Page 41 of The Eternal Choice

Yes, he did. It’s because the dress in question matches the color of his dragon hide. A clear link I belong to him. No matter how many years we’ve been together, he’s still a protective, possessive, and overbearing dragon man.

“Fine,” I huff and spin on my heels to head for the shower.

“Shall I check to make sure the twins are going?” His voice makes me stop in the doorway and I glance over my shoulder to see him holding his phone.

Strong, fierce, and gorgeous as ever in his suit…without a single wrinkle even with the hard way he fucked me a few seconds ago. Finding your fated mate, sharing a unique bond, a chance at an eternity together with the perfect match…it’s a dream come true. How am I to prevent my children from having the chance of finding happiness?

“Yes,” I firmly tell him. “Make sure they won’t be late.”

I catch his huge grin right before I disappear into the bathroom. A half hour later I’m wearing the cream dress and slide my hand into the crook of Ernestino’s arm as we enter the large ballroom. We’re the ones hosting the gathering this time and tonight will be the first time dragon shifters from Marshgloom will be present as well.

Due to the complicated history of both clans Marshgloom wanted the time and space they needed to regroup and become whole again. Meanwhile Ivano has been keeping in contact withhis family in Marshgloom in an effort to keep the peace in place while respecting their boundaries. Ernestino appointed Ivano his second in command to divide tasks and have a trusted and loyal person in this position.

Marshgloom reached out a few months ago to set up a meeting and the first one went fairly well. Ivano’s younger brother, Glenn, is now clan leader of Marshgloom and Ivano has been the main point of contact through all of it. This helps to let the clan see firsthand how well our clan has been growing.

Marshgloom has managed to crawl out of the bankruptcy pit Tony got them in, but they are still struggling with fertility and finding mates. It’s why they accepted our invitation to the gathering tonight.

More clans will be present and over the past few decades dragon shifters from our clan, and others have found mates at these gatherings, and more children are being born. The dragons are still scarce, but at least they are slowly growing in numbers.

Ernestino comes to an abrupt stop and when I glance up, I notice his gaze is fixed on something. Following his line of sight, I know exactly what he’s reminded of. Ivano and Cleo’s sons are talking to our daughter Grazia.

Their three sons were born a few years apart and from this point of view they resemble some similarities of the younger versions of Ernestino, Nario, Leandro, and Cleo. It’s a harsh reminder of betrayal, of loss, of a past no one can change.

I step in front of Ernestino and place my hand against his cheek.

His gaze finds mine, and I soften my words to tell him, “Every choice is one a person should make with sane reasoning. Of right or wrong, good or bad, all while keeping in mind what the consequences might be and weighing them before making aneternal choice. Each person makes choices for themselves and is solely responsible. Also remember that choices are sometimes made for the wrong reasons, out of spite, revenge, grief, without thinking, or simply because there is no clear explanation why and at the time it feels as if it’s the only option left. Which is why you are in no way accountable for your brothers’ eternal choice which had tremendous consequences for everyone.”

He covers my hand with his and there’s so much emotion in his voice when he says, “My mind knows while my heart still grieves about their loss. Hopefully someday I can leave the past as is and separate issues to simply remember the loss of my brothers.”

I have to swallow my own emotions to give him the words, “Hopefully one day.”

He leans in to brush his lips against mine. “I’m thankful to have made the eternal choice to attend the gathering your brother hosted three decades ago. Having you by my side has not only saved my life, but it has given our clan hope along with a future for our species. You, my love, are what mirrors my dreams in our eternal existence.”

The only answer I can muster is to kiss him fiercely and let my emotions and actions make him feel what those words do and mean to me.

The sound of a throat clearing forces us to step back.

“Showing off the continuous success of the first fated mating of your clan, eh?” Ivano snickers. “Like our very own promotion team.”

Ernestino flips him off. “Be glad I don’t force you to do the same as the second fated mating of our clan.”

Ivano smirks. “I’ll kiss your sister on any, and no occasion every single second of the day no matter where the hell I am.”

Ernestino wrinkles his nose at the reminder they’re talking about his sister, but I also see the pride in his eyes when he gives Cleo a warm smile as she joins us.

“Having fun?” Cleo asks and leans against her mate who slides an arm around her waist.

“Yes,” Ernestino firmly states and kisses my temple.

I risk a glance at his face and see no trace of the earlier mixed emotions from the reminder of the past. We’ve come a long way since it happened and each and every member of our clan continues to grow in a personal way. Moving forward and setting a path for a successful future is all our goal. Gatherings like this one are another step forward in growth for the clan and social contacts.

Where dragons mostly keep to themselves, we’ve managed to change this and widen the horizons when it comes to the search of fated mates.

“Ernestino,” the new clan leader of Marshgloom rumbles.

We both nod and shake hands when our daughter rushes in our direction. “Mom, Dad, have you seen the–” Grazia falls silent when her eyes collide with Glenn.

“Damn,” Ivano mutters under his breath.

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