Page 21 of Dragon, Actually
Jewel
“Iwondered how you seemed to know so much about me,” I say wryly, shaking my head. “I mean, I should be weirded out that you’re professing love and we’ve only had one official date.”
Myrran tenses slightly, clearly bracing for criticism, and my heart melts at his vulnerability. I step closer, so our bodies press together and I have to tilt my head back to make eye contact.
“But…I’m not. It’s nice to know someone’s been watching out for me—you’re like a fire-breathing guardian angel. You don’t know how much that means to me. All this time I felt lonely, but I wasn’t alone. You were there.”
He blinks, the tension in his broad shoulders easing. “You’re not upset?”
“Not at all,” I answer honestly. “And being included in your hive’s Christmas? That’s the most perfect gift you could give me.”
His lips part, the gold in his eyes catching the light. “Themostperfect gift?”
I nod. “It’s exactly right.”
His breath hitches. “So…you accept my gift?” His voice is raw, filled with so much hope it makes my chest ache. “You accept…me?”
“Yes,” I say, my voice steady but full of emotion. “I accept you, Myrran.”
“Then I’ll say the alokim, the words that bind us.” His eyes burn bright, his hands trembling slightly as he cups my face. “I see you,” he says, his voice resonating. “I feel your flame. You are known to me.”
The words wash over me, simple and powerful and right. He knows me. It wasn’t all in my lonely head. He’s spent months learning my interests, habits, and preferences. And I know he’ll spend the rest of our lives making sure I’m seen, heard, and known.
I can’t wait to learn him just as well.
“I got you a present, too,” I say, pulling back just enough to reach into my bag. “It’s nothing big.”
His brows lift as I hand him the small, neatly wrapped package. He takes it as if it is made of glass, unwrapping it carefully, his hands surprisingly delicate for someone so large. When he sees the ingredients for Mexican hot chocolate inside, he lets out a low, rumbling laugh. “This is perfect,” he says, clutching it to his chest. “My favorite. Sweet and spicy with a lot of depth.”
I grin. “I thought you might like it.”
Setting the gift aside, he reaches for me again. “Jewel, do you know what it means when a dragon accepts a gift from his alokoi?”
I shook my head, my pulse quickening.
“It means everything,” he says simply. “Do you remember the words to say?”
“Yes,” I whisper. They’ll be branded on my heart forever. I take his hands, our gazes locking as I repeat them. “I see you. I feel your flame. You are known to me.” My voice catches on the last word.
I have a lot more to learn about Myrran, but I do know him, how his core of kindness and generosity guides all his actions. How he makes adorably dumb jokes at every opportunity. How devoted he is to the ones he loves.
His face breaks into a radiant smile. “You’re mine now,” he says, his tone both possessive and reverent as he dips his head to lick across my forehead.
“And you’re mine.” I push up onto tiptoes to kiss him.
The kiss is fiery, a mix of lips and dragon-style tongue, sweet and spicy and endless. A lot like us. And it’s perfect.
Chapter 18
Myrran
My mate.My mate.
I just want to stare at her, soak her up.
“What time is the feast? Should we go help in the kitchen?” she asks.
“I want to keep you for myself a little longer. As a new mate, everyone’s going to be all over you, introducing you to everyone, having you taste their cooking, begging you to sit next to them. Telling you about all my bad habits and dumb stuff I did when I was a hatchling.”
