Michelle Hasker

Thunder crashed and lightening streaked across the sky. Fat, cold rain drops landed on her watercolor making the colors run.

"I was so damn close to finishing."

Polly grabbed the canvas and easel and raced them back to her cottage. Once the painting was safe inside, she hurried back out, trying to stay under the large oak trees as she ran back to her supplies. In a matter of minutes she was soaked completely through her cotton blouse and skirt, but she ignored the increasing rain as she carried everything back to the house.

One last trip to the front door, and she sighed with relief. She'd gotten everything inside before it had gotten ruined. She quickly cleaned her supplies and turned to look for the cat.

"Well, Satan, what shall we have for dinner? Tuna? Satan?" Polly turned around and looked for the stubborn black cat. Where had he gotten to now? Deidre had warned her that the cat was afraid of storms and water when she'd dropped him off for the weekend. Deidre had conveniently forgotten to mention how much trouble he was. Had he slipped outside and gotten caught in the storm?

Polly raced back to the door and yanked it open as a flash of lightening illuminated the area outside the house. A ball of black shot under a bush, and streaked across the grass toward the forest.

"No! Satan, come back!"

Polly growled in frustration and grabbed an umbrella and flashlight as she ran out the door after the stupid cat. Her friend had the right idea when she named the cat Satan. It had been nothing but trouble since Deidre had dropped it off.

"Here, kitty, kitty," she called, trying to be heard over the rumble of thunder that shook the trees. Damn, it sounded like the storm was right on top of them.

Where had that stupid feline gotten off to? It wasn't as if she didn't like cats. Hell, she'd had one as a familiar once, but this cat was nothing but trouble. If he didn't show up soon, she'd lock him indoors for the rest of the weekend when she finally found him. Good company my ass!

Polly stopped and glanced around. She couldn't see a thing through the pouring rain, and now she was soaking wet. The temperatures were quickly dropping. She couldn't leave Satan out here. Could she?

A mournful meow came from the north. Was it the cat or her imagination, and why had it come from that direction? No! Not the cliffs! She hoped Satan had nine lives because no one walked the cliffs at night and lived to tell about it. It was rumored that druids still worshipped at the circle of stones, and Polly wasn't one to venture out and find out if it was true. She believed in minding her own business. But now, with this stupid cat, she'd be lucky to make it home before she drowned.

Damn that cat.

Polly pushed her body to the limits, and raced through the thick forest toward the cliffs. She knew for certain that Satan would be there. He was probably sitting on the sacrificial stone grooming himself and plotting more ways to wreck havoc in her life.

The rain increased in speed and ferocity as the clouds burst in a torrential downpour so thick she could barely see her own feet, the cold pellets stinging her flesh as they fell fast and furious. Polly slipped in the wet grass and fell, scraping her knees and hands on her way to the muddy forest floor.

"Damn it," she cursed and stumbled back to her feet.

With a grimace, she wiped the mud off her skirt and entered the circle of stones. She hurried toward the old altar, and sure enough, there he was. The stupid animal was perched in the middle of the slab, just like she'd predicted, grooming himself and looking as comfortable as could be.

"I thought you hated water."

Satan ignored her, and looked past her. Suddenly, he hissed and arched his back, sending a frisson of fear through her. The hair on the back of her neck rose as Polly turned around slowly. She gasped when several people dressed in long white robes advanced through the large standing stones. They were headed straight toward her. She tried to retreat but the backs of her knees hit the cold stone slab altar. Polly lost her balance and fell back onto the stone.

"Yes, she will be perfect," one of them said as soon as they drew close.

"Damn you, Satan. This is all your fault, you stupid cat."

The druids hesitated, one stepping forward and looking down at her with a frown. Polly gasped and tried to stand up only to slip and fall again. Her head bounced off the hard surface and pain ricocheted through her skull. Several hooded faces leaned over her, chanting, when a flash of lightening illuminated the man closest to her.

What a hunk. Why does he have rope?

"Yes, she's the perfect sacrifice."

He grinned and shoved a gag in her mouth when she tried to scream. Then he covered her eyes with his hand, and everything went dark.

***

Drops of warm rain splashed on her face. Polly moaned and tried to move away from the source, but froze when pain ripped through her body. Every inch of her body hurt. What the hell happened?

A crash of thunder filled the air and everything came rushing into clarity.

Satan!

That stupid cat. Polly remembered now. She'd slipped and fallen on the sacrifice stone. She must have hit her head hard enough to knock herself out. Judging by the pain in her head, neck and back, it wasn't a good idea to move yet, but it also wasn't smart to lay out here in the open, exposed to the elements, and worse.

Polly opened her eyes and squinted at the cloudy sky. Was it almost dusk or almost dawn? The sun had still been up before the storm had started, but she had no idea how long she'd been out here.

Had she been unconscious all night? She tried to sit up, but couldn't move. Her arms and legs wanted to cooperate, but couldn't. What the hell?

Panic sliced through her, tightening her throat and making her heart thunder in her chest. She looked around and froze when she noticed the large gold dragon staring at her. Dragon!

Polly stared at him, mesmerized. His scales were large and sparkled in the dawning light, as did several gems that appeared imbedded in between most of his scales. Gives new meaning to being loaded.

Dull, gold eyes watched her as if waiting. Did he want her to run so he could chase her? But she was tied. Was she dinner? Sacrifice! The druid's last words rang through her head. Oh my Goddess! They sacrificed me to a dragon!

He snorted, and smoke escaped from his elongated snout. Then his mouth moved and a long golden tongue snaked out past enormous, sharp teeth. Is he licking his lips? Oh dear Goddess! Polly struggled even harder. His teeth were almost as big as his claws. No wonder no one ever returned from the cliffs at night. Who'd have thought dragons were real and existed in this century?

The dragon's body began to shimmer. His scales looked as if they were moving. Blinded by the brightness, Polly closed her eyes and looked away. After a minute, she chanced a look back, and was stunned by the tall, blonde Adonis standing where the dragon had been. He had a well muscled, tanned body. What the hell? Where are his clothes? Was she dreaming? Of course she was. He looked exactly like the man she dreamt tied her to the altar.

"Can you pinch me? I think I'm dreaming, but you have me tied so well I can't reach to do it myself."

His eyebrows rose, as did the corner of his mouth, and she wondered why he was amused.

"Dream or not, if you think for one second that you can take advantage of me while I'm tied up here-"

"You have been chosen." The blonde god stepped closer.

"Chosen?" What the hell? Did her dreams have to be so realistic? Her gaze dropped below his waist and she flushed to see he was aroused. This had better be a dream.

"You are a gift to Dracen."

"Dracen? Gift? What?"

"One of the golden dragons that protects the isle."

"A dragon." She snorted. "I might be dreaming, but you're insane."

In the time it took her to blink, he moved so close to her that she could feel the heat coming off his body in waves. "I'm not insane. You're the chosen one."

Her breath hitched as desire coiled in her stomach and moisture pooled between her legs. Not only was he hot, but he was all yummy alpha male. After all these nights of hot erotic dreams that left her yearning for sex, she was ready to submit where and when he commanded. Yum. He took her hard and fast or slow and gentle, it didn’t matter as long as he put her out of her misery.

As he stepped closer, his nostrils flared. Panicked, she wondered if he could smell her desire. Polly tried to warn him off, but lost her train of thought as a rivulet of rain ran down his chest and disappeared into the fine hairs leading down to that long, thick cock.

"You're even more beautiful than I imagined," he whispered as he trailed his index finger down her arm.

She shivered when he slid his finger to the inside of her arm and moved it up. He brushed it against her bare breast and she gasped, arching her back. Breathless, she panted and tried to figure out when and where she lost her clothes. But since it was a dream, did it really matter?

"Are you going to tease me and vanish like the man does in my dreams?"

"I know not what you mean, lass." He leaned closer and licked his lips as he stared into her eyes. "But I do intend to make you mine."

"Oh, please."

He grinned and lowered his mouth to hers. He tasted sweet and salty, like a chocolate covered pretzel. If only she had some chocolate to drizzle all over him and lick off.

"You're an eager, lass."

His laugh brought her attention back to the matter at hand.

"And you're taking too long to pleasure me."

"Now that's what I like. A woman who knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to go after it."

"Then you better start making with the pleasuring, buster, before I skedaddle on out of here."

As he tugged on the ropes and smiled at her, she realized he thought he had her trapped good. She could play along. After all, if she was dreaming this, then somewhere deep in her subconscious she must have a yearning to play the helpless captive. She'd read a book with forced seduction and she'd hated it, but this... she wanted him too much to even think he was forcing anything. By the Goddess, she wanted him to force himself on her.

"Take a picture, bub. It'll last longer."

"What?" He stared at her, confusion marring his perfect features, but she pushed it aside.

"Are you going to make me feel like a woman, or just stand there ogling me?"

"You're a mouthy chit."

"And you're a tease. Standing there all hard and delicious, kissing me like you really mean it, and then not doing anything. How about another kiss, or something?"

"Oh, I'm going to do something to you. Lot's of somethings. But I might have to gag you first."

Polly laughed. She ignored the hurt on his face as she laughed even harder. "You're still talking instead of doing."

"Argh!" he growled, clearly frustrated with either her attitude or her comments, she couldn't tell which.

He moved in between her legs, his fingers brushing back and forth on the sensitive skin on the inside of her thighs as he stared at her.

"There are so many things I want to do to you, with you. I don't know where to start."

Polly snorted. "How about you start by kissing me again, or touching me? Hell, just do something."

Every second he stood there caressing her made her desire increased ten fold until she was filled with a hunger that threatened to overtake her. Finally, she growled and tried to thrust her body up toward him.

Her body was already primed for him. It had been since she recognized him from her previous dreams. Granted this was a far out there dream, but there was no way it was real. And this time, she’d hoped she’d find satisfaction.

His hands tightened, then moved upward, cupping and squeezing her breasts, tugging on her nipples and licking his lips as he stared at the hardening peeks. Polly strained against the ropes as she arched toward him, wanting - needing more.

"Yes," she hissed in pleasure when his mouth closed on one nipple and sucked on it while he continued to caress her.

For once, she was very grateful for her over active imagination. As he kissed, licked and nibbled his way lower, she moaned and wriggled, straining against the binds and enjoying the way she felt being held at his mercy.

"Mine," he growled as he nuzzled her mound.

"Yes," she whispered as she instinctively thrust up to meet him.

"I've searched through time for you, waited centuries to hold you in my arms. I'm not ever letting you go."

Polly wanted to melt into a puddle. Maybe she did. "Pretty words will get you anywhere."

"You have a strange way of talking."

"And you, my good man, are the one doing too much talking this time."

He chuckled against her mons, sending a delicious tremor through her body. Polly moaned and clenched her fists, bucking against the restraints.

"Please, oh please." She might not have had first hand experience at this, but she'd read a lot of books. She was as ready as she was going to be. In fact, if he didn't take her soon she'd die from the hunger clawing at her belly.

He slid his finger along her nether lips, coating it in her juices and rubbing the tip of his finger on her clit.

"I can smell your desire. I can't tell you how pleased I am that you accept me, accept this, so willingly."

Polly growled and yanked her arms again. "Then please, please, please, put me out of my misery."

"With pleasure," he whispered, lips brushing against her folds, then his tongue. As he licked at her, tasting her, devouring her with his mouth, he slid one finger in her sheath.

As he manipulated her body, drawing loud moans and breathless pleas from her, she felt a tingling all over. Every muscle tensed. She was on the edge, hanging over the precipice. He worked his fingers in her, stretching her for his cock. Her mouth watered at the thought of that big thick cock buried deep in her. In her mouth or in her pussy, it didn't matter, she just wanted him.

Before she could understand what was happening, a delicious thrill raced through her and she cried out in sheer pleasure at the magnitude of sensation that swept through her. White hot pleasure wrapped her in its embrace.

He kissed her gently on the lips, and then she felt the tip of his cock nudging against her still throbbing and too sensitive clit. She cried out and bit her lip, desire building again, and more rapidly now that she knew what pleasure would come.

As he slipped inside, she wriggled at the uncomfortable pressure.

"Shhh. It will only hurt for a minute, if that," he whispered as he slowly inched his way in.

Polly hated the agonizingly slow pace he took. Cursing the binds, she struggled against them and tried to draw him in deeper. But then he hesitated, pulled back, and thrust in hard and fast. Pain flared and shot through her so fast it left her breathless. Even as he whispered soothing words, and gently stroked her face, feathering kisses on her lips and cheeks, she realized one thing. This was no dream.

Staring at him in stunned realization, she tried to comprehend what happened. How could she have fallen in the rain at the standing stones in a meadow on the edge of a forest, and woken on a large stone near a cave with a golden dragon staring at her who took the form of a human and stole her virginity. Okay, maybe she'd handed it to him on a silver platter, but he was the man in her dreams. How was this possible?

As she tried to think of something to say, he started to move again, his cock pressing against the walls of her canal, stretching and filling her. He felt so good all thoughts of protest fled. When he began to move in and out, she whimpered and tightened around him, reaching for that release she wanted to experience again.

"That's it, sweetheart. Feel how good this is, how right it feels? We were made for each other."

The feel of his hands on her breasts, his mouth on her neck, and his shaft deep inside her, was almost more than she could bear.

"Oh, Goddess," she moaned as her muscles tightened again. Tremors raced through her, and she exploded again, crying out as she fought to free her arms to grab onto her lover.

He shouted as he rammed in her hard and fast. One second he was her blonde, tanned lover, the next he was a large golden dragon, then he was human again, his cock still buried deep inside her.

"What the friggin' hell?"

He groaned and rested his head on her chest. "I'm sorry. I should have had better control than that."

"Better control? You're a friggin' dragon and you're real and this is all real and how did I get here and where is here?" She knew she spoke too fast, but she couldn't stop. If she did she might lose what little control she had left.

"I thought you understood. I thought you accepted this and what we are. You really don't know what you're doing here?" He looked genuinely puzzled, and she couldn't blame him. She was confused too. Had she gone over the deep end?

"I'm sorry, Polly. I thought you were ready. I thought...well, it doesn't matter what I thought, does it? I was wrong."

Silently, he waved his hands and the binds dropped away. She wanted to cover herself, but realized he'd seen it all anyway. Well at least she'd gotten to experience sex and an orgasm before they put a straight jacket on her.

"I have to go see about something. I'll have a female attend to you. Perhaps that will make you feel more comfortable. When I return we can discuss this further."

"But."

He shook his head and shifted his form. He flew into the air without another word, or glance back.

"Hi, Polly. I'm Delphyne. I'm going to help you clean up. The ritual can be pretty emotionally draining. I know several of us were very confused at our first one, but if the mating is true, then your bond has already begun. We'll see."

Polly stared at the woman that had approached unseen. Where had she come from and what she was talking about?

"Come, Dracen awaits. We don't have much time."

Polly looked down at the ropes on the ground as she rubbed her wrists. Dragons. What else? She looked up at the stranger. Next to Delphyne she looked like a ragamuffin. Delphyne had tanned skinned and long blonde hair. And she held up a white gown. Polly gratefully pulled it on and waited to hear what they had in store for her next.

"Come."

Completely out of her element, Polly followed the golden beauty as she led her into the cave. Nothing looked as she remembered. How had they gotten her here? Wherever here was.

"Where are we going?"

The woman didn't answer, but Polly didn't really care. To say she was confused would be an understatement. She was completely out of her element, and her body still hummed from that glorious lovemaking. Did it really matter where they were taking her at this point?

Delphyne stopped for a minute and looked at her. "I know it's a lot to take in all at once, but you've actually been through the hardest part."

Before she could ask what that meant, Delphyne dragged her deeper in the cave. Torches flared to life as they walked, and extinguished once they passed. Before things could get any weirder they came an opening to the outside. Had they walked through the entire mountain that fast?

Delphyne tugged on her arm and led her into a thick, dark forest. Once they were a few feet into the woods another golden creature joined them, this one a male. He grabbed Polly's other arm and hooked his through it as he smiled.

"You're so lucky to be Dracen's chosen one." Delphyne squeezed her hand, probably in a gesture meant to reassure her. "Many of our women have been hungering for a taste of him, and now you'll get all of him for yourself."

"Excuse me?" Polly tried to pull away even as their hold on her arms tightened.

"Dragons not only mate for life, but they mate once."

"Oh, but you're wrong. I'm not meant to be with a dragon. I'm human."

"So are we. Sometimes. Besides, hon, it's a little late to protest now. You already completed the mating ceremony with him." Delphyne must have felt a little sympathy for her, because she sighed and then continued. "The druids have been helping our kind find mates for years. It helps keep the peace between us. A dragon without a mate is less stable, more prone to terrorizing the humans. We haven't had a dragon turn bad since we made our pact with the druids a century ago."

What kind of dream is this? I must have hit my head harder than I thought. There's no place like home, no place like home, "no place like home."

"What?" Delphyne missed a step but quickly recovered.

"Nothing." Polly blushed. This was just too wacky to be real. Dragons and druids? The chosen one?

They stopped at a secluded spot with several pools of water with steam rising from them. She hoped they were natural hot tubs, because she really needed a soak. The pools were nestled near the side of the mountain with a thick shelter of trees surrounding it. It made the area feel almost isolated.

Polly drew in a deep unsteady breath and tried to focus. She needed to calm down and evaluate the situation. Her goddess would never abandon her. If this was what she had planned for her, then she would do her best to live with the Goddess' wishes.

"This is bathing chamber. Delphyne will see to your needs and prepare you for the ceremony," her other escort said.

Polly thought about protesting. For about ten seconds. She wanted to soak in that water to ease the slight discomfort from her mating with the gold dragon. Once both her escorts had turned their backs, she removed the borrowed dress and sank gratefully into the water. She sighed and rested her head on a pillow Delphyne quickly slipped under her head.

Oh yeah, she could get used to this.

"So tell me about this ceremony and about Dracen," Polly asked as she slipped lower in the water. She might as well find out as much as she could about the situation her Goddess had placed her in.

"He's the leader of our flight. We are but one of many that guard Ireland and help keep it safe. But if we don't find our mate before we reach a certain age, the males especially, go berserk and tend to wreck havoc on the very land we've vowed to protect. The druids know this, and they make offerings of virgins in the hope our dragon males find potential mates."

"Instead of destroying Ireland."

"Right." Delphyne nodded.

"But what if one of the virgins doesn't like the dragons or doesn't wish to be with one? Doesn't she have a say in this?" Polly asked. From the sounds of things it was too late to change her mind, though.

"You already had your say." Delphyne grinned. "Rather enthusiastically, too I might add."

"I thought I was dreaming. Besides, I had no clue there was anyone spying on us."

"Don't get angry." Delphyne shook her head. "It's the mating ritual. It needs to be observed. I was actually there to make sure he didn't take you against your will."

"So I'd have been freed if I'd refused him?" Polly's heart tightened at the though of never seeing her golden haired lover again. But remembering he was dragon steeled her reserve.

"But you didn't."

Polly glared at Delphyne.

"Okay, if you had refused him, then we'd have brought another male before you. And then another and another until you didn't refuse one of them."

"And you once went through this as well?"

"Yes, I was once human."

Polly shuddered at Delphyne's words. "Does that mean I'll become a dragon?"

"Yes."

This was too much. Dragons were something she'd never imagined existeted. Polly closed her eyes and counted to ten before she opened them.

Dracen. The man from her dreams. Not only was he a dragon, but apparently he was now her mate, too. Well, a woman could do much worse. And if she'd dreamt of him before being sent here, perhaps it had been a way of her Goddess warning or preparing her. And she'd been too caught up in the sexy dreams to realize their purpose. What in the world had the Goddess been thinking to send her back in time to ancient Ireland?

There was no way this flight of dragons existed on modern Ireland. She'd have run into them at one time or another. But if she'd traveled through time, then Dracen's comment about searching through time for her made sense. They were probably time travelers, and had discovered ancient Ireland was the safest place for them to live.

"The druids have been very fortunate in their choices," Delphyne said after a few minutes of silence.

"I see."

"I don't think you do see. It's quite an honor that Dracen is your mate. You couldn't have asked for a better male."

"Maybe you're thinking about this all wrong. Maybe Dracen is the one lucky enough to get me."

Delphyne grinned. Polly ducked under the water and ran her fingers through her hair before she came back up. When Delphyne handed her a bar of soap, she was surprised by the gentle smoothness of it, and its wonderful scent. It smelled like nothing she'd ever smelled before. Fruit or flower, it was a delicious scent.

Polly quickly cleaned herself and washed her hair, then stepped into a towel the young woman held open.

When a golden dress made of a thin silk appeared out of nowhere, she didn't even question it. This place would take some getting used to, but it was becoming more apparent with each passing minute that she wouldn't be leaving. If dragons mated only once, and for life, then something terrible would probably happen to one or the other of them if she found a way to return to her time.

"So what happens now? At this ceremony?" Polly asked as she slipped into the dress. Soft and smooth, it caressed her skin, and made her feel sexy. She hoped it looked good with her fiery red hair. A mirror would have been nice, but then she'd have worried over whether her thighs looked too big, and if her stomach looked flat.

Delphyne laughed and grabbed her arm. "Leave your old clothes here. You won't need them again anyway. I think you'll like the ceremony. It's like a handfasting."

The closer they drew to the end of the forest, the brighter the sky grew, and the more her nerves twitched, dancing a nervous jig in her belly.

"Where is Dracen anyway? Is it common to be with your mate and then disappear? I mean, if he's been waiting so long for me, where is he?"

"It's hard running a flight of dragons. Things aren't as easy as you'd think. I don't have much time for pleasure."

Polly spun around as the deep voice sent shivers up her spine. Dracen. Moisture pooled between her thighs at the sound of his voice. Her eyes met over six feet of tall, tan, muscled hunk. Brilliant blue eyes stared at her with an intensity that sent another rush of shivers up her spine.

"You snuck up on me," she said as she sucked in a deep breath and tried to still her frantically beating heart.

"Do you feel better now?"

"Yes, thank you." She stared at him, mesmerized all over again by his beauty.

"You have to stop looking at me like that, Polly."

"Like what?" She sighed.

"Like you want to make love to me again."

"Well, yeah. I mean, hellooo. Have you looked in a mirror lately?"

Dracen and Delphyne laughed, and she blushed. That had slipped out of nowhere. Apparently his good looks loosened not only her tongue, but also a few screws in her head.

"Such refreshing honesty. I'm so glad you feel comfortable enough around me to be so..."

"Blatantly obvious?" Polly giggled. "Why beat around the bush? I mean, this is what the Goddess wishes, right?"

"The gown looks lovely on you," Dracen said as his eyes roamed up and down her figure. "Almost as if it was made for you."

"You know it's made of magic material so it fits whomever is wearing it at the time." Delphyne laughed.

Dracen smiled and shook his head. "You're right. She's so lovely I wasn't thinking."

"Thanks." Polly grinned and let her gaze slide over his hard chest, down to the kilt he had wrapped around his waist. "You're not so bad yourself. In this form anyway."

Delphyne groaned while Dracen looked so smug she thought his head might begin to swell. Polly laughed and took a step back.

"Pollyanna!"

"Well you are." She giggled and looked him over again. "Aren't you going to greet your mate properly?"

Dracen smiled and reached for her, but Delphyne stepped in between them. "Not yet."

"Not yet my, ass. She's mine. Everyone knows it."

"You know the rules, Dracen."

"I mean it, Delphyne. Go tell the others I'm not sharing her. Not yet. I'll conduct the rest of the ceremony in private."

Delphyne looked as if she wanted to argue, but at Dracen's glare she shook her head, turned, and walked back the way they came.

"I thought we were having a handfasting?"

"Later." Dracen winked. "There's other things I want to do to you first."

"What's that?" Polly teased. If she was stuck here, she'd damn well enjoy it.

"You're nothing like the shy woman I imagined you'd be. Did the druids have a hard time tying you to the stone?"

"I was unconscious at the time. Chasing that damned Satan. I swear he is the sneakiest, most stubborn-"

"Satan?" The other man she'd met in the forest asked as he and Delphyne joined them again. "Did she just mention Satan? How could the druids have made this mistake?"

Delphyne gasped and stared at Polly as if she'd grown another head. "A terrible mistake has been made. You know this cannot be. This union is forbidden. We must send her back. They should have known better than to try and trick us like this." Delphyne shared a concerned look with Mike.

"No!" Dracen snapped, the sound of his voice making the fine hairs on the back of her neck rise. "We're not sending her back. It's too late anyway, we mated. You know she's perfect for me. There will be no other. I'm already too close to turning as it is. If you send her back, you'll all be out hunting me before the end of the week."

"Oh please don't talk about me as if I'm not here." Polly snorted and stood back up. "Besides, if Satan followed me here, he's got to be as lost as I am. He might get hurt. Deidre will never forgive me if something happened to him."

"I don't know anyone named Deirdre, and Satan isn't allowed here. This is sacred ground. You shouldn't even be able to be here. Not if you are a consort of his," Mike said.

"Consort? Of a cat?"

"It doesn't matter what form he takes."

"Oh my gosh," she gasped as she realized what they thought. "You think I mean Satan as in Satan Satan. No, I'm talking about my friend's cat. She went on vacation and left him with me."

"See!" Dracen shouted, triumphant. "It's not her fault, she was tricked. We can save her yet."

"I doubt it. He's probably gotten a really good hold on her by now. No wonder she was so willing and eager to be taken by you." Delphyne's expression grew more pensive as she stared into Polly's eyes.

"You are more whacked then I thought I was for dreaming this. For the past few weeks I've been having dreams of a mysterious lover. I didn't realize until earlier that it was the Goddess' way of preparing me for him."

"Wait. Why would the Goddess grant a consort of Satan visionary dreams?"

"Because she's not a consort of Satan!" Dracen wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Now that that's settled-"

"Wait." Delphyne spoke again, and Polly wanted to tear out all her beautiful golden hair.

"No!" Polly stamped her foot as she jerked free from Dracen and walked away from them. "This is ridiculous. Does it even matter at this point? I'm already his mate. Deal with it!"

Silence greeted her. She spun around and looked at them suspiciously. No one spoke, but all wore the same expression. Awe.

As a group, they knelt before her and bowed their heads. Polly spun back around and squealed. "Dee! What are you doing here?" Polly raced over and hugged her friend. She pulled back and stared at her. Dee's blue eyes gleamed with amusement, as her normally wayward hair was swept up in a twist, all the riotous black curls staying put for once.

"Polly, I see Satan did his job and led you here?"

Three gasps came from behind her, and she turned back around. "A cat. He's a cat!"

As if he heard his name, the aptly named feline dashed out from behind a tree and purred as he twined around Deidre's legs.

"Oh, thank the Goddess. I thought he was lost." Polly scooped up the cat and scolded him while he gave her a superior look and cleaned his front paws.

"I'm glad to see things worked out the way I planned, but I'm a little concerned that the dragons aren't as welcoming as they should be. Dracen. How long have you been waiting for a mate?"

"Wait. Dee, how can you know them? And why didn't you tell me about them? What do you mean Satan led me here? How could you have arranged all this?"

Suddenly, before her eyes, Dee began to glow and change, looking less like her friend, and more like a goddess. A sudden joy overwhelmed her, one she usually felt only during ritual.

"Oh, stars." Polly sagged and would have fallen if Dracen hadn't caught her.

Satan shifted his form, growing in height and changing into the form of Dee's current boyfriend.

"You're kidding!" Polly gasped, leaning against Dracen.

"This was the easiest way to get you here. We had no idea you'd fall and knock yourself out, but the Druids were there to protect you and see that you made it here safely. I knew Dracen would take over once you arrived. I had no doubt things would work out. But I didn't realize my little nickname for Sam would cause such issues. I thought it fit his devious nature."

"So this means she is on the side of the light?" Delphyne asked hesitantly.

"Yes, child." Dee smiled at the young woman.

Polly bit her lip. Delpyhne had meant well, but had given her nothing but grief since she'd said the word Satan. Would seeing Dee and Sam change all that or would they still insist she leave?

"I think we have a handfasting to attend," Dee said as she held out her arm for Polly.

Polly grinned and hugged Dee tightly. "But from now on, maybe you shouldn't meddle in my life?"

"If I hadn't given you dreams of Dracen and made you fall in love with him, how would you have ever ended up here, and been so accepting of him and all this?"

"Good point," Polly said softly. "But how do I know it is love and not your doing?"

"Do you doubt your Goddess?" Dee straightened to her full height.

Polly laughed and shook her head. "I guess you let me win all those hands of pinochle, huh?"

"No. You won that fair and square. But how about if I promise not to meddle unless it's in your best interests?"

Polly looked at Dracen and smiled. "Maybe your meddling isn't such a bad thing. But don't let it happen too often."

Dee smiled and then waved her hand in a circle, enclosing Polly and Dracen in a circle of white light. "You two shall have a blessed union. In fact, it won't be long before a little one will be underfoot."

"What!"

Dee didn't answer. She just smiled and led them toward a group of waiting dragons.

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