Only For Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 6) (16 page)

“Aaron, if you don’t mind, I’m going to stay in here and translate some more of this text,” Siobhan called out as he took Charlie’s hand, steering her towards the door.

“Not at all, stay as long as you like. I heard Kyndel and Grace talking about sandwiches for lunch.” He laughed over his shoulder.

“I’m hanging out, too. There’s something familiar about Charlie’s magic and I’m gonna see if I can figure it out,” Kyra added.

“You got it, kiddo,” Aaron responded, closing the door as he and Charlie stepped into the hall.

“Sounds like a party out there,” Charlie laughed.

“Haven’t you figured out it’s always a party when the dragons are around?”

“I think I’ve heard that somewhere before.”

Turning the corner, he yelled, “Well, I’m damn glad y’all have made yourselves at home.”

“Oh, shut up and get the hell over here. These idiots are betting on England to beat Ireland,” Aidan yelled. “And I’ve already threatened death to anyone that looks at the score before it’s over.”

Before he could tell them that he was going to rest with Charlie, she tugged on his shirt and crooked her finger for him to lean down. “Let’s hang out down here,” she whispered.

“Are you sure?”

“Yep, sure am. Looks like too much fun to leave.”

Squeezing in beside Aidan and Grace, Aaron pulled Charlie onto his lap. Whistles and calls sounded around the room and he laughed aloud as his mate yelled, “Shut it up! We can’t hear the game over here.”

Everyone laughed and soon they were all cheering for one team or the other. The game ended and Ireland was victorious. Aidan jumped up and started singing the Irish National Anthem at the top of his lungs and horribly out of key. Pillows flew as most booed and hissed. As soon as he finished singing, Aidan yelled for everyone to pay up.

Aaron was laughing so hard he almost missed Rayne calling them all to the dining room. The table was covered with maps and aerial pictures of the mountain where they were sure the traitor was hiding. Brannoc started talking as soon all the Guardsmen were gathered round.

“We went back out and scouted the area between the industrial park and the mountain.” He pointed to the map. “Using the amulets Kyra gave us and our dragon magic, we were able to confirm that it’s protected by a white magic shielding spell. Nothing to worry about. Looks like young Earth witches are using the woods as a place to practice.”

“Good news,” Rayne commented, studying the maps.

“Definitely. We also found that the businesses housed there get all their deliveries tonight and tomorrow night. Based on that, I think we need to hold off. There’s no use expending more energy than necessary using cloaking spells if we don’t have to. Kellan was able to talk to the security guard, who’s also ex-military, and get the scoop. No one, not even security, works the other nights. It’s all on a system, so we’ll be good to go.”

“As bad as I want to get him, I think waiting is a good plan,” Rayne agreed.

“The traitor’s not going anywhere,” Kellan spoke, a rarity when there were more than two people around. “I found more fresh blood about an hour before we pulled out. He’s there, still hurt, and from the looks of the footprints, moving slowly and dragging a leg. With the cooler nights and the rain that’s coming, he’ll be stuck in his hidey-hole until we get there. His scent will be strong and he’ll be ours for the taking.”

Aaron was shocked. He’d never heard the reclusive Guardsman talk that much in all the years he’d known him. Aidan kicked him under the table before saying,
“Stop staring. The man’s trying to come out of his shell.”

“No shit! Sorry. I was just shocked.”

“I could tell. You looked like you were catching flies,”
his twin laughed.

“Brannoc and Lennox are going to prepare our strategy. Rian, Aaron, and Aidan do the mental tracking. The rest of you know what to do,” the Commander looked around the room. “Let’s have a good time. Get lots of rest. In two days we end this mess.”

All the Guardsmen cheered, but Aaron had other plans. Looking at his twin, he motioned for him to follow. As they walked out the front door, he called out to Charlie
, “Aidan and I are gonna run some errands. You need anything?”

“Nope. I’m good. Hurry back.”

“Sure will. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Now to plan the biggest day of our lives…so far.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Charlie had no idea where Aaron and Aidan were. They had missed lunch and now Kyndel and Sam were talking about what to make for dinner and the twins were still not back. To top it off, the jerk had somehow blocked her so she couldn’t listen in. Oh, she could talk to him through their bond, but she couldn’t eavesdrop, and her curiosity was about to get the best of her.

She’d asked Grace if she knew what was going on, but the attorney had said she had no idea and Charlie believed her. It seemed that the brothers were out on a secret mission and she was just going to have to wait. Something Dr. Gallagher did even worse than taking orders.

Making her way to the kitchen, she saw the ladies had decided on spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad for dinner. Using that as a ploy to talk to Aaron again and try to find out what he was doing, she called to him through their link.
“The girls are making spaghetti for dinner. Are you close to the Town Square? Sam said there’s a great bakery there and I would love some chocolate cake.”
She used the best ‘pleading tone’ she could muster; hoping to find out where he was….but he wouldn’t give anything away.

“Nope, not close to the bakery, but we can run by there on our way back. We shouldn’t be much longer. Anything else you need?”

Trying to sound nonchalant, she said,
“That should do it. Unless you want to tell me where you are and what you’re doing?”

Laughing, Aaron’s only answer was,
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you. Love you, gotta go.”

She paced the kitchen floor until Sam told her to help or get out of the way.

“I’m sorry,
dammit
. I can’t stand that he’s keeping secrets. I know it’s nothing bad but it’s making me nuts.”

“Get used to it,” Kyndel laughed.

“For sure,” Grace added.

“Don’t worry, Aunt Charlie. Aaron and Aidan are with the Elders,” Sydney said, not even looking up from her coloring.

Charlie looked at the little girl with amazement. “How do you know that?”

Shrugging, she answered, “I don’t know. I can just tell you where they are. Aaron’s got his wall up so I can’t hear them and so does Aidan, but I know where they are.”

Figuring it was the best she was going to get, Charlie started making the salad, the only thing not being done. She’d chopped the last tomato when Aaron and Aidan came through the door, closely followed by four stately looking gentlemen she knew right away were dragons. Three of them looked maybe ten years older than her mate, but the last looked old enough to be her great grandfather.

The power that emanated from the men made the marking on her back tingle. Aaron started to speak, but was cut off by the tall man with gray at his temples. “I am Carrick, the Leader of the Golden Fire Clan of the Dragon Shifters. This is Riordan, Malachi, and Zachary. Also Elders of the clan, and we wanted to welcome you as our kin.”

She took his outstretched hands, amazed at the strength and power radiating from him. She then shook the hands of the other three, ending with Zachary, the oldest.

He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I hope you’re ready for a lifetime with that kid.” Zachary pointed at Aaron and laughed aloud. The sound seemed to fill the whole house, making everyone in it laugh along.

Aaron made his way to her side, knelt on one knee, and held out a small, silver, velvet box. Before she could catch her breath, he began speaking, “I love you, Dr. Charlene Ailsa Gallagher, with all that I am. Would you please make me the happiest dragon shifter that has ever lived or will
ever
live and become my mate, my wife, my partner for all of this life and also in the Heavens?”

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.

A set of steps rolled out as Jace opened the door. Liam helped her into the carriage and asked if she was comfortable before securing the door. The seats were covered in plush cream velvet, softer than any silk Charlie had ever felt. A hand painted mural depicting dragons in flight covered all four walls. She counted twelve dragons in all and remembered the story Siobhan had told her of the Dragon Kings that became the original dragon shifters.