Page 37 of Secrets of the Dragon's Heart

“Cameron Sullivan and Kennedy Fisher, please come forward and face the council,” Sampson called as he walked into the room. “You have presented compelling evidence that our view of the world has begun to shrink over the last few generations. We’ve lost our way as a clan and we are indebted to you for bringing this to our attention. Accordingly, Cameron, your marriage to Kennedy will be sanctioned by the council if, as per tradition, you can prove the bond between you is real and substantial.”

Cameron gave Kennedy’s hand a squeeze. “We are prepared for any test of our love and our bond you require,” he said. “We only wish to be together.”

Sampson looked over at Kennedy. “And you, my dear, are you prepared for this test?” he asked. “You haven't spoken a word since these proceedings started.”

“I only wished to show the proper respect. I know that I’m an outsider here, but I wish very much to be accepted as Cameron’s mate,” she said. “I love him more than I thought was possible. Life without him would be empty, but I’m prepared to prove it to you and the rest of the clan.”

“Very well, that is more than I needed to hear,” Sampson said, a look of amusement on his face. “The council has agreed that the most simple and straightforward test of the bond between Cameron and Kennedy is to bring forth the creature inside of him. You will be required to shift and stay that way for a long enough period of time that we can see Kennedy truly accepts what you are and what you can do.”

All the tension drained from Kennedy’s body, and a sigh of relief hissed out of her lungs. She looked up at him, her eyes full of determination. “I told you,” he whispered. “No big deal, right?”

“Right?” she whispered back. “Let’s do this.”

He stepped back from her, ignoring the excited conversation around them, concentrated only on his love for Kennedy, then let his power surge until, body tingling, he became the dragon. Kennedy gasped. For a moment he thought she was going to step away from him, but then she smiled and walked over to him, her eyes slowly filling with desire as she ran her hands over his muscular chest. He tipped his head down to her, and she ran her fingers over the soft feathers on his face, a look of wonder on her face, then stretched up and softly kissed him.

“You’re even more incredible than I remembered,” she said, stroking his face again. “You won’t ever have to hide this side of you from me. I love the dragon just as much as I love the man.”

A low growl came from deep in his chest, desire to match what he saw in Kennedy’s eyes spread through him, and all he could think about was getting her alone. “Easy, sweetheart, this isn’t the time or the place for that,” she said, stepping back from him, making the people watching them laugh. “You’d better rein that dragon of yours in before he embarrasses us both.”

The room filled with laughter again. “I think we’ve seenenough,” Sampson called. The council is satisfied that Cameron and Kennedy's bond is real and strong. We declare the marriage true and valid, and we accept Kennedy as a new member of the clan.”

“This cannot be happening,” his father shouted. “I challenge the validity of the marriage; the clan customs weren’t followed, and the marriage is not valid.”

There was a brief silence, then Max stood up. “I can attest to the validity of the marriage,” he said. I performed the ceremony myself, following all clan tradition. I have witnesses who will swear to this. Our leaders' claim is false and was anticipated.”

Excited conversation spread through the room, but it was cut off by his father. Getting to his feet, he stomped over to Max. “You saw the union consummated?” he asked, an evil smile on his face, then turned to them. Clan law and tradition require that the marriage be consummated in front of the clan. Until this is done, the marriage is invalid in the eyes of the clan.”

Kennedy gasped and looked over at him. “That tradition hasn’t been followed for a long time,” he said, shaking his head. “The marriage is valid.”

“Neither has the practice of shifters marrying regular humans, but you seemed happy to resurrect that one,” his father snarled at him. “This is no different.”

There was complete silence in the gazebo. Kennedy’s face was filled with shock, but it was quickly replaced by determination. “We’ll do it,” she said, her voice shaking a bit. I want to spend my life with Cameron. If you require a voyeuristic display to prove it, then I’ll do it.”

He turned to Kennedy. “You don’t have to do this; they can’t make us. It’s too much,” he said, then looked over at his father. “When did you become such a monster? When did you lose all touch with reality? We’re not going to do this.”

“Then the marriage is invalid,” his father sneered at him. “When are you going to learn that I always win?”

“Not this time,” Kennedy said, shaking her head, then looked up at him. “It’s a small price to pay, Cameron. I’m willing to pay it.”

He searched Kennedy’s face, saw only love and determination in her eyes, and knew that he had no choice but to give in. “I only have one condition,” he said. “My father can’t be there.”

***Kennedy***

Kennedy watched the trail in front of her, afraid that she’d trip in the darkness and make a fool of herself. Then, she realized that was the least of her problems. She was about to have sex in front of a bunch of men, a thought that made her feel a bit nauseous, but she was willing to do it for a lifetime of happiness with Cameron. It wasn’t difficult to see that he was a bit upset by the way things had gone, but Max had done his best to make it easier on both of them, choosing a location that would offer them as much privacy as possible.

She was surprised when the trail disappeared beneath her feet and looked up to find that they’d entered a small clearing with a beautiful waterfall. There was a sparkling pool beneath the falls, its banks covered with mossy rocks, and for a moment, she imagined sinking into its cool depths. Bringing herself back to the moment, she looked over at Cameron, who was staring at the waterfall, a confused look on his face.

Wondering why Max had chosen such a beautiful location for her humiliation, she turned to look over at him. “Trust me, this will be fine,” he said. “The island will take care of you, I promise.”

“I think we would all be happy to have this highly uncomfortable…situation over with quickly,” Sampson said, clearing his throat nervously. “This brings none of us joy. We’ll give you the proper space to…well…get on with it.”

Cameron took her hand and walked over to the pool, then pulled her into his arms and looked down at her. “It’s not too late to change your mind,” he said. “We don’t have to do this.”

“It is too late, Cameron. We agreed, and we can’t go back on our word,” she said. “We’ll just pretend they’re not there.”

“We don’t have to take off our clothes,” he said, smiling down at her. “I already know what you look like naked.”

She laughed, easing some of the tension, and then Cameron lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her until the passion between them flared to life. He devoured her mouth, his kiss more possessive than it had ever been, and she felt herself being swept away, the world around them slowly melting away. As his hands began to roam over her body, she forgot about everything but his touch and the warmth slowly spreading through her as a tight knot of pleasure began to build deep inside her.

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