Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Ionus
New Year’s Eve was upon us, and the family had gathered to ring it in at midnight.
While the current year brought us more joy than we’d ever known, the incoming one was certain to do the same, given three brothers remained to find their mates.
Surely the Goddess had plans in place for them and those dreams would be fulfilled.
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that war was upon us, and it was best for all to be mated by then, as we drew strength from our mating bond.
Laughter filled the air, cutting through my depressing thoughts. As I turned to face the family, I quickly saw why.
“You seriously have an egg pouch?” Mattias teased Caro. Instead of a chest strapped baby carrier, he wore one that carted around his beautiful dragonet-to-be egg.
“I do,” Caro growled. “Cade deserves to ring in the New Year with us.”
“That is seriously freaking cool. How does it work?” Leave it to Odem’s inquisitive side to stir the conversation in another direction.
While Caro and Emerson happily showed Odem how it worked, taking it off and strapping it to Odem’s chest, Odem strutted through the crowd of Clan Denarius and Drakemyre’s as our family of mage’s joined in the celebration.
“Raven, welcome,” I greeted her with a hug. “Thank you for joining us.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world. This year has been one for the record books, has it not, my friend?” The broad smile upon her face said it all, she was elated to be a part of this, a part of our mixed clan of friends and family.
“Aye, it has been. Never has there been a better one.”
“You feel it too, Ionus. Don’t you?”
With a heavy sigh, I agreed. “I do and I only hope we’re prepared for what’s to come.”
“Is one ever truly prepared to battle those that should be friend rather than foe?”
“Never. For so long we believed there were no remaining dragons aside from us, that all had perished, and now we’ve found otherwise. I only hope we get to the rest of them before the Gorynych do.”
“They’ve spread their evil wings far and wide, as you’ve come to learn.”
I sighed, recalling Emerson’s kidnapping and our meeting with the Merdragons.
“There is much to come for your family this year, Ionus. Be prepared for both love, laughter, and pain.”
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Raven would soon be deemed high priestess of her coven.
Her vision and knowledge never ceased to amaze me.
All these centuries my brothers and I had lived a routine, mundane existence, and now there wasn’t a day gone by that didn’t bring about something new.
Whether it be a gift granted by the Goddess herself to one of our dragonets, or one in the form of finding new dragons, such as the Drakemyre’s and Merdragons.
It frightened me to think, let alone dare to ask, what was next to come.
This was the first time we used the open courtyard our houses were centered around to host a gathering. The scent of meat being cooked over an open flame and the children’s laughter filled the air and I knew many more gatherings such as this would fall upon this great land.
Family.
For all intents and purposes every person here was family, whether by blood, bond, or kinship.
The children ran around the playground, hopefully working off some of their energy so they’d sleep well tonight. Though I wished to ring the midnight hour in with them, a kiss to their sleeping heads would have come before that time.
Deep breath, mate. Tonight is for celebrating, not brooding.
Our dragon scoffed.
You too, dragon, Alex warned him.
Mingling. That’s what Alex called it.
“Emerson,” I clapped his shoulder and he squeaked. “My apologies, brother, I didn’t mean to scare you. How are you feeling.”
“Never better, Ionus. My life couldn’t be more perfect.”
Simple words that brought a smile to my face. “Glad to hear it. You’re a welcome addition to the family with much to contribute. Your knowledge alone is worth its weight in gold.”
Emerson blushed, never one to take compliments well. “Thank you, that means a lot to me.”
Caro wandered up and pressed a kiss to Emerson’s cheek, darkening his blush. “Odem is having the time of his life with your son.” Our gazes moved to the oversized man-child dancing around with the egg strapped to his chest.
“I can feel Cade’s happiness through our bond,” Caro smiled. “How wonderful it is to see all these smiling faces. We wasted too many years alone, ignoring others, Ionus.”
“Agreed, brother, and that shall be no more. The Goddess has truly blessed our family.” My heart was filled to the brim, overflowing with love and a happiness like I’d never known.
Odem sat in the middle of the playground, the little ones gathered around him gently rubbing Cade’s egg and whispering to him.
“Cade will be surrounded by nothing but love and never know the pain that I had,” Emerson sniffled and Caro wrapped an arm around him. “Family.”
Family.
A word that held many meanings within its depths for all of us and summed up so much in those six, simple letters. A word I’d personally used on repeat today and would likely utter even more as the night wore on.
As darkness set, we broke bread, dining on a fine meal all had a hand in. Meats and salads, fruits, vegetables, and desserts covered the tables. The bounty was plentiful as were the never-ending conversations and laughter.
I rose and tapped my glass, garnering their attention.
“Thank you one and all for sharing this momentous occasion with us. My brothers and I,” I glanced at Caro, Odem, Mattias and Quint.
“Are blessed to call you family. You’ve brought light, love, and happiness to our otherwise dull lives.
” They chuckled. “More than anything, you’ve taught this old dragon how to love and for that I’ll be forever grateful. ”
My brothers rose and one by one the rest of the table did the same.
“To light, love, and happiness!” I shot up a silent prayer thanking the Goddess for all the blessings she sent to us.
“Here! Here!” they chanted, sipped their drinks then resumed passing dishes around.
“We really are lucky, aren’t we?” Alex whispered in my ear.
“Aye, my love. Life has never been better.”
With this many hands-on deck, the dinner dishes were soon cleared away, replaced by deserts and spirits.
Soon after those were devoured, our dragonets were in need of baths and naps.
We’d wake them in time for the fireworks show we’d planned at midnight, but for now, Emerson opted to help Alex bathe them and get them to bed.
Papa, your offspring are asking for a bedtime story and kisses.
On my way.
Our nightly bedtime ritual was one I’d always do my best not to miss. Those four tiny souls held the key to mine and outside of the night I had my tantrum, as Alex called it, I’d not missed any more.
“Papa! Papa!” Kane squealed as I came into the twin’s room. “’tory time!”
“Yes, yes. Who’s turn is it to pick the story?”
“Luna!” All three boys cheered and in wobbled our princess with a book in hand. “What do we have here, sweet girl?”
“Up, Papa,” she held her tiny arms in the air and I scooped her right up. “Tiana, Papa.”
“Ah, The Princess and the Frog tonight it is. Gather round, boys.” Alex curled up with the boys on the floor while our princess was tucked against her Papa’s chest. I loved that the boys didn’t bicker when it was Luna’s turn to pick and our mighty Griffin sat between the twins, his way of keeping peace and order during story time.
With the excitement of the day and all the outdoor playtime, the four of them were out before we even hit the middle of the story. I took Luna and tucked her in. “Goodnight, Princess Luna,” I kissed her forehead. “Your Papa loves you.”
“Luff, Papa.”
While Alex got Kane and Hunter tucked in, I carried Griffin to his room. “Goodnight our fierce protector.”
Griffin yawned. “I protector like Papa.”
“Yes you are, and your Papa and Daddy are so proud of you. I love you.”
“Luff ew, Papa.”
Goddess, the things they did to my heart.
“Everyone tucked in here?” I whispered to Alex.
“Yes, my love. I’ll say goodnight to the other two.”
Kane and Hunter still shared a double crib, though having their own beds were on the horizon. “Goodnight, Kane, goodnight, Hunter,” I kissed their foreheads. “Papa loves you very much.”
“Luff Papa,” they said as one. More times than not I swore they shared a brain. Both frightening and interesting, to be quite honest.
When I came downstairs Alex was kicked back on the couch and Emerson laid curled up with Cade’s egg on the lounger.
“Are you two staying in?”
Alex yawned, “Yeah, we’ll nap while the kids to do, then come out with them.
” I knew there was more to it than just that, Alex didn’t like leaving them inside the house without an adult nearby even though our protective wards were in place.
Emerson was still healing from birthing Cade a few days ago and I was amazed he’d made it as long as he already had today, so I knew he was mere moments away from sleep.
“Alright,” I gave Alex a kiss, “I’ll just be a thought away.” After covering up my love and his BFF as he referred to Emerson, I rejoined our guests.
“Everyone down for the count?” Odem asked as he handed me a drink.
“Thank you and yes, with promises to wake them for fireworks.”
“I can’t wait to have your life,” Odem smiled. “I think I’ll make a good dad.”
“Brother, you will be a fantastic father. You’re amazing with our dragonets and you’re their favorite uncle. You never cease to amaze me, Odem.” Had I been so hard on him that he didn’t recognize his own worth?
“Thank you, coming from you that’s a hell of a compliment.”
“I only speak the truth, Odem. You’re a valuable asset to this family and our mission.
” Odem nodded, at a loss for words and I understood why.
I’d undervalued what my brothers meant to me.
Until Alex came along and opened the door to my feelings, I’d kept them locked away which had been a mistake. Hindsight and all of that…
My brothers and I mingled until the call to wake the little ones came. “Odem, ready to grab the kids?”
“I got the twins!” Odem jogged up to the house and right up the stairs to their room.
I carried out our princess while Odem had a twin on each hip and Alex followed us out with our brave protector, Griffin. Caro strapped Cade to his chest, and I had to admit that it was one of the coolest contraptions, while at the same time it was beyond hilarious.
“Papa, ‘works?” Luna asked, her tiny hands cradled my face while she awaited my answer.
“Aye, sweet girl. Uncle Mattias and Uncle Quint are setting them up now.”
“Alright,” Mattias clapped his hands. “Let’s start. Ten.”
The group joined in. “Nine.”
“Eight.”
“Seven.”
“Six.”
“Five.”
“Four.”
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One. Happy New Year!” The group cheered as the fireworks show began. The dragonets oohed and awed at the pretty sparkly colors. The reflections shone brightly in their wide eyes.
“What did you wish for?” Alex asked from beside me.
I glanced around, filled with so much love. “Nothing. The Goddess has already fulfilled all my lifelong wishes. I love you, Alex.”
He stretched up and kissed me. “I love you too, Ionus.”
Happy Holidays from the Denarius Family to yours!
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