by Zoe Chant
He laughed out loud, his arms coming up to hold her tight. “Don’t get too excited just yet. I have to warn you, the ranch is pretty derelict. The stables and barns are still standing, but the house apparently burned to the ground years ago. We’ll be living out of a trailer for a while. It’s going to be a lot of hard work.”
“But we’ll do it together.” She hugged him back, feeling his deep, quiet joy rising to meet hers, shimmering down the mate bond. “One day at a time.”
Epilogue
Very few brides were escorted down the aisle by unicorns.
Flash went first, proudly bearing the rings aloft on her tiny horn. Joe grinned at the ripple that went through the crowd as the young unicorn pranced between the flower-decked rows of seats.
“Good thing everyone here is either a shifter or knows about us,” he murmured to Blaise, who was sitting next to him. “Otherwise we’d have a lot of explaining to do.”
Blaise elbowed him in the ribs. “Shut up. Here they come.”
Sunrise and Bethany were next, the human bridesmaid bearing both a bouquet and a distinct how-is-this-my-life expression. The vet had been in on the secret of the unicorns for months now, but still hadn’t fully adjusted to her expanded reality.
Sunrise, of course, was as serene as ever, luminous as the full moon. White roses and forget-me-nots were woven into her rippling mane. A hint of roundness to her flanks showed that Flash would soon have a new baby brother or sister. Sunrise paced solemnly at Bethany’s side, but her blue eyes danced with delight.
And last, but by no means least, came Candice.
Her dress was as perfectly white as the unicorns’ coats, brilliant in the warm May sunshine. Her smile shone brighter than their horns.
Joe turned to look at Wystan, waiting for his bride at the front of the gathering under an arch of white roses. Rory stood by his side in his role of best man, magnificent in full kilt, grinning from ear to ear. And Wystan…
The pure joy filling Wystan’s face sent a stab of pain through Joe’s heart. Happy as he was for his friend, it was abruptly too much.
“Joe!” Blaise hissed as he sidled away from his seat. “Where are you going?”
“Usher duties,” he improvised. “Got to check everything’s ready for the reception after the ceremony. Be back in a sec.”
It was generally hard to escape unobtrusively when you were nearly seven feet tall. Fortunately, everyone else was too enraptured with the bride to pay him any attention. Grateful that Candice and Wystan had decided to hold their wedding outside at their new ranch, he fled.
The music faded behind him as he ducked into one of the barns. The inside of the freshly-restored building was draped in silk and flower garlands, the plank floor polished and gleaming, ready for the dancing later. Trestle tables laden with refreshments lined the walls, awaiting the guests.
He snagged the nearest bottle of wine, popping the cork off with his thumb. Leaning back against the wall, he raised the bottle to his mouth, already anticipating the comforting numbness.
Someone said his name. Not his human name. His real name. All thirty-eight rolling, liquid syllables.
There was only one person who called him that.
Joe sighed, letting the bottle fall back, untouched. “Hi, Dad.”
Light gleamed from polished steel armor as his father moved out of the shadows. Deep blue eyes fixed on him in a familiar expression of disappointment. “You are supposed to be at the ceremony.”
Joe gave the bottle of wine one last longing look, and returned it to the table. “So are you.”
“I am the Imperial Consort, Champion of the Pearl Throne, Guardian of the Empress.” His father touched the hilt of his sword, slung as ever across his shoulders. “It is my duty to stay on guard, ready to meet any threat that might dare to attack your mother.”
Joe raised a skeptical eyebrow. “At a party?”
The pearl set into the pommel of the sword winked at him as his father shifted his shoulders, looking a little rueful. “Also, weddings make me cry. Which is not entirely befitting the dignity of the Pearl Throne. Why are you not witnessing your companion’s hour of triumph?”
Bitter jealousy rose in his throat. He swallowed it back, pasting a carefree grin onto his face instead. “Oh, you know. Not big on true love and eternal commitment, me.”
“Yes,” his father said, distinct disapproval darkening his tone. “I know. I hope that you are not planning to do anything that might dishonor your name.”
“Well, at least you don’t need to fear catching me with one of the bridesmaids.” Joe started to duck out the door again. “Great talk, Dad. We must do this again next year. Bye.”
“Wait.” Something in his father’s voice made him pause, though he didn’t look back. “I wish to speak with you further.”
Joe sighed again. “How have I brought shame upon the ocean this time?”
“You have not.” His father cleared his throat. “Your mother and I are…proud of you, son.”
That did make him turn. “Who are you and what have you done with my father?”
His father looked down at his gauntleted hands. “I am aware that we have not enjoyed the easiest of relationships. I must admit, when I coerced you to join Rory’s firefighting squad, I did not have high hopes that you would rise to the challenge.”
That sounded a lot more like the father he knew. Joe relaxed a little, no longer looking for the tell-tale signs of demonic possession. “I’m happy that I once again failed to meet your expectations.”
His father blew out his breath, looking annoyed. “Please drop your foolishness for one minute. I am trying to say that I was wrong. I thought to punish you for your frivolous ways, force you to experience true hardship. I secretly hoped that you would end up begging me to allow you to return to the sea and finally take up your duties as the Heir to the Pearl Throne. But…you have won a true place for yourself here. You have fought with honor, guarded your companions against a foe that none of us knew existed. You have more than proven yourself.”
Joe stared at him, still half-expecting some kind of trap. “I’m still not coming back to the sea, if that’s what you’re getting at. It may not have been my idea to join the squad, but they’re my family now. They need me here.”
“Yes,” his father agreed quietly. “They do. Now more than ever, with these strange demonic forces threatening the land. I am glad that you are staying. But I am also worried. As is your mother. You are our only son. More than that, you are the Heir. You will be the next Pearl Emperor. The sea cannot afford to lose you.”
“So I’ll be careful,” Joe said, shrugging. “Is that all?”
“No.” His father drew himself up to his full height. “Your mother and I spoke on this matter, before we came here. We agreed to let you stay, but only on one condition.”
“What?” Joe said warily.
His father moved to one side, turning. “That you agree to accept a bodyguard.”
Someone stepped out of the shadows. Someone pale and slight, clad from head to foot in form-fitting armor. Her fierce, guarded eyes met his—
“Joe! Joe!”
Joe jerked upright, heart hammering. Wystan let go of his shoulder, backing off with upraised hands.
“You were having a nightmare,” his friend said. “You were yelling loudly enough that I heard you all the way up in the hayloft.”
Joe stared around, sweat clammy on his skin. He was tangled up in his bedroll. He remembered laying it out against the side of the barn. In the distance, he could make out the gleaming white forms of the unicorn herd, napping together in a field. The ranch lay still and peaceful under the stars.
Not Wystan and Candice’s ranch. Not yet.
That hadn’t happened yet.
“I can’t come to your wedding,” he blurted out.
Wystan stared at him as though he’d just announced he couldn’t go to Mars. “Candice and I only just got together. We haven’t exactly started discussing dates yet.”
> “You’re getting married next May. Pick the eighteenth. The weather will be good.” Joe scrubbed his hands over his face, still fighting free from the too-real vision. “But I can’t come. Sorry.”
Wystan patted his shoulder tentatively. “All…right. That’s fine, Joe. You just lie down. Go back to sleep.”
“Yeah,” Joe muttered, letting his friend pull his blanket back over him. “Okay.”
He stared up at the stars, head whirling with his unwanted power.
The power that he’d never told anyone about.
“May,” he muttered to himself. He closed his eyes. “A lot can happen before then. It’ll be okay. I’ll find a way out. I always do.”
He had until May to work out how to avoid meeting his mate.
Or else she would die.
Wildfire Sea Dragon
Fire & Rescue Shifters: Wildfire Crew 3
Chapter 1
Joe Small—Heir to the Pearl Throne, Crown Prince of Atlantis, the Emperor-in-Waiting—was about to meet his one true mate.
First impressions were vital.
He wiped his sleeve across the nightclub’s bathroom mirror and studied himself critically in the scratched glass.
The glitter finger-painted across his cheekbones hid the ashen shadows under his eyes. His ripped firefighter crew t-shirt displayed an indecent amount of his torso. Some enterprising woman—and he had no idea who or when—had written her phone number in sugar-pink lipstick across his exposed shoulder.
All in all, he looked exactly as a dutiful, honorable sea dragon prince shouldn’t.
Perfect.
“Well, I couldn’t be any more of a hot mess if I set myself on fire,” he said out loud. “With any luck, she’ll take one look and run screaming.”
But he couldn’t rely on luck. He had to be sure.
Heaving a sigh, he turned away from his disheveled, disreputable reflection. He went into one of the toilet cubicles, sliding the bolt shut behind him. The last thing he needed was for someone to barge in and catch him at this.
In the underwater city of Atlantis, the most powerful Seers spent weeks secluded in total darkness, meditating on the mystic currents of the world. On the night of the full moon, they gathered in a secret chamber grown from living coral, lit by glowing pearls. In that silent, sacred space, they poured pure seawater gathered from the deepest chasms of the ocean into a perfectly polished silver basin.
And in the rippling reflections, the greatest, most learned sea dragon Seers would strive to catch a single, fleeting glimpse of the future.
Joe lifted the lid of the toilet. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment.
He looked down into the water.
The sky glows red with wildfire. Cold chains around his wrists. A laugh rings out from the swirling smoke, cold and triumphant. Death rears above them, horned and hell-eyed, a heartbeat away. Her grey eyes look into his, alight with love, one last time. And she steps forwards, unarmored, unarmed, placing herself between him and his doom. Because she has nothing left to protect him with but her own body—
Joe wrenched himself out of the vision. For a moment all he could do was gasp like a landed fish, lungs filled with terror rather than air.
He never just saw the future in his visions. He lived it. And that particular moment, he’d lived far too many times already. He didn’t need to experience it again.
It was still going to happen. Everything he’d done, all his attempts to change things…it hadn’t worked.
Tonight, he was going to meet his mate.
She was going to fall in love with him.
And, sooner or later, she was going to die.
“Joe?” Someone banged on the cubicle door, making him startle. “You okay in there?”
“Fine!” He fumbled for the toilet handle. Water swirled. He wished that he could flush fate away as easily. “Just—just give me a sec.”
He emerged from the cubicle to find Carole, the nightclub hostess, waiting for him. He raised an eyebrow at her as he went to wash his hands. “Isn’t this the men’s room?”
“I’m glad you’re aware of that.” She leaned to one side, pointedly checking that the cubicle he’d just left was now empty. “You better not have been entertaining a guest in there. Or doing drugs. I can’t make exceptions to the club rules. Not even for you, Joe.”
“I know.” He gave her a genuine smile. It was wonderful to be among ordinary humans, none of whom knew that he was heir to a vast underwater empire. “You don’t let me get away with anything. It’s one of the reasons I like you so much.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Sometimes I think you have serious mommy issues.”
“You have no idea,” he muttered. “Did you want something, or were you just checking that I wasn’t having a rather unsanitary and painfully cramped orgy?”
“You left your phone at the bar again.” She handed him the device. “It’s been driving me mad. There’s only so many times a girl can listen to the first verse of ‘Shake It Off’, you know.”
“Sorry, bro. Forgot to put it on silent.”
“That’s would just mean it would be vibrating all night. If you’re never going to answer, just leave it at home.” Her head tilted. “Someone sure seems keen to get hold of you.”
He glanced down at the screen. The most recent notifications glowed up at him accusingly.
NEW MESSAGE: Rory
Where the hell are you? Seriously, last chance or you’re off the squad. I can’t string Buck out any longer.
MISSED CALL: Rory
MISSED CALL: Rory
NEW MESSAGE: Blaise
You massive [eggplant emoji]. Get in touch OR ELSE [fire emoji]
NEW MESSAGE: Wystan
Please call. We just want to know you’re all right.
MISSED CALL: Callum
MISSED CALL: Rory
NEW MESSAGE: Mom
You leave me no choice. I’ve sent out the Knights. They’re coming to escort you back to the crew. For your father’s sake, please don’t make a scene.
[+48 other notifications]
Carole was watching his face. “It’s your hotshot crew, isn’t it? Aren’t you meant to be heading back to Montana for the start of fire season?”
He dropped the phone into his pocket. “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
“It’s your funeral.” Carole shrugged. “Well, if you haven’t got to rush back to the day job, there’s a woman at the bar who is very keen to meet you.”
His heart thudded against his ribs. “Is she the most beautiful woman in the world?”
Carole shrugged again. “I think that’s a matter of opinion. She looks your type, anyway.”
Definitely not his mate, then.
But she couldn’t be far away now. He could feel the future breathing down his neck. He was out of time, out of options…
How can I be even worse within the next thirty minutes?
Inspiration struck. “Hey, Carole. Can you do me a favor, bro?”
She gave him a deeply suspicious look. “Is it likely to end with me sweet-talking the cops, pacifying a rioting hen party with free cocktails, or hiding you in the fridge?”
“Not this time.” He scrubbed at the lipstick on his shoulder, straightening himself up as best he could as he spoke. “Tell the woman at the bar I’m already taken. I’m waiting for someone.”
One of Carole’s perfectly shaped eyebrows rose. “Got a hot date?”
“Yes.” He pulled his sunglasses out of his pocket, slipping them over his eyes. “With destiny.”
Chapter 2
Seven had never imagined that her epic quest to become a Knight of Atlantis would involve quite so many casinos.
Other novices get charged with battling kraken in the deepest abysses of the ocean, she thought morosely as yet another annoyed bouncer shoved her none-too-gently out onto the sidewalk. Me? I get sent to Las Vegas.
At the moment, she would much rather have taken the lightle
ss depths and the tentacled monsters.
Her sponsor and mentor—the Lord of the Azure Reaches, Knight of the Order of the First Water, Defender of Atlantis, and General Pain In Her Ass—was waiting for her outside, glaring at the entire surroundings as though he was expecting a giant squid to drop from a streetlight at any moment. From the deeper-than-usual scowl on Lord Azure’s face, she suspected that yet another tourist group had mistaken him for a casino attraction. Lord Azure didn’t know what a ‘selfie’ was, but it was clear he’d decided it was a slight on his honor.
“Well?” he snapped as she approached.
She automatically performed the deep bow appropriate for someone of her station addressing a sea dragon noble from one of the most ancient and honorable families. “No sign of the Prince here either, my lord.”
Lord Azure fixed her with an all-too-familiar withering look. “That is the Crown Prince of Atlantis, Emperor-in-Waiting and Heir to the Pearl Throne to you, Seventh Novice.”
Seven pressed her lips together, hiding her face with another deep bow. No matter what else, being Lord Azure’s squire was doing wonders for her abs. “My deepest contrition and apologies, my lord. The Crown Prince of Atlantis, Emperor-in-Waiting and—”
“Yes, yes, I heard you the first time.” Lord Azure cut her off with an irritated wave, neon lights reflecting from his pearl-inlaid gauntlets. “Well, that spineless jellyfish of a royal spawn has to be around here somewhere. The Seers were certain they’d scried him in this cursed human city.”
“Perhaps we should return to the Imperial Champion, my lord?” Seven ventured. “We have been searching for hours without success. It may be time to regroup and see if any of the other teams have located the Prince’s trail.”
From the look Lord Azure gave her, she might as well have suggested that they order a couple of Jaegerbombs and join a blackjack table. “A true knight does not ask for help when on a quest, Seventh Novice. A true knight has no need. One draws upon one’s inner strength and honor to defeat any foe. Not that I would expect you to understand, given your heritage.”