The Duke's Rose (Completed)

Chapter 8. 1814 

Nathaniel turned his attention to Olivia, who was staring at him with her huge crystal blue eyes. Good God, she was beautiful. And she was his, his dragon could feel it. He took a step toward her, his expression soft. "Are you all right?"
Olivia nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes your grace. If it was not for you, I do believe Lord Maddox would have had me."
Nathaniel growled, gold shimmering at his fingertips. "I would not have let him touch you."
Olivia took a breath. Then she looked at him seriously. "You told Maddox that I was your bonded."
Nathaniel nodded, closing the distance between them and taking her hands. "Yes, I did say that. And I believe you are my bonded, and I am yours."
Olivia gazed into his magnificent deep green eyes, feeling her power beginning to crackle once again. "How do you know?"
Nathaniel. "My dragon desires you."
***
His words sent Olivia's heart into a spiral. His dragon desired her, her and no one else. She felt her power come to life once again, and this time, it was much stronger. Her dragon could sense him. She swallowed. "I believe my dragon desires the same."
Nathaniel reached up, caressing her cheek gently. "We must begin the bonding."
Olivia's eyes widened. "Your grace, you do not mean..."
Nathaniel shook his head. "No, no. I am not going to make love to you, not yet. For now, a kiss will ignite the bond. Overtime, it will become stronger."
Olivia smiled softly. "And to think, I had no idea my dragon existed until this evening. I could sense my power, but wasn't able to harness it."
Nathaniel smiled. "My experience has been the same way. But after this evening, everything will be clear."
Olivia nodded. "Yes."
They stared into one another's eyes, feeling their power and dragons approaching the surface. It was only a matter of moments before their bond awakened. They would soon become bonded.
Nathaniel tilted her chin up so that their eyes met. "Olivia, may I kiss you?"
Olivia smiled. "You may your grace."
Their lips came within inches of touching, their breath mingling together. Their eyes remained locked in a magnetic gaze, their power blossoming between them in sizzling waves of energy. And then, finally, their lips came together for a tender kiss.
Olivia closed her eyes, intertwining her arms around Nathaniel's neck and pressing herself against him. She felt his arms slide around her waist, bringing her even closer. She could feel their power melting together, could feel their dragons flying up to the surface of their mind.
Nathaniel closed his eyes, holding Olivia as close to him as he possibly could. He could feel every inch of her power mixing with his, could feel his power swirling with hers. This was it, the moment they had been waiting for.
As they continued kissing, the passion building between them, they felt something ignite. Dark red and dusty blue flames cascaded around them. Moments later, they opened their eyes and gasped, noticing that their combined flames had formed into a dazzling flame of shimmering amethyst. Glistening gemstones of dark red, royal blue, and deep purple swirled around within the flame.
Nathaniel caressed her cheek, his eyes sparkling. "Mine."
Olivia smiled, stroking his cheek with her gloved fingertips. "Mine."
They couldn't take their eyes off of one another, drinking in every detail. They both possessed the same sized wings and horns, except Nathaniel's were dark red and gold, while Olivia's were dusty blue and amethyst. It was quite clear what had just taken place. Their bond, and their dragons, had been awakened.