Azy had grown up with only her father around and couldn't even imagine what it would be like to want to avoid her own mother like this. She did have to admit Ciara's mom was intimidating.
What kind of mom would she be to her own babies?
Ciara clenched her fists and slowly turned back to face all of them. She took a deep breath and then held out her hand, indicating to each of them one at a time. “Jada, Fleur, Azy, this is my mother, Wilhelmina Willingham. Mother, these are my friends. We're here to help Azynsa plan her wedding. What are you doing here?”
That last part had been said through clenched teeth and a dark little storm cloud formed in the corner.
“It's lovely to meet you all, I'm sure. What my daughter has failed to tell you in her brief introduction is that I own the most successful wedding planning business in the world. While I'm sure Ciara would do a perfectly lovely job, she should be busy planning her own nuptials. So, I am here at the request of an old friend to make sure this union goes off without a hitch.”
Azy, Jada, Fleur, and Wes all exchanged looks. Wes was the first one to call her out. “Ciara, you and Jakob aren't married yet?”
Ciara suddenly found a spot on the carpet fascinating. “We’ll get around to it.”
Wilhelmina clacked her way across the room. “Yes, that’s right you will. Especially since you don’t have to plan this wedding.”
Azy might not know what kind of mother she was going to be, but she knew what kind she wouldn’t be. “Mrs. Willingham. I appreciate your being here to help, but it is important to both Cage and I that Ciara is involved. She has insights I don’t because of her position and her powers. I know the two of you together will make an excellent team.”
Both women gave her shocked looks, for very different reasons. Now that she’d gotten started on her little speech, she knew a way to make everyone happy. Including her.
“In fact, I’m so confident, that I’d like the two of you to just take over and plan everything. No need to even consult us. You’ll choose better… umm, everything than I would anyway.”
Mrs. Willingham narrowed her eyes. “Flowers?”
Azy waved her hand. “Whatever Fleur thinks best.”
“Dress?” Wilhelmina’s voice went up an octave.
Azy nodded. “I hear Wesley is good with a sewing machine.”
“Food? The cake?” Soon this woman’s voice would be outside of sound spectrum that humans could hear.
Azy grabbed a piece of cake and popped it into her mouth. “Jada’s the best.”
“Vows?”
Ciara interrupted. “That part of the ritual is already set.”
“Rings?”
Cage walked in, looked around like he was assessing a battle and swooped Azy up in his arms. Her knight in shining scales. “I’ll take care of that. Thanks. If you’ll excuse us, I think my mate is in need of a nap.”
Jada yawned. “Ooh. Is it nap time? Where’s that sexy beast of mine?”
Ky appeared right on cue in the doorway. “I think it’s well past your naptime,aroha.”
Jakob and his second in command, Steele were right behind him. Someone must have sounded the alarm.
Mrs. Willingham scowled at them all. “Don’t you all think for one minute I don’t know what’s going on here. I recognize a dragon warrior’s retreat when I see one.”
“Whatever do you mean, mother. There’s no such thing as dragons.” Ciara had gone from defensive mode to a scrambling offense in a millisecond.
“Good try. I’m not as sheltered and naïve as you think I am, dear.” She walked up to Ciara and patted her on the shoulder. “I know all about the dragon warriors, their battles with the demon dragons and probably more than you do about being married to one, because I used to be.
Ciara’s jaw just about fell off her face. “Mother. What are you talking about?
“I had quite the love affair with a gold dragon when I was your age. Although, I insisted we marry before we, you know.” She waved her hands instead of finishing her sentence. “Besides, who do you think asked me to come plan the wedding of the Gold Dragon Wyvern?”
DragonCon
