Chapter Ten: Varn

Walking away from his mate was the hardest thing he'd ever have to do.

Not turning around to take one last look at her was the second.

But Varn knew that if he did turn around, if he had one more glimpse of her standing on her aunt's porch, his resolve would evaporate and he would run back to her, take her in his arms, and carry her away so they would never be apart.

And that would likely lead to trouble.

Not only with his mate, who had her own life and made her own decisions, but also with her family.

Kidnapping is not cool, his dragon agreed.

Although, part of him was sure that Carys would not protest too much. As they held hands and kissed beneath the stars, he was certain that she didn't want him to leave.

Varn sighed, and his breath came out as a plume of silvery mist in the crisp evening air. The twinkling lights strung along the eaves of the quaint cottages lining the street, reminding him it was the season of good cheer. And he had plenty to be cheerful about.

All he had to do was get through the night and then tomorrow he would see her again.

His mate. The one he had been searching for.

It was hard to believe it was true.

But it was. He laughed out loud, not caring how stupid he might look. What did he care when he had found his mate at last? Now he was finally complete.

He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his shearling jacket and quickened his pace, boots crunching on the frosty cobblestones.

On his way home, he would buy her a gift. Or two.

Or maybe three, his dragon said happily.

Nothing too much.

No engagement ring? His dragon sounded disappointed.

No, I think we need to leave it a little longer, Varn said, his heart skipping a beat at the thought of marrying his mate. Of raising a family together.

Of building a home. One filled with love, just like Elsbeth's cozy cottage.

But maybe without the witches , his dragon added. And perhaps with a more refined interior.

Varn chuckled. Don't forget, our mate is a witch.

A beautiful, beguiling creature who had cast her spell on him the instant he sensed her.

As he rounded the corner onto Main Street, the scent of cinnamon and cloves wafted from a late-night bakery, mingling with the tang of salt blowing in from the bay. For once, Varn couldn't help but appreciate the cozy charm of Wishing Moon Bay during the holidays. Garlands of evergreen boughs and ruby red ribbons adorned the lampposts, and snowflakes drifted down from the night sky, landing lightly on his clothes and hair.

Varn paused outside the window of Wishing Moon Gifts, his gaze drawn to a display of delicate glass ornaments. One in particular caught his eye—a pendant of a shimmering crescent moon cradling a tiny star. It reminded him of the way Carys fit so perfectly in his arms, like she was always meant to be there.

Without hesitation, he pushed open the door, a cheerful bell announcing his arrival. The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with searching eyes and silver hair piled in a bun, greeted him with a knowing smile.

"Looking for something special for your sweetheart?" she asked as if she knew exactly why he was here in the store. "Late nights are the perfect times to lose oneself with thoughts of those we love."

Varn felt his cheeks flush, still marveling at the idea that he had a sweetheart—a mate—after all these years. "I am," he replied gruffly. "That moon and star in the window. Can I see it, please?"

The shopkeeper carefully plucked the delicate ornament from the window display and held it out to him. "This one was made for you, dear. I can feel it. And I have a sense for these kinds of things."

Varn accepted the ornament, cradling it gently in his palm. The glass felt cool against his hot skin, and as he peered closer, he swore he could see the star pulsing with a faint, magical light. "It's perfect," he murmured.

"She'll love it," the woman said with a conspiratorial wink. "Now, is there anything else you need? Perhaps a scarf to keep her warm on chilly nights such as this?"

Carys won't need a scarf. Tell her we intend to keep her warm, his dragon said.

"Just this, please." Varn handed the ornament back to the shopkeeper and pulled out his wallet. As she carefully wrapped the gift in tissue paper, his mind drifted away as he imagined the look on Carys's face when he gave it to her.

The way her mouth would curl up at the corners as she smiled, the way she would lean in and kiss him on the cheek. His eyes dilated as he conjured up the scent of her…

He cleared his throat as the shop's cash register pinged loudly.

After paying, Varn tucked the small package into his jacket pocket and stepped back out into the crisp night air. The full moon had risen higher now. He inhaled deeply, the mingled scents of the sea and holiday spices filling his lungs.

As he stood there in the middle of the street, the temptation to run back to Elsbeth's house was almost too much.

Only a few measly hours, his dragon said impatiently. Then we can see her again.

I wish I could sense her, Varn said with a sigh. I wish I could lock onto her presence and hold on to it. To know she was still there. Perhaps that's how shifters can normally bear to be away from their mates.

I'd like to know why we can't sense her , his dragon said as Varn resisted temptation and headed through town toward the apartment block Ash owned.

He had only met Ash a handful of times, and he was grateful to Flint for arranging the accommodation. It had been a long time since he'd stayed in one place for more than a couple of nights; as he searched for his mate, he'd often holed up in places that he previously would never have dreamed of staying, such as caves or old deserted buildings, seeking solitude.

You mean brooding , his dragon said.

Yes, brooding, Varn replied.

But that was behind him.

However, brooding was now the last thing on his mind as he headed toward the steep hill, which would head along the high cobble road toward Ash's apartment block.

He wanted to shout from the rooftops and roar from the highest mountain peak. I have a mate!

People will think you have been drinking too much of Morwenna's bread bear, his dragon told him with a chuckle.

My mood has nothing to do with liquor, Varn said. Oh, wine!

He stopped and stared at a display of beautiful wine bottles. Their contents seemed to glow, their contents a rich ruby color that swirled like the ocean tides behind the wide glass window of the storefront.

Wine, chocolate, flowers, weren't those the kind of romantic gifts a man gave his sweetheart?

Would that be a more appropriate gift?

The moon and star are perfect , his dragon told him.

But maybe they are too much, too soon, Varn said, doubting himself. Something a bit less personal might be more appropriate.

She'll love them , his dragon assured him. But the wine and anything else certainly wouldn't hurt.

Varn tensed his jaw then turned and strode back to the store door and pushed it open. There was no harm in covering all bases.

As Varn stepped inside and headed for the shelves filled with various wines, the shopkeeper bustled over. "Ah, I see you have an eye for the finer things! That there is a special vintage, infused with just a touch of magic."

Varn raised an eyebrow. "Magic, you say?"

"Indeed! The grapes were grown in a witch's vineyard, tended by gentle nature spirits. Or so the story goes," the man said with a conspiratorial wink. "They say sharing a bottle with your true love will strengthen your bond."

A slow smile spread across Varn's face as he pictured himself and Carys curled up by the fire, sipping the enchanted wine. "I'll take a bottle then. The best one you have."

The shopkeeper beamed, seemingly happy with his late-night sale, as he carefully selected a bottle, wrapping it in shimmering gold tissue. "And chocolates?" He nodded toward another section of the store. "Made from the finest cocoa harvested under the light of the full moon. And infused with a love potion. Guaranteed to melt even the most stubborn of hearts."

Varn chuckled, shaking his head. "I think I've got that part covered, but I'll take a small box. Just in case."

"Wise choice, my friend. One can never have too much ammunition in the game of love." The man winked knowingly as he added an elegant box of truffles to Varn's purchase.

After paying for his gifts, Varn stepped back out into the night, his arms now laden with beautifully wrapped packages. The weight of them felt good, tangible proof that this was real—he had found his mate, and tomorrow he would shower her with gifts.

His dragon shook his head. We are the only gift she needs.

I don't know , Varn replied. Carys has traveled far and wide, she has dined in castles, slept in palaces…

But they were nothing compared to a lover's arms, his dragon said firmly. She is our mate. Our perfect match. No castle or palace can compare to that. Though…anything to see her smile.

Varn smiled softly, knowing his dragon spoke the truth. Still, he wanted to spoil Carys, to show her how much she meant to him already.

Lost in thought, he barely noticed the short walk up the steep hill and along the clifftop road to the apartment building. It was only when he stood before the unassuming squat building that he paused, glancing up at the brick facade while the ocean breeze left salt on his lips.

Lips that had kissed his mate for the first time. Lips that would worship her body…

"Varn." A dragon shifter stood in the open doorway. Varn had been so lost in thought he hadn't sensed Ash approaching. "I hear congratulations are in order."

Varn glanced down at the gifts he was holding in his arms. News sure traveled fast. "Thanks."

"The Regulars were talking about how The Lonely Tavern strikes again!" Ash waved his hands about theatrically.

Varn tightened his hold on the gifts he'd bought for his mate. "I don't know if it was The Lonely Tavern or not. But whatever it is that brought us back together at last, I'm grateful. More grateful than you could ever know."

"Oh, I think I have an idea." Ash stepped back and beckoned Varn inside. "Come on, let's get you settled. Flint said you were only staying for a few days, but considering recent developments, if you want to stay longer, the apartment is yours for as long as you need it."

"That's rather kind of you, Ash." Varn followed his fellow dragon shifter inside.

There must be something in the water in Wishing Moon Bay , his dragon said. The dragon shifters who live here are…mellower than those on Cairnnor.

Or maybe it's because Ash and Flint have found their mates already , Varn replied. And that has profoundly changed them.

I cannot wait to be profoundly changed , Varn's dragon said.

Me neither , Varn chuckled to himself.

"Ah, the look of a newly mated shifter," Ash said with a glance over his shoulder as they descended the stairs deeper into the cliffside, the white walls of the complex giving an airy feel even in the darkness of night.

"Is it that obvious?" Varn asked, smoothing out his expression. He was never one to give anything away. But the smile on his face refused to fade.

"More obvious to one who has been where you are," Ash replied as he led him along a corridor, past several doors, before he came to a stop. "This is you."

Ash inserted a key into the door and swung it open, then handed the key to Varn.

"Thank you." Varn bowed his head. "It's been such a rush today after finally meeting her."

"As long as you need," Ash reiterated. "And when you are ready, we would love to have you both over for dinner." Ash stepped back.

Dinner. His dragon puffed smoke out in a long plume. Suddenly, life seems so…different.

"Dinner would be…good." Varn nodded awkwardly.

I don't think we have ever been invited to dinner before, Varn agreed. Not in the casual sense, anyway. Dinner was normally a codeword for some formal meeting.

We might be visiting the wine and chocolate store again, his dragon said happily.

"Well, I'll leave you to get settled. I'm sure you'll find where everything is without me giving you the tour." Ash eyed the door along the corridor.

He can't wait to get back to his mate. Varn's dragon chuckled.

And who could blame him? Varn stood in the doorway as Ash headed home.

The apartment was modern, open, and inviting, with a plush sofa, a generous kitchen and dining area, and large windows that overlooked Wishing Moon Bay. The moon was shining down on the ocean waves, making them shimmer like silver far below.

Like all the wishes that had been made over the centuries were alive.

What a view, his dragon said.

I can't wait to share this with Carys. Varn turned away from the view and carefully set his precious gifts on the coffee table before shrugging out of his jacket and draping it over a chair.

Was this his life now? Apartment buildings and dinner invitations? It was a far cry from the solitary existence he'd led for so long, always on the move, never putting down roots. And even before that, when it was filled with dignitaries and big formal events.

In some ways, it was everything he always wanted.

But a small voice inside him, one that did not belong to his dragon, disagreed. Was he truly cut out for a suburban life?

Moreover, was Carys?

But these were things they would talk about and discuss in the coming days. And really, whatever Carys wanted, he'd be happy with. As long as they were together. Forever.