The Christmas Dragon's Love

by Zoe Chant

  “So where did it go wrong? Did Vincent’s family call the wedding off after all?” Angel asked curiously.

  “No. It went ahead as planned. Until the day of the wedding. My sister was supposed to wear that diamond. Meanwhile Vincent would wear some of the jewelry our family had gifted them. Only the diamond was gone.”

  Even now, the memory of following his father into the cave he had guarded day and night made his heart clench with horror and shame.

  The diamond had rested in a place of honor, right at the center of the sparse pile of gold that had remained after they’d sent Vincent’s family most of their jewelry as a gift.

  Only on that day, the golden box that had held the huge diamond was empty.

  Angel frowned. “It was just—gone? But how? Did someone sneak past you?”

  “Neither shifter nor human could sneak past a dragon guarding his hoard. I would have sensed them.” Jonathan smiled bitterly. “It’s impossible. Our hoard is a part of us. We’d guard it with our life. And of course, once it all came out, Vincent’s family accused me of stealing it. It makes sense, of course. Either I’m a traitor with no honor who stole from my own family, or I’m a dragon so lazy and weak that I’d let someone steal one of the world’s largest diamonds right from under me. Either way, it meant that my family was done in dragon society.”

  A horrified look spread over Angel’s face. “But what about your sister and Vincent? Weren’t they mates?”

  “His family didn’t care,” Jonathan said bitterly. “Vincent’s father is very traditional and strict. He didn’t want my dishonor to taint his family’s name. Of course, Vincent loved Maya—more than he loved his father’s fortune. They planned to run away together and start over somewhere new. Which obviously would have meant even more scandal for Vincent’s father. So when he found out about what they’d planned, he offered me a deal. Accept the shame and dishonor of having failed to guard my family’s hoard, and retreat into the ice.”

  Angel reached out for his hand, entwining their fingers. Gratefully, Jonathan felt a gentle warmth spread through him once more, banishing the ice that had surrounded his heart for so long.

  “That’s horrible,” she said. “And heartless. He asked you to turn into ice, in return for letting your sister marry his son? What an absolute bastard. I hope your sister told him to stick his diamonds where the sun doesn’t shine!”

  Silently, Jonathan shook his head. “She doesn’t know,” he admitted after a pause. “No one else knows. That was part of our deal. I leave. I accept all the blame and all the shame. It seemed a small price to pay for my sister’s happiness. And my family’s honor. Especially since it was my fault. I didn’t steal that diamond—which meant that someone stole it while I guarded it. And a dragon who cannot defend his own hoard is better off dead.”

  “Nonsense,” she said firmly. “Who cares about some stupid diamond? Or an asshole dad who cares more about money than his own son?”

  “Some do,” Jonathan said softly. “Not me. Believe me.”

  Angel tilted her head at him. “That’s right... I’m not only out of diamonds to offer your family, I’m not even a shifter.”

  “But you are my mate. And you’re funny and smart and brave. And breathtakingly gorgeous.”

  Even now, when it felt as if he’d just ripped his own heart out of his chest to show her all the ugly, dark scars his past had left on it, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  Her hair gleamed, the sunlight giving it a sheen of warm chestnut. A few snowflakes were still lingering on the tight curls.

  Her brown eyes were dark and soft as she gazed at him, her mouth still set with determination, as if she was ready to go and tell Vincent’s dad what she thought of him.

  And she probably would, Jonathan realized. As much as Angel was down on herself, he’d never seen her hesitate even once when something concerned the people—or pets—she loved.

  She’d charged straight into a blizzard for a lost dog. He didn’t doubt that she’d also charge straight at one of the richest and most powerful dragons in the world to defend his own honor.

  The thought made Jonathan smile. It was a welcome relief from the weight he was carrying on his shoulders.

  He hadn’t even realized just how much of a weight it was—but now Angel knew, and she didn’t seem to care that he was the lowest of the low, at least in dragon society.

  A dragon who can’t guard his own hoard is the sort of dragon who wouldn’t defend his own mate.

  At least that was what his grandpa used to say. Jonathan could still hear him say it, pressing a small, golden coin into his hand every time Jonathan came to visit, teaching him how to build his own hoard.

  Of course, it had been easier as a child. It had all seemed like a game.

  He’d thought that he’d have to defend his treasures against human knights with shining swords and lances. Then he grew older and realized that those kings and knights only existed in stories these days, and that humans had forgotten that dragons were real.

  But his grandpa had taught him well. Even now, looking at his mate, Jonathan couldn’t help but feel the ever-present worry that one day soon, he’d fail again.

  And what if the next time, his failure wouldn’t cost him a diamond, but his mate’s life?

  “The only thing of value my mom ever owned was her wedding ring,” Angel said wistfully. “And even that was a cheap one, as wedding rings go.”

  “But she loved your dad?” he asked.

  Angel nodded, some of the worry leaving her face as she relaxed. “It wasn’t always easy for them. We always had to worry about money a lot when I was smaller. Now they’re doing sort of okay. But even when they argued every now and then, they always made it through. They’re the sort of couple who are also best friends.”

  “That’s what counts,” Jonathan said. “Tradition is all very well—but not if it comes at the cost of your child’s happiness. Believe me, I’ve learned that lesson well. I’ve been asleep in the ice for ten years. And it wasn’t a diamond that woke me. It was you. You, just as you are.”

  A reluctant smile spread on Angel’s face as he watched her. Instead of talking, she tightened her fingers around his, and he felt a new wave of heat rise inside him.

  “This is going to sound silly,” she said, “but in a way, I feel the same. Like I was asleep before, life slipping away from me. I tried to follow my dreams and it didn’t work out. I was so low I was ready to settle on a safe, boring career, hoping that maybe I could find a safe, boring man, just so that I wouldn’t feel like a failure anymore.”

  “Nothing about me is safe,” he said, his voice rough.

  “And nothing about you is boring.” She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming at him.

  At that moment, she seemed like the most alive thing he’d ever laid eyes on—all heat and warm, pulsing blood, the opposite of those wasted years trapped in the ice. She was beautifully, gloriously alive—and his body was aching to make her his.

  His mate. Now and forever.

  Chapter Eleven: Angel

  “You absolutely have to come to the ball.” Dara’s words allowed no protest. The curvy woman looked Angel up and down, then beamed. “And don’t say that you don’t have anything to wear. I bet one of my dresses should fit you just fine.”

  Angel looked around for Jonathan, hoping that he would come to her rescue, but he was busy playing with Dara’s two-year old son, Leo.

  “How do you feel about purple silk?”

  “Silk,” Angel repeated, feeling stunned. “Umm...sure?”

  She’d never worn silk before. Or gone to a ball. She did at least know how to waltz, but that was it.

  “That’s settled, then,” Dara exclaimed with satisfaction.

  A moment later, Angel found herself dragged away, while Jonathan promised he’d watch Dara and Henrik’s son. And ten minutes later, Angel stared into a mirror, feeling utterly overwhelmed.

  She barely recognized herself. The ball gown Dara ha
d made her try on was a stunning, deep purple, the silk light as a feather. It flowed down her body, glistening in the light, the brown of her skin rich and warm against it.

  Tentatively, she turned—and the dress turned with her, flaring at her hips while showing off the generous curves of her breasts.

  She looked good.

  She liked her curves, but she’d never thought that she could look like this.

  Not like a happy but awkward girl in her prom dress.

  In this dress, she looked like a woman sashaying down the red carpet, a movie star ready to take hold of her Oscar or attend a gala.

  She didn’t look like the old Angel who hadn’t even been able to find a job after college.

  The woman currently looking back at her was all grown up, confident, and sexy as hell.

  The sort of woman you’d expect to dance the night away with a man like Jonathan...

  “The ball’s always one of the highlights for our guests,” Dara explained. “It’s my favorite part of our winter season—together with the cookie decorating classes we do with the kids. Oh, and of course our Christmas tree, and our big Christmas dinner, and—”

  “Stop!” Angel said, holding up her hand and laughing. “I’m jealous enough already. This place is incredible. You’re so lucky.”

  Dara gave her a chagrined look, laughing as well. “Sorry. I really do love our winter season. It’s so much work, but it’s worth it. The Snow Castle was closed down when I arrived here for the first time. We’ve worked hard to get it back to where it is now. I’m still so in love with this place. I can’t shut up about it.”

  “You’ve done an incredible job,” Angel said softly.

  She turned in front of the mirror again. The dress flared out, then settled around her curves, sleek and silky and expensive-looking. “And this is gorgeous. Are you sure?”

  “We don’t get dragon visitors very often,” Dara said. “And I know what it’s like to stumble into this world as a human. At first it doesn’t seem real. And then you wonder if you can ever feel at home in the shifter world. But Henrik was the best thing that ever happened to me. Henrik, Leo, and the Snow Castle.”

  Angel took a deep breath, still staring at herself in the mirror. And the confident, sexy woman staring back at her knew what she wanted.

  “All right. A ball it is. Thank you.”

  Dara’s smile widened. “This will be so much fun!”

  ***

  When Angel entered the ballroom by Dara’s side that evening, she found herself surrounded by lights and gleaming decorations in the shape of golden stars and silver snowflakes.

  There were crystal icicles decorating the walls and a huge chandelier illuminating the large room. Everyone around them had dressed up as well—and just as Dara had promised, everyone was wearing a mask.

  Angel had put on a mask of peacock feathers, which Dara had given her. For a moment, she worried—what if Jonathan didn’t recognize her like this?

  Then something that felt like an invisible force made her turn towards the left corner of the room. And there, where huge doors led out onto a balcony, Jonathan stood.

  She recognized him right away. He wore a mask decorated with white feathers and glittering snowflakes—but she would have recognized his eyes anywhere. They were shining as he looked at her, filled with light, and as she watched him, his eyes widened.

  Then he came towards her, his eyes still awed as he held out his hand.

  “You look beautiful,” he murmured, his voice rough. He bent over her hand to kiss it, like someone out of an old movie. “May I have this dance?”

  Jonathan looked stunning in a simple, black suit that showed off his broad shoulders.

  She’d felt a little self-conscious before she’d entered the ballroom. Whatever movies liked to pretend, in real life, the curvy, black klutz never turned out to be a long-lost princess.

  But then Jonathan pulled her into his arms, and she realized it didn’t matter.

  None of her fears mattered.

  She belonged here, dress or no, because she belonged into Jonathan’s arms. If this gorgeously decorated ballroom had been an old barn, she’d have felt just the same, as long as she was dancing with Jonathan.

  In time to the music, she floated through the large room, her gown twirling around her as Jonathan took her around in elegant circles. From the corner of her eyes, she caught glimpses of the other dancers.

  Gowns, jewelry, candles, the beautiful decorations—everywhere she looked, the room glittered in silver and gold. It truly felt like she was dancing in a dream.

  When the song stopped, the band playing on a small platform immediately began another.

  Angel couldn’t even say how long they’d been dancing when they finally stopped. It felt like it had been only minutes, only she was breathless, her face hurting from smiling so much.

  Across the room, she could see Dara in Henrik’s arms, still twirling among the other dancers, moving as gracefully as if they’d been born to dance together.

  “Ready for a break?” Jonathan asked. “They have mulled wine outside.”

  “Sounds wonderful.” She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

  For all that he claimed that his dragon’s power had utterly drained away during the years in the ice, his eyes seemed alight with a mysterious force now.

  Perhaps it was just because she wasn’t used to anyone looking at her like this. But even now, something about him felt special. Powerful.

  And as his hair gleamed in the light of the chandelier, she found herself hoping that one day soon, she’d get to see him as a dragon again. Because his dragon had to be beautiful.

  The balcony outside was surprisingly warm. All around the balustrade, large heaters stood, giving off a pleasant warmth Even so, Jonathan took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders, shrugging off her concern.

  “If there’s one thing being an ice dragon is good for, it’s not freezing to death in winter. My dragon loves this weather.”

  He held out a hand. It had stopped snowing earlier in the day, but just then, a perfect, fat snowflake landed right in the center of his palm.

  A moment later, another followed, and then another, until it was gently snowing once more, snowflakes dancing all around them in the light of the tiny fairy lights strung around the large balcony.

  “Did you just make it snow?” she asked breathlessly. “I thought you couldn’t use your powers.”

  Jonathan laughed and shook his head. “That wasn’t me, I promise. But I still know if it’s going to snow. My dragon knows the snow and the wind and the ice. Even now, when I can’t shift. The snow feels like—like a friend. Soothing. Kind.”

  “Your friend just landed on the tip of your nose.” Grinning, she reached out and brushed the snowflake away with a fingertip.

  Jonathan was right—he really didn’t seem to mind the cold. His nose was surprisingly warm, while Angel was glad for his jacket and the heaters.

  In a corner of the balcony, not far from them, suddenly music began to play. When they turned towards it, they saw that a young woman in a warm, woolen dress had just made her way onto the small dais there with her violin.

  Unlike the cheerful waltz played by the band inside, the notes of the violin were low and sweet. Angel didn’t recognize the song, but the melody was beautiful.

  As the woman played, more and more snow fell. Jonathan fetched them two mugs of the mulled wine. Surrounded by the scent of cinnamon, cloves and allspice, Angel leaned against Jonathan, looking up into the starry sky as the woman continued to weave her melody all around them.

  Angel smiled faintly when the song came to an end. The violinist moved straight to a different piece without stopping.

  This one Angel recognized right from the first few notes.

  White Christmas, played slowly, almost sadly, by the single violin.

  Angel closed her eyes, listening, Jonathan’s embrace warming her. The notes of the violin seemed to soar, floating gently
through the air like the falling snowflakes.

  She’d never realized just how much yearning was hidden in that song. She liked Christmas, even though she thought it was mainly for children. But until this moment, Angel had never understood what it was she’d been yearning for herself.

  This job had seemed like a fun way to spend her winter, earning money house-sitting while getting to experience a peaceful, quiet Christmas in the snow.

  But what good was a Christmas like that if you couldn’t share it?

  With Jonathan’s arms around her and the spices of the mulled wine warming her, she found herself dreaming along with the song. Dreaming of a white Christmas spent together with Jonathan, in a home of their own.

  There’d be long walks through the snow, with candles in their window, and a tree they’d decorate together. Christmas dinner with their family, and decorating cookies in the shape of stars and trees and little dragons.

  A white Christmas surrounded by snow and ice, but where she’d never feel lost or cold.

  When the song ended, she sighed, reluctant to open her eyes as the spell faded away.

  She applauded together with the handful of people who’d gathered on the balcony. Jonathan’s arms around her tightened, and he pressed a kiss to her nape.

  The violinist smiled at her—and then she lifted her instrument again, and the first notes of Hark the Herald Angels Sing filled the air.

  “Let me know when you want to head back inside,” Jonathan said. “I don’t want you to get cold.”

  Angel smiled as she shook her head. “I’m perfectly warm.”

  And not just because of the Snow Castle’s large outdoor heaters and Jonathan’s jacket.

  Pressed against him, she could feel his warmth seep in even through the layers of fabric. Everything still felt like a dream—almost too good to be true.

  But at the same time, it was hard to deny the reality of it. With the hard planes of his masculine body pressed against her, he felt like the most real thing she’d ever known.

  As if it were the past years and those horrible months of repeated failure that had been the dream.