Page 117 of The Mating Claim
“I can do it for you,” Skylar offered. “Drust is my relative by right of mating. I can call on one of them and ask what’s going on with UncleDrust.”
Desperate, she nodded. “I’ll go outside and get out of theway.”
She went out into the gardens. A few fat clouds scudded across the sky, and the sun felt warm on her shoulders. Suddenly she had the urge to soar, to fly into the sky. Maybe a good flight would make her feelbetter.
Lacey shifted into a dragon and lifted off from the ground. In the air, she made herself large as a tractor trailer, stretching out her wings to catch the air currents. She dipped and then drifted upward, feeling free for the first time since Drustvanished.
I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have my wings. My poor mother… how did she survive not being able tofly?
Suddenly a whistling noise came from above. Glancing up, she nearlystopped.
A baby was descending fromabove!
Lacey dove down, frantic, faster and faster until she flew beneath the child. The baby landed on her back andgiggled.
“Dragon ride!” the girlchortled.
Sonia? Xavier and Ciara’sdaughter?
“Fly dragon,” Soniayelled.
She obliged flying lower, a little slower and then gradually downward to the open area in the garden where she landed. Sonia giggled again and clapped herhands.
“Dragonsrule!”
A beautiful woman in a flowing green gown appeared and smiled, lifting the girl off Lacey’s back. “That’s right, sweetheart. Dragons rule. So does your teacher,Lacey.”
After she shifted back and clothed herself, Lacey faced Ciara andSonia.
“How did you get here?” sheasked.
Ciara dimpled. “Skylar called on one of the wizards, and I answered. Soon as we realized you were flying, Sonia wanted to go for aride.”
A ride? Lacey put a hand to her chest. “I was scared silly that she would crash and hurtherself.”
“Never. Sonia bounces.” Ciara laughed and threw her daughter into the air, who giggled and floated gentlydownward.
The immortal took her baby and handed her over. “She missed you, Lacey. I wanted to bring her for a visit. I hope that’s allright.”
Judging from the understanding look Ciara gave her, Lacey knew the Crystal Wizard’s mate was being diplomatic. It wasn’t that Sonia missed Lacey as much, but Ciara used that as an excuse tovisit.
The sheer kindness she’d been shown since Drust’s vanishing overwhelmed her. She buried her face into Sonia’s sweet curls to hide the fact she was ready to start bawling again. Damn, she hated losing control of her emotions likethis.
But she hated more the fact that her Drust wasgone.
Cradling the baby, she walked over to a nearby bench, where she and Ciarasat.
“What can I do?” Ciara patted hershoulder.
Lifting her head, she sniffed back a fresh bout of tears. “I don’t know. A pint of chocolate chip ice cream would help. And maybe go into the Shadow Lands and find Drust and bring himback?”
Her mouth twitched. “Not possible. But the ice cream, yes, I can help withthat.”
A pint of chocolate chip appeared on the bench next to Lacey, wholaughed.
And then her laughter died. “I have to know where he is, Ciara. Is he ever coming back tome?”
“Call on Tristan,” Ciara told her as she took Sonia back. “He willknow.”
