Chapter Twenty-Seven
Odem
“Wow, Larkin huh?” Didn’t see that one coming. Another block added to the old bingo card. “Never met anyone in more dire need of a mate than him, but you’ve got you’re work cut out for you.”
“On the bright side, with everything you guys have taught us, we’d be an asset to his team, and hopefully lighten his workload,” Upalo said.
“True.” Playing matchmaker was kind of exciting. “Let me reach out and invite him to dinner.”
“Thanks, bro,” Upalo smiled. Rory was all a titter beside him. Huh, wonder if I used that right? Now I sounded like Rory.
The pheromones were running wild in Dragon City.
Alright, time to get this matchmaking game on.
Me: Got time for dinner tonight?
Larkin: Depends on what you have in mind. Did Ionus call a meeting I missed?
Me: Nope. Totally low-key at casa Odem. You in?
Larkin: Hmm, color me suspicious. Alright, I’ll bite. Gotta move a few things around. What time were you thinking?
Me: 7ish
Larkin: See you then.
I turned the phone toward Upalo and Rory and their faces lit up as they read it.
“We owe you one, bro.”
“Nah, it’s all good. Happy to help family out, Upalo.
” Fingers, toes, and talons crossed that Larkin doesn’t break their hearts.
I knew what would happen if a protector’s mate denied the bond, having lived it first-hand.
I just hoped like hell the same didn’t stand true for the rest of dragon-kind, though how did that work in the case of throuples? My Q&A list for Emerson was staggering.
Either way, Ronan may neuter me if it this set up crashed and burned.
Brothers, Mattias called out, we may have a lead on Cynda.
Dear Goddess, I hope that’s true.
We’ve visited many Merdragon lairs. They have been hiding until recently when they heard of our plight. They wish to join our endeavor, and they too have harbored numerous refugees who’ve fled from the Gorynych recruiters.
Please assure them we are here for whatever they may need.
Already done, Ionus.
Any luck with your third mate?
Sadly, no, Odem. But Kes and I sense they are still out there. We are on our way to follow another lead. Will touch base soon.
Be safe, brother.
Aye, Ionus. It’s the only way to be.
This mission was of the utmost importance. Not only in finding Ronan and Upalo’s mother, but in building bonds with the Merdragons. Thankfully, Caro and Emerson’s bond was strong and could endure this time apart. With Mattias and Kes’ being as new as it was, traveling together was best for them.
“Where did Upalo go?” Ronan asked the second I entered the nursery.
“Your dragon hearing is getting better, mate.” A quick press of my lips to his as I joined my family. “They went to town to gather what they wanted to cook Larkin for dinner tonight.”
“I’m so excited for them. The stronger our family gets, the safer we all are.”
“Aye, you are correct, my love.” I shifted a single wing and tucked the three of them under it. My dragon was content and ready for a nap. The girls weren’t even out of their shells yet and his protective nature was strong. My Goddess above, when they start flying he’ll be a wreck.
Is your dragon purring?
Yes, he’s lost his damn mind.
Quiet, human, you’re interrupting family time.
Well, that had Ronan and our girls in stitches and now everyone was awake.
“Let’s take the girls for a ride.”
“What???” Ronan squawked. “Have you lost your fu…” he glanced over at the eggs. “Freaking mind?”
“Not that I’m aware of. Come on, they’d enjoy it.”
“There is no way we are taking those precious eggs up in the air. Now, I will consent to a walk.” It was cute how he believed he was in charge. “We should make this a daily event, providing the weather plays nicely.”
“Okay.”
Huh, maybe he was…
The second we stepped outside, children’s laughter hit our ears. “Let’s see what they’re up to,” Ronan said. Visiting my niece and nephews was never a hardship for me.
Alex and Emerson, along with their offspring, were in the playground area.
“Afternoon, everyone.”
“Unca O, Unca Ro,” the twins hollered as the four of Alex’s ran toward us and Cade was… “Are those his wings?”
Emerson shook his head. “So much for dragon lore stating they didn’t get them until they were teens. We can’t keep the boy down. Found him on top of a filing cabinet yesterday.”
“Oh my,” Ronan uttered beside me. “Is this what we have to look forward to?”
“Luna is an absolute doll,” Alex said, swirling said giggling princess through the air. “She’s a healer for sure. Gentlest soul I’ve ever met.”
“Opal and Ruby, Daddy.”
“And now she wants to chit chat with her cousins.” Ronan and I took a seat on the bench, leaving plenty of room for Luna. “There you go, sweet girl. Daddy’s gonna check on the firebugs.”
Hunter and Kane had run off to Goddess knows where. Good thing was I didn’t smell smoke. Having fire extinguishers stationed around the properly was one of the smartest things my brother and his mate had done.
“Hello Princess Luna.” She crawled atop my lap and faced the eggs.
“Opal,” she rubbed her egg. “Ruby,” she did the same to hers.
“Smart girl.” Ronan adored her. He loved her brothers and cousin Cade too, but Luna won him over the first time they met.
She whispered to the eggs. “They come soon.”
Ronan blinked. “Odem?”
“She has yet to be wrong, my love. Luna has predicted much in her short time, as has our great protector, Griffin.” Griffin proudly pounded his chest. “See, Griffin will protect us.”
“Aye, protect,” mini Ionus uttered, staring fondly at his cousin’s eggs. The girls giggled inside them, wide awake. “They awake.”
“Yes, dear boy, they are.”
“I hear laughing.” Goddess, these dragonets were light years ahead of humans their own age.
“They’re laughing at their silly cousins,” Ronan rubbed Griffin’s head. “Are you excited to play with Opal and Ruby?”
“Yes, protect.” Well, he had that one down for sure. “Check on twins.” Griffin hopped down and went in search of the others while Emerson and Cade stayed nearby.
“Has Cade shown any other abilities yet?”
“Well, Caro thinks I’m nuts, but I swear I heard him speaking dragon tongue the other night. I’d rolled out an ancient scroll about a black dragon necromancer called Kieran.”
“Wait, what?” Ronan stopped him. “A black dragon?”
“Yes, he’s a necromancer. Strong, protective not a threat or danger.
It’s believed he perished during the great Dragon War.
Anyway, Cade sat beside me on the tabletop, pointing and speaking.
At first I thought it was gibberish, my dragon tongue leaves a lot to be desired, but I swear I caught a couple of words he said. ”
“Now, hear me out.” Anytime Ronan began a sentence with those words I cringed. “Remember when I saw something dark in the trees the other day.”
“Yes?” came out more of a question.
“I’m telling you, I saw another dragon. What if he didn’t die? What if the Goddess sent him here to watch over us since we have all these babies now?”
“There’s literally been nothing else written about him. No sightings, no nothing,” Emerson shook his head. “As much as I would love for him to be alive, history proves otherwise.”
I wouldn’t put it past the Goddess to send us such a protector. One who can control the dead and potentially conjure them to help in battle.
The battle she clearly knows is on the horizon.
“Emerson, Ronan may be onto something. Can you find that info again and bring it to Ionus for tonight’s briefing?”
“Sure, but I still think it’s a stretch.”
“Well, let’s at least share it with the others. Stranger things have happened as of late.” And right on cue, Cade’s wings fluttered and off he went with Emerson trailing behind him.
“Neck-o-mance,” Luna mumbled. “Yes, he’s good.”
My wide eyes met Ronan’s. With Ronan’s dragon being so new to him, aside from his lava launching abilities, I often wondered what else the Goddess gifted him with. Luna’s gifts strengthened with each passing day.
“Can I go to the meeting too?”
“I kinda think you have to, though I’ll tell you, they can get pretty boring.” Especially when Ionus droned on and on. I swear he got off on hearing himself talk.
Alex came around the corner carrying Kane and Hunter like footballs. Griffin, smoke streaming from his nostrils, walked alongside him, fists balled at his sides.
“Dare I ask?”
“Let’s just say Uncle Odem’s next class should be about the negative effects of burning bugs.”
“I’m not ready for this,” Ronan mumbled beside me, shaking his head.
I chuckled. “It’ll be fine. Kane and Hunter are unique, and Uncle Odem will be sure to show them how much they hurt the bugs when they do that. Bugs are important components to our eco system, boys, and they feel just as we do, and just like the flora and fauna I taught you about.”
“Sorry Unca O.”
“It’s not me you need to apologize to, it’s Mother Nature and all the wonderful creatures and plants she’s been kind enough to grace us with.” Tears came and I nearly apologized until I caught Alex’s head shaking as he mouthed, don’t you dare.
Emerson returned, carrying Cade football style as well. Was this the equivalent to the human version of the terrible twos? “Does anyone know if there’s a leash you can use for baby dragons? Like the kind they wear while surfing?”
“Ha-ha,” my laughter echoed through the canyon. “I’m sure we can find something. Come on, Ronan, let’s go check on the love birds.” Alex and Emerson headed toward their homes as we did the same.
“Oh. My. God. It smells wonderful in here.” Ronan followed his nose into the kitchen only to get his hand slapped by Upalo when he lifted the pot lid. “Ouch!”
“That’s right. Keep your grubby paws off the meal for our mate.”
“Hey, wait, we don’t get any? So not cool.” I didn’t want to pull the it’s our house line, but damn.
“Yes, well, no?” Rory stumbled when he caught Upalo’s glare. “Sorry.”