Chapter 15
Standing in the corner of the library with her leggings and panties around her ankles with her nose against the wall, Skye sniffed for the millionth time. I was just trying to keep you safe.
“That is not your job, mate. You did the exact opposite of what you were told to do,” Oldrik reminded her. “That plug will stay in your bottom until you understand that.”
That’s going to be forever. Skye vowed to stay there as long as it took.
“Neither Oldrik nor I will allow you to risk yourself,” Ardon said evenly.
Skye heard the scratch of his pen on paper and knew he was working on the accounts for the estate. Would they even notice if she snuck out? Moving silently, she lowered to her knees.
She’d crawled two feet when Oldrik’s voice stopped her in her tracks. “I believe those chemicals must still affect our mate. We’ve washed her thoroughly outside. Do you think we need to soap her inside as well?”
“That could be a positive step to address her behavior. I’ll go get the anal syringe and a cleaning mixture to inject. I’m glad you picked that up when you were out,” Ardon told the blue dragon as he stood up.
Immediately an image of a box popped into her mind. Oldrik had placed it in the locked cabinet in her room. She’d caught a brief glimpse of the package that held a picture of a large bulb syringe with a thick tube attached. Skye suspected she wasn’t going to enjoy that treatment.
“I’ll be good,” she blurted, feeling her heart beat faster. Choosing to speak instead of think, she stressed her submission to her mates. Skye stood and retook her position in the corner. This time she sent them promises to listen with fewer thoughts that she’d do it again to save them. She hoped that would be enough for them to decide she was free from the dust’s effects.
To her relief, she heard a chair creak and knew that Ardon had reseated himself. Her heart rate gradually slowed to normal. Was there something else she could have done? That was what they had told her to think about when they’d set her in the corner.
I could have run the opposite way, and you could have diverted there.
“Yes, Blueberry. That would have worked. Then you would not have made yourself ill.” Oldrik praised her suggestion.
You’d already thought of that.
“We had. Let’s get you out of the corner, My Treasure.” Ardon appeared behind her silently. He removed the plug before restoring her clothing and patting her bottom to urge her into the room. “Go sit on Oldrik’s thighs. He needs hugs this morning.”
As Skye rushed over to her Daddy and clambered onto his lap, the thought popped into her mind that Ardon had deliberately made noise to increase her concern when he’d stood before. Flipping that idea around, she decided she’d consider it a second chance to rethink her refusal to follow directions and to find a better solution.
Oldrik brushed her hair away from her face before pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Ardon loves you with all his heart, as do I. If only given the choice of saving you and thereby risking our lives, neither of us would hesitate. You are more important than our next breath.”
I was trying to help.
“We knew you were, Skye. You were selflessly ready to sacrifice yourself for us. There was another way.”
I promise I’ll listen in the future. I was scared.
“Thank you, Blueberry.”
“Anyone want to go for pizza?” Ardon asked, coming back into the room.
You’re going to let me leave your lairs?
“With two big, bad dragons? Yes,” Ardon teased.
Skye wiggled off his lap. Let’s go!
The back room of Angelino’s was beautifully lit by wide-open windows. The family had welcomed her with great deference and celebrated her as a chosen mate. Surprised by the clan’s knowledge of mates and dragons through several generations, Skye realized several of the Wyvern residents had never forgotten the role of the dragons in Wyvern history.
“Skye! I’m so glad to see you,” Ciel greeted her as she walked into the large gathering area. She paused next to Skye and asked, “Can I hug you?”
“Is that normal?” Skye asked. Often social interactions baffled her.
“Yes, for me but not necessarily for you,” Ciel said with a smile.
Remembering how nicely the mates had treated each other, Skye stepped forward awkwardly and held out her arms. Ciel walked into her embrace to squeeze her close. When Ciel moved back, Skye felt amazing. Maybe she had real friends for once.
“Good hug!” Ciel celebrated before linking her arms with Skye’s. “Let’s choose a place to sit. I want to be close to the dragons.” Her wink told Skye she meant to eavesdrop.
Aurora and Lalani soon joined them. The ladies took a seat just behind the dragons. They tried to listen only to hear nothing. The dragons were communicating silently.
“That’s no fair,” Aurora protested.
“They knew what we were doing,” Lalani whispered.
“Of course,” Ciel confirmed.
“Ladies, would you like to eat while your mates solve the problems of the world?” Angelino suggested with a conspiratorial wink.
“Definitely!” Lalani said, jumping to her feet as the staff brought in delicious-smelling pizza. The others followed her to the buffet.
This time when they selected a place to sit, the women clustered around a table far from the dragons. They didn’t need to listen to their conversations, either. Of course, they all knew it was simple for the shifters to hear from a much farther distance.
“Tell us what happened, Skye,” Aurora asked.
“Two guys appeared and tried to use some kind of dust.” Skye simplified the event.
“And they were on your mates’ flight path?” Ciel probed.
“Yes.”
“What happened to them?” Lalani asked.
“Keres.”
“Ah, Keres,” Lalani said knowingly. “I wish he’d find his mate. The number of Wyverns returning to the city dwindles each day. I’m sure he is losing hope.”
“It was scary,” Skye shared.
“I bet. My Daddy said you kicked over the devices they were setting up to ignite the poison. He warned me about running away and to let the dragons fight the battles,” Ciel said.
“I bet we all have tried to do too much and got into trouble,” Lalani suggested. Aurora and Skye nodded their heads.
“Sorry,” Skye offered.
“Sorry? You were a complete badass. I’d love to be that brave. You saved your mates,” Ciel said in awe.
“You’d do the same thing,” Skye told them.
“You’re right. We would. Do you think that’s why we’re mates?” Lalani asked.
Everyone shrugged. Whatever qualified them to be their family’s representative as a match for dragons seemed nebulous. Skye glanced over at Ardon and Oldrik. As she studied their handsome faces, her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Immediately, both shifters turned to her in concern. Skye smiled at them before mouthing, “I love you.”
I love you, Blueberry. Oldrik’s thought smoothed over her like a brush of his hand.
Ardon followed that with a sweet message. You are so treasured, Skye.
Feeling more than she ever thought possible, she thanked her lucky stars for making it home to such an amazing life.
Skye turned back to glance around the table. The other mates included her in the conversation but accepted however much she chose to contribute. For once, she enjoyed the chatter of others. She already cared about these women and considered them friends.
Her life had taken a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. From a loner who everyone thought was strange to an integral part of a group of women. She was still quirky, but different in a good way.
Skye glanced over at the table of serious looking shifters. And she got to hang out with dragons. Her life rocked.