Amethyst Storms (Primordial Protectors #1)

14. Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Ionus

My mate’s mood drastically shifted but before I could reach him, Raven had, and I didn’t want to interrupt their private conversation. If I hadn’t felt the sudden change in emotion I absolutely would have but Raven seemed to have calmed his nerves.

Was he upset by the pregnancy news? I didn’t think so as I’d felt his elation through our bond, albeit briefly. But it was there. Was he nervous about what his grandfather would think of me? Of my brothers and our clan? I’d put my best talon forward and be as hospitable as possible. That much I could assure him and hopefully that would ease any apprehension his grandfather may have when he heard we’re dragons.

I, on the other hand, was ecstatic as was our dragon who’d flitted around like a hatchling on a sugar high and was even happier when Alexander snuggled up beside me.

“Better, my love?”

“Much. Gramps is on his way. Should be here within the next two hours, though with the bomb I just dropped on him he might break a new land speed record and get here sooner.”

I chuckled and kissed the top of his head. “I like him already.” I’d heard their entire conversation which Alexander was more than aware of. No need to recount it on my behalf.

“What is your last name?” Emerson appeared in front of us. That man could move like the wind, I’d never seen him cross the room.

“Um, Myers?” Alex replied as though he questioned it himself.

“Myers, Myers, Myers,” Emerson chattered away as he dug through more piles.

Alexander’s stomach growled.

Brothers, I’m taking my mate to the diner. If anything happens let me know.

Will do , Quint replied.

Caro was far too busy shaking his head as he watched Emerson. I too was confused by his erratic behavior, but a breath of fresh air would do me and Alexander good. Wasn’t sure anything would help Caro at this point but his interest in the archivist was baffling. Maybe I wasn’t the only one the fates were toying with.

Hand in hand, we walked down the street toward the diner, puffed up and filled with pride to have a mate, my pregnant mate at that, by my side. When had I ever enjoyed being out and about around town?

Never.

Never is right, Dragon.

Finding true love had changed my life in the best possible ways. I looked forward to learning all I could about Alexander and how he made me a better man. No longer would my days be lonely, spent hiding away in the office, as I now had the one to share them with.

“Oh, they have ice cream!” Alexander did an adorable shimmy as we neared when he glimpsed the signage in their window.

“That they do. More flavors than you could ever imagine.” I held the door open for him as we stepped inside.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Mable, owner of the Sunny Side Up Diner, greeted us. “Ionus, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company today?”

“My husband and I,” purposely I left the word mate out as to not rouse any potential visitors’ curiosity. Not that my size alone wouldn’t do that, but strangers need not be alerted to the unique creatures that inhabited our town. “We’re in town on errands and thought we’d pop in for a quick bite.”

“We’re honored. And does your husband have a name?” This woman was amazing and took no shit from anyone. Mable was an alpha, though not a dragon and her omega wife Cicily worked here as well.

“He does. My apologies. Alexander, meet the lovely Mable, owner of this fine establishment.”

“Wonderful to meet you and congratulations to you both on your nuptials.” She slid two menus from the stack. “Follow me.”

Mable led us to a table with plenty of space around us, thankfully, as the rest of the café was packed, and I only interacted with others in small doses.

What’s got your scales ruffled, mate?

I laughed. You noticed, huh?

Your shoulders are tense. We can eat fast and head right back.

No, my love. Take your time and enjoy your meal. I’m fine.

Fine never means fine.

In this case I promise you it does.

“I hear congratulations are in order?”

“Cicily, wonderful to see you. Yes, this is my husband,” she smiled at the word choice, “Alexander.” Rings were prudent at this point, and I believed I had the perfect one in my hoard.

“Nice to meet you, Cicily,” Alexander said.

“Are you two ready to order?”

We placed our orders and took a few moments to catch our breath and glance around.

“Cute place.” Alexander’s assessment was spot on now that I saw it through his eyes.

“It’s amazing how much brighter the world is with you in it.”

“Cheesy much?”

“Ha-ha. Maybe, but you seem to bring that out in me. For as long as I can remember I’ve seen this place and not thought much of it, same with the town itself. My life was mundane at best, but now that I see things through a fresh set of eyes I see the brighter side of it. And I have you to thank for that.”

“This is just so fast. I mean, I know for you it’s not but…wow. We only met a few days ago and now not only are we mated but we’re starting our family.

“Do you regret it or us?” My dragon came to a screeching halt. Our hearts raced in an erratic beat.

“No, not at all. It’s just…it’s just a lot to absorb is all. I’m happy, but we have a lot to do.” He sighed and through our connection I didn’t feel sorrow, which was good. “Overwhelmed is the best way to describe it.”

“Understood and I’ll handle everything that I can. I’ll get the nursery ready, the nest built. Everything we need ordered and set up. I want you to relax and remain calm. Our eggs will feel your emotions and if you’re at peace they too will be.”

The list of nursery furniture and accessories formed as we spoke. I couldn’t wait to place the orders and see the room done.

“As soon as the hatchlings reveal their sexes to you we can better prepare. Color wise.” Blue for boys, or pink for girls? What if it were a mix?

“I was leaning toward a gender-neutral palate. I know we live in an alpha-dominated society, but I hate how focused on gender it is rather than focused on the individual themselves.” There was more of a story there, I was sure of it, but I couldn’t deny omegas weren’t treated as the equals they were.

“Your heart is full, and your soul is pure, my love. We’ll shop shades of yellows and purples and as they grow and move into their own rooms they can then choose their own colors and furnishings. How does that sound?”

“Wonderful. But I want to shop with you. They should have things Papa picked out, too.”

“Papa is it?” He nodded. “Then who shall I be to them?”

“You’ll be Daddy.” Our dragon was off doing crazy loops. Leave it to my perfect mate to flip the table and call me Daddy, which I loved.

I cleared my throat as a lump had formed at his thoughtful endearment. “Thank you, my love.”

Our food came out and we took a few minutes to eat, which allowed me to gather my wayward emotions. You’d have thought I was the one carrying the eggs. Guess over the centuries as I lay in wait and pushed my feelings aside, that only served to intensify them. The floodgates had only opened a smidge. Imagine the mess I’d be when the eggs finally hatched. Time to break out with the handkerchiefs I’d long ago packed away.

“When do you think the midwife can come?” Alexander asked as he checked his phone for the third time.

“As soon as we call. Would you like me to schedule her for tomorrow?”

“Yeah, the sooner the better.” Alexander drowned his last fry in ketchup, mindlessly swishing it through the condiment.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you think,” he paused and took a drink. “Do you think I could’ve messed something up in my body with the way I got through my heats?”

That I didn’t know the answer to, but this clearly bothered him, and I didn’t want to add to his worry. “I wouldn’t think so but let me reach out and see if tomorrow works for her.”

I texted Raven since Sarah, the midwife, was a part of her family.

Me: Can you get Sarah over to examine Alexander tomorrow?

Raven: Will do. How exciting is this?

Me: You have no idea. Alexander is a dream come true, in more than one way.

Raven: I’m so happy for you, my friend.

“Ladies,” we stopped at the front counter to pay our tab. “Thank you for a wonderful meal.”

“Don’t be such a stranger, Ionus,” Mable teased. “Take your handsome husband out more.”

“Yeah, Ionus,” Alexander pushed me, though I barely budged. “Take me out more.”

Mable and Cicily found that far too hilarious.

“Who says if I do we’ll come back here?” They knew I was teasing, their groans said as much. “Ladies, until next time.”

“That was great, thank you for dinner.”

“No need to thank me for taking care of my family. And I promise to take you out more. I’m so used to being a recluse, it will take a bit of retraining this old brain.” Maybe setting up reminders in my phone would help.

“Gramps!” Alexander shouted as he chased the vintage truck pulling into a space in front of Emerson’s building.

The bearded man stepped out and immediately drew Alexander into his arms. “Boy, you look great.”

“Gramps, I’ve only been gone a week.”

“And yet you’ve gone and got yourself mated and knocked up. Quite the feat, young man. And this must be your Ionus.” His grandfather turned and assessed me. “Dragon. Shoulda figured.”

Alexander gasped. “How-how did you know.”

An understanding passed between his grandfather and me. “I think this conversation is best had inside.”

“Who is with you?” Emerson’s voice came over the security system. No hello, welcome back, just straight to the point.

“This is Alexander’s grandfather.” The pause was so long before the scan was done and the door latch released, I feared Emerson may not allow us to enter.

As we stepped inside, Mattias, Quint, and Odem awaited us in the lobby.

Ionus, are you sensing what I’m sensing? Mattias never missed a thing.

Aye. I believe Alexander’s world is about to be turned upside down.

One by one I introduced my brothers then followed them into the archive room. Caro stood watch over Emerson, though why I hadn’t the first clue. Maybe to save him from himself?

Ionus, do you know what’s going on?

How did I respond? Lying wasn’t an option but worrying my mate wasn’t, either.

I think your grandfather possesses the missing puzzle piece.

“Emerson.” At the commanding tone in Caro’s voice, the wayward archivist froze. “Your guest.”

“Oh yes, yes. Hello. Emerson Lynch, clan historian and archivist.”

Alexander’s grandfather gripped his forearm in greeting. “Knox Myers. Descendant of the Drakemyre of north Ayrshire Scotland clan.”

Goddess, sometimes being right was a curse. Especially when my mate was pale as a ghost.

“Gramps?”

“Sorry, son. Never in a million years did I imagine your mate would be a dragon. Now it all makes sense. You were called to this place for a reason.”

“What once lay dormant shall no longer be.” Emerson’s random words as he flipped through the book in hand stopped us all.

Caro shook his head. He’d likely have whiplash by the time we got home. “Emerson, please explain.”

“Yes, yes, of course. There’s an ancient lore that speaks of the chosen ones and their mates. What once lay dormant shall no longer be. When one becomes two the others shall follow. When all have been mated the stones come alive. But beware, for all who come as friends will not truly be. Heed your intuition for it will serve you well .”

“What do you think that means?” Had he recited a childhood limerick or were these words once said by the Fates?

“The first part is clear. You were the first to find your mate, now the other brothers will follow. With each mating the protectors’ stone comes to life as we’ve seen with yours, Ionus.” Once Emerson put that into perspective it made sense. It was the second part that gave me pause as the interpretation was just that—an interpretation in warning.

“And the second part?” Mattias asked.

“I believe the hum of the stones will awaken those who’ve been in slumber, and not all will come as friends.”

My dragon ruffled his scales and released a plume of smoke which ghosted past my lips.

“Brothers, we must increase security.” Especially considering my mate carried the next line of protectors. “I’ll alert Sherriff Larkin.” I fired off a text and within minutes he joined us.

“Ionus, care to fill me in?” I introduced Larkin to Knox before Emerson swept him and Alexander off in a whirlwind of questions. If Alexander needed me, he’d call out but for now it was important he be with his grandfather as they had much to discuss.

“What do you think it means, brothers?” Quint was the first to ask what we were all thinking.

“I think the fates are about to turn our world upside down while filling our homes with life, or in my case, lives.”

“Really? Well then, congratulations, my friend.” Larkin squeezed my shoulder. “I think a meeting with the mages will be in order. Wards to strengthen and expand.”

“I’ll assist with that, Larkin, and I’ll fill you in on everything.” Having Raven here had been instrumental in more than one way. She and Larkin bid us farewell and headed out.

“I wonder why Alex’s grandfather hid this from him?” Mattias asked the question we all wondered about.

“I have a feeling there’s more to their heritage than meets the eye.” I only hoped once the truth was revealed it didn’t break my mate.