Page 66 of Dragon King's Cursed Mate

Looking at her through narrowed eyes, Jasmine sighed heavily. “Fine. You’d better be back in two hours. Don’t make me come searching for you.”

Seraphina hugged her. “Thanks, Mom. I won’t worry you.”

The medallion was right where Seraphina had left it. She slipped it over her head and breathed deeply. Scents of wildflowers, pine, and fresh rain filled the air. Birds werechirping, insects were singing, and small animals scampered through the brush.

She bathed in the creek to cleanse the last remnants of the evil she’d endured. Seraphina knew it had to happen exactly as it did and that Malakar was one piece of the puzzle. However, she was also human enough to be angry.

What kind of monster does that to another person? You will pay the price for your actions and your evilness in the end. I’ll be there to celebrate your defeat.

Seraphina sensed him before she heard him or saw him and smiled. “Hello, Dain.”

“Good morning, My Love. How are you feeling?”

“Pretty great. I’m guessing that Jasmine told you where to find me?”

He laughed. “No. I had a feeling.” He sat beside her. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“That’s always an ominous precursor to a conversation.”

“It can be, but I hope not this time.” Dain reached for her hand. “I’ve known you were my fated mate from the first moment I saw you. I love you—not just because you saved me, but because you are the most caring, strongest woman I know. You have a great sarcastic sense of humor, you are very intelligent, and you don’t let any challenges get past you. You’ll figure out a way to solve any problem. You’re perfect—except for this little habit you have of getting into trouble.”

“How else are you going to find a damsel in distress to rescue? Dragons always rescue the princess.”

“I don’t need to. I have my queen right here.” He gently turned her face toward him. “Will you go through the mating ceremony with me?”

“Yes.”

He smiled widely. “Good. We wouldn’t want the baby to be born illegitimate, would we?”

Seraphina gasped. “How did you know? Did Valon tell you?”

“No. He didn’t have to. We’re connected, remember? I could hear her while you were unconscious.” He sighed. “A celestial dragon shifter. She’s going to be a handful.”

Seraphina laughed. Dain pulled her into his lap and pressed his lips against hers. She melted against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. For a moment, the world around them disappeared, and it was only the two of them.

Dain pressed his tongue into her mouth. He tasted like rain and mint.

Her heart beat a million miles an hour and fire exploded inside of her.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled back, smiling at her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

They walked back to the ruins and shared the news with everyone. Jasmine, Lily, and a few other ladies announced they were going to host a celebration that night.

Dain sought out Kael during the party. “Valon is going to perform the ceremony tomorrow morning. Afterward, I need you to go in search of a healer. Valon can’t keep doing it. Taking care of me and then Seraphina took all of his energy, and we need him to fight. Seraphina can’t heal on the scale we’ll likely need once the war breaks out.”

Kael looked at him and groaned. “I’ll do this under protest.”

“Thank you,” Dain said.

Seraphina put her hand on Kael’s arm. “This mission will bring you closer to what you seek.”

Kael growled at her and walked away.

Laughing, Seraphina looked at Dain. “He’s not mad at me.”

They danced for a little bit, but Seraphina was still healing, so she sat down. Dain wandered off to talk to Ronan and Cassion.

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