Only For Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 6)(30)

She opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. The questioning look in his eyes had her swallowing and trying to speak again. Only a squeak passed her lips, so she nodded like a bobble head doll in the back of an old Cadillac.

Aaron opened the box, revealing a huge princess cut Alexandrite, at least five carats in size. The overhead light bounced off the facets, highlighting an amazing spectrum of colors. He slid the ring on her finger, explaining as he went. “I spoke to Brynna this morning. Took some doing but I called in a favor. Anyway, she said that Alexandrite would amplify your powers and make it possible for you to communicate with her or anyone else in Fairy you may want to talk with. It will also help you find the control and balance you asked for. I also think it looks beautiful on your finger and wanted you to have a ring as a human symbol of my love for you.”

Finally finding her voice, all she could say was, “Thank you!”

Aaron stood and kissed her like they weren’t in front of a room full of people. It only took a second before she didn’t care and kissed him back the same way. The room erupted in clapping and cheers. Several long moments later, the couple broke apart and accepted congratulations from everyone.

During dinner, Aaron sprung another surprise on her that almost had her falling out of her chair.

“What do you think about having our official mating ceremony tomorrow?”

He continued to eat like he hadn’t just asked her to plan a wedding in less than twelve hours. Aaron must have heard her thoughts, because he spoke directly into her mind. “You don’t have anything to plan. I’ve already taken care of everything.”

Turning her head so fast she feared whiplash, she answered aloud, “You what?”

“That’s where I was all day. It’s all planned. Aidan was a big help. All I need is your okay. That’s one of the reasons the Elders are here.”

She looked at the older men she’d met just a bit ago. They smiled in response and continued eating spaghetti like everything that was happening was completely commonplace.

Maybe it is. What the hell do I know?

Charlie continued to look around the table. Each face she landed on was smiling, and filled with so much love and acceptance that she was overwhelmed with more warm fuzzies than she could ever remember having.

Aaron spoke again, drawing her attention. “I also spoke to your parents. They were a little freaked out and not too trusting, but after a long conversation and a quick call to Sam to confirm I was who I said I was, they gave their permission that we be ‘married’.” He made air quotes before she looked to her best friend, who at least had the decency to blush.

“The only thing your dad made me promise, besides to love you and protect you with my very life, was that we make a trip to their house and have a reception with all their friends. Sound good?”

She had no idea what she’d ever done so right to deserve a man as awesome as the one she had, but she thanked the God above for Aaron right before giving him the biggest kiss she could muster. When they broke apart, he grinned and asked, “Was that a yes?”

Nodding she said, “Sure was, dragon man. Damn sure was.”

It was the longest night of her life. Aaron had left her and all the girls to have a ‘sleepover/bachelorette party’ while he went with Lance and the guys to have what she could only imagine was their version of a bachelor party. Charlie hadn’t slept a wink, alternating between pacing the floor and trying to read some magazines Sam and Grace had given her. When the sun finally began to rise, she’d gone downstairs and started the coffee. Sydney joined her for a cup of hot chocolate and that’s where they were when the doorbell rang.

“It’s Jace,” Syd squealed as she ran to answer the door.

By the time Charlie made it to the door, the child had it open and was talking to a younger version of the men she was quickly becoming to think of as family. Looking up, he bowed at the waist before handing her a huge silver box tied with a lavender satin ribbon.

“For you, Dr. Gallagher,” he said.

“That’s Jace, Aunt Charlie. He’s gonna be a Guardsman when Daddy and Royce decide he’s ready.”

Pink tinted the apples of the young man’s cheeks. “Congratulations, Dr. Gallagher. Have a nice day,” he said before once again bowing and then leaving.

“Thank you,” she called after him, closing the door.

“I bet I know what’s in the box,” Sydney sang as she skipped alongside her.

“You think so, huh?”

“Yep. I’m gonna wait though. You need to be surprised, but hurry. I’m dying here.”

Charlie laughed, sat the box on the kitchen table, and began untying the ribbon. Lifting off the lid, she unwrapped the tissue paper and stood, speechless. Reaching into the box, she pulled out an absolutely gorgeous silver chiffon gown that glistened and shimmered as she held it up. The beautifully stitched lavender flames sewn all over the skirt perfectly matched the wide satin ribbon folded in the bottom of the box, and highlighted the shimmer of the fabric.

Holding it against her chest and using the stainless steel of the refrigerator as a mirror, she marveled at the wonderful craftsmanship, and wondered how they’d gotten it ready in such a short amount of time. It had a corset-like bodice with tiny pearls going down the center and ending just where the skirt began. The same pearls decorated all the way around the very top of the bodice.

Next to the ribbon in the box was a silver pair of ballet slippers and a note. She smiled as she read… For you my beautiful mate. Today we begin our lives together. Together forever. All of my love for eternity and beyond.

One by one the other ladies entered the kitchen, filling the room with happy chatter. Everyone was excited to get the mating ceremony over with so they could have the reception. From what she could tell, it was going to be an even bigger party than Devon and Anya’s. She had to laugh when Sam made sure Charlie knew the werepanthers would be there.

“Just no transforming under the influence, right?” Charlie joked while filling the plates Grace had placed on the counter with her famous veggie omelets.

Kyndel pulled the biscuits from the oven while Sam filled the glasses with orange juice and everyone sat down to eat. All conversations centered on the list of things that had to be done for the party. Charlie tried to focus, but her mind was on one thing and one thing only…the mating ceremony.

Sitting still as long as she could, she made her excuses and headed upstairs. She filled the tub with hot, steamy water and the bath oil that Kyndel had made just for her. The fragrance of lavender and heather filled the room as she sank down into the hot, bubbly water. Relaxing as much as she could, Charlie thought about how much her life had changed in just a matter of days. If someone had told her she’d find the love of her life and marry…or mate…him in less than a month, she would’ve called them a liar.

She shaved her legs, washed her hair, and soaked until the water turned tepid. Drying off, she wrapped up in Aaron’s huge robe and sat in the chair by the window. Sam had told her two younger Guardsmen would come to get her at exactly four. Glancing at the clock, Charlie saw she still had two hours and decided to see what she could do with her hair and makeup.

Sam knocked on the door just as she was putting in the last curl. Sydney came running in before she had a chance to answer. “Oh, Aunt Charlie, you look beautiful.”

“Why, thank you, my dear. All I have left to do is put on my dress and shoes.”

“That’s good, because the boys will be here to get you soon,” Sam commented. “Need any help?”

“Nope. I think I got it.”

“Okay, we are all heading out to get ready. See you at the reception.” Both Sydney and Sam hugged her before heading out.

Charlie had just slipped her feet into her slippers when she heard a knock at the door. Holding up the skirt of her dress, she hurried down the stairs and threw open the door. There stood two young Guardsmen, dressed in what she imagined were their formal uniforms. She recognized Jace from earlier and smiled when he spoke.

“Hi again, Dr. Gallagher. This is Liam and I’m Jace, in case you forgot.”

She chuckled as he continued, “We’re here to escort you to the ceremony.”

“Great!” Closing the door behind her, Charlie looked closer at the young men’s uniforms.

They wore surcoats reminiscent of Arthurian times, made from luxurious, silvery-gray wool, trimmed in black braid with silver thread glittering throughout. From the pictures in Aaron’s mind, she knew they matched the scales of his dragon almost exactly. On the front there was an intricately embroidered picture depicting a dragon in flight, just like Aaron’s marking. They each also wore a black, long-sleeved undershirt and pants, as well as knee high, polished black boots that shined in the afternoon sun.

The young men gently took her hands and placed them on their bent elbows, leading her to an ornate carriage that made her remember the story of Cinderella. Bibbity, Bobbity, Boo danced around in her head.

The closer they got to the carriage, the more details she was able to pick out. It was made of deep mahogany with elegant carvings bordering the door and decorating the moldings. She recognized them as fairy wings and heather blossoms, and smiled at the attention to detail.