She placed her hands over Kyndel’s as she continued to worry with the blanket. “No, child, I don’t think anything is loose in your head. This is the way it is with our people. The Universe is all knowing and all powerful. She knows what each person needs and She creates their perfect compliment in the form of their mate. She has no regard for species or location, only that every dragon shifter, be they Guard or not, have that one person that truly completes them. She makes no mistakes.
“It is written in our holy book that ‘when the two halves of the same whole meet, there will be instant recognition. Their souls will merge and only then will the dragon shifter know complete peace, they will have found their true home. It will be as if the time before they met does not exist. All that matters is that they become one in body, mind and soul.’” Siobhan felt the same bone deep serenity she always felt when she spoke of the sacred bonds of mates.
She was shaken from her memories when Kyndel spoke. “That was beautiful. Is your mate part of the Dragon Guard?”
She felt the momentary flash of pain that always accompanied speaking of her dear Gareth and then the flood of warmth that she knew could only come from him. No matter in this life or the next they would always be connected. “He was. He was killed in battle many years ago. I carry him here,” she placed her hand over her heart. “And here,” she lifted the locket that had not left her person since the day her mate placed it there. She opened the beautifully engraved piece of jewelry to show Kyndel the spectacular opal dragon scale with a red tear drop in the center.
“My mate was one of the rare white dragons. Not long after we were mated, he returned from battle, unable to shift back to human form due to a serious injury. I nursed him in the healing caves for almost a week until he was able to shift again. While I was taking care of him he shed this scale. I’d placed it with all the others but my Gareth found it and had this locket made for me to keep it. He explained that only once in every white dragon’s life did they produce the rare heart scale and most shed it without ever knowing. The fact that we had been together when he shed it and we found it was our special blessing from the Universe.
“We had many happy years together and even had a son. I believe you’ve met him, Devon.” Kyndel nodded as she continued to speak. “He is a member of Commander Rayne’s Force. Even though Gareth has gone on before me, I hold a piece of his soul in me. We will be reunited in the heavens again one day.” She beamed with love and pride while talking of her family.
She felt tears gather in her eyes as she watched Kyndel wipe the lone tear that had escaped down her cheek as she shared her story. She saw more questions forming in the inquisitive mind of the Commander’s mate, but further discussion was halted by a commotion coming from the hall. She chuckled to herself as she saw a brief moment of confusion cross Kyndel’s face, this beautiful child was in for a lifetime of chaos and craziness as the mate of the Dragon Guard Commander but she knew the Universe knew what She was doing and Kyndel Masterson was up for the challenge.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He had given Siobhan all the time he could stand to make sure Kyndel was ready to be released from the Healer’s care. He wanted to be with his mate. HELL, he needed to be with his mate. It had been too long since he had held her in his arms. The kiss they had shared before being interrupted only reminded him of how close he had come to losing her and how long it had been since he had tasted everything her amazing body had to offer. He knew she was recovering and he would be very gentle but he had to be with his mate. The man and the dragon were in complete agreement as usual.
Lance and Aidan were updating him on the search for the traitor. It was as if Andrew had completely vanished. They could find no sign of him anywhere. They all concurred that it was the black magic he had absorbed from the wizards that was making it possible for him to elude their search. Rayne told Lance to check with the Elders to see what they knew anything about the effects of the mixture of pure dragon magic with the taint of black magic and Heavens forbid the blood of the original mage. He told Aidan to check in with Royce to see where he was with the weapon preparation and training of the new guards. Aaron and Devon were still out searching to the north and were expected to return any time.
He cuffed Lance on the back of his head. He’d had to bite the inside of his cheeks to keep from laughing at the surprise that crossed the Guardsman’s face. He apparently thought Rayne had forgotten his blatant disobedience during their battle with Andrew and the hunters. Although everything had worked, he had to maintain his command. He told his brethren to expect as many horrible things as he could think of as punishment. Lance tried to laugh it off but Rayne knew he was at least a little scared about what he had up his sleeves. His fear was truly justified.