Hi Cuties! This is the last chapter of Dragon Ritual. I'd like to thank everyone for all the support and kind reviews. I am honored to have such loving readers and can't thank you enough! Please enjoy the final chapter but know this is not by any means the end of my writing! Enjoy

As the orange and blue walls came crashing down, Lucy's blurry vision started to clear, her senses coming back. She touched her neck, recoiling at the sting.

"Hey," a voice next to her softly said. Lucy turned to see her mate bent down next to her, twisting a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Hey," she replied, a soft smile resting on her weary face.

"Are you alright?" Natsu asked, his tone expressing his concern. Lucy rested her hand on his cheek and smiled even brighter.

"I've never been better."

…

That night, the tent was a blur of noise, drinks and laughter. Natsu and Lucy were reclined on cushions on a slightly raised platform, giving them a view of the antics around them.

There seemed to be a drinking contest in one section of the tent and in another was some couples dancing.

Lucy leant back into her mate's chest, feeling his heart rate accelerate. His hand that had been resting on her shoulder started to make its way down to her waist.

Closing her eyes, she sank into his embrace, the surroundings melting into a blank canvas.

"You wanna get out of here?" Natsu purred into her ear, his voice soft yet lustful. Lucy could only nod. She felt no shame as Natsu picked her up and started to weave his way through the crowd. She had no blush as her friends noticed this and began to whoop and cheer, their suggestive remarks calling after her.

Leaving the tent, she was only awakened from her daydreaming when she noticed Natsu passing the house.

"Where are we going?" Lucy asked as they continued into a nearby forest.

"It's a secret."

Lucy huffed as Natsu held back a laugh, but didn't press him for answers. She allowed herself to be carried to the mystery location.

A cave.

Lucy had never imagined that her first time would be in a cave. As a member of nobility, Lucy had only ever heard whispers and hushed voices when the matter of the bedrooms were brought up. It was only later that she was told by a maid about the wedding night. It was to be proper and done only to procreate.

A big change from that to a cave.

But Natsu had furnished it. Torches lit the cavern in a warm glow and there was more pillows and furs forming a nest of sorts. Natsu placed her gently down and she stood facing away from him.

Natsu could hear her shaky breaths and her rapid heart rate. He placed a hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly.

"We don't have to do anything Luce," he quietly said," I'll wait until you're ready."

There was a pause, a moment of silence as his offer hung in the air.

"I'm ready, Natsu," she whispered. He came up behind her and hugged her, before kissing her neck. His hands were busy, unlacing her corset and letting it fall to the ground. Lucy let out a shiver, from the sudden coldness and from his touches. She turned and kissed him in a moment of bravery and he responded with passion.

A passion that lasted all night.

…

The Next Morning

Lucy awoke to a slight pain below. A soft glow filled the cave, the morning sun beginning to rise. She turned to see Natsu but to her surprise, he wasn't there.

Her heart dropped.

"Was I not enough?" Lucy thought to herself, bringing her legs to her chest. The memories of the night before filled her mind and she felt a wave of excitement overcome her. But she was brought back down by her worrying thoughts. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"Whatcha crying for?"

Lucy looked up to see Natsu standing in front of her, his chest still bare. He held an apple in his hand and had dropped down onto the makeshift bed.

"Nothing," Lucy mumbled.

Natsu pulled her into his lap, causing her to squeal.

"Tell me what's wrong, my mate," Natsu commanded. Lucy lowered her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I thought you weren't happy with me last night."

Natsu's eyes widened and his jaw went slack.

"What?!"

"You weren't there when I woke up and I thought you'd left," Lucy blushed. Natsu forced her to look up at him and she was surprised to feel his lips pressed against hers. A few moments later, they pulled apart, Lucy panting slightly.

"Lucy, you are the most beautiful, incredible girl I have ever met. I love you. You're my wife, my mate. Don't ever think I'd leave you. Okay?" Natsu said, his voice low and passionate. Lucy nodded and hugged him. She then realized something.

"Eek!" she cried out, grabbing at the blanket. Lucy had forgotten she was still naked. A blush covered her cheeks. She had been sitting in his lap for crying out loud!

"No need to cover yourself mate," Natsu chuckled as he ripped the blanket off of her, before peppering her body with kisses," You're mine."

And indeed she was.