Firefighter Sea Dragon (Fire & Rescue Shifters 4)

“He promised John he wouldn’t,” Griff said, one corner of his mouth lifting in amusement. “Fortunately, John forgot to extract a similar vow from me, otherwise we’d be having this conversation in mime. Anyway. No matter what you may think, you are John’s mate. So we want you to come back with us. We need you to talk some sense into him.”

Even though her head still screamed that all this was pure madness, her heart gave a little skip at the prospect. She didn’t believe in all this talk of love at first sight, but she couldn’t deny that she wanted to see him again. She could still remember the fizzing excitement sparked by the merest brush of her skin on his…

Neridia squeezed her hand around her father’s pearl—she needed to find a new chain for it before she’d be able to wear it again—for focus, trying to rein in her ridiculous emotions. More than ever, she wished that her parents were still with her. She could really have used her mother’s keen perception or her father’s quiet wisdom about now.

What would you think of all this, Mom? What would you tell me to do, Dad?

Her mom had been an energetic force of nature, always throwing herself gleefully into any new experience. She would have doubtless have told her to go, without a second thought. But her father had been a cautious, thoughtful man. He would have warned her to be cautious now. He wouldn’t have wanted to see her get hurt.

She’d wanted to get her pearl back, and she had. She’d wanted to know who and what the mysterious stranger had been, and now she did. Could she really hope for anything more? Was it worth the risk of being rejected, right to her face?

I don’t think I could bear it, if he looked at me coldly and turned away…

“From what you’ve said, it doesn’t sound like your John wants to talk to me,” she said. “How can I really be his mate, if he’s so determined to stay away?”

Chase spread his long-fingered hands. “Tell her that her mate is very noble, very honorable, and occasionally very, very stupid.”

“Chase is right,” Griff said. “Like I said, John’s a sea dragon

knight. He follows a strict code of honor, oath-sworn to uphold certain Knightly Vows. And, unfortunately, one of those vows is chastity. He thinks it would be dishonorable for him to take a mate.”

“And you think I can change his mind?” Neridia said incredulously.

“You have to.” Griff grimaced. “Not that it’ll be easy. John is the most stubborn person I’ve ever met. He’ll stick to what he thinks is the right path, even if it leaves him just a hollowed-out husk. But we’re his friends. We can’t stand by and let him destroy himself.”

“I lost my mate for a few years,” Chase addressed empty air, as if just talking to himself. “Not being with her nearly drove me out of my mind. And I was doing everything in my power to actively get her back.”

“Your mate?” Neridia stared at him. “Wait, are you a, a dragon shifter too?”

Chase’s black eyes lit up. He started to push himself to his feet, but Griff grabbed his arm, shaking his head. Chase sat back again, looking a little disgruntled.

“Never provoke Chase to show off,” Griff told Neridia wryly. “Especially not in a room this small. He’s a pegasus shifter. I’m a griffin, by the way. Half lion, half eagle.”

He said it so casually, as though it was no big thing. Neridia’s head spun. “How many different types of shifter are there?”

Griff shrugged. “I don’t think anyone really knows. Britain’s a bit of a magnet for the more unusual types, though. These isles have a long history when it comes to mystical matters. Hence why John’s here. He was sent to look for a sea dragon who was last seen on England’s south coast.”

It was like she’d been living in a dark cell all her life, thinking that was the whole world. And now someone had opened the door, and she saw how much she’d been missing…

“How-“ she started, but Griff raised his hand, forestalling her.

“Much as I’d like to give you a full history of shifterkind, not to mention tell you more about your mate, I haven’t got time.” He stood, checking his watch. “I’ve got somewhere to be in-oh, shit. Twenty minutes.”

“Well, I can fly that fast,” Chase said with a smirk, also rising. “Pity I’m not the one getting married.”

Neridia’s jaw dropped. “Griff, you came to tell me all this on your wedding day?”

“I hope that gives you an idea how important it is,” Griff said, mouth quirking even as he hastily struggled back into his morning jacket. “Don’t worry, I cleared this trip with my mate, the bride-to-be. She’s just as worried about John as we are. So, will you come?”

“With you? Right now?” Neridia looked down at her too-short men’s trousers and unflattering t-shirt. “To a wedding? Like this?”

“I’m the groom, so I get to set the dress code.” Griff held out a hand to her. “And anyway, it wouldn’t matter if you were wearing a sack. John would still think you were the most beautiful woman there.”

Neridia shook her head vehemently, backing away. “I…I can’t. I need time. I need to think about this.”

Griff opened his mouth, but Chase tapped him on the shoulder. “If you don’t move your furry ass, my feathered friend, all of this is going to become academic. It’s traditional for the best man to marry the bride if the groom doesn’t show up, after all.”

Griff blew out his breath, but didn’t argue further. “Here” He handed Neridia a hotel business card. “This is where we’re having the reception. John will be there this evening. That’ll be your last chance to talk to him before he leaves forever. Please, promise me that you’ll come.”