Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
He circled over the mansion and trumpeted his return. His staff ran out of the house and barn to wave and clap. Keres tamped down his pleasure at seeing them. As Rimi had guessed, he hadn’t planned to come back. Many of his staff had been with him for years and most for generations of their families.
You were worried about them, Rimi guessed, picking up on his emotions.
None of that matters now, Mate. I found you and we have returned. He changed the subject to distract her. How excited do you think they will be to discover they now have two dragons on the mountain?
I hope they like me.
Her quiet, worried voice went straight to his heart. They will love you, Snowflake. How could they not?
By the time he landed, his staff had gathered around the front lawn. Keres waited for Rimi to slide from his back before changing. He wrapped an arm around her waist and escorted her closer.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. It is my pleasure to introduce you to…”
Before he could add Rimi’s name, scattered people through the crowd dropped to their knees, grinning and nudging their neighbors to do the same. “Dragon. She’s a dragon,” circulated through those assembled.
Keres glanced at Rimi and smiled at the awe-inspiring sight. She was glowing. Her nervousness in meeting his staff had sparked her dragon side to reveal itself. She stood in human form, but no one could mistake the powerful, sparkling aura that surrounded Rimi.
He cleared his throat and started again. “It is my pleasure to introduce you to my mate, Rimi, a crystal dragon. I trust you will care for her as you have tended me through so many years.”
An ear-shattering roar of excitement burst through the crowd before shouted greetings of “Welcome,” and “Long live Rimi,” echoed through the air.
Squeezing her tight against his side, Keres whispered, “I think they’re glad to meet you, Snowflake.”
He turned to the crowd and announced, “It has been a long journey, and my mate is tired. I will insist she rest before meeting everyone.”
Applause followed, signaling their approval of his protectiveness.
Nodding his thanks at their understanding, Keres swept Rimi into his arms and carried her forward. The crowd parted to allow them to pass, and his butler opened the door.
“Thank you, Russell,” Keres told the long-time employee. His joy at speaking again to his butler didn’t surprise him. Leaving home and his people had torn him apart inside.
“My pleasure, sir. And ma’am. Welcome home,” Russell said with a smile.
“I’m glad to meet you, Russell,” Rimi called over Keres’s shoulder as he entered.
“Could you have a light dinner brought to our room in an hour?” Keres requested.
“Yes, sir. The rooms were refreshed today.”
“Thank you, Russell.” His butler had always amazed him with his ability to anticipate whatever was needed. How could he have known they were on their way? However Russell had predicted their arrival, he appreciated it.
“I could have talked to them,” Rimi whispered when they reached a quiet hallway.
“Everyone understands I need to take care of my mate. They will meet you soon.”
She dropped her head to his shoulder and relaxed in his arms. As he suspected, Rimi was exhausted. “Shower or bath, Snowflake?”
“I’d love to try a hot bath, but I’m afraid I’ll fall asleep.”
“Leave it to me, Rimi. I’ll always take care of you.”
Keres carried her into the large suite he’d occupied by himself since his last mate passed away a couple of centuries ago. He’d had the house remodeled over the years to create several chambers containing a bedroom and a vast attached bathroom. Each time he’d lost a mate, Keres had moved into a new room as he waited for his newest match to join him.
He scanned the room where he’d slowly descended into the darkness. The walls seemed to resonate with despair and negativity. Keres shook his head. He wouldn’t expose Rimi to these black vibes. Turning, he carried her from that room and moved to the next.
“That was a nice room?” she said, a questioning lilt to her voice at the end.
“It is not the room for you. What is your favorite color, Rimi?”
“I love purple.”
“We will share the lilac room,” he told her and strode down the hall to the last room. There, he threw back the door and carried her across the threshold.
“Wow!”
Keres set Rimi’s feet on the lush carpet in front of him and wrapped his arms around her waist to steady her. She leaned back against Keres’s chest and checked out the space. He leaned slightly to the right to see her face.
“This room is gorgeous.”
Keres nodded to himself. This was the right move. They needed a space of their own—far away from the anguish that had ruled his life for so long.
“I am glad you like it. I hope you will be happy here. If not, I’ll rely on you to tell me what needs to change.”