Part 29 (1/2)

As was his custom, he took a quick scan of his surroundings. He barely paid attention to the prime minister, Rosalind Abbott, or even his sister. Rafe was more concerned about unknown threats.

The location had been one of three proposed, and the decision had been made at the last minute to hold it near Keswick, which was more accessible than Rafe cared for.

Still, Kai and all of Stonefire's Protectors, in addition to many of Rafe's comrades in the army, were in attendance and keeping an eye out for trouble. He'd trust them to watch his back.

Just as he finished his last survey of the crowd, Nikki walked out of the little part.i.tion in the back of the giant tent, and he stopped breathing. The dark purple of her dress made her skin glow, and her soft, tumbling black curls around her shoulders softened her face and highlighted her eyes.

Nikki was always beautiful to him, but right at that moment, he could barely string two thoughts together.

As if reading his mind, Nikki smiled slowly. He barely kept himself from frowning. No doubt, his b.l.o.o.d.y female would tease him about his reaction later.

Not that he cared. He was minutes away from legally tying himself to Nikki forever.

She approached, and Rafe put out a hand. After placing hers in his, he brought it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. He was vaguely aware of some people ”ah”-ing, but all his attention was on his dragonwoman. He murmured, ”You're beautiful.”

Nikki winked and he tried not to chuckle. She whispered, ”The world is watching, Rafe. You'd better get your act together.”

”Ungrateful woman,” he murmured back.

Nikki grinned and he did the same.

Someone cleared their throat rather loudly from the front row and broke the spell. He should get the ceremony started before anyone changed their minds. The special license wouldn't be issued until after the ceremony.

Releasing Nikki's hand, Rafe picked up the smaller of the two silver mating bands. While he couldn't read the strange script, he knew it was his name written in the old dragon language, Mersae.

Taking a deep breath, he projected his voice. ”Nikola Helen Gray, you are clever, caring, kind, stubborn, and beautiful. I love all those things about you and more. I couldn't imagine a more perfect woman if I had dreamt one up. I love you and will always love you. In front of everyone, I wish to make my claim. Will you be my mate?”

Nikki nodded and Rafe slipped the cuff around her tattoo-free upper bicep.

She picked up the larger silver cuff engraved with her name in the old dragon language. Never taking her gaze from his, she said, ”Rafe Daniel Hartley, you are brave, intelligent, strong, and determined. Oh, and stubborn enough to outdo an ox.” There were a few chuckles and Nikki continued, ”You bring out the best in me and showed me the world in a way I never thought possible. I love you, Rafe, and treasure the fact I can take a human for my mate. Will you accept my claim?”

”Yes.” He turned his bicep toward her. ”Hurry up.”

With a mini-eye roll, Nikki slid the silver band around his muscled bicep. Pulling her close, he kissed her slowly.

He was tempted to hike her leg around his waist but knew the world was watching. He would just have to claim Nikki properly later.

Breaking the kiss, he laced his fingers through hers and faced the crowd. Cheers and applause broke out. Glancing at Nikki, he and his mate shared a private smile.

Despite the odds against them, a human male and a female dragon-s.h.i.+fter had found love and a way to stay together. The next step would be changing the world for their children and with Nikki at his side, he didn't doubt they would find a way to do so.

Epilogue.

A little less than eight months later.

Rafe wiped the sweat from Nikki's brow. ”You're doing brilliantly, love.”

His mate growled at him as her pupils flashed. ”If this baby is as big as it feels trying to come out, then I will win the bet. Only a male would be this f.u.c.king huge.”

”Maybe, maybe not. We'd have settled this bet long ago if it weren't for the dragon-s.h.i.+fter tradition of waiting to find out the gender upon birth.”

Nikki grunted, and it took everything he had not to coddle her. His mate hated it. Not only that, it would signal his worry.

He'd prod her instead. ”But you're a soldier who can handle anything. Remember?”

”Rafe Hartley, I'm this close to punching you in the b.a.l.l.s.”

”I somehow doubt it. All I have to do is this”-he backed a foot away-”and I'd be safe.”

”Get your a.r.s.e back here or I'll ask one of the doctors to hold you in place so I can punch you.”

Dr. Gregor Innes chuckled. ”I'm not sure you're going to have much time to do that, la.s.s. The bairn is about ready to come.”

Dr. Sid snorted. ”Nikki could give birth one second and still find the energy to punch Rafe in the next. Don't underestimate her just because she's female, Gregor.”

”Is that a warning of what's to come, Ca.s.sidy?” Gregor asked.

Sid raised her eyebrows. ”You'll have to wait to find out.”

Nikki grunted again and Gregor focused on his task. ”It's another contraction. Time to push, la.s.s.”

Rafe took Nikki's hand, and he didn't so much as peep when she crushed his fingers.

Gregor nodded. ”That's it, just a little more.”

Tilting her head back, the tendons in Nikki's neck strained as she pushed. Rafe wished he had the power to take away some of his mate's pain. But he was in a rare circ.u.mstance when he could do nothing to help her beyond offering his support.

Just as he was wondering how much longer Nikki would have to push, a baby's cry pierced the air. Soon, Gregor held up their tiny, pink child. ”Say h.e.l.lo to your daughter.”

Rafe leaned down to kiss his mate. Smoothing the hair from her face, he smiled. ”A daughter.”

”I'm surprised you haven't said, 'I told you so.'” Nikki murmured.

”Right now, I don't b.l.o.o.d.y care about the bet,” Rafe answered.

They merely watched as Sid worked to check and clean up their child.

When Sid finally brought their daughter over, she gently laid the bundle in Nikki's arms. Nikki lightly brushed the cheek of their baby. ”She's beautiful.”

Rafe placed his hand over Nikki's on the small bundle. ”And to think she's here because I finally surrendered to the charms of a stubborn dragonwoman and kissed her.”

Nikki met his gaze. ”I'm glad you did, Rafe. Otherwise, our darling little female wouldn't exist.” She paused and kissed their daughter's forehead. ”Although are you ready for our next adventure? It might be our toughest a.s.signment yet.”