The dragons certainly were dramatic.
Ryker
I felt the same way the first time I saw a dragon.
*fire emoji* If you see Therian…
She didn’t finish the sentence, but Ryker knew what she was asking. Therian Firebreath had also participated in the Choosing. He was married to Hallie, a Fortune Elf and one of Brynleigh’s closest friends. Even though Brynleigh hadn’t said anything about it, she had to be missing Hallie.
I promise, I’ll try to talk to him.
The dragons were even closer now, and Ryker could make out the sharp points of their talons.
Slipping his phone into his pocket, he took several large steps back. The others did the same, pressing themselves against trees and buildings in an effort to clearthe center of the field.
The massive creatures landed one by one, causing tiny tremors like small earthquakes to rumble across the field.
When the tenth dragon, a smaller navy one, landed at the back, the black dragon leader smacked a foot on the ground. The dragons echoed the signal, thumping their tails three times. Then, iridescent white light erupted from all ten at once.
One moment, fire-breathing creatures of death stood before Ryker. The next, naked men and women had taken their place. Several soldiers ran forward, each bearing a bundle of clothes. Within minutes, the dragon shifters were dressed.
Someone called Ryker’s name. He turned as Therian Firebreath strode towards him. The shifter’s long legs ate the distance between them in seconds.
Despite everything else that had happened recently, Ryker smiled. He’d grown close to the dragon shifter over the course of the Choosing.
“Good to see you, Waterborn,” the dragon shifter said.
“Likewise.” Ryker gave Therian a one-armed hug. “Although I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.”
Very few people in the Republic truly understood what participating in the Choosing was like. Something about being put under the societal microscope changed a person.
“Same.” Therian shook out his blond hair as someone called his name in the distance. He lifted a hand, signaling he’d be right over, before turning back to Ryker. “I’m glad I caught you. Hallie’s been so worried about Brynleigh. We were sorry to hear she got sick so soon after the wedding.”
Ryker’s mouth dried. “Yes, she was… indisposed.” Not exactly a lie, but the words still tasted like dirt. “But she’s feeling better now. I’m looking after her.”
He would never stop looking after her.
The other night, when Brynleigh had gone on a job from Jelisette after Ryker had specifically asked her to stay in the apartment, he worried about her all night long. He hadn’t slept until she texted him that she was safe and back at the apartment.
Although Ryker’s body was in Sandhaven, his heart was back in Golden City.
“Excellent.” Therian clapped Ryker on the back, and the fae winced. That would definitely bruise. No wonder the Carinoc Division was so well respected. “My wife will be delighted to hear that. We’ll see you at the Reunion, right?”
Ryker’s eyes widened, and he inwardly cursed. By the Sands, he’d completely forgotten about that.
Roughly two months after the last wedding took place, Choosing participants gathered for one last celebration. It was the final send-off into the world for the new couples and the closing ceremony of the Choosing. Like the rest of the marriage competition, it would be broadcast to the entire Republic. With everything else going on, it had slipped Ryker’s mind.
Forgetfulness wasn’t sufficient cause for missing the Reunion, though. He could already hear his mother’s sharp voice in his mind.
Waterborns do not fail. Waterborns do not cause scenes. Waterborns attend all social events required of them, even if they do not care to attend because they are the public face of the Central Region fae.
Tertia was already angry with him. He wouldn’t dare risk incurring more of his mother’s wrath.
“When is it?” he asked Therian.
“Three weeks from tomorrow,” the dragon shifter said.
Ryker mentally cataloged that information and nodded. “We’ll be there.”