Nikki’s dark eyes immediately lit up, and they gazed up at Gunter with the widest smile. “You’re so pretty as a dragon. And just as pretty in your human form. I would like to fly with you.”
That same chicken squawk Ravi had heard earlier broke from Gunter’s throat as Nikki wrapped one arm tightly around his waist. Gunter lifted wide, panicked eyes to Alric and then Ravi. He raised both arms up in the air, holding them out from his body in confusion. It was like a wet kitten had suddenly clawed its way up his pants leg, and Gunter couldn’t decide whether to pull it off or cuddle it.
Ravi was hoping he chose the latter.
But right now, Gunter’s terror was perfect.
Ravi coughed, trying to fight back his laugh as he stumbled over to Sora. He lost that fight when Alric announced, “Excellent choice!”
“Hoheit?” Gunter croaked.
“Gunter will carry you safely to Burkhard and keep you safe at the castle.”
Holy shit! Was Alric playing matchmaker?
One look at Alric’s smug expression said the answer to that question was yes.
Ravi cackled, falling into Sora. His mate cuddled him close, pressing kisses to his temple.
“Are you ready to return home, my handsome dragon?” Sora whispered in his ear.
Ravi’s dragon rumbled happily in his chest, and he couldn’t agree more. Home with his mate and his family. Nothing sounded better. Well, except for maybe…
“Yes, my honey bear. We have a bonding ceremony to plan.”
Ravi looked at his reflection in the hall mirror one last time, a lump forming in his throat all over again. He ran his hand down the bright red sherwani with the intricate gold embroidery. The long jacket stretched down past his knees, and his fitted trousers were the same shade of red.
Yuki swept into the hallway to check on him. His soon-to-be mother-in-law had been a freaking whirlwind, saving his ass.
Upon arriving at Burkhard after escaping the Jaeggi, Ravi had gone straight to Yuki with his newest problem. Ravi wanted—no, needed—to be bonded to Sora, now. He’d wanted to be romantic, but the Jaeggi had definitely turned this into a NOW situation.
The only problem was his mate deserved a proper ceremony that paid respect to both the Abe clan and the wind dragons, not that Ravi had any clue about those traditions. And proper took time.
That sweet woman had kissed his forehead and smiled, telling him to leave it all up to her.
In one week, she’d managed to get her hands on a proper montsuki for Sora, the gorgeous red sherwani for Ravi, and a proper mandap had been placed on the mountaintop where Alric and Cameron had been bonded. She’d even had a dragon bring the same three sake cups that had been used in her bonding ceremony to Ryu.
“Are you ready?” she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Ravi turned and pulled her in for a tight hug, nearly lifting her off her feet. She giggled and hugged him back.
“Thank you so much. This…this is everything. Sora deserves to have such a perfect day.”
Yuki cupped his cheek as he released her, tears sparkling in her brown eyes. “You both deserve to have a perfect day. My son is so lucky to have found you.”
“I promise we will visit often. You will grow tired of seeing us.”
Yuki laughed as she stepped back and quickly ran a hand over her dress. “And we will be here often. This castle is so very fun, and your king presents an intriguing healing puzzle that I won’t be able to tear Ryu away from for long. We will see each other plenty.”
And then, of course, there were going to be babies in their future. Many babies, if he and Sora had any say about it. Ravi had little doubt that Ryu and Yuki were going to be doting, devoted grandparents.
“Now, it’s time. Your dragon is waiting in the courtyard. Sora has already caught his dragon.”
Ravi nodded. Balin had given him a crash course in bonding ceremonies with wind dragons. The clothes were colorful, usually red for happiness and good luck. Both the dragon and mate arrived at the ceremony spot riding dragons, one coming in from the east and the other from the west.
Under the mandap, they would meet and exchange floral garlands before lighting a fire to represent their new life together, and the officiant would offer a blessing.
When he’d asked Alric to be the officiant for their bonding, Alric had demanded that Sora and Ryu immediately complete the first round of surgery so he could be up and moving in time for the ceremony.
After the blessing, they would kneel at a table with three sake cups. They would each take three sips from each cup as part of the Abe clan tradition. That was when they would make their vows. The first set of vows was to each other. The second set was to their family. And the final was to their clans.
Ravi prayed he wouldn’t forget what he needed to say. Just looking at Sora made him tongue-tied most days, and he needed this to be perfect for his mate. He could do this.
Taking a deep breath, Ravi stepped into the courtyard and laughed. He’d recognize Baldewin’s dragon anywhere.
“You’re flying me?” He’d not been able to choose between his closest friends and had asked them to fight it out over who would be flying him.
“I held you when you were a baby. Of course I’m flying you,” Baldewin replied, his voice a deep rumble through the empty courtyard.
“I’m pretty sure Gunter and Warin can claim that, as well,” Ravi snickered.
The dragon made a movement like he was shrugging his massive shoulders. “I also outrank them.”
Ravi shook his head. He refused to believe Baldewin had pulled rank simply to have the honor of flying Ravi to his bonding. “Why I do feel like this was more likely settled with a game of Twister?”
Baldewin smiled, flashing a whole lot of long teeth. “I wouldn’t know anything about that. Now, climb on. We don’t want to be late.”
With a little help, Ravi climbed into position right in front of his massive wings. Baldewin smoothly pushed off and launched them up into the air. Earlier in the day, nearly the entire castle had been carried up to the ceremony spot. Some were left behind as guards, and others were working on the massive feast, but the bonding ceremony was being recorded so they’d be able to watch later.
Baldewin circled the parapets and then soared off toward the east, weaving over the mountains until the signal was launched into the air. Ravi’s heart raced as Baldewin smoothly turned and carried him toward the elegant white-and-red pavilion. From a distance, he could see the mix of people and dragons gathered, waiting for his arrival.
And then he saw the flash of blue approaching from the opposite direction, carrying a man dressed in black.
Sora was riding Sahan, and Ravi nearly let out a cheer. He’d known the two were close friends, but Sora had refused to share who would be carrying him to the ceremony. It seemed fitting, a blending of both his fire dragon and wind dragon families.
When Ravi set both feet on solid ground, he finally got a good look at his mate. Sora had never looked more handsome or regal. Dressed in a black montsuki kimono with black pants decorated with thin white pinstripes, Sora moved away from Sahan. His lush long hair cascaded down his back like a waterfall at night.
It was only when Sora had lifted one raven-wing brow at him that Ravi realized he’d frozen, enraptured by his beautiful mate. Grinning at his absurd good fortune, he crossed to where Sora stood.