Chapter Nineteen
Odem
Your eggs should be coming any day now, Caro said as we hovered just above the top of a nearby peak. Everything ready?
Nearly there. I woke up covered in the freshly washed nesting blankets today. Memories of my mate’s sweet gesture, insisting the nest smell of sunshine, warmed me to depths that were hard to fathom.
Ha-ha, mates are funny that way. It’s interesting how we’re drawn to their scents, making it our happy place.
True dat!
Hey, did you just see that?
Yes, you go left and I’ll go right.
Use the cloaking spell.
But it’ll weaken us.
Trust me, I have a feeling I know who this is.
We called out to Mattias and Ionus, alerting them of the intruder, seconds later they reached us and we released the cloaks. With Quint off on the mission, we were down by one.
Mate, into the horde room now. Call out to your brother and Kes to stay low and guard beneath the wards.
Will do. Be safe.
Show yourself! Ionus dragon bellowed and out of the shadows they arose.
Ah, if it isn’t my dear son-in-law. I’m here to collect what’s mine.
Emerson isn’t yours to take. You vacated any rights to him when you cast him out of the clan, Baal.
A mistake I’m here to remedy.
Caro and Baal dove for one another. Their growls filled the air as the two clashed.
The dragon closest to me made a rookie mistake as he flew close and tried to knock me from the air.
Young, na?ve and now nursing a singed wing, he learned the hard way.
His eyes widened as he plummeted toward the ground in the nearby canyon, landing in a plume of dust and debris.
Secure him! Ionus called out. There wasn’t much to secure as he lay writhing in pain in his human form.
“How does your fire differ from all other dragons?” He groaned.
“We’re not your average dragon.”
They sent five to attack us, were they aware there were only four of us? I sent out to my brothers.
A question to ask our new prisoners, Ionus replied.
As the mate to the senior protector, Alex had the job of notifying the Drakemyres and Larkin, which had obviously happened when Baird and Ignatius joined the battle and Hamish helped me secure this one.
“Take him to the dungeons, please.” Hamish nodded, scooped him up and flew toward town. I wasn’t comfortable with our enemies showing up anywhere near our compound.
How do they know where we are? I asked as Ionus finished toying with his prey, batting him toward Ignatius who caught him midair and flew off in the same direction as Hamish.
I have a feeling it’s linked to Emerson’s blood. They’re flying under the radar because they’re living within Dragon City limits, cloaked. Ionus spat as he joined Caro. Recapturing Baal could prove to be quite beneficial, especially since Marge lacked the ability to free them a second time.
We must ask Raven to do a locator spell now that we’ve collected their blood, Mattias pointed out.
All but Baal’s, I pointed out.
We have Emerson’s. If he is indeed a blood relative we’ll have a perfect match, Caro replied.
Huh, hadn’t considered that given my mate just found out the fucker who raised him wasn’t his bio dad.
With the others off to the prisons only one remained. The four of us surrounded Baal, Until next time, protectors, he cackled, then disappeared.
He must have a mage cloaked nearby, helping him escape. Mattias said.
The other four must be nothing more than a distraction, Ionus snarled.
The goal all along was for Baal to penetrate our wards and infiltrate the compound.
As much as I’d like to have him as a prisoner and find out what he knows, I’m giving the order to destroy him.
He’s a danger to our family as well as to others.
I’ll gladly accept that challenge, Caro snarled.
Caro, Ionus, why don’t you return to your mates. I’ll finish this shift with Odem, Mattias suggested.
Aye, thank you brother, Ionus said. Tomorrow will be a long day of prisoner interrogation. They shifted as they landed on the pitch and were inside their respective homes moments later.
Mate, they’ve gone. Four detained, one got away.
Are you okay?
Yes, I am, as are our brothers, too. I’ll be home before you rise. Get some rest, Ronan.
I love you.
I love you, too.
How wonderful it was to hear those words and know he meant them.
Thankfully, the remainder of the night was uneventful, and the morning debriefing was short, due to Ionus and Baird meeting Raven and Larkin at the precinct.
I was happy to see Ionus had included Upalo and Kes in the meeting too.
I couldn’t wait to get home and hold my mate.
After last night’s scare, seeing firsthand that Ronan and the girls were safe, even though I knew they were, was just the reassurance my dragon and I craved.
Mate, Ronan stirred the moment I slid into bed behind him, my hands cradling his belly.
Need you.
There was nothing left to be said. Ronan pressed his back against me, naked and slick.
Equally as desperate for me as I was for him.
There will be time for making love another day.
Today was about reassuring one another that we’re here, safe, strengthening our connection.
Being here for each other in a time of need.
Last night gave me quite a fright. As soon as my cock sunk inside him my dragon finally settled, along with his.
Tears flowed like they never had before. The emotions coursing through me refused to be contained and I didn’t even try. This—my mate, our bond, our girls, were my everything and I’d fight with all the might our beloved Goddess blessed me with to assure they were always safe.
As we reached climax, I bit into Ronan’s shoulder, tipping him over the apex as he came chanting my name. Music to my ears. His blood ran through my veins, heightening my arousal, and sent me into a frantic release accompanied by an earth shaking roar.
The sobs wouldn’t stop. Ronan reached back and cradled my cheek, my cock still buried deep inside him. I nuzzled his palm, leaning into his touch. “Ssshhh, babe. We’re fine. We’re right here and we love you.”
If my brothers felt the change in my mood they didn’t reach out, likely having done the same when they returned to their mates. We’d shared in the same scare, and I appreciated that they’d allowed me privacy during this time with my mate.
“I can’t lose you and the girls, I just can’t.”
“You won’t. We’re fighters, just like you. Having two sparky parents,” I managed to chuckle, “Our girls will be fierce protectors, just like their Papa.”
“From a young age, our girls will be taught how to protect themselves and harness the powers of their gifts.”
“Yes, and I’ll join in the training as well. We’ll be a family of strong warriors. But for now, it’s time to feed us. Help me up?”
I pressed my lips to his shoulder, against the mark my fangs left, then scooped him up and carried him off for a shower.
Delicate touches were exchanged while gently washing the other.
Nothing sexual, just mates taking care of each other.
Down on bended knee, the warm water cascaded over me as I whispered to our girls.
“Papa loves you both so much.” My forehead pressed to Ronan’s belly, the familiar happy bubbles from our girls funneled through our connection as they mentally reached out, sharing this perfect moment with us.
My mate ran his fingers through my hair.
No rush for me to stand or for us to get out.
Just the four of us having a private, family moment.
When the gurgles turned to kicks, it was time to feed them.
“Alright, the troops have spoken,” Ronan chuckled.
“Aye,” I stole one last kiss, “they have.”
We dried and dressed, then I carried Ronan down and into a very full kitchen. “Wow, smells great in here.”
“You’ve fed us now it’s our turn to cook,” Upalo flipped another pancake. “You guys doing alright?” Mattias was manning the bacon while Kes made coffee. A man could get used to this.
“Yeah, thanks for jumping in and helping guard the family.”
“You never have to thank us for that. Ronan and I may be brothers by blood, but you and your brothers are our family now too and family comes first.” How could I not hug him after that admission?
“Alright, enough of this mushy shit,” Mattias teased, my brother was coming into his own. Only took, what, three thousand years and finding one of his mates. I still couldn’t believe he’d have two. “Let’s eat.”
“We trained with Ionus and Mattias this morning. Those old men kicked our asses,” Upalo winked and Kes nearly choked.
“This old man will kick your ass,” Mattias growled. “Don’t forget, all five of us are the same age with Ionus being first born.”
“Hot as hell old ass men.” Was that Kes’s way of flirting? Must’ve worked because my grouchy ass brother grinned. Again.
“Damn straight we are.” It was nice to return to fun and laughter though I knew darkness was lying in wait.
Raven removed leeches from the four new prisoners. They’ll need to rest before we can question them, Ionus sent through our connection.
Did the other one come around yet?
Yes, though he doesn’t remember much. If this leaves them in a trans-like state of mind while under Daigle’s control, then we might not get much out of them.
All for naught? Mattias asked.
Not necessarily. If we can at least get them to remember where their villages were, it would give us starting points to save others.
True.
We’ll start our shift now. See you both at the evening briefing.
After breakfast, Kes went to Mattias’ place with him while Upalo and I washed, hung up and put away things in the nursery as Ronan barked out placement orders. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Donovan had painted the room in pastel shades. The walls a light yellow and spanning one of them was a giant rainbow. Not an in-your-face one, but a calm, muted version. Butterflies, dragonflies, lady bugs – a collection of everything Ronan said he loved dotted the walls.
“This is so freaking awesome.” Upalo had just finished hanging the lacey curtains Ronan picked out. “My nieces are gonna be spoiled rotten.”
“Yes, brother, they are,” I clapped his shoulder. “Look at the tiny hangers and clothes,” I held up one of the outfits. “Hmm, I see someone has been bonding with Luna.”
“You know it,” Ronan grinned. “She told me all the best colors to choose for tutus. Luna’s excited for more girls.”
“I bet she is. Poor thing is surrounded by boys.” The twins, Hunter and Kane, had been better about controlling their gift and Griffin was very protective of her, but having more girls around would be good for her.
“Do you think it would be possible to meet with Emerson today? We spoke a bit at dinner last night and agreed to pick each other’s brains. I mean, if we’re done in here, that is,” Upalo asked.
“Mate, are we done?”
“Hmm, I could use a Cade fix. Let’s go see what’s for lunch.”
“Ha-ha, a mate after my own heart,” I swooned. “Thinking with your stomach.”
“You still owe me dessert.”
“And on that note, point me toward Caro’s house please. I don’t care to be a part of whatever this is.” Upalo knew exactly what we hinted at.
“Just you wait. You’ve found your, mate so keep in mind, paybacks a bitch. Especially from an old ass dragon with a ton of tricks up his sleeves.”
“Goddess,” Upalo asked, head tilted upward, “help me.”
I wrapped an arm around his shoulder, leaned in and whispered, “Oh, it’s game on, brother.”
As soon as we entered Caro’s house it hit me.
The reason all these new dragons came into our lives was that they were here to help us.
To fight alongside us, help with our expanding family.
The Goddess herself was making certain that every last one of us was covered.
There were many hands to help with the dragonets, to watch below while we protected above.
She truly covered every aspect knowing what was coming.
Epiphany, mate?
Something like that.
“Do I smell deviled eggs?” Ronan sniffed the air as Caro’s laughter came from the kitchen.
“Aye, get your pregnant ass in here,” he called out. I loved watching Caro just going about normal everyday tasks with Cade strapped to his chest. His chubby legs kicking about as Caro danced him around. Sweet giggles I longed to hear from my own put us all in a great mood.
“Hello, little man,” I tickled his feet. “Such a good boy for your Papa.”
“Pah-Pah,” he repeated.
“And a smart one too. Where’s Em’s?”
“Here, I heard we had guests and I’m ready to pick Upalo’s brain.”
“Right back at cha,” Upalo grinned. “I’m hoping you have answers to the millions of questions I have.”
While those two got lost in a myriad of questions, I fixed a plate for Ronan, then helped Caro fill and pass out the rest of them.
He slid Cade into his highchair between him and Emerson.
The adorable dragonet kicking away and playing with the food on his divided plate.
Most ended up smeared over his chubby cheeks, some landed on the floor. He was having a blast.
“Think the girls will be that messy?” Ronan whispered.
“Absolutely, and I can’t wait.”
“Do you hear that girls,” Ronan spoke to his belly. “Papa is on clean up duty.”