Page 22 of Marked By Her Dragon

“Jack and Macy are here with family and friends, under the beautiful sky, with the wind kissing their cheeks and the sun shining brightly upon them to profess their love for one another. And it is their commitment to an eternity walking hand in hand and living their lives together - to fulfilling the greatest wish of the Great Creator and the Universe - that is a dream come true for all of us."

"They've chosen to combine all that they are as individuals and a couple to create an extraordinary Mating Ceremony that honors every step of their journey thus far and into the future. So I stand before you, Chief of the Thorntree Wolf Clan of the Cherokee Nation and grandfather to Jack Thorntree, to give you the Blessing of our Nation, our Tribe, and our Clan."

“Macy Jane and Jackson Matthew, may you feel no rain, for you are the shelter for the other. May you feel no cold, for you have one another for warmth. May you lift one another up, always shine a light onto your path, and forever feel love in your hearts.”

"Now, you are two people, but there is only one life before you. May your days be good and long upon this great Earth. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your love deserves. Focus on what is right between you, not what is wrong."

“Ride out the storms when the clouds hide the face of the sun, remembering that even if you lose sight of what is good for the briefest of moments, the sun is still there to light your path. As each of you takes responsibility for the blessings in your life together, it is the promise of the Great Creator, the Universe, and the Goddess of All that you will have nothing but abundance and delight.”

“With the love only a grandfather can have for his grandchildren, I wish you nothing but love and happiness. Cherish one another. Remember that faith, hope, and love are all that remains, and the greatest of these is love.”

Stepping forward, Cheveyo laid his hands upon theirs and, looking at Jack, whispered, "You have been given the greatest gift a man can receive. Cherish her with all that you are, Son. Your mother and father look down upon you today from the Heavens above and celebrate the love you have found. You are meant for greatness, and with this woman, by your side, there is nothing you cannot do. Live your life to the fullest.”

Smiling at her, Jack winked. “I most assuredly will, Granddad.”

Next to stand before them was Owen, dressed just like Jack and sporting a smile so bright Macy wondered if his cheeks hurt. Nodding to them both, he looked out at their families and began, “For the Dragons, these ceremonies are usually only open to the Elders of the Clan and the Guardsmen of the Male’s Force. In this case, I’m most certainly overjoyed to have family and friends witnessing this blessed event.”

Looking to the side, he motioned towards a trellis of yellow roses just as Jack’s other uncle appeared. “And today, we are doubly blessed to have the Leader of the Golden Fire Clan with us.”

"Seems like I've been doing many of these ceremonies over the last few years," Carrick chuckled. "But none have made me as happy as this one." A quick smile in her direction, and he added, "So, without further ado, here we go."

With a sharp nod of his head, he reverently began, "Long ago, when Knights and Dragons fought side by side for King and Country, it became apparent that Dragonkin was no longer safe from those who would expose, exploit, and destroy them. Seeking to remain hidden and continue the mission of the Universe to preserve not only their species but humankind, they sought to join with the Knights who had so bravely fought by their sides for so many years. Thus, through Magic and the will of both Dragon and Knight, the Dragon Shifters were born.”

“In the infinite wisdom of the Universe and our Founding Elders, Clans were set up,” Owen took over. “One for each color of the Dragon Kings whose soul we carry within our own was set up. Each was assigned a region to make their home and protect their families. Over time, some have flourished, some have ceased to exist, and others have been born from the joining of many. As the Leader of the MacAllen Clan of the Bronze Dragons, it is an incredible honor to stand here today among family and friends on the land my ancestors settled and have maintained for centuries to celebrate this blessed event. We have always lived our lives on a simple principle – Keep the Great Creator, the Universe, the Goddess of All, Family, and Love at the center of our world, and we can never fail."

“Gathered in the place so sacred to my family, I can feel the Universe’s unconditional acceptance of the Daughter of Emilio and Angelina Lindon, who has been blessed with the soul of the great Queen Fione into our Clan.”

“The Great Creator and the Universe continue to astound one and all as they bless the Dragons with extraordinary Mates for the best among us. Every Dragon who finds the Light of his Soul knows how very sacred she is. It is an honor to witness the Power of what the Universe and our Elders put into place at our inception. We acknowledge and bless the Mating of Jackson Matthew Thorntree II to the One the Universe made for him, Macy Jane Lindon. Will those seeking to witness this union, please step forward?"

Taking a step forward, Gage smiled from ear to ear as he began, "We, the Dragons of the MacAllen Clan, cousins to Jackson Matthew one and all, wish to witness and offer our blessing to one born of our blood and the Mate of his heart. May their lives now and forever be a testament to all we hold dear…love, honor, and loyalty.”

Turning to face only her Mate, he continued, "As you are one, let your combined strength see you through many years, and the children of your children's children smile upon you." Chuckling, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, he added, "We're all ready to be uncles. So, get this show on the road. I can’t think of anything that would be better than for y’all to have the first baby. Whatcha say, Jack?”

Laughing one and all, Macy had to cough into her free hand as Jack’s smooth baritone floated through her mind.“I’m all for the practicing part.”

Clearing his throat as loudly as possible, Owen waited a moment. Then, when everyone was silent, he began again. "The witness and blessing of each and every one of you gathered here today has been acknowledged, not only by myself and Carrick but by the Great Creator, the Universe, the Goddess of All, and the Ancients for whom we owe our very existence. It is truly a blessed event to have witnessed and officiated the Mating Ceremony of my nephew and his Mate.”

Looking at Jack and then at her, before raising his eyes to the others for just a moment, Owen continued, "The Bronze Dragons were born of the flawless combination of Earth and Sea. They possess a charitable nature and are larger and stronger than any of the other Metallic Dragons. Their impenetrable scales protect them in battle, and their ability to take the form of the Timber Wolf makes them nearly unbeatable. Truth and honor lie at the heart of a Bronze Dragon and will always be the guiding light in his effort to be all that his Mate ever needs. To Mate a Bronze Dragon is to accept all that they are and honor the power shared between Mates.”

“As a Dragoness and the Mate of Jackson Matthew, do you, Macy Jane, take this man and his Dragon as not only your Mate but that of the Dragon Queen with whom you share your soul?" Owen asked with authority and reverence in his tone.

“With all that I was, all that I am, all I will ever be, and all that we are together, I accept Jack and King Felim into my heart and my soul, as does Queen Fione. We will share everything that we are with both of these spectacular males every day of our lives together, both here and in the Heavens.”

Turning to Jack, Owen asked, “As a Bronze Dragon and my nephew, do you, Jackson Matthew take this woman and the Dragon Queen with whom she shares her soul as not only your Mate but that of your Dragon?”

“For every day, rain or shine, fire or snow, day or night, with all that I am or all that I will ever be, I pledge to love, honor, and cherish Macy and Queen Fione with all that Felim and I are together. They will always come first, be the center of our focus and the love of our heart.”

"Now is the time of the marking, and I believe Jack has something special planned for his Mate. At this time, the rest of us get to eat, drink, and toast to their happiness in the big house.”

As everyone left the garden, Macy narrowed her eyes and tried to read Jack’s mind, which was suddenly and suspiciously closed to her at that moment, before whispering, "What are you up to, Mr. Thorntree?”

“Making you the happiest Mate there ever was, Mrs. Thorntree. If that’s okay with you.”

---