After they left the Elders, Rayne had shown her what she quickly named ‘the town square’. He kept calling it “the lair” but it reminded her of a little community. There were even shops with “dragony” stuff like herbs and armor. She was ecstatic when she found a shop with jewelry made from dragon scales. After seeing Siobhan’s locket, she had wondered if there were other pieces of jewelry made from the beautiful substance. Emma, a very sweet younger vibria, explained they only used the scales that were broken and could not be used for anything else to make the jewelry. She spent a long time explaining the significance of the pieces Kyndel took an interest in. She was amazed at all the different designs and colors and what each of them meant.
She especially liked a bracelet with many bells made out of all different colors of dragon scales. The bells tinkled in the breeze and twinkled in the sunlight. It had to be the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen. Granny had always said that every time a bell rang an angel got his wings. The thought made Kyndel smile so she told Emma. Emma in turn shared that in the dragon community every time a bell rang it meant a dragon had kissed his mate. She giggled despite herself and wondered if Rayne had paid the sweet girl to say that. No matter, she was incredibly talented and a real sweetheart. Kyndel promised to visit again.
Finally Rayne dropped her off at Siobhan’s. She was to stay there until the beginning of their official mating ceremony the next day. He had explained that Siobhan would prepare her for the ceremony. When she questioned him, he evaded her questions and said Siobhan would have the answers. Since patience was not a virtue she possessed, she continued to badger him with questions until he swooped down and captured her lips. She immediately opened for him. He slid his tongue into her mouth and all thoughts of ceremonies and questions faded away. She had no idea how long they had been at it when she heard someone clearing their throat. Kyndel looked over her shoulder to find Siobhan grinning ear to ear. “It seems I keep finding you two like this.” The Healer shook her head in mock outrage. “Commander, if you don’t let go of your mate, I won’t have time to prepare her for the mating ceremony.”
Regretfully, they pulled apart but not before he plundered her mouth one last time and left her breathless. Kyndel watched him swagger across the path leading back to the center of the lair and could not help but laugh. He really was something else and she loved him just as he was.
As soon as she realized she was alone with Siobhan, her nerves took over. She had no idea what she had to be nervous about but butterflies had taken residence in her stomach and were threatening a revolt. She breathed deeply, forcing a calm she did not feel as she followed Siobhan into her home. The elderly Healer took her down a completely different hallway she had not noticed when she was there before. Well, she had been unconscious pretty much the whole time except for when Rayne carried her out. It only stood to reason there was a lot she hadn’t seen.
They came into a beautifully decorated sitting room, with antique furniture and pieces of art displayed on every surface. Siobhan obviously liked the finer things in life. From the smell of it, she had made lavender tea for their visit. She motioned for Kyndel to have a seat on a brocade loveseat that was in immaculate condition but obviously from an era long passed. It didn’t take long for Kyndel to forget her nerves as her curiosity took over. She had never been one to pussy foot around an issue and now definitely was not the time. If she was to be mated to her big Dragon Guard Commander in less than twenty-four hours then she wanted to know every detail. “So about this mating ceremony, Rayne said you’ll answer all my questions.” She paused as Siobhan nodded. “I guess I really have only one. What’s going to happen?” And with that Siobhan explained the very old and very sacred mating ceremony of the Golden Fire Clan of the Dragon Shifters into the wee hours of the night.
Sleep eluded her as she replayed all Siobhan had told her throughout their long and detailed conversation. She tossed and turned as she thought about the life she and Rayne would have together. Her absolute belief that she was exactly where she was supposed to be, with the man she was meant to spend her life with, made her feel a contentment she had never known. Somewhere right before the sun came over the mountains she finally slept for a few hours.
Now she stood, ready to enter the Cave of the Ancients, a ball of nerves and excitement, definitely ready to get the show on the road. There were a few things that Siobhan had explained that flew right over her head but for the most part she understood.
There were only very few places an official mating ceremony could take place and Rayne had decided theirs would be in the ceremonial chamber of the Cave of the Ancients. Siobhan had explained that the Elders would recite the ceremonial text then Rayne would call forth his dragon fire, they would kiss and some of his essence would be transferred to her. After the transference was complete, they would have identical markings at the base of their necks. When Kyndel asked what the mark would look like Siobhan got a dreamy look in her eyes and simply said whatever the Universe decided signified their union . Whatever the hell that meant. She decided not to push it since the older woman looked like she was caught up in a memory too personal to disturb.