And no one was going to mess with the most powerful dragon shifter in Great Britain.
Chase’s teasing smile widened. “So if you’re officially part of the Royal Hoard now, does that mean you’re technically owned by the Queen?”
Hugh put his arm over Ivy’s shoulders. “There’s only one person I belong to.”
“On the topic of mates,” Chase said. His chest swelled, pride clear in his face as he beckoned to someone in the crowd. “Ivy, Hope, there’s someone I’ve been wanting you to meet. My mate, Connie.”
Ivy’s smile turned rather fixed. Hugh felt her alarm flash down the mate bond. The pegasus shifter might have forgiven her for what she’d done to him and his mate, but Hugh knew Ivy still hadn’t forgiven herself.
He sent a wave of love and reassurance to her. It’s all right, he said in her mind. Chase wouldn’t introduce you if there was still any bad feeling.
And indeed, Connie reached out to shake Ivy’s hand firmly. The short, curvy pilot looked Ivy in the eye.
“It’s good to meet you properly at last,” Connie said, her tone sincere. “We’re both so grateful for what you’ve done for Hugh.”
“I’m sorry I wrecked your plane!” Ivy blurted out, looking stricken.
Connie grinned, her smile as easy and welcoming as Chase’s. “Ah, it’s all fixed now. And if you hadn’t, Chase and I would never have become mates. I can thank you for that.”
Despite these words, Ivy still looked rather worried. “At least let me repay you for the damage I did.”
A slightly strangled cough escaped Hugh. He was certain that Ivy hadn’t the faintest idea just how rare and valuable Connie’s Spitfire actually was, or she’d never have made the offer. And in any event, Chase was the only son of a billionaire. He could afford to buy—and did buy—any plane that Connie fancied.
“No need for that,” Chase said, with a rather amused sideways glance at Hugh. His expression brightened, a reckless gleam entering his eye. “But if you really want to make amends, perhaps we could have a little wager. We still haven’t determined who’s really fastest in the air.”
Hope raised her eyebrows at him. “From what Ivy told me, the last time she left you in the dust.”
Connie chuckled. “That’s not the way Chase tells that story. We should have a race to settle the matter for once and all. But just for fun.” She poked Chase in the side, throwing a mock-glare at him. “No gambling.”
A tentative smile broke across Ivy’s face. “Pegasus versus wyvern versus airplane?”
“You’re on.” Connie grinned at both Ivy and Chase. “Prepare to eat my slipstream.”
“Don’t think I’m going to let you win just because you’re my mate,” Chase warned. “Pegasus honor is at stake here.”
“Ivy is gonna thrash you both,” Hope declared.
“We’ll see,” Ivy said, though Hugh could sense her secret confidence. “Well, if you won’t let me pay for the plane, at least let me buy you a drink.”
“Ooh, thanks,” Hope said. “I’ll have a mulled wine.”
“You’re seventeen,” Ivy and Hugh said together.
Hope shrugged unrepentantly. “It was worth a try. Hey, there’s Betty! Catch you all later.”
“I’ll come to the bar with you,” Chase said to Ivy as Hope wheeled off through the crowd. He turned to his mate. “Mulled wine for you, my love?”
Connie shook her head. “Soft drink. Just in case.”
Chase’s merry expression sobered a bit. He planted a swift, soft kiss on his mate’s forehead before following Ivy to the bar.
From the way Connie’s hand drifted down to rest on her stomach, Hugh could guess what was going on. For a week every month, Connie would have that hopeful, nervous air. And then, every month, she would be disappointed. No matter how hard she and Chase tried, they just couldn’t get pregnant.
His unicorn nudged him. We should do something about that.
Hugh slapped his own forehead. “I’m an idiot. Connie, may I touch you?”
“Yes, of course,” she said, although she flashed him a puzzled look. “But it’s okay, Hugh. I know you can’t do anything to help.”