Tipping The Scales: Knox (Mate Craze)(49)

Flying was a sensation all unto itself. We basically played follow the leader, flying through the trees, over the mountains, down to the river, never stopping, just becoming one with the sky. It was exhilarating to say the least, and it felt so natural to be with him in this way. Playful and carefree. If this was what being a dragon meant, he’d given me a gift beyond my wildest imagination.

I wish he didn’t feel the guilt he so obviously carried. He was not the reason that Rhi’s parents were evil and it was my being here that brought them, not vice versa, so I was the one who had endangered him. No, they were what they were and the guilt I should be feeling, the guilt that crumbles a soul and changes a person, was oddly lacking. Sure I didn’t feel good about it. What kind of a freak would I be if I did? But it was more a feeling of resolve than guilt. I did what I had to do and it was what it was. It might hit me tomorrow or possibly the next time I saw Rhi, but for now, it was manageable.

I could feel my dragon nudging me away from my train of thought. She knew better than I that it had to be done. Her instincts to protect her mate were worn like a badge. I envied that about her. Everything was right there for mine and Knox’s dragons to see. It had to be freeing in a way I had yet to experience.

We slowed as we approached our starting point again. A sadness flowed through me. There would be other days to fly, but that didn’t make the end of our first any less significant and a bit sad.

You’re a natural. Knox beamed at me as I landed beside him. My head automatically rubbed against his, needing the contact.

It took me three tries to get off the ground and I almost hit a tree. I tried to use my fire, but that was a big fail. I’m thinking natural is an exaggeration.

As exhilarating as the trip was, it wasn’t without error. Never once had I felt fear, but frustration hit a time or two, or twelve.

It took me five times the first time I flew, I did hit a tree, and your dragon stopped you from using your fire because it is too dangerous with the dry weather we have been having.

So I nailed it. I teased back. I so didn’t nail it.

Pretty much.

I think I need to be human now. I kind of came to this town for a reason and I need to figure out all things.

That was the harsh reality. I was here on a mission. I needed to finish my degree, get a scholarship and go back to school. He knew this and seemed okay with it, but I doubted he understood the extent of what I needed to do.

You mean your research.

Or maybe he did.

That. I need to finish because I have a thesis due and I need it for a scholarship, but I fear it is clan related.

There was no reason for Liam to hide it otherwise. What did that mean now that I was going to be part of said clan? I guessed that depended on the secret. Either which way I needed a thesis to even graduate, much less get a free ride to law school. The entire thing was a hot mess.

It is. Worst case scenario. Let’s change back, get dressed so I can concentrate, and then I will call Liam and we can figure out where to move from here.

He kind of hates me.

Not that I loved him so.

More like he kind of loves rules.

Loves them, lives for them, wants to roll around in bed with them—marry them.

Oh I can see that. Now help me change back and no peeking.

Did I really care if he did? Not as much as I would’ve thought, but I couldn’t take it back now. There’d be plenty of time to explore those feelings later. For now, not looking was for the best. On both sides.

But you can peek?

Oh, I very much plan to, I teased, both he and I knowing I’d show him the same respect he showed me earlier. The heat in his eyes when I disrobed almost had me wishing he had looked. Almost. It was still too soon for that.





Epilogue: Kallie





“Ready, love?” my sexy mate whispered as he wrapped his arms around me and pressed my back to his front.

Ready. Was I ready? That was the million dollar question, wasn’t it. My life had changed in a whirlwind after I became a dragon. From college student to graduate; from an unknown legacy as a dragon hunter’s granddaughter to dragon. Not to mention finding my love, trying to build a life with him, and dealing with the whole Rhi and Sampson aftermath. Basically, down moments hadn’t existed, yet here I was, about to walk on stage and accept my scholarship—which came with the bonus side of speaking to a crowd. That should’ve been in the flipping fine print.

Not that it would’ve changed a thing. This scholarship was not the amazing full-boat I had been aiming my sights on. My thesis hadn’t uncovered some amazing new bit of evidence that got six people out of prison and put a now infamous lawyer behind bars. No, that was Levi Swartz. Good on him. My thesis only gave me an A in the course. My LSAT’s however, those earned me free tuition at Bartley-Keach Law School. It didn’t hold the prestige I thought I once wanted, but it was only a half an hour commute from Castleton, which was winning in my book.

“I think I’m ready,” I whispered back, only partly sure. I was as ready as I was going to be. “Which part has you unsure?” He kept his voice low. “I told you before we don’t have to mate tonight. We can wait all you need.” He was babbling. My sexy, sweet, tough, Alpha mate was nervous. It was adorable. As if mating was anything I was less than a bazillion percent on board with.

“Oh, silly mate, that is not what I am unsure about, unless you are referring to me being unsure why we waited this long.” I rolled myself in his arms until we were face to face, resting my head on his chest, listening to his heart beating. The sound I thought for a moment not too long ago that I would never hear again.