Epilogue

Ciel stood with Aurora and their dragons on the edge of the dance floor as they waited for the last guests to arrive. Some young people had chosen to view the requirement to attend as a request and not a mandate. Crews of Wyvern citizens were rounding up those who hadn't chosen to attend.

The atmosphere was electric. Not with anger at being delayed or required to come. Those transported to the party quickly helped themselves to a drink and some of the bountiful appetizers. It wasn't often that anyone had time to indulge.

The music coming from the group of talented wyvern citizen grew louder signaling that the last guest had arrived. Ciel nudged Aurora when an exotic-looking woman in her mid-twenties was escorted into the gathering in her nightshirt. Fuzzy animal slippers on her feet completed the outfit. She looked adorable. As she turned around, Ciel could see the rampant fear on her face.

Instantly, Ciel started forward, followed by Aurora, who must also have seen the same expression on the woman's face. When Argenis tried to stop her, she shook her head and dodged around him, knowing that she would be in big trouble later. The crowd swelled onto the dance floor.

Ciel rose onto her tiptoes to keep the woman in sight. Finally, she reached her side, with Aurora right after her. "Hey. It's okay. I'm Ciel."

"I didn't want to come. They made me." The new arrival's voice shook with emotion and her green eyes welled with tears.

"Everyone is required to be here. It's okay. You can stay with us," Ciel said, waving a hand at Aurora. "You've got two new friends. This is Aurora."

"Lady Ciel. I have this," Abby, their housekeeper, who had made Ciel's dress and many others, said from behind her. She held out a garment. "I brought this just in case. It will fit over her shirt."

"You are a lifesaver, Abby. Here. Let me help you." Ciel and Aurora guided the newcomer's arms into the dress and pulled it around her to belt in the front. It covered her perfectly.

"Thank you," the woman whispered.

"We're glad to help. What's your name?" Aurora asked.

"Lalani."

"What a pretty name."

"Who are those guys?" Lalani asked.

Ciel glanced over her shoulder to see Argenis and Drake positioned behind them. "Those are our dragon mates. They're good guys."

A voice shouted over the hubbub of chatter, announcing that the main buffet was open. The crowd around them surged toward the side of the room, where a delicious aroma emanated. Jostled by the hungry town's people, Ciel wrapped her arms around Lalani to keep her with them and felt Aurora hug them both.

The small cluster was drawn away from the dragons, who tried to move through the crowd. A man smelling like he had bathed in whisky bulldozed his way past them to get to the food.

"Oh!" Off-balance, Ciel teetered and fell to her knees. Aurora and Lalani tumbled as well. And they clung to each other, trying to get to their feet.

A roar stopped the crowd in their tracks. Argenis. A second joined in. Drake. Ciel took advantage of the break from the crush of the group to haul herself and the others to their feet. When a third roar joined the two familiar ones, a shiver of awareness zinged down her spine.

"Who's that?" Aurora asked as Drake and Argenis reached them.

"Me," a deep voice sounded behind them.

Everyone turned to see Khadar take his place around the group. Ciel looked at Aurora, trying to figure out what was going on. An audible inhale of surprise drew her attention back to the young woman, they'd just met. She looked at Lalani and up at Khadar. Could she be…

"Back to our original protected spot," Argenis ordered. "Khadar, you guard from the rear."

The crowd split to form a space before the two glowering dragons led the way back to the raised dais. Cocooned in the middle, Ciel, Aurora, and Lalani walked easily to the secluded spot. Ciel spotted Abby along the route and snaked a hand out to pull their housekeeper into the protected group.

Once they were past, the crowd resumed their movement to the buffet tables. From her position on the dais, Ciel could see that most weren't out of control or bullying. The sheer number was simply overwhelming.

Argenis wrapped his arms around Ciel and lifted her from her feet. He pressed his mouth against her ear to growl, "You, Little Sky, will not sit easily for several days."

"I had to help," Ciel tried to excuse herself. She turned to check on Lalani when he set her back on the ground.

Khadar stood in front of the once frightened woman directly in Ciel's view. Even viewing her from the back, Ciel could tell that Kalani stood straighter now as she stared at the massive dragon shifter. A green light flashed from Khadar's eyes and he dropped to one knee in front of Lalani.

"His mate," Ciel whispered.

"So it appears," Argenis confirmed.