“I felt the same sense of shadows and smoke when they attacked Sky Home,” Damon said. “The stone should have told me what was going on—but they were wrapped in shadow, and even I couldn’t see them.”
“Our suspicion was correct,” Timothy said. His eyes went to the mysterious fourth plinth bearing the symbol of fire, which had mysteriously appeared in the council chamber after the fire dragons had attacked Sky Home. “There is a great new threat. A master of fire. And his power is great enough to interfere with our own.”
The chimera roared.
“It is as we feared,” he growled. “We need to deal with this threat. The world is in greater danger than ever before. They are no longer content to hide—and if there is a master of fire among them, the first for as long as this council has existed, then we need to eliminate this threat. Imagine the destruction he could cause if he were to attack a city of humans...”
“I’m stronger now than I was before,” Timothy said. “I have found my mate. Whatever he did to me—he won’t break through my defenses again that easily.”
“All three of you are mated,” the chimera said thoughtfully. “Three alpha dragons, master over air, earth and water. Three human mates. Such a thing has never happened before, either. I wonder...”
The chimera’s voice trailed off. Again shadows flickered. Timothy saw a serpent’s tail swing back and forth, and then a goat’s head appeared for a split second, before that shadow flickered and morphed into that of a lion.
“Leave me,” the voice boomed. “I need to consult my books.”
Just like that, the shadows vanished abruptly, the end of the cave filled with impenetrable darkness now.
“That was all?” Liana asked after a moment.
Timothy shrugged. “I was sure he’d want to talk to you...”
“Can’t say I’m sorry I missed that opportunity.” She grinned at him, although there was a hint of insecurity in it.
“He’s really not as scary as he likes to pretend,” Timothy said. “Anyway, I bet he’ll go through old prophecies, and tomorrow he’ll call for a council meeting and it turns out we’ll have to find a cursed ring or something.”
“If he wants to send you guys to Mordor, I’m coming along,” Liana said firmly.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that fire dragon has a lair in a volcano,” Timothy muttered. “And I’m not flying you into a volcano.”
“Let’s not worry about volcanoes just now.” Naomi’s resolute voice broke through their argument. “You guys need food. I know I’m hungry, at least. I’m eating for two
now, remember? And I want some company.”
“Yes. Let’s all have dinner together,” Liana said, smiling at the pregnant woman.
With the attack and the scary chimera, she’d almost forgotten how much she’d looked forward to meeting the other dragon shifters’ human mates. There were so many things she wanted to know.
“We nearly forgot,” Damon said once they were all settled down around the huge kitchen table. “Congratulations on your mating!”
He raised his wine glass, and everyone else followed suit, Naomi raising a glass of Ginny’s homemade lemonade instead.
“It was about time,” Gregory said, grinning at Timothy. “How does it feel to finally be a responsible adult?”
“Hey, I’ve always been responsible,” Timothy said, crossing his arms in consternation. Then the same simple, overwhelming happiness welled up in him once more as he turned to Liana. The mate bond between them pulsed with warmth.
“It feels great,” he added softly, taking her hand. “Perfect. Like finally coming home at the end of a long journey.”
Liana returned his smile, her eyes shining with happiness.
From across the table, Ginny, who’d been quiet so far, raised her own glass.
“Congratulations,” she said softly. “I’m so happy for all of you. Sky Home feels like a real home now, with all of you here.”
“Do you live here?” Liana asked curiously.
Ginny shrugged. “I was only supposed to help out for a few weeks. I live in Mountain View, Gregory’s town. But with the recent attack, the chimera’s old caretaker is afraid to return right now—and someone needs to be here to take care of things.”
“Is it just you and him?” Liana frowned. “I’d be bored.”