Embers (Scales 'N' Spells 4)

Nikki seemed particularly pleased by the long red carpet edged with tiny gold dragons in flight. They lifted their chin and tried to take on a regal air, but the mage’s naturally vivacious personality quickly shone through with a large grin.

Gunter couldn’t hold back his own grin. He was bubbling over with joy. Not only was he with his mate, but they were surrounded by dragons. Easily three hundred now filled the room. And mages! So many mages. He’d not seen this many mages in one place since before the Dragon War.

It gave him hope.

But not as much as his Nikki. His mage was smart and feisty. They’d survived long enough to escape and to claim their dragon. Gunter just prayed they could do it one more time tomorrow night.

At the end of the aisle were three small steps leading up to a grand obsidian throne. Alric’s throne.

His king wasn’t currently seated. He was waiting at the top of the stairs with Cameron on his right. They were both dressed in their finest suits, looking very dapper despite the lack of notice. A step behind Alric stood the other three kings to bear witness and bless the ceremony. It was more than a little overwhelming but also touching.

Gunter had selected his favorite dark charcoal suit with a dove gray shirt and a vest stitched with red dragons. The thread even matched the shade of his own dragon. Nikki had chosen a flowing floor-length black skirt they’d recently ordered because it had the proper swirl factor when they turned, paired with a red shirt the same shade as Gunter’s dragon. Upon discovering Gunter’s red dragon vest, Nikki had announced they planned to order many more clothes that matched his dragon, because how else would the world know who Gunter belonged to? Gunter had merely smiled and nodded. He planned for all the world to know who his mage was.

They stopped before the king and consort, but really all Gunter saw was his best friend and the man who’d captured Alric’s heart. The man who’d healed wounds too deep for even the Abe Clan to cure. He swore Alric’s eyes seemed extra shiny, but that could have been his own teary eyes.

“Are you both ready?” Alric asked softly for just the two of them to hear.

Gunter nodded and then looked to Nikki, tightening his fingers around theirs. Nikki grinned back at him and nodded. The mage was so jubilant they practically glowed. They’d clearly taken time to prepare for this moment, as their hair was in a sleek waterfall over one shoulder, and subtle makeup highlighted their gorgeous purple eyes. They looked beautiful, and Gunter had the hardest time not staring.

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice to celebrate this momentous occasion,” Alric started in a loud, booming voice that carried to the very back of the room. He lifted both hands in the air. “We are gathered for the bonding of Nikki Bos, child of Jan and Anika Bos of the most esteemed Bos Clan, to Gunter Burkhard, only son of Erik and Odessa Burkhard of the great fire dragons.”

Gunter sucked in a breath at the sound of his parents’ names. He hadn’t thought of them in years. They’d both died during the Dragon War, lost with so many other mages and dragons. His mother had been a member of the Mylonas Clan, a Greek major clan destroyed by the Jaeggi. He had to wonder what they would think of the mage standing at his side right now. Odessa would have doted on them.

“As King Alric Burkhard of the Fire Dragon Clan and representative of the four kings, I offer our most profound blessing on this couple. May the fires of their love burn brightly all through their days, filling their home with happiness and the laughter of children. May their heartaches be brief, softened by the love of family and friends.”

Nikki gave a little start when the three other kings said in unison, “May they be blessed.”

A new snap of magical energy filled the air, blanketing and protecting all who were gathered. The proceedings had just gotten the stamp of approval from all the dragon kings.

“Turn and take each other’s hands,” Alric instructed.

Gunter turned to his right and smiled when Nikki slid their smaller right hand into his left. The butterflies that had buffeted his stomach as they’d walked to the throne room were suddenly gone. So were all the gathered people. There was only Nikki in his world, and he was going to make Nikki his forever.

His vows swam to the forefront of his mind, as if they’d been waiting for Nikki to unlock them from his heart.

“I, Gunter Burkhard, vow to always love you with all my heart and my soul. I vow to devote my life to your happiness and the happiness of our children. I vow to lay down my life to keep you safe and protect you always. You are my happiness, my heart. You are the fire that keeps me warm, and the light that guides me home again.”