Sora, now. He’d wanted to be romantic, but the Jaeggi had definitely turned this into a NOW situation.
The only problem was his mate deserved a proper ceremony that paid respect to both the Abe clan and the wind dragons, not that Ravi had any clue about those traditions. And proper took time.
That sweet woman had kissed his forehead and smiled, telling him to leave it all up to her.
In one week, she’d managed to get her hands on a proper montsuki for Sora, the gorgeous red sherwani for Ravi, and a proper mandap had been placed on the mountaintop where Alric and Cameron had been bonded. She’d even had a dragon bring the same three sake cups that had been used in her bonding ceremony to Ryu.
“Are you ready?” she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Ravi turned and pulled her in for a tight hug, nearly lifting her off her feet. She giggled and hugged him back.
“Thank you so much. This…this is everything. Sora deserves to have such a perfect day.”
Yuki cupped his cheek as he released her, tears sparkling in her brown eyes. “You both deserve to have a perfect day. My son is so lucky to have found you.”
“I promise we will visit often. You will grow tired of seeing us.”
Yuki laughed as she stepped back and quickly ran a hand over her dress. “And we will be here often. This castle is so very fun, and your king presents an intriguing healing puzzle that I won’t be able to tear Ryu away from for long. We will see each other plenty.”
And then, of course, there were going to be babies in their future. Many babies, if he and Sora had any say about it. Ravi had little doubt that Ryu and Yuki were going to be doting, devoted grandparents.
“Now, it’s time. Your dragon is waiting in the courtyard. Sora has already caught his dragon.”
Ravi nodded. Balin had given him a crash course in bonding ceremonies with wind dragons. The clothes were colorful, usually red for happiness and good luck. Both the dragon and mate arrived at the ceremony spot riding dragons, one coming in from the east and the other from the west.
Under the mandap, they would meet and exchange floral garlands before lighting a fire to represent their new life together, and the officiant would offer a blessing.
When he’d asked Alric to be the officiant for their bonding, Alric had demanded that Sora and Ryu immediately complete the first round of surgery so he could be up and moving in time for the ceremony.
After the blessing, they would kneel at a table with three sake cups. They would each take three sips from each cup as part of the Abe clan tradition. That was when they would make their vows. The first set of vows was to each other. The second set was to their family. And the final was to their clans.
Ravi prayed he wouldn’t forget what he needed to say. Just looking at Sora made him tongue-tied most days, and he needed this to be perfect for his mate. He could do this.
Taking a deep breath, Ravi stepped into the courtyard and laughed. He’d recognize Baldewin’s dragon anywhere.
“You’re flying me?” He’d not been able to choose between his closest friends and had asked them to fight it out over who would be flying him.
“I held you when you were a baby. Of course I’m flying you,” Baldewin replied, his voice a deep rumble through the empty courtyard.
“I’m pretty sure Gunter and Warin can claim that, as well,” Ravi snickered.
The dragon made a movement like he was shrugging his massive shoulders. “I also outrank them.”
Ravi shook his head. He refused to believe Baldewin had pulled rank simply to have the honor of flying Ravi to his bonding. “Why I do feel like this was more likely settled with a game of Twister?”
Baldewin smiled, flashing a whole lot of long teeth. “I wouldn’t know anything about that. Now, climb on. We don’t want to be late.”
With a little help, Ravi climbed into position right in front of his massive wings. Baldewin smoothly pushed off and launched them up into the air. Earlier in the day, nearly the entire castle had been carried up to the ceremony spot. Some were left behind as guards, and others were working on the massive feast, but the bonding ceremony was being recorded so they’d be able to watch later.
Baldewin circled the parapets and then soared off toward the east,