Page 81 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

Dread made itself known as it gathered in my chest and I scarcely breathed as I brushed my fingers over the scars of my claiming mark, right under the tattooed rune that had appeared on her neck.

Strength forged by flame.

My Riley. My warrior.

Kieran had assumed correctly.

She was a piece to Earth’s riddle. A pawn in the game of life and death I’d spent my whole life playing.

“I will find a way to destroy you if she is harmed,”I swore as I stared out the window to my garden and the gray waking Earth beyond.

The house trembled in response. Not a large enough earthquake to worry, but enough to let me know of her power and that she’d heard me, returning the threat.

And it woke Riley.

“What time is it?” She yawned, clasping her hand over mine against her neck.

“Still early.” I shook my head at Earth’s antics as I gathered the blanket around my mate. “Go back to sleep.”

“How much longer until we leave for Ember’s place?” She snuggled onto her spot on my chest.

“Not for hours.” I kissed the top of her head.

“I was dreaming that I had to wear a fancy red dress for our ceremony.” She mumbled, “Can we please not do that?”

I chuckled, listening to the bond where words failed her as sleep dragged her back to its embrace.

Riley didn’t want a fancy ceremony or any fuss at all. If it wasn’t for her friends, we’d elope to Vegas. I smiled picturing one of the dragon elders performing a bonding rite while wearing an Elvis suit.

It was already a struggle for me to balance giving her what she wanted and what I thought she deserved. But, like Malachy, Riley needed to make her own decisions.

I could only hope I didn’t fail her when it came time to support them.

I’ll die first.

“Do you really think Willow is Malachy’s mate?” Her question was so soft I almost missed it.

“I don’t know,” I whispered so as not to startle her. “I’d like to think there will be some happiness for them both in this life. But I don’t pretend to know the future. Sleep now. We’ll see how this all plays out soon.”

31

Riley

Sticky Situations

“I’m back!” I skipped up the front porch steps to the cabin, feeling lighter than I had in years. It’d been so long since I had this excitement of coming ‘home’ to people who loved me.

“Aunt Riley!” Harper shrieked as she opened the door. Her skinny arms wrapped around my waist.

“You’re huge now.” I hugged her back. “Did you grow some more?”

“Maybe.” Harper giggled as she dragged me inside. “Come on, it’s time for breakfast. Mom made pancakes.”

“I hope you’re hungry.” Willow turned from the kitchen, carrying a plate of sausage. She froze when she saw me. “Riley, you look… amazing.”

I felt amazing, but my smile started to falter when I really took Willow in. She’d hollowed out a bit in her face and there were bags under her eyes.

We’d talked a bunch over the past few weeks. I hadn’t noticed the subtle change over the phone.

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