Morlie stepped up and helped Tana by shifting around Kai’s thick curls so that the veil's crown was secure and sat perfectly on her head.
Once her sister and the older woman were done, the lace flowed down Kai’s back and curtained her shoulders as the hem of the veil blended with the dress's skirt.They moved back, and Eilidh came forward.
“I’ve never been to a wedding before, but Tana assured me that it is important for a bride to carry flowers when they walk their mate down the aisle.So, I went to the greenhouse and made this for you.”Eilidh handed over the bunch of long dragon flowers in shades of raspberry, pink, and orange so dark they reminded Kai of the scales of Aodh’s dragon, just not as rustic.The short stems were held with a white satin ribbon tied in a bow.
“They are beautiful, Eilidh.”Kai briefly buried her nose in the colorful bunch of dragon flowers, inhaling deeply.“And they smell wonderful, like sweet vanilla.Thank you all so much.”A tear slipped out of the corner of one of her eyes.Kai wiped it away.“I feel like a bride.”
She giggled even as she tried to blink the tears away.The young girl from her past who watched her parents dance around their small dwelling under the earth, who didn’t care that they didn’t have much, material things meaning nothing, as long as they had each other, felt the world brighten and open up anew.
The others laughed along with Kai, feeling the overwhelming joy of the moment.
“You look like one.”Morlie lifted her hand and brushed away another errant tear, beginning to follow the first.“Mom and Dad would be so proud of you, Sissy.Getting me beyond the Wall, committing to the man you love, and having their first grandchild.”Morlie pressed a hand to Kai’s stomach.
Whenever you are ready, little flame.
Kai heard Aodh’s rough, deep voice fill her mind.
She was more than ready, but there was one thing left she needed to do.Kai smiled and covered her sister’s hand as she saw Morlie’s eyes glistening with unshed tears.“Even though they are not here, I have you.Will you walk with me down the aisle?”
Morlie’s damp eyes stretched wide, and she swallowed several times.She took hold of Kai’s hand before she spoke.“Absolutely.I’d be honored, Sissy.”
Kai held her sister’s hand tight as she faced Tana and Eilidh.“I suggest we get going before my mate comes and gets me.”
And I will, too,Aodh rumbled.I want you as my wife, and I want you beneath me.I don’t care which comes first, but if I have to come for you, little flame, you can be sure the wedding will happen last.
Aodh groaned, causing an electric current to set off along her spine and head south, igniting her core.
I will have you.However, I can get you.
The growl he emitted was low and erotic.Kai could practically feel the flame along his tongue as he licked along her skin and tasted its fiery honey on her tongue.
If he came for her, she would come for him without hesitation or regard for anyone else around—as Drahks were known to do.
Kai sighed, pressed her lips tight, and bit into her tongue to stave off the swelling lust.
“We’ll find our places,” Tana declared.
“Before Aodh causes Kai to combust.”Eilidh rolled her eyes but grinned.
Kai knew the two Drahkelles couldn’t hear her and Aodh’s conversation, but Drahks were intuitive.Besides, they communicated just as much through their dragon-link as verbally.So, it wasn’t a stretch for them to figure out Aodh was talking to her.She was sure her reaction clued them in that it was naughty things.
Tana led Eilidh toward the mass, waiting for the bride.
Kai voiced her thanks again as she clutched her flowers to her chest, held her sister’s hand, and took a deep breath.“I’m ready.”
“Let’s go then.”Morlie turned so that she was standing beside her instead of before Kai, blocking Kai’s view of everyone.
Kai’s breath caught in her throat as she witnessed the small transformations of the space.All the Drahk present were divided into two separate sections and seated on makeshift chairs made of tree stumps, thick fallen branches, and boulders.Even seated, their forms were still massive and could easily meet her and her sister in the eye.
There was an assortment of flower petals everywhere on the ground, but heavily layered along the center between the Drahks—a designated aisle.
“Wow.These Drahks are good and fast when they plan together.”
“It’s their dragons’ bond.They can’t help but move as one to do what needs to be done to care for each other.”
“And you,Aguya Kai.”Morlie smiled and teased, squeezing her hand.
“And me.”Kai’s heart swelled as her gaze landed on the man at the end of the floral lane.He was taller and broader than anyone else around.
