I Married A Dragon (Prime Mating Agency)(7)

Councilor Gavyr heaved another sigh. Judging by his constant pacing on my terrace, you’d think he was the one awaiting his Ejaya’s arrival. As was often the case with red-scaled Derakeens, he had a swift and impatient temper, odd traits for a Councilor. You’d think that age would have calmed him, but at fifty-six, he remained easily inflamed. And yet, I couldn’t complain in this instance.

His impassioned demands that my Kaida settle on Dramnac had played a major role in convincing her to come to me. A part of me felt guilty to have somewhat coerced my Ejaya to my side. But she had been created for me. I fully intended to make it up to her. Any minute now, Kayog would send us the call for me to open the portal that would bring her to me.

Soon, the sun would reach its zenith over the private floating plateau upon which I had erected my lair. As one of the most powerful Shadow Lords of the Oddran region—if not all Dramnac—I was entitled to prime real estate. While many of the nobles and wealthy members of our society often exhibited their hoard with flamboyant decorations, paved grounds with rare stones or gems, I had kept mine elegant but mostly natural. I loved the feel of grass beneath my feet, and the natural beauty of the world. I could only hope my Kaida felt the same.

But I will change it all, if it will make her happy.

Gavyr sighed again and cast an impatient glance at his armband. I shifted my wings while trying to think of something clever to say to at least entertain him with conversation. But as always, my tongue turned to lead. Anyway, what did one discuss with a Councilor? If nothing else, his pacing kept him at a comfortable distance from me. Regular Derakeens like him all failed to properly control their phasing abilities, which made standing near them quite unpleasant.

“Finally!” Gavyr exclaimed, startling me. “Kayog sent the signal. You may summon the portal.”

My hearts leapt. The oddest mix of excitement and fear surged through me. I forced the thoughts of all the things that could go wrong out of my head as I called the shadows to me. They flowed through my body, growing in strength like a gathering storm in my chest. The world blurred around me as I focused on the destination. The fabric of the world ripped before my mind’s eye, taking the dark shape of a giant vortex until the center cleared into a window through space, which allowed me to see my Kaida next to Kayog.

I fired the shadow energy gathered in my chest at it, opening a giant portal a few meters in front of me, with the entrance light years away from here in front of my Ejaya. As with each time I opened a portal, it burned as if a part of my soul was getting torn out. But this time, I welcomed the discomfort.

The Temern came out of the portal first, a human female I didn’t know behind him. And then my Kaida, followed by a small hover cart carrying a pair of crates and a large bag that I assumed to be her belongings.

By the Gods! Her divine scent slammed into me with a violence that made me dizzy. My mouth watered, my scales and every nerve ending ached with need. To my shame, I could feel myself trembling from the effort it took to silence my urge to rush and embrace her. However, whatever expression Kaida saw on my face appeared to frighten her as she took what I presumed to be an involuntary step back.

Ashamed, I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, only to jerk them back open. What a stupid idea! I’d only inhaled more of her scent, exacerbating my burning need to touch her, to wrap my body all around her. She wasn’t even attractive by Derakeen standards. And yet, I had never longed more fiercely for a female.

“Master Kayog, there you are at last,” Councilor Gavyr said, his displeasure at the wait barely veiled.

“Actually, Councilor Gavyr, I believe we are four minutes early,” Kayog said in a cheerful voice. “But I can understand your eagerness.”

Under different circumstances, I would have been amused by the skillful way the Temern had set the grumpy Councilor straight. But my brain was focused on keeping me from throwing myself at my Ejaya like a rabid beast.

“Right,” Councilor Gavyr responded.

“Councilor, Cedros, please meet Isobel Biondi, a human priestess recognized by the United Planets Organization,” Kayog continued with the same carefree tone. “She will officiate the human union. And this is your Ejaya, Cedros. Meet the lovely Kaida Daigo. Kaida, this is Cedros Qhelian and the Derakeen Councilor Gavyr Strono.”

I pressed my palm to my hearts and bowed my head deeply, feeling almost faint as I did so.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cedros,” Kaida said, her voice sweet and musical, sending shivers down my spine.

“It is an honor of a lifetime to meet you at last, my Ejaya,” I said, surprised that a single intelligible word managed to cross my lips. “Thank you for consenting to come to me.”

Her face softened in the most delightful way, and she almost seemed timid for a moment.

“Welcome, Ejaya Kaida,” Councilor Gavyr said, breaking the magic of the moment. “I am pleased you made the right choice. It is a great honor to serve a Shadow Lord.”

I flinched inwardly and cast a worried glance at Kaida. To my relief, aside from looking unimpressed, she didn’t seem otherwise offended by his haughty ways.

“Well, if we’re all ready, we may proceed with the ceremony,” Kayog said with the same enthusiasm. I made to dispel the portal, but he raised a hand, stopping me. “Unless keeping it open is a strain on you, it will not be necessary to dispel the portal. This ceremony is very brief, and merely a formality to make it legal and binding for the UPO.”