20. Nik

Ioverslept. When I open my eyes, the space beside me is empty, the sheets still warm with the memory of Sam’s body. Sunlight glares through the bay windows, filling the white room with a radiance that borders on painful. Last night, we fell asleep in each other’s arms, her presence a balm to my troubled soul, filling my heart with an inexplicable sense of peace. Is this what it feels like to have found my mate?

It is.

Sluggishly, I rise from the bed, reality crashing over me with each blundering step towards the shower. As the cool water pours over my head and trickles down my face, I try to come to terms with the truth. This is who I am, who I’m meant to be, no matter what happens. The blood of the dragon lineage courses through my veins, a legacy I can no longer deny.

As I brush my teeth, I notice a subtle difference in my reflection. Leaning closer to the mirror, I bare my teeth, my eyes widening at the sight of pointy fangs. Fear and uncertainty churn in my gut. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m flying blind into uncharted territory. But as I head downstairs, I cling to the one conviction that anchors me: this is my destiny, my birthright.

Gods, it’s so late. Sam let me sleep in, a gesture that fills me with warmth and gratitude. She’s amazing, a true wonder. I can’t imagine anyone else standing by my side after learning that their boyfriend is about to turn into a fire-breathing beast. But Sam’s not the type to run from a challenge. I should have known that from the moment I saw her smash that bottle at the nightclub.

A smile curls my lips at the memory, a snicker escaping me as I shake my head. Fuck, I love her. It’s as simple and profound as that. I love her with every fiber of my being, with a depth and intensity that threatens to consume me.

The sound of activity draws me towards the kitchen, my heartbeat picking up speed as anticipation rattles through me. I long to see Sam, to hold her in my arms and kiss her senseless.

I enter the room silently, my breath catching in my throat at the sight that greets me. Sam stands behind the kitchen aisle, a piping bag in her hand as she carefully ices the top of a delicious-looking vanilla cake. Her phone sits nearby, a video of a famous pastry chef instructing her on the finer points of cake decoration.

My heart melts, a rush of emotion so powerful that it takes everything in me not to sweep her into my arms right then and there. Instead, I linger in the doorway, watching her work with unbridled enthusiasm, a side of her that few people get to see. This fierce, ruthless woman, who once threatened to stab a man with a broken bottle, is also sweet and loyal, a beguiling contradiction that captivates me completely.

“Looks delicious,” I say playfully, a smile tugging at my lips.

Sam’s gaze snaps to mine, startled by my sudden appearance. But then her face lights up, her lips stretching into a delighted grin. “It’s keto-friendly, too.” She snickers. “Happy birthday,” she says with a shrug, a subtle pink hue tinging her cheeks.

I cross the room in a few long strides, slipping my arm around her waist the moment I’m close enough. Her body yields against mine, soft and pliant, the pastry sleeve falling forgotten onto the counter. “I... I’m not done yet... with the...” she mumbles, her eyes darkening with lust as they meet mine.

Unable to resist, I swipe my finger through the icing, gathering a dollop of sweetness before bringing it to her lips. Her mouth parts, allowing me to slip my finger inside, and I watch with rapt attention as she tastes the frosting. Then, before she can react, I lean in and capture her mouth with mine, my tongue teasing her lips apart and lapping at hers with tender strokes. The flavor of vanilla mingles with the unique taste of her, intoxicating me, stoking the embers of desire that always seem to smolder between us.

Slowly, reluctantly, I pull back, a smile playing at the corners of my mouth. “As I said,” I purr, my voice low and rough, “delicious.”

Sam takes a shaky breath, her eyes wide and dazed. “Whoa...” she whispers, pressing a hand to her chest. “That was nice.”

I scowl, feigning offense. “Nice?”

“More than nice,” she concedes, smoothing her hand along my arm, her touch soothing and electric all at once. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m good,” I lie, not wanting to burden her with my worries, my fears about what’s coming.

She licks her lips, a gesture that sends a bolt of heat straight to my core, before taking my hand and leading me to the breakfast room. We sit by the window, the sunlight casting a warm glow over her features, making her look even more ethereal than usual.

“So... I have a plan,” she says, her voice brimming with confidence.

Surprise flickers through me, followed by a rush of affection. “A plan?” I echo, shaking my head. “Sam, really. I don’t think we can prepare for any of this. Not when we don’t have a clue what’ll happen. No one alive has ever witnessed a Draken shift into his beast.”

“And that’s where you’re wrong,” she counters, leaning closer, her eyes alight with a knowing gleam. “There is someone who’s witnessed a dragon shift. And not only that,” she pauses for effect, her lips curving into a secretive smile, “she married him.”

My eyes widen, awe and disbelief clashing within me. How did I not think of it sooner? “Juliette Deveraux,” I mumble, meeting Sam’s gaze head-on. “You spoke with the Grand Witch who just came back from the grave?” The thought makes me dizzy, but then again, it could just be my dragon awakening.

“I did,” Sam confirms, her tone dry and matter-of-fact. “But don’t worry. I told her nothing. I simply said I was curious as a witch to learn these things. And she was more than helpful.” Pride and satisfaction radiate from her, a grin splitting her face. “And now, I have a plan.”

“Okay,” I breathe, my throat going dry as the reality of my impending shift hits me once more. “Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

Sam flinches, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. “Really? You’ll do as I say?” A mischievous glint enters her eyes, her lips twitching with barely suppressed amusement. “In that case, my first order for you is that we have some cake. After I sing to you Happy Birthday.”

I can’t help but smile, her playful demeanor chasing away the shadows of my fear, if only for a moment. “You’re gonna sing to me?”

“Mm-hmm,” Sam nods, her nose crinkling adorably. “And you’ll have to pretend to like it, as I’m a terrible singer.”

I reach out and take her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips and pressing a tender kiss to her knuckles. “I don’t think you could be terrible at anything, even if you tried.”

A blush stains Sam’s cheeks, a rosy hue that makes my heart skip a beat.

“I’m so happy you’re here…” I tell her, my voice rough with emotion. In my life, I add silently, the words too big, too profound to voice aloud.

“I have a gift for you,” she whispers, her tone low and intimate, sending a shiver down my spine.

“A gift?” I start, surprise and wonder filling me. “Sam, you’ve already spoiled me enough.”

“It’s never enough,” she insists, her voice stern and unyielding. “Anyway, you’ve earned it.”

Laughter bubbles up in my throat, clear and joyous. “Earned it?” I ask, my eyebrows shooting up in astonishment.

“Yeah,” she confesses, utterly shameless. “I wouldn’t be spoiling you had you turned out to be a jerk.” She grins, throwing me a mischievous look that tells me she’s not lying.

“Oh, I’ve seen how you treat jerks,” I taunt, memories of that fateful night at the club flashing through my mind. “I’m just glad there are no bottles nearby.”

She punches my arm, her lips pursing in a pout that I find utterly adorable. “That guy had it coming!”

“Ow!” I laugh, rubbing my arm in mock pain. “I know! I was there, remember?”

“Anyway,” she continues, her eyes sparkling with excitement, “your gift.”

“Yeah?” Curiosity burns through me, my heart racing in anticipation.

She slips her hand under the table, pulling out a classic red square jewelry box with gold detailing. Cartier.

“Sam,” I breathe, stunned by the sight, by the implication of such an extravagant gift.

She tilts her head, delight dancing in her eyes as she takes in my astonishment. “Don’t worry. I’m not proposing,” she teases, grinning devilishly.

I crack a smile, even as my heart clenches with a bittersweet longing. If only she were...

“Open it,” she urges, her voice soft and expectant.

With trembling fingers, I take the box and flip it open, my breath catching in my throat at the sight that greets me. There, nestled in the velvet lining, is a signet ring, the embodiment of my family’s ancient legacy. The gold ring bears a meticulously chiseled dragon in a rampant pose, its wings spread wide and its mouth open in a silent roar. Flames curl around the beast, while tiny ruby eyes gleam with lifelike intensity. Intricate Celtic knotwork surrounds the dragon, and at the base, a motto is inscribed: “In Flammis Gloriam.” In flames, glory.

“Wow,” I mumble, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness, the significance of such a gift.

Sam gives me a half-smile, her eyes shining with emotion. “I thought it would be fitting,” she says softly. “I never imagined it would be so fitting.” She slides closer, her hand coming up to cup the side of my face, her touch gentle and reverent. “You’re the first dragon shifter in three hundred years, Nik. You might be the last dragon the world ever sees.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, tears burning at the back of my eyes. I swallow hard, trying to master the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

With infinite tenderness, Sam slips the ring onto my finger, the metal cool and heavy against my skin. “Never forget who you are,” she whispers, her voice fierce with conviction. “Happy birthday, babe.”

I tighten my grip on her hand, my anchor in a sea of uncertainty. “I don’t know if I’ll be the last dragon the world ever sees,” I tell her, my voice raw and trembling. “But I know I’m the luckiest man in the world... because I have you.”

And then I’m kissing her, slowly, tenderly, pouring all the love and gratitude and wonder I feel into the press of my lips against hers. Her peace washes over me, filling me up, chasing away the fears and doubts that plague me.

With Sam by my side, I feel like I can face anything. Even the terrifying unknown of my first shift.

Because together, we are unstoppable. Unbreakable.

And that is the greatest gift of all.