To dragon-shifters, finding a true mate was one of the best things that could happen.
However, her sister had been a dragon-shifter's true mate, and it hadn't been happily ever after for her.
That shouldn't matter to Delaney since her situation was completely different. Wales allowed humans and dragons to mate, as well as even live together, unlike back in Ireland.
And yet, she wondered if the Murphy women were cursed when it came to dragon-shifters. It had to be rare that a pair of human sisters both ended up being true mates to dragons.
Rhydian tilted her head back up, to make her meet his gaze. "You're hesitating. You have every right to do so, but I'm curious as to why?"
She didn't have to tell him. From what she'd learned of the Welsh leader, he didn't use fear and pain to make his clan members do his bidding.
However, she'd been sincere earlier when she said she didn't like to beat around the bush. "My sister ended up dead because of being a dragon-shifter's true mate. How do you know that won't happen to me, too?"
His face softened a fraction. "I can't promise you'll never come to harm since dragon-shifters in the UK have some dangerous enemies, namely the Dragon Knights and the dragon hunters." He leaned his head a fraction closer, his gaze turning fierce. "But you will be living within the protection of an entire clan. No, several clans as I have allies in the rest of the UK, too. There is power in numbers, which is something your sister didn't have."
He was right. And on the surface, it was so simple. However, if she was going to even consider the offer, she needed to explore the deeper parts, too. "What about Rian? He clearly cares for you, and if we are pronounced mates, he'll think we're his new family. If it doesn't work out, then he'll be devastated."
Rhydian raised a hand to her cheek and cupped it. The second his skin touched hers, some of her tension faded.
Aye, dragon-shifters must have secret magical powers.
He murmured, "You don't have to answer right this second. Think about it. But know this—I haven't felt such a pull or sense of ease around a female in twenty years. And even compared to back then, that feeling was a fraction of what draws me to you, Delaney. My dragon and I will do almost anything to keep you happy. That's what any mate should do."
The corner of her mouth ticked up. "So if I asked you to do a dance number, you'd do it?"
"I like dancing, so of course."
She blinked. "You like dancing?"
He smiled. "Should I show you?" He took a step back, releasing her cheek, and put out his hand. "Care to dance with me, Miss Murphy?"
Delaney wouldn't say she was a dancer, but she was quick on her feet and a fast learner.
And curse it all, she wanted to dance with Rhydian. It was something romantic, almost like out of a movie, and she'd never seen such a thing happen in her thirty years to date. Men just didn't ask ladies to dance out of the blue like that, at least in her circles.
So passing up the chance just wasn't an option for her.
Sliding her hand into his, Delaney nodded. "As long as you teach me as you go, I'd love to dance with you."
His pupils flashed again. "Good. Just remember to let me lead."
Sh
e opened her mouth to protest—even though she did have a tendency to take control of situations—when Rhydian turned on some barely audible music. Placing his phone to the side, he pulled her close and positioned one hand on her waist and readjusted his grip on the one already in his. "On the count of three, we step left. One, two, three."
He moved and she followed. The steps weren't hard, but they took a little bit of concentration.
She focused on not stepping on his feet, and Delaney never noticed how easy it was to move with Rhydian, almost as if they'd danced a hundred times before.
~~~
Rhydian hadn't danced with a female outside of his clan leader duties, simply because he wanted to, for over a decade.
Part of him had thought he'd be rusty and make a fool out of himself.
And yet, the steps came to him without a thought.
His dragon spoke up. Because Delaney's our true mate. Moving with her, no matter what we're doing, will always be easy.