Lorna wrapped her arms around Faye and she hugged her back. “I love you, Faye Cleopatra.”
“I love you, too, Mum.”
Lorna pulled back. “Right, then I’m off to ensure your brothers don’t cause a ruckus. Come find us afterward, if the clan doesn’t mob you first.”
Faye smiled. “Even if I have to fight off wild dogs, I’ll use Grant as a shield and find you.”
Lorna lightly smacked her arm. “Stop being silly. I’m leaving now.”
Faye waved at her mother and she was soon alone again.
Even though Faye had never met her father, she wished he could be here.
Her dragon spoke up. And what about Ross? He makes Mum happy.
You’re right. And considering I never met Dad, it’s odd to miss him.
Not necessarily. We wouldn’t be here without him.
A sound echoed in the great hall. That was Faye’s cue to head out.
Taking a deep breath, she stood tall and exited the small room adjacent to the main hall. The clan’s rebuilding efforts weren’t quite complete—the great hall had been bombed a little over six months ago—but there was a roof and fires roaring in the fireplaces along the edges. Add in the entire clan’s attendance, including a few guests from Stonefire, and it was perfect.
She walked purposefully toward the raised dais at the front, where Grant stood in his kilt-like outfit. He was always handsome to her, but the deep red color only made him more attractive. Of course, it could be that his muscles and tattoo were showing and she had a weakness for them.
Grant’s gaze burned in hers as she made her way up the stairs and across the stage to stand next to him. Dragon-shifter mating ceremonies were between two people, and in that moment Faye didn’t register the hundreds of people in the room. The love in Grant’s gaze made her smile. “Hey there, stranger.”
He quickly winked and took her hand. Grant didn’t waste any time. He spoke with a strong, confident voice that echoed inside the hall. “Faye MacKenzie, we’ve known each other our whole lives. Growing up, we constantly annoyed each other. In the army, we had some more differences and trouble. And yet, last year, something changed. You weren’t merely the overly confident and lively female coworker. Aye, you still had those qualities, but a mere touch seared my skin. I think it took us growing up a bit to really recognize what was in front of us. I’m glad we took the chance because I can’t imagine anyone else standing by my side through all of life’s trials as well as helping me to keep the clan safe. I love you, Faye, and I wish to claim you as my mate. Do you accept the claim?”
Her heart thudded in her chest, but she managed to nod. Grant smiled slowly as he picked up the silver cuff on a stand next to them. It has his name engraved in Mersae, the old dragon language.
As the cool metal slid against the upper bicep of her tattoo-free arm, her dragon hummed in approval.
Faye touched the silver and spoke up. “You’re right, we’ve had our fair share of differences, as most of the clan can attest.” A few people chuckled. “But together we make each other better in ways we never could’ve imagined. You’re my perfect fit. Few males would accept a female at their side to protect the clan, let alone know when to take control or cede it. I love you, Grant McFarland, and I want to make you my mate in front of everyone. Do you accept my claim?”
“Aye,” he answered solemnly.
She knew he’d done it on purpose, to rile her up, but she didn’t fall for it. Faye picked up the larger silver cuff that had her name written in the old dragon language. As soon as she slipped it on Grant’s tattoo-free bicep, he hauled her up against his body and whispered, “You’re mine forever, Faye. Let’s show the clan.”
She was going to say he was equally hers, but Grant lowered his head and kissed her. As she opened to allow his tongue, she paid the whistles and catcalls no heed. Faye merely reveled in the taste and feel of her mate. She had more than love, she had an equal. And in Faye’s book, that was the most important thing of all.
Epilogue Two
Arabella MacLeod tucked the blanket around each of her babies in the pram. All three of them slept like the dead. They definitely took after Finn in that department.
Her dragon spoke up. We sleep better these days, too. Being pregnant is uncomfortable.
Says the beast who made it happen.
Her beast sniffed. It was instinct. Besides, I think it’s efficient to have three at once. We don’t have to do it again.
Finn came up to her and rubbed Arabella’s back. “You ready, love?”
She straightened up. “Yes. But tell me, did you find anyone from Seahaven in the hall?”
Clan Seahaven was a tiny clan that had left Lochguard before Finn and Arabella’s time, back when human mates were viewed as lesser. Relations were still rocky. “No,” Finn sighed. “But baby steps, aye? As much as everyone thinks I can work my magic with anyone, the Seahaven leader is a stubborn bastard.”
“Not that you can blame him. The former leader did banish him and the others.”