Chapter 9
As Skye drew Khadar for Lalani, she knew the other women would want an image of their mates as well. That worked great for Skye. She’d have activities for several meetings. Besides, more dragons arrived on the front lawn to join the group as she sketched.
Eavesdropping, she overheard that the red dragon’s name was Rogan. Of course, she recognized Keres immediately. She even waved hello to the black dragon. Having spent several hours on his back, Skye supposed they were well enough acquainted for that. Both dragons exchanged a roar with Khadar before shifting to join the others in the chairs. To Skye’s delight, Keres nodded at her, acknowledging her greeting.
Skye smiled when the women climbed up on their mate’s lap to leave a chair for the newcomers. She’d discovered how much she loved being close to her mates. It was fun to see that the other mates craved their dragon’s closeness as much as she did. And they called their mates Daddy.
When her fingers cramped, she closed the sketch pad and waved at Khadar. “Thank you.”
Lalani came running to her side. “Can I see?”
“I didn’t get quite finished. Can I bring it back to you?” Skye asked.
“Of course. Do you prefer I wait to see it?”
Skye nodded, hoping Lalani would understand.
“The suspense may kill me, but that means we’ll get to see each other in the future. So, I’ll be happy about that,” the sweet woman told her.
Skye smiled. “I’ll look forward to that.”
“Come, join us. We’re getting ready to eat.” Lalani invited her. “You can meet Rogan as well.”
“Is this all the horde?” Skye asked as they walked back to the others.
“No, there are ten dragons. Some join us from time to time, but their mates are older and used to seclusion. This group gathers a lot. I think our mates understand we’re not used to the solitude of being alone on the top of a mountain. And we’re new to being a mate. None of us knew dragons existed. Families aren’t as close to share the ancient pact and the history of dragons protecting Wyvern. You’ll have to find out who in your family is the keeper of your family’s tome.”
“Tome?” Skye echoed.
“Oh, you haven’t heard of it either?” Ciel asked.
“It’s a ginormous book each family has. It contains the original pact and the line of succession for all the mates in that family. Those are the names carved into the steps on the square.”
“The mates?” Skye asked.
“Yes. That’s the record of all of us,” Aurora confirmed.
As the others settled on their Daddy’s lap with a plate of food to nibble on, Skye hesitated. Where should she sit? She didn’t want either to feel like she preferred one over the other.
“Come here, Blueberry. You can start on my lap and have pie on Ardon’s,” Oldrik suggested.
Skye settled happily on Oldrik’s hard thighs and smiled at Ardon. Is this okay?
I get you for dessert. He smiled suggestively at her. That expression turned into a grin as Skye let out a peal of giggles.
When she remembered others were around, she scanned the group quickly to make sure no one had noticed. Of course, everyone had. But it was okay. They seemed happy for the triad.
Her gaze landed on Rogan as she ate. He had the most interesting features. Chiseled and intriguing. And that distinctive red streak in his hair. She wanted to draw him.
A low growl caught her attention. A second joined in a split second later. Skye realized they were coming from Oldrik and Ardon. Is something wrong?
You need to stop admiring Rogan, My Treasure. Our bond is too new. We are ready to defend what’s ours. Ardon warned.
He just has a compelling face. I don’t have any feelings for him. I’d like to sketch him.
That rumble coming from Oldrik intensified, and the other dragons turned to stare at them. Each dragon lifted their mate from their lap and sent them toward Khadar’s mansion.
Go with the other women, Oldrik instructed, lifting her to her feet before he stood between Skye and the other dragons. The other shifters instantly rose to their feet as well. Everyone appeared to bristle with energy—and not the positive kind.
No! I’m sorry. I don’t desire him. How could I? I have both of you!
Skye tried to dash around Oldrik to stop this madness. How could they go from laid-back to ready to attack in seconds? And over her?
Ardon scooped her up and placed her behind him. Her mates formed a wall to keep Skye away from the other dragons. Climbing Ardon like a rock face, Skye looped her arms around his shoulders and held on. This is all a big misunderstanding. I want to go home. Will you take me there?
Frightened tears welled from her eyes, splashing down to Ardon’s skin. He reacted like they were made of fire, instantly, paying attention to her and gathering Skye into his arms. “Oldrik. Our mate needs us. We will go. It was too soon for us to join unmated dragons.”
The other dragons relaxed out of their intent postures. They nodded at the triad and didn’t try to stop them from walking to an open area to shift. Their urgency to put distance between themselves and the others bled into her mind as Oldrik and Ardon changed in a flash. With Oldrik surveying everything that moved, Ardon urged Skye to climb his scales. Once in place, Skye clung to Ardon’s neck as he launched himself into the air. He headed to the top of a nearby mountain with Oldrik next to him.
Where are we going, Ardon? Skye asked when they didn’t head for the mansion.
I need to be in my lair. Oldrik is accompanying us.
Oldrik? Are you okay?
I will be soon.
Their voices in her head sounded tense. She didn’t feel like she was in danger—just that she’d really messed up. Swallowing hard, she concentrated on sending her love to both shifters. Skye wanted them to know how much she cared about them.
A tear slid down her cheek. She’d screwed up so badly. They didn’t understand that an appreciation for unique features and shadows was engrained in her artist’s soul.
It’s okay, Blueberry. You did nothing wrong, Oldrik reassured her.
But I did. I almost made you attack your friends.
No. My jealousy was behind that. Not you. Ardon flew toward a ring of fire.
Was he going through that? She wouldn’t survive the flames. Squeezing her eyelids shut, Skye sent a final blast of her love out to her mates as Ardon’s head got close to the circle. She hadn’t gotten enough time with her mates.
Hold on, My Treasure. The entrance appears treacherous, but you and Oldrik are with me. You’ll be fine.
Scared, Skye held her breath and kept her eyes tightly closed. Warmth flashed over her skin. Skye exhaled a sigh of relief that she hadn’t been set on fire. I didn’t die.
“No, Blueberry. We’re safe,” Oldrik reassured her from his position next to Ardon, still in his dragon form. “The flames extinguish when the dragon or person entering is cleared by its owner. Ardon has given us both his permission to visit. An intruder would face a much different reception.”
My Treasure, I wouldn’t have endangered you. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you earlier. I forget there are many things you have to learn about living with dragons, Ardon said. Can you slide off? Oldrik will hold you while I change.
Moving shakily, she allowed Oldrik to help her unclasp her arms from around Ardon’s throat. Skye swung her leg over the bronze dragon’s back and scooted down his shining scales into Oldrik’s arms. The blue dragon hugged her tightly as he backed away to give Ardon space to shift.
In a short time, Ardon’s arms wrapped around her from behind as he held her close. “Mate, are you okay?”
Reacting to the kindness in his voice, Skye lost it. Tears raced down her cheeks, and her chest heaved as she tried to control the emotions inside her. Fright and worry battled against her embarrassment that they thought she was attracted to someone else. I’m at fault for all of this. If I hadn’t studied that guy’s face, this would have never happened. You wouldn’t have gotten mad at the other dragons, at each other, at me!
When she struggled to free herself, the dragons relaxed their hold on her to allow her to stand in front of them. Each stayed in contact with her. Ardon took her hand, and Oldrik rubbed her back.
Lifting her hand to his lips, Ardon pressed his mouth to her skin before saying, “Shh, My Treasure. Everything is fine. You did nothing wrong. We aren’t angry with you.”
If it’s not my fault, what happened?
“Blueberry, you have to remember that having a mate is new to you. Having the most precious person in your life bonded to two dragons is unfamiliar to Ardon and myself. We’ve handled it well until today. Then everything exploded inside both of our beasts. Dragons don’t share. It isn’t in our nature.”
See! I’ve caused so many problems. I could just go back to my parents’ house.
“That will not happen,” Oldrik told her with a gentle but unyielding tone. “If you are not close to us, things will only get worse.”
Ardon squeezed her hand as he looked deep into her eyes. “We would not change our connection with you for anything. Ever.”
Trapped in a loop inside her own mind, Skye’s anxiety skyrocketed. I know I’m different. You shouldn’t be saddled with me. Maybe you could hire me to work in your house until the mate bond relaxes. Then it will be easy for everyone to return to their own places. She dashed away a tear that rolled down her cheek. Stupid eyes. They needed to stop leaking.
Without saying a word, Ardon pulled her close. Immediately, Oldrik crowded in behind her. Loving thoughts and emotions buffeted her from both sides. Skye could feel her anxiety dissipating. They squeezed her firmly between them for several long minutes until everyone’s heart rate slowed to normal.
Turning his head, Ardon pressed a kiss to her temple. “I love you, Skye. Being away from you isn’t going to happen. Oldrik and I need to figure this out for you. Everything was going pretty well until….”
“Today, when we let our dragon’s instincts rule our thoughts,” Oldrik finished for him. “Will you trust us enough to let us prove to you this won’t happen in the future?”
She squirmed in Ardon’s arms until she could face them both. Searching their faces and minds, she could sense the emotional connection between the three of them. Everyone deserves a second chance. Those we love should get a third.
“Thank you, Skye. Let’s go wash your face,” Oldrik suggested.
A few minutes later, with the tears erased from her skin, Skye heard her stomach roar. She’d not had time to snack at Khadar’s. Can I have something to eat?
“Of course, Little One. Let’s get you fed,” Ardon suggested and set her down to walk between them. “Welcome to my lair.”