Mated to the Earth Dragon (Elemental Mates 2)

“No,” the chimera boomed. “I’ve got a different task for you. Timothy, dragon of the water, I hereby command you to find a mate as quickly as possible.”

“What?” The water dragon’s shocked exclamation echoed through the cave.

Next to Damon, Autumn giggled.

Damon gave the storm dragon a knowing look, who grinned back at him.

“That’s stupid,” the water dragon said heatedly. “What does that have to do with anything? Fire dragons are planning to take over the world, and you—”

“I will not be called stupid by my own council,” the chimera roared.

Timothy obediently fell silent, although Damon could feel the waves of annoyance rolling off him.

“It is decided. There will be no argument. Two out of the three dragons of the elements are mated. Two alpha dragons who have come into their full power out of the three of you. To deal with this new threat, Timothy will need to find a mate as well. Then, at last, we’ll have a council more powerful than we’ve seen in hundreds of years.”

“Damn,” Timothy muttered under his breath, although he’d stopped arguing. “Guess I better start speed-dating then, huh? After all, everybody knows how easy it is to find your one true mate out of the hundreds of dragons scattered all over the world.”

“A human mate,” the chimera growled from the darkness. There was a hint of smug satisfaction in it. “It’ll have to be a human mate. Things are changing, my council. Two of you have found human mates; the third will have to do so as well. That is what fate has decreed. That is how you will find the power to find and eliminate this new threat.”

With his last sentence still echoing through the cave, the shadows thickened. The final look they got of the chimera was one last glimpse of a writhing serpent’s tail throwing a shadow against the wall.

Then there was only darkness where before, shifting shadows had been.

Together, they all turned towards the eerie light of the fourth plinth, where the symbol of a flame still burned in bright defiance, as if to mock them.

“Well, shit,” the dragon of water finally said, breaking the silence. “Any of your human mates have a single sister?”

Epilogue: Autumn

Dragon Springs had eagerly embraced the opportunity to show off for the alpha ceremony, which was celebrating both Damon coming into his full power, and his and Autumn’s mating.

Autumn was wearing a gorgeous white gown studded all over with tiny diamonds arranged in the shape of swirling vines and flowers. It hugged her chest tightly, showing off her ample cleavage, then widening at the waist to gently flow over her curves with layer after layer of chiffon and silk. Whenever she turned, the skirt swirled around her. She looked like a princess—and moreover, the diamonds on the dress satisfied Damon’s inner dragon, who’d been aching to drape her in approximately forty pounds of gems and pearls.

Instead, the only jewelry she wore were the golden bracelets Damon had created for her at their mating, together with gorgeous studs of diamonds in the shape of flowers in her ears and a tiara in her hair. They’d belonged to Damon’s great-great-grandmother, who’d worn them at her own wedding—to a Spanish dragon who’d been a duke, or so Damon claimed.

It had been somewhat terrifying at first, reminding her painfully that she hadn’t been able to afford anything but the payments on her car for most of her adult life. Despite the gorgeous dress, she couldn’t be more unlike a princess if she tried.

But then she’d taken her first step out into the town’s square by Damon’s side, and all of her fears had fallen away.

Everyone had come. Tilly hadn’t been able to leave the farm during the busy season, but they’d promised her to stop by on their honeymoon.

The entire town of Dragon Springs had gathered, cheering and whooping and waving. And so many of them had become friends by now that it truly felt as if Autumn had at last arrived home.

There was the crocodile doctor, her stern face now lit up with a rare smile, although her eyes had lost none of their shrewd sharpness.

And Autumn’s mom had immediately befriended the older woman as soon as she’d arrived. Now, they were standing side by side as they watched the proceedings.

Next to them the entire clan of bears had gathered, the men shifting uncomfortably in their good suits. All the foxes were out as well—and for once, all competitiveness seemed to have been put aside.

Four of the tiny fox cubs were riding on the shoulders of the largest bear shifter for a better view. And the huge banquet table was set with not two cakes, but a single, seven-tiered cake that would be more than enough for all of their guests.

Next to the cake, fox shifter and bear matriarch stood together, beaming in satisfaction as people oohed and aahed at their work. All the layers were covered with white frosting, and decorated with flowers and tiny anima

ls made of sugar, representing every species of shifter living in the town.

“Congratulations once more, my friend,” the sheriff said when they stopped to shake his hand. “And to your mate. The town couldn’t be happier for both of you.”

Next to him, the giraffe shifter stood, who ran the local flower shop. She’d shifted for the occasion, still nudging some of the flower arrangements that hung above the square with her head. A handful of tiny birds was roosting on her back, chirping in congratulation as well.