Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
“When was the last time you went for a visit?”
Maverick looked thoughtful for a moment before replying. “Fifteen years or so? When my nephew was hatched. It’s important to introduce the young to our dragons so they recognize their family.”
That was actually fascinating to Isaac, and he turned to fully focus on Maverick, curiosity burning through him. “So you’re all in dragon form? Wouldn’t that be terrifying for a baby?”
Maverick smirked, amused. “Dragons hatch in dragon form. It would be scarier for him if we weren’t.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “In dragon form? As an infant? Do they shift that young?”
“No,” Maverick replied with a shake of the head. “They stay dragonets for the first few years, then shift to their human forms until they’re of age to shift again. Twenty for most. I was a late bloomer at twenty-two, but most dragons my size are. The larger the body mass, the more magic needed to shift. My body needed to be ready first.”
Dragons were pretty secretive about their young, so information shared was few and far between. Isaac understood the urge to keep secrets. All species had their own special magic and keeping that to themselves kept them safe from those who’d want to hurt them to exploit it. Still, Maverick was being forthcoming, and Isaac latched onto the conversation, soaking up all the information Maverick was willing to give him.
“So because your magic isn’t ready, you stay human for like eighteen years? Does no one shift earlier? Or have accidental shifts as kids?”
Maverick grimaced, like the idea was a painful one. “I’ve never heard of someone shifting before they reach adulthood, and I imagine it doesn’t happen often. It’s dangerous. They could exhaust themselves to the point where they couldn’t recover from it. We are warned as children to–”
He cut himself off, frowning. Isaac raised an eyebrow curiously.
“You were warned to what?”
Something like chagrin flashed across Maverick’s face, as well as a wealth of shame. “We are warned to regulate our emotions to control our animals. There are whole classes on understanding and better handling our emotions. It’s been so long, I’d forgotten about it entirely.”
Isaac couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing. They’d been working hard on getting Maverick to control his temper, and it was a lesson taught to him at such a young age that he completely forgot. The irony wasn’t lost on him. It didn’t help that Maverick looked so disgruntled about it. Or maybe he was grumpy about Isaac laughing at him. Either way, it was funny, and he had to wipe tears from his eyes from laughing so hard.
“I’m glad I amuse you. I took out an entire city street because I couldn’t control myself, but at least I made you laugh.”
Isaac sobered, wrinkling his nose. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Though that wasn’t your fault. It was mine.”
“How do you justify that?” Maverick said with a scowl.
“I could’ve just let you catch me. It would’ve been easier that way. I got you to hunt me instead. ”
Maverick shook his head, leaning close to whisper in his ear. “I would not have trusted myself to truly hunt you. You’ve been settling me with sex. My instincts would have had me fucking you in front of the entire building to punish you for pulling my tail.”
Isaac felt his face flush. He hadn’t considered that. When he thought about Maverick catching him, he assumed it’d be painful. Not… that. It was partially his fault. He basically trained the dragon to go for that whenever he was raging. Maybe locking themselves in the office would’ve been better than jumping off the roof, though.
“Stop,” Maverick demanded quietly. “There is no going back to fix it. We made a mistake and we will pay the price for it. Dwelling won’t help.”
“Is that another dragon kindergarten rule?” he teased, desperate to go back to the easy conversation they were having before. Maverick could probably see right through him because he allowed the diversion.
“Yes. Along with playing nice with others and not spitting fire at our teachers when we were mad.”
Isaac spluttered. “Wait. Do dragons really do that?”
Maverick nodded. “Young dragons do. They don’t have enough power in their heartsfire to truly hurt anyone, but it’s still dangerous and you’ll get punished for it. My sister got sent home twice for that particular issue.” He sounded a little exasperated, which made Isaac think he was an older sibling, not a younger one. His brothers sounded like that when they were annoyed with him.
“We’re here!” Alder called out happily over his shoulder. “Welcome home, cousin!”
Isaac tried not to let the annoyance show on his face. He was enjoying talking to Maverick, and he hated being interrupted. Still, this was the whole reason they were here, so he might as well be present.
He turned, looking over his shoulder at the large Victorian house in the middle of the woods. His grandmother’s house, technically, but anyone in the family could stay whenever they wished. All the colors were natural, with creamy stone walls and brown carved spandrels and trims. Ivy climbed the walls on several sides, tempered by magic to not overdo it. And on the porch stood his grandmother with her long white hair and no nonsense expression. She was where Isaac and his siblings got their strength from. She did her time in the military, too. And surprisingly, she was his biggest supporter for turning his back on the tradition.
She smiled when he stepped out of the carriage, but it was laced with concern. No doubt with her age and power, she could see how weak his core was right now. He wasn’t even sure where he’d thrown out the most power. Maybe protecting himself from the impact? He wasn’t sure. He honestly couldn’t remember much of the incident.
“Isaac. My dear one. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, grandmother. How are you?”
She brushed away his question, drawing him into a hug. “You are downplaying. But don’t worry. I know you. I’ve set up the cottage for you and–” She paused, straightening, and her voice sounded foreboding when she asked, “Isaac. Did you mate a dragon without introducing them to the family first?”
He jerked his head back, surprised. “Did I what?”
“I see the bond tether, Isaac. You cannot hide such things from me. Is this why you acted so recklessly and ended up in the hospital?”
Whoa, whoa. His grandmother was getting the wrong idea, and he did not want Maverick overhearing her. He had excellent hearing, but he was currently speaking with Alder, who was hovering. He did a double take and frowned. He wasn’t sure which thread to follow. Explaining things to his grandmother or keeping Alder away from the dragon.
Frustrated, he scowled and turned back to face his grandmother. “We’re not mates. I used a lot of magic when we fell and latched on to him for some reason. It’ll fade. He’s my boss and disconnected from his dragon. I brought him with me because if he doesn’t get his temper under control, he’s going to lose his job. He’s the best lawyer in the country and a good mentor. I’m trying to help him.”
His grandmother’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t push. Still, Isaac didn't like that look in her eyes. “The cabin has two rooms. He will probably be more comfortable with you. You will get three days to yourself to heal after you do a ritual with the family. If you refuse, you’ll get less. Take your pick.”
His grandmother was sly, he’d give her that. She knew he’d prefer to be alone. And she’d keep everyone, including his mother, away from him as long as he gave her something in return. Ugh.
“Fine. One ritual. But you have to keep Alder away from Maverick.” It was irritating him watching his cousin hover over the guy he’d been sleeping with, and he didn't want to have to worry about it while participating.
“Your cousin will be involved, so no one will bother the dragon. He can watch with the other mates.”
“Not my mate!” he hissed.
She either didn’t believe him or wasn’t interested in discussing it. Isaac blew out a frustrated breath. This was going to be a long week.
Proving his grandmother did love him, the ritual she had set up wasn’t a complicated one. It was basically a coming home ritual, to reintroduce him to the spirits and magic of the forest after a long journey. Usually they did that for family who were coming home permanently, but she said it was necessary for him to heal. And since it didn’t require more than meditation from him, he agreed to it.
They waited until the moon was at its highest before heading outside. He was already tired after everything that had happened that day, which put him in a foul mood, only worsened by the fact that Alder and the rest of his cousins kept hovering around Maverick. Some were curious. Others, like Alder, obviously noticed how good looking he was and were drooling over him. He had to bite his tongue most of the night because if he started snapping at people, it’d only reinforce the mate idea with his grandmother. He was not Maverick’s mate. He wasn’t against the idea of being attached to a gorgeous dragon, but they would’ve figured it out by now. Right?
“Come along, Isaac,” his grandmother said as she glided past him. Several hundred years old and she still moved like she was in her twenties, coming straight off an old movie set. Sometimes he felt like she should’ve been followed around by cameras, she was so elegant.
He followed her off the porch and into the permanent spell circle in the backyard. It was where all family rituals were held, along with weddings and funeral rites. Basically, anything big happened here. Including Isaac’s embarrassing healing ritual. He’d never hear the end of this from his cousins. Being as powerful as he was, they always said he thought he was better than them and acted like it. They were just jealous and looking to start a fight. A fight he’d be more than happy to finish if they didn’t get away from Maverick!
His temper flared, and Maverick looked up from where he’d been listening to another one of his cousins. He narrowed his eyes on Isaac, excusing himself to step around them and crossing the yard. Grandmother halted him just outside the circle.
“Until you can shift, dragon, you cannot participate. Your body needs to heal.”
Maverick’s brows snapped together, and he shot Isaac an accusing look. Isaac put up his hands. “I didn’t tell her. But she can read your energy. Her father was a druid. She can’t heal, but she can read it well enough.”
Grandmother chuckled, like she always did when she shocked people like that. Isaac rolled his eyes, but only when she wasn’t looking. She’d pull him around by his ear if she caught him.
“Go sit on the porch,” Isaac said to Maverick. There were only two others there, mates who weren’t mages. It was rare in his family, but they weren’t treated poorly. They just couldn’t participate unless they had magic to offer. Maverick’s dragon could produce fire, so he could help when he was healed, but Liliah’s mate was an orc. He didn't have magic. And Benedict’s mate was a fae, and his magic tended to conflict with theirs.
Maverick pressed his lips together, watching Isaac for a moment. Isaac forced himself to relax and nodded at him.
“I’m okay. Go.”
A little reluctantly, Maverick followed instructions and headed to the porch while the rest of Isaac’s family surrounded him. Those who could be there, anyway. They all put their hands on him, connecting their magic to his, before stepping back and linking hands.
Isaac closed his eyes, opening his mind to the world around him. He didn’t realize how much energy he was putting into his mental shields until he stopped. Stupid Elijah. That creepy bastard was stressing him out.
“Stop thinking about Elijah and focus.”
It took a second for Isaac to realize that it was Maverick’s voice in his head. He whipped his head up for a moment, locking eyes with him. They both looked a little stunned. Maverick tipped his head minutely.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes. And I think I know why.”