When we reach Oradon’s chambers, his eyes widen. His workshop is so deep in the ground beneath the castle, I can only assume he did not hear the commotion when Veron and Alara arrived earlier. “You bring a dragon to me? Why?”
It is not often I see Oradon flustered. I cannot deny it is amusing to surprise him with this. I gesture to our guests. “This is Veron and his human mate, Alara. They are here because he wants to know the secret to extending his mate’s life to match his.”
Oradon gapes at him for a moment before finally responding, “You are mated to a human?”
Veron tips his chin up as he takes her hand. “Yes. Now will you help us or not?”
Oradon blinks at them both. “Um… Fir—first, I must assess her, then I will know if it can be done.”
“Why could it not?” Veron snaps. “Your people can do this for their humans.”
“Yes, but we do it with the marking of our human mates during the first mating. Our mark is an extension of our life force, binding us to each other. I do not know how it would work for your kind, Dragon.” Oradon scowls at him. “Now, will you allow me to assess your mate?”
Veron shares a glance with Alara, and something unspoken passes between them. She steps forward.
Oradon lifts his hands, and a glowing orb appears in his palms. It hovers for a moment then approaches Alara, circling her form and Veron’s before returning to him and disappearing.
“Well?” Veron asks, not bothering to hide the irritation in his voice.
A smile quirks Oradon’s lips. “It seems a dragon’s mark works just as well. In giving her your mark, her lifespan has extended to that of a dragon. And your son is healthy, in case you were wondering.”
Veron turns to Alara. Gathering her in his arms, he spins her around and kisses her fiercely. She runs her fingers through his hair and smiles against his lips. “You see, my dragon? We will have a long and beautiful life together, my love.”
I’d heard my entire life that dragons are fierce and terrible creatures. Cold and calculating, they care only for gold and treasure. However, watching Veron hold his mate, I realize that this is not true. He stares at her like she is the most precious treasure in the world.
They thank Oradon and turn to me. Veron glances toward the door. “If you will lead us back out, we will leave for our castle immediately. I would prefer my mate be safe in our home while she is nesting.”
“Of course,” I reply and guide them out into the hallway. A thought occurs to me. “You crossed the veil without a problem, did you not?”
Veron studies me for a moment. “It takes much stronger magic than that to affect me. Why do you ask?”
“And Alara? It does not affect her?”
“She is protected by me because she rides on my back.”
“I would ask a favor of you both.”
“What is it you would ask of us?” Alara looks at me.
“I cannot cross the veil on my own, and my father will not lift the spell to allow me to travel to the human kingdom. My—” I start to say “my mate” but stop short. Instead, I say, “The woman I love is human, and she lives in the kingdom of Eryadon. I ask that you please take me to her.”
Alara turns to her mate and nods. “We will do this for you, Prince Ryvan.”
