Her Dragon To Slay(64)
She was pulled from her thoughts when two younger Dragon Guardsmen decked out in their dress uniforms appeared on either side of her. She placed one arm though each guard’s bent arm as they began to lead her down the passageway to her mate.
Their uniforms looked like something out of a Knights of the Round Table movie. She figured that made sense since they had, after all, originated in that era in one way or another. They both wore surcoats of the deepest red. Each trimmed with black and gold rope, intricately designed to provide a background befitting the dragon in the throes of battle emblazoned on each man’s chest. The dragon was stitched with incredible detail in the color of that man’s beast. Their undershirt and pants were black. They wore knee high, black boots polished until she was sure she could see her face in them. The light from each candle, strategically placed in the sconces lining the corridor to the ceremonial chamber, twinkled and shone as they passed.
When they reached the threshold, her escorts gently placed her arms at her sides, bowed and then took several steps behind her. It was apparent their place for the ceremony was standing at attention right outside the entryway. Siobhan had told her only she, Rayne and the Elders would be in the chamber along with Rayne’s chosen witnesses. She took a deep breath to calm the butterflies throwing a party in her stomach as she walked through the doorway into the chamber that held her future mate. There he stood tall and proud. Their eyes locked. Her nerves and fears dissipated. This was the most perfect moment of her life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The vision of his mate passing through the archway took Rayne’s breath away. There was not a word strong enough to describe how exquisite she looked standing there ready to officially begin their life together.
Her wavy auburn hair was piled on her head with curly tendrils framing her face. He knew she had been self conscious of the tiny bald spot and stitches at the back of her head so he was not surprised to see it up. There were small white flowers interspersed throughout the delicate design that perfectly fit Kyndel in all her glory.
The off the shoulder white gossamer gown she wore gave him a mouth watering view of the freckles dancing across her peaches and cream shoulders and made him think of all the ways he wanted to touch and tease each of those precious dots. The corset-like bodice fit perfectly and displayed her ample bosom as an offering he found hard to refuse. It was embroidered with small red designs that resembled dragon’s fire, in honor of the beast that was also being united with his mate today.
A wide red satin ribbon was cinched at her waist and the long skirt hugged every one of Kyndel’s luscious curves as it flowed to the floor. Her bare feet peeked out the bottom of her dress and he dreamt of sucking each one of those toes between his lips while she moaned in pleasure. He worked hard to hold back the growl that was building deep in his chest. If they did not get this ceremony started he wasn’t going to be responsible for what happened. He had not been inside his mate’s body for over five days and the separation was killing him. Not to mention she stood there looking like an angel fallen from heaven and other men could see her, as well. He knew it was the lack of physical contact over the last few days and the call of the Ancients to complete the mating ritual now that they were in this sacred place that drove his need for her to an all time high but he had almost reached his breaking point.
Rayne heard Carrick, the Chief Elder’s, voice ring through the chamber, “Long ago when knights and dragons fought side by side for King and country, it became apparent that dragon kin was no longer safe from those that would expose and destroy them. They sought to join with the knights that had so valiantly fought by their sides. Thus through magic and the will of both dragon and knight, the Golden Fire Clan of the Dragon Shifters was formed.
“We are here today, in the holiest of places, to honor what the Universe put into place all those many years ago. We are here to acknowledge and bless the mating of Rayne Michael MacLendon to the one the Universe made for him and him alone, Kyndel Aislinn Masterson. Will those seeking to witness this union please step forward?”
Out from the shadows stepped the five men Rayne held closer than blood kin, the men that had trained with him, fought with him, bled with him and now shared the happiest moment of his life with him and his beloved. They were all dressed in their finery. They knelt around the sacred circle and bowed their heads. Royce stood and addressed the Elders, “We, the five of the MacLendon Force, wish to witness and offer our blessing to the union of these two souls, two halves of the same whole. May they live long, fight hard, love harder and produce many young to flourish when their souls have gone to the heavens.” He knelt and bowed his head again.