may kiss your—”

  Ēostre didn’t wait for the officiant to finish. She leaned in first and claimed Max as her own with a searing kiss. His arms came around her and pulled her close while the guests cheered and clapped. There were even a few catcalls.

  “Why Mrs. Emberthorn,” Max said in a voice pitched low, for her ears only. “Save it for the honeymoon.”

  “Can we skip the reception and leave now?”

  Max’s husky chuckle warmed her ear and raised goosebumps across her skin. “Soon, my love. Soon.”

  Beside them, Saul cleared his throat. “I do believe your audience is waiting to greet the newlyweds.”

  As one, they turned to face the joyous faces of their gathered audience. With his arm around her, Ēostre had never felt more loved.

  “We’d be delighted if you would all join us in the East Room for the reception. There might even be dancing.” Max grinned and gave everyone a wave.

  Dinner gave way to toasts. Some made Ēostre laugh, while others brought tears to her eyes. Astrid even took a turn at the mic. The young girl won everyone’s hearts when she welcomed “Uncle” Max to the family and threw her arms around him.

  Chloe was right about my make-up. I’d be a mess by now if we’d gone heavier.

  A string quartet and pianist provided the music for dancing across the elaborately decorated room. Ēostre made a special request for their first song, and as Max glided her across the floor in his arms, she came to know true peace and bliss.

  At the conclusion of a perfect day, they parted from their friends and family after receiving plentiful hugs, well wishes, and kisses. Their honeymoon had taken months of planning thanks to the measures of their security detail, but Hawaii awaited them along with sun, beaches, and fruity cocktails.

  And Speedos.

  Chapter 16

  Hawaii had always been a favorite place to visit, an exotic delight with plenty of volcanic activity to dazzle Maximilian and abundant flora to charm his new wife. With five activity-filled days already behind them, he was relaxed and i
n no rush to return home.

  As the morning sunlight streamed behind him through the window, he took a moment to study Ēostre’s sleeping face. He never tired of looking at her. She slept like a model on a bedroom photoshoot, clothed in only a slinky piece of French negligee she claimed was paying homage to his country of origin. With her hair a wild, silver halo all around her, Ēostre’s long lashes lay against her cheek and one fair hand rested just beneath her breast. The lacey trim of the nightie skimmed her naked bottom and barely covered her hips.

  They had plans to attend a luau later in the evening, but the rest of the day was theirs to do whatever they wanted. As far as Max was concerned, they could spend it in bed. He was already getting hard, his cock firming until it created a silky tower in the sheets. Fortunately, female dragons matched their mates when it came to libido, and she never exhausted of him.

  His cellphone rang, interrupting his building daydream. The device had remained silent for their entire trip and he’d agreed to carry it in case someone needed to contact him for emergencies only. A quick look at the Caller ID made him frown.

  “Kenneth, I’m enjoying my vacation. This had better be damned important.”

  “Turn on the TV now,” his vice president said in a terse voice. “I’m afraid your honeymoon must be postponed, Maximilian. We have an urgent problem. Your security detail has been notified of the dilemma and are prepared to escort you to the airfield.”

  “Kenneth, what the hell is going on?” Max leaned across Ēostre’s dozing form and grabbed the remote. “What channel am I looking for?”

  “Any of them.”

  It took only seconds to understand the urgency and tension behind his friend’s voice. The imagery on the screen was that of a nightmare.

  Mount Rainier Erupts, the news ticker read below a photograph of the majestic mountain.

  “Ēostre, wake up.” Max put his hand on her hip and gave his slumbering wife a shake. “We need to get back to Washington.”

  “Max, there’s more,” Palmer continued over the line. “Initial reports are saying something came out with the eruption. Something large that’s still flying around up there.”

  “What?”

  “I’m trying to get more information but that’s all we have so far. We can’t put birds in the air with so much ash so we’re relying on ground cameras. People are uploading videos to Facebook and Youtube.”

  “Instead of evacuating?”

  “There was no warning before the blast. We’re getting out everyone we can but… it’s not good, Max.”

  Ēostre groggily sat up for a look at the screen.

  “Kenneth, there’s no time to wait for our pickup. Ēostre and I will be there shortly.”

  “What? How—”

  “Trust me, we’ll be there in less than half an hour.” He disconnected the call and turned up the volume on the television. Grabbing the nearest clothes at hand, Max tugged on a pair of khakis and a golf shirt. He tossed Ēostre a sundress.

  “Max, look. It… no, it can’t be.”

  He turned his attention to the flat screen on the wall and froze. The news team had zoomed in on the angry mountain and caught the mysterious object soaring above.

  “It’s Fafnir,” he breathed.

  “No! This isn’t possible. I found his lifeless body with a sword through his heart. I watched you bury his corpse in the heart of Mount Rainier!” Ēostre cried. “He was dead!”

  Max set his hands on her shoulders and turned her to the screen again. “It’s him, Ēostre. Look at the horns! Look!”

  The camera focused on the shape rising in the air. Despite the cloud of ash swirling in the sky, he saw a prominent figure with a crimson hide and black tipped feathers. A wicked pair of spiraling dark horns corkscrewed from the creature’s brow. They were enormous, and Max had always envied his friend for his stately appearance.

  “Fafnir,” she whispered with a palm pressed over her heart.

  Adrenaline pounded in Max’s veins. They had to get moving, had to return to the White House to begin disaster measures, but at the same time he felt an obligation to the woman he loved more than his own life. Ēostre was breaking right in front of him, and there wasn’t anything he could do to help her.

  “Ēostre, love, can you feel your bond to him?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “I don’t… I don’t feel him,” she whispered on a choked sob. “We were soulbound, but I do not feel him. How could this happen?”

  Lacking the answers to her frantic questions made him feel all the more helpless. Silver dragons had an innate talent for arcane spells and made the best sorcerers among their kind. The most magical thing Max had done in all of his life was learn to make volcanos erupt on command for a spoiled little girl and charm a few torches in his lair.

  He frowned as he watched the live footage unfold. Ēostre quaked against him with tears streaming down her cheeks, but there was no doubt about the identity of the colossal dragon bathed in the light of an erupting volcano. Maximilian would know him anywhere, and he had personally clawed his way into the soul of the mountain and buried Fafnir as per Ēostre’s instructions.

  He had cried over that dragon’s chilly corpse.

  “I’ll send you to the White House but I’m going to the volcano.”

  “Ēostre, you can’t go.”

  “I must! We all must. Until we know what has happened, any dragon in the area should be out there now, helping and protecting these people. We don’t have time for politics.”

  “You can’t stop an erupting volcano on your own, and there are no dragons in that state. Not a single one!”

  “I’ll ask Saul to come. Mahasti can send him there in a blink.”

  “Saul isn’t a true volcanic dragon, Ēostre, and he lacks your control over storm currents. We need an earth dragon and potentially a water dragon, otherwise the lahar flood will cause a tidal wave and wipe out everything,” Max said as he removed his clothes again. “Send me ahead first, and I’ll work my way into the magma chamber to disperse and decrease the pressure. You need to get Xochiquetzal and Tlaloc.”

  “But Fafnir—”

  “Will be seen to,” he assured her. “But as you said, the volcano and the people come first.”

  Ēostre drew herself up and swiped at her damp cheeks. “Yes. Yes, you’re right.”

  “Whatever has happened, Ēostre, we will get to the bottom of it,” he told her gently. Max dried her remaining tears and kissed her face, sighing with relief when she let him hold her close. “I love you.”

  “Where do you want me to place you?”

  “Above the volcano.”

  Even the portal lacked luster and brilliance, appearing as little more than a colorful ring of dimmed light surrounding a window to a world dulled by volcanic debris. Thankfully, none of it came through. Her doorway was exit only.

  “Max?” Ēostre whispered.

  “Yes?” He paused in front of it, preparing to jump.

  “I love you. Be safe.”

  Holding his mate’s words close to his heart, Maximilian stepped through the portal. Seconds later, with his wings pinned close against his body, the fire dragon Belenos was plummeting toward the open volcano.

  ***

  Ash filled the air at an exponential rate, billowing from the top of the de-capped mountain. Its entire peak was missing, but the terrible cloud didn’t disguise the mighty silhouette perched on the rim.

  Against all logic and common sense, Ēostre wanted to go to the man she’d once loved with all of her soul. But Max was right. Fafnir could wait.

  “Where shall I take these ashes?” Thor called from beside her.

  Ēostre reached out again with her magic, felt the winds and manipulated them as Thor prepared to take hold of the magical leash she created from their energy. They both hovered a few hundred yards from the volcano’s sweltering heat, buoyant on the force of their own storm winds. With a combination of magic and her own innate power over storms, Ēostre had conden
sed the volcanic matter into a funnel.

  As for the volcano, it was stifling even for them, the air so hot she could barely breathe. It issued a never-ending geyser of minerals and pulverized rock. Tiny bits of volcanic glass clung to her hide and silver mane, coloring her body dull gray.

  “Scatter them as best you can across unpopulated areas and the sea. I will continue to funnel it toward you!”

  When Tlaloc refused to lend aid to the humans, his son volunteered in his stead. Xochiquetzal and Teo wasted no time upon their arrival, and worked as a team. While Teo molded the ground from above, his mother passed through the earth like a ghost. Together, the two created natural but safer paths for the lahar to travel. As Max had predicted, the filthy meltwater spilled down the mountainside, dragging boulders, cars, and wrecked buildings in its wake.

  Ēostre couldn’t estimate the number of deaths. There were mortals in danger everywhere.

  What if this is Fafnir’s doing? she wondered. From afar, she saw the motionless ancient watching her in return. He hadn’t lifted a claw to help, and Max hadn’t emerged from the volcano.

  Saul circled low over the ground with Mahasti on his back. The sight of him generated as much terror as the erupting volcano itself, but where they saw fleeing evacuees, they also saved lives. More than one human found themselves instantly teleported from danger to the emergency shelters set up for exactly such a situation. Their wishes for safety made the job easy, and a genie wouldn’t act against a human’s desires.

  Through it all, Fafnir remained perched on the crater’s rim overlooking the destruction below. He did nothing to assist but also nothing to hinder. His hulking form remained still as stone.

  What is going through your mind, Ēostre wondered.

  As Ēostre circled around again, the flare of volcanic debris thinned and began to taper. Half an hour later, little more than a few wisps of steam billowed from within the enormous hole.

  Down below, Saul broke away from the other two dragons and approached on swift wings. “Mother!” he called to her. Mahasti floated alongside him in her natural state, a being of pure smoke and fire.