Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Odem
I couldn’t believe our babies were here. Well, in egg form, but Goddess above were they ever brilliant. If their eggs were this beautiful I could only imagine how spectacular their dragons would be.
My brothers took many photos, for which I was thankful for. I was far too busy and comfortable snuggling with my family to move and take any of my own.
Congratulations, brother. They’re beyond words, Ionus said.
I couldn’t agree more, Mattias added.
Call us if you need anything. We’ll leave you to rest.
At Ionus words, the room cleared of all but Upalo.
“I’ll help you change out the blankets.” With the gentlest of moves, I slid out, then scooped up a sleeping Ronan.
Upalo placed the eggs on top of him, Ronan’s arms immediately cradled them tightly.
Upalo removed the birthing blankets then helped me settle them all back into place. “Sleep well, brothers.”
I lay there for the longest time, making sure the girls’ eggs were tucked in tight and that they touched.
Having their labor finish as quickly as it had was a blessing, just as they were.
So tightly bonded in the womb, one couldn’t be without the other, nearly chasing each other out of my poor mate.
It’ll be amazing to watch their bond strengthen once hatched.
Goddess, I was one lucky dragon.
Naptime didn’t come easily, nor did it last very long for me.
Ronan groused a bit as I got up, but his eyes never opened.
Poor guy was exhausted. Seeing them all nestled together hit me right in the heart and I finally took the time to snap a few pictures for myself.
Ronan had really embraced fatherhood and was excited for the girls to come.
Quite the change from the angry twink calling me everything but Odem as he stormed down the street with his sonogram picture waving wildly in hand.
That man and our girls were my everything.
“No rest for the wicked?” Mattias winked as I entered the kitchen. He and Kes were busy cooking away.
“Your kitchen broke?” My words held no malice. Hell, I was the brother who loved having a full house.
“Thought we’d make you guys dinner. It was a long day…” Before he could finish whatever he was about to say, Quint broke in.
We found a lair of dragons under a sleep spell. We’re checking them for leech markings before we wake them.
They could still be of Gorynych blood, so tread lightly and keep your eyes open.
Aye, Ionus. Canyon is walking each one to see if he recognizes them. I have a feeling he wasn’t born of this village and was another gifted dragon they’d kidnapped.
Agreed. They were collecting special dragonets for their own evil uses. Hopefully we can reunite families as we locate more dragons. Ionus’ hope was shared by all of us.
Congratulations, Odem on your eggs. I can’t wait to meet the girls.
Thank you, brother. Please be safe.
“Are they okay?” Kes asked.
“Aye, sweetheart,” Mattias pressed his lips to Kes’s temple. “They found a hidden lair with elders under a sleeping spell.”
“You know, it’s funny,” Kes paused. “I don’t remember seeing any elders before we left.
Like, elders-elders. The ones we met along our journeys were full of insight.
We didn’t have any of that growing up. They taught us as much as they wanted us to know and that was it.
It was like we lived in a fog and the further away we got the clearer our heads became. ”
Quint, Mattias called out, Kes just told us they felt as though they were living in a fog. Be aware of potential spells that may cause you to forget who and where you are.
Aye, understood. Carver has closed several already. Glad we had the foresight to bring a mage along with us.
They may have abandoned the village, but they hadn’t ended their spells. Clearly a trap for unsuspecting visitors, or those who had escaped, returning.
It’s a trap! I shouted through our connection.
Yes, it is, which is why we’re working fast. Alert Larkin to ready his crew for intake. We’re waking a dozen of them now. Ask Raven to meet us at the precinct so she can return with Carver to speed this rescue up.
On it! Ionus called out.
“Fuck man,” I paced the kitchen. Mattias was just as shook up as I was, having handed the cooking over to Kes. “Until they’re all home I’m gonna be a wreck.”
Mate, are you okay?
Quint ran into a bit of snag. They’re transporting bodies now.
Bodies?
They found about a dozen dragons in a deep slumber.
“Is the food ready?” I asked. “Ronan’s awake and I’d like to get him fed.
” Kes nodded and filled a plate for him and handed it over along with a bottle of water.
“Thanks.” I ran it upstairs and walked into the sweetest scene.
Ronan, softly singing to the eggs. His voice was a beautiful lure, pulling me in.
He blushed, “It calmed them when I did that and I didn’t want to lose that bond with them now that the eggs are out.”
“I think it’s wonderful. You have an amazing voice. Sweet and captivating.”
“Thanks. When I’m not screeching, right?”
“Ha, even your screeches soothe my soul, my love. Here, I’ll watch the girls while you eat.” The softest purrs came from inside the eggs, the girls soundly sleeping. I’d imagine labor was just as stressful on them as it was for Ronan. “We did this.”
“Yes,” he said around a mouthful of food. “We did.”
“I’ve never seen two more stunning eggs in my life.”
“I’d say you’re biased, but I one hundred percent agree with you. Any update from Quint?”
“No. Ionus was notifying Larkin of the incoming transports and asking Raven to meet Carver there. They need her to speed up the removal time.” Ronan’s fork stopped mid-bite, his eyes widened.
“Are they in trouble?”
“They triggered wards. Carver has disabled some of them but had to do a cloaking spell to keep them safe while they assessed everyone. Now they’re trying to get back before hostiles arrive.
” Fuck man, I don’t want to leave my family for anything, but the guilt I felt over not being there to help was heavy.
Ronan patted my hand, “They’ll be alright. You’ve got to trust in the Goddess. She’s put all of this on the protectors’ plates for a reason.”
I suppose he’s right, though it doesn’t lessen the worry. Until my brothers were safely back home I’d remain a nervous Nellie.
But one with two very cute eggs.
Ronan handed me the empty plate and snuggled back up with the girls. I tucked them in and kissed him, then both eggs, whispering how much they were loved, before rejoining the other three downstairs to eat.
“Man, I still can’t believe my younger brother is not only mated to a protector but now has twin girls,” Upalo smiled. “Life is strange.”
“That it is.” I finished eating first then started doing the dishes when Ionus spoke again.
Baird and I are headed to the police station. Mattias, you, Kes and Upalo stand watch from the ground. Baird has Ignatus and Rory patrolling over the compound with Caro. Hamish is already in town and will meet us there.
Aye, we will.
Odem, I know you want to be a part of this but it’s important you spend this time bonding with your girls. They are truly amazing.
Thank you, brother.
Mattias shared with Kes and Upalo what Ionus had said while I finished the dishes.
They were kind enough to cook so the least I could do was clean the mess up.
Plus, I was far too jittery to try and nap.
Maybe there’s laundry to do. I suppose with little ones around that chore will become a daily event.
The first dragon has arrived. Raven left with Carver. They should have the rest here within the next half hour.
This was one of those ‘hold your breath until it’s all over’ situations.
Ionus’ updates continued until all twelve, plus our own dragons, inducing Carver and Raven, had returned. I swear, the relief nearly knocked me on my ass.
They’re hungry and understandably confused. Larkin sent a squad to Mable’s to pick up food for them. Not sure we’ll get much from them today. None bear Daigle’s markings, but are visibly terrified hearing his, as well as the Gorynych names.
Ionus, do you think they hid themselves upon hearing they were coming for them?
Odem, you may be on to something. Raven has given them the all clear. Any issues with bringing them back to stay in the empty rooms we have, brothers?
Given we have mates and dragonets, do you think that’s wise, Ionus? Caro asked what we were all thinking.
I can’t explain why I feel this way, but I do.
Ionus’ gut instinct has never led us wrong before.
Emerson is talking my ear off, Caro chuckled, best to bring them to the compound. Our dear archivist has a million questions for them.
Aye, be there after they’re fed.
Well, ours and Ionus’ houses are full to the brim. I’m sure whichever dragons are the chattiest are whom Emerson and Caro will offer rooms to.
Once lonely, far too quiet lives and houses, were now filled to overflowing.
Mate, any update?
Yes, they’re all back. Feeding them in town then bringing them all here. Raven cleared them first.
Glad our house is full.
Ha-ha, I’m sure you are.
Caro, Mattias, Odem, please meet me at Caro’s home. Transport begins now. Bring Upalo in the hopes he can identify them.
Leaving my family, though I’d only be next door, was harder than I thought. I ran up, kissed them, then took the underground garage over. Caro and I arrived at the same time and right as Ionus and Raven appeared with the first one. Mattias followed seconds later.
“Aristor, these are my brothers and fellow Protectors, Caro, Odem, and Mattias. Brothers, this is Aristor of Clan Synorvyn.”
Aristor bowed. “It’s an honor to be in your presence.”
Caro and Emerson stepped forward. “Welcome to our home. This is my mate and our Dragon Archivist, Emerson.”
“Yes,” Aristor chuckled, “I’ve been told you’ll have many questions for us.”
While Emerson and Aristor began their Q&A, my brothers and I remained in the entry way, greeting each of the newcomers as they arrived, beyond confused as to where they were and why they were woken. Ionus took the lead on explaining that.
“So, you’re building an army?” Phayden sneered. There’s a cynical one in every batch. We’ll keep an eye on him for sure.
“No, we don’t need an army. The Goddess chose us as the protectors for a reason.
Until these last couple of years, we were under the impression the number of dragons walking amongst us was next to nil.
Dragon City had a population of fifteen hundred.
Now, we’re double that and growing by the day,” Ionus added.
“They had no clue any slumbered until they happened upon us,” Baird said. “My son kept our whereabouts hidden until his son, Alex, accidentally found his mate in Ionus.”
“Sounds like quite the story there,” Aristor smiled.
“This is a lot to take in,” Eris, a matronly older woman, sat down. “What year is it?”
“Two thousand twenty-six,” I replied.
All twelve eyes widened, but it was Eris who replied. “We’ve slumbered for half a century.”
“Does anyone know what happened to our mage?” Skyy asked. “She put us to rest when they came for us, but I don’t see her here now.”
“They?” Emerson asked.
The twelve of them glanced at one another, uncertain if they should reply. Finally, Aristor spoke. “Ionus, you mentioned both at the police station.”
“I’d love to pretend I’m surprised, but it would be a lie. So far every clan we’ve located has said the same, though yours is the first we’ve come across that had Daigle added to the mix.”
The plot thickens, brothers.
That it does, Ionus.
How many more were out there hiding from the same evil? Hopefully we’ll find them before they do.
And we’re running out of space to house wayward dragons.
We’ll make due, Mattias.
Hopefully that meant Ionus had a plan, because I sure as hell didn’t. Guess we could always pitch tents on the lawn. But damn, we’re gonna have to double our grocery orders.
“We have nothing but the clothes on our backs. Do you have a garden or farm animals that need tending to so we can earn our room and board?” Aristor asked Ionus.
“Aristor, there’s no need to worry about that, and for the record, no animals or a garden, though I’m not opposed to putting one in. Sustainability is something we’ve discussed over the years yet never made any steps toward achieving. Maybe we can work together to bring it to fruition?”
“We’d like that,” Eris said. “We tended our farms daily and honestly, I enjoyed it. Would be nice to work the soil and provide again.”
Guess the wheels were in motion, but the next question was, where in the world did Ionus plan to build said garden?