Kelsey stopped suddenly when Xomor turned back to her with his gaze hard.

“That’s it? You’re just going to leave?” she panted, trying to catch her breath.

“What are you talking about, woman?”

“First of all, my name is Kelsey.” Without looking, she could feel Mythia come to stand near her. It baffled her that he was just going to leave, and that was it.

“What are you asking, Kelsey?”

“I don’t know. Don’t you want to meet your other family? See how they are? Get to know them?” She looked up at the piercing blue sky. “Isn’t it lonely living a long life and not getting to know any of your descendants?”

“You just said it. Dragons have long lives. We outlive many people. Without a mate, there is no other person to walk this earth with. We are better by ourselves.” He jerked his chin toward the air behind her shoulder.

“But is it truly? Isn’t it better to know them and love them than to never have any memories of them?” she asked softly, stepping forward. “I think it’s honorable of you to honor a curse that someone put on you, but I think what makes a great dragon would be protecting those in his family because he wants to, and not because he’s made to.”

He stared at her for a moment before blinking.

“I haven’t been the best person or easiest to get along with,” he said.

Kelsey didn’t miss Mythia’s snort.

“But that’s okay. I know my mom and grandmother would love to meet you. They would get a kick out of it. When Mythia confirmed that I have dragon’s blood running through me, it made me realize that my mom even has dragon behavior. She collects things.”

“What kind of things?” Mythia and Xomor echoed simultaneously.

“Things from our family that she’s found. She’s researched her family, but we’ve only been able to go back a few generations to Paxton Rose. I’m sure she would love to ask you questions.”

“This is not my territory. I am not welcome here.”

Kelsey spun around and moved over to Mythia. She stopped in front of her mate, who kept her eyes trained on Xomor.

“Mythia.” She rested her hand on Mythia’s chest, getting her attention. “Can he have permission to travel here for my family? For me?”

Something deep inside of her needed to find out the information he had about her family. Her heart wouldn’t allow him to just walk away and never have a connection with his family. Now that she was the mate of a dragon, she would live as long as them. He wouldn’t have to be alone again.

“What?” Mythia frowned. “Another dragon is not needed to protect the area. This is my job.”

“Paxton asked you to protect the area. I’m asking you to allow my kin to visit. Help my family.”

“If your family needs help, then I shall—”

Kelsey placed a finger on her lips to shush her. Mythia was one stubborn dragon.

“I love how possessive you are, but this is something I need. My mom and grandmother will need. He’s my family. Please, do this for me?” Mythia stared at her for what seemed like ages. If Kelsey was a full-blooded dragon who came from a long line of dragons, would they not be allowed to visit her?

“What do you think?” Mythia asked him.

“Without a mate, life has been lonely. Kelsey has stirred a curiosity in me. I would be honored to meet her family and help them in any way, because she’s right. I should have looked out for my lineage without being made to.”

Kelsey looked at the proud man before her. He didn’t seem as scary as he had during her time walk.

“Then so be it. Xomor, you may come and go to visit your kin. But do not bring trouble to these lands or—”

“You do not need to say it, Mythia. I would never want to bring harm to those who share my blood.” He bowed deeply to Mythia, who strode forward and offered her hand to him.

Kelsey’s heart skipped a beat as she watched them shake on the deal they’d just struck. Her mother and grandmother were going to love knowing that some of the old family tales were true.

“I must be going on my way.”

“How will I get a hold of you?” Kelsey asked, doubting the dragon carried a cell phone around as he flew all over the world.

Reaching into a small pocket of his leathers, he stepped toward her. She held out her hand and gasped when he dropped a red gemstone into her hand.

“Hold that in your hand and call my name.”

“Why rubies?” she asked. The blood-red stone was oval-shaped, smooth, and translucent, giving way to the hexagonal prisms underneath the surface. It was beautiful.

“It is my favorite stone. It reminds me of the hair of the first woman I loved.” He stared down at the stone, and Kelsey found herself intrigued by his story. It was one she believed he needed to share with them.

With a nod, he took one last look at her and spun around on his heel. He sprinted away toward the cliff and dove over the edge.

Kelsey screamed and took off after him. What the hell? Did he just—

She drew to an abrupt halt at the sight of his massive blue dragon flying off into the sky. Her heart was racing a mile a minute. She’d thought he had plummeted to his death.

“Are you all right?” Mythia asked, coming to stand next to Kelsey. “Why did you scream?”

“Did you not see him jump off the cliff?” Kelsey asked incredulously, clutching the stone in her hand.

“I do it all the time.” Mythia snorted, waving off the action as if it were nothing. “That’s not a big deal.”

“What if you don’t shift?”

“Why wouldn’t I shift?” Mythia stared at her, giving her a slow blink. “You, my love, will need to meet my dragon. Once you do, you will understand me more.”

“I’d love to meet your dragon.”

“Good, because you’re going to get your first flying session tonight.” Mythia dropped a kiss to her lips.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Mythia sprinted fast toward the cliff. Kelsey’s heart lodged in her throat at watching the love of her life jump off.

The roar of a dragon filled the air. The ground rumbled from the power of Mythia landing behind her. Kelsey whipped around and took in the beauty of the only dragon staring at her. She was amazed by the size of the beautiful beast.

She’d only ever seen Mythia’s animal while she glided through the sky.

Her large head came to hover in front of Kelsey.

“My, you are a beauty,” Kelsey murmured as she reached out her hand to touch Mythia’s nose. The warmth she felt sent a rush of excitement through Kelsey. She took in the horn on Mythia’s forehead, her ferocious fangs, and her large amber eyes. They glowed brightly as they took her in.

Kelsey didn’t feel intimated or afraid of the dragon.

This was Mythia, her mate, and the dragon was part of her.

Snorting, she turned her body to where her wings were closest to Kelsey. She knelt down and leaned over, signaling for Kelsey to crawl on.

Kelsey never would’ve thought she’d actually get to ride a dragon. She used Mythia’s shoulder to step up and crawl onto her back, then settled along the base of Mythia’s neck. There were horn-like protrusions that gave her something to hold on to. They were far enough apart from each other that Kelsey could settle in between them, as if she were sitting on a saddle.

Mythia glanced back and looked at her.

Kelsey read her message loud and clear.

Hold on.

Grabbing the small horn in front of her, she blew out a shaky breath.

Mythia ran toward the edge and jumped off. Kelsey’s scream was snatched away by the winds as she tightened her hold on the horn while Mythia swooped higher into the air.

Her wings were spread wide, allowing her to glide easily. The wind whipped through Kelsey’s hair, the night air refreshing.

She looked around and took in the magnificent view. Montana was absolutely breathtaking from up here. There were barely any clouds in the sky. The moon was high, shining its bright rays.

There was no fear in her heart at these crazy heights.

This was something she would never forget.

Lucky enough for her, she would get to do this many times in her lifetime.

* * *

“That was amazing.” Kelsey wrapped her arms around Mythia once she’d shifted back to her human form. They were on the landing deck of the castle. She was extremely pleased that her mate enjoyed their flight. She flew them around for a little while, sensing that her mate wasn’t quite ready to descend.

The oversized animal was excited their mate wasn’t afraid of her, and wanted to spend time with her.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” Mythia paused, sensing a strong presence in the castle.

“What is it?” Kelsey asked.

“Someone is here.” Security wasn’t activated, and the grounds appeared to be quiet. She took Kelsey’s hand and pulled her in close. She knew exactly where the uninvited guest was located.

“No tour this time?” Kelsey stepped closer and wrapped her arm around Mythia’s waist.

“Not yet.” She teleported them outside of her office. She didn’t sense any devious intentions. What she did pick up on was the familiarity of the person on the other side of the door.

“That’s something that’ll take some time getting used to.”

“Come.” Mythia took her hand and opened the door. Once inside, Mythia drew to a halt as her eyes landed on her guest. A tall figure stood in front of the roaring fire burning in the hearth. “Galdar?”

“Hello, little sister.” Galdar turned around with a grin on his face. It had been many years since they had seen each other. He had grown a beard. His dark hair was in locks that were pulled back away from his face. His golden-brown skin was smooth and flawless. He was dressed in the attire of the people from the region he lived. Long robes that reached his ankles and showcased his sandaled feet. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

Relaxing, Mythia tugged Kelsey to her side and quickly made introductions.

“What are you doing here?” she then demanded, motioning for Kelsey to have a seat on the couch near the fireplace. She went without objection and sat, her wide eyes darting between Galdar and Mythia.

She and her brother strolled over to the fireplace.

“You are forever direct. Can you not be happy to see your elder brother?” he joked.

“It’s been fifty years since we’ve seen each other. I send one message to request your assistance with something. I don’t hear back from you, and then you randomly appear. Excuse me for being a little concerned.”

“That is true. I did as you requested and looked into the history of your mate,” he advised her. Mythia ignored Kelsey’s shocked gasp.

“And? What did you find out?” Mythia was tense. Kelsey, being the ancestor of Xomor, was not worthy of her brother coming this far.

“I’m sure you have learned about her connection with Xomor. I’m sure it was exciting to meet your ancestor that helped start your family line. Did you know his first love was a human? He had three children with her, but they were not fated mates. Such a story to hear.”

Kelsey was sitting on the edge of her seat, her attention focused solely on Galdar. Her brother was a history buff and very knowledgeable, but he also loved attention, as well as hear himself speak.

“The point of why you’re here,” Mythia attempted to redirect him.

“Ah, yes. Why I traveled thousands of miles.” Reaching into his robe, he pulled out a manilla envelope and handed it to Kelsey. “Ms. Rose, you never knew who your father was.”

“No. He left before my mother knew she was pregnant with me. She was never able to find him to tell him.” Kelsey stared at the envelope with wide eyes. “Is he alive?”

“I’m afraid not, my dear. He passed about six months after he left Saxon Hills. But that is not why I came all this way. Your father was half human, half dragon. His father was a dragon shifter. You have more dragon in your blood than you thought.”

Kelsey’s gaze flew to Mythia’s.

More of the pieces fell into place.

Mythia turned to Galdar. “Thank you, brother.”

“It’s my pleasure to be here and meet my sister-in-law, and to also bring her information on her relatives. You will find everything in there about him and his family. I’m sure they will be open to meeting you, as you are his only child.”

Kelsey wiped away the tears that trailed down her cheeks.

“I have traveled many miles and need to rest. Antha told me she was preparing a room for me, so I will bid you both a good night.” With a nod, he left the room.

“Are you all right?” Mythia knelt before Kelsey. She didn’t like to see the wet trails on her face.

“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just so much in a short span of time.” She barked out a laugh and placed the envelope and ruby on the couch next to her.

Mythia cupped her cheek and rested her forehead against Kelsey’s. “I’m here for you.”

“I know, and I love you for it.”

Pulling back, she stared into Kelsey’s eyes. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Proclaiming to love someone was a human tradition, and her heart warmed.

“You do?” she asked.

“Yes.” Reaching for Mythia, she tugged her close. “To think I came here to steal something back from you. But in the end, it was you who stole from me.”

“What did I steal?” Mythia asked, brushing Kelsey’s hair away from her face so she could gaze upon her beauty.

“My heart.”