Chapter 18 #2
“Did he make it? Did someone get the new dragon help? He was very hungry. He was going to eat us!”
“I noticed you didn’t ask after me,” Kami said, his voice dry as dust.
Mercury rolled his eyes. “Like I would have ever left you. You’re my good friend.
” Mercury grinned, the expression wicked.
“And you were the one who knew where home was. Wow, look at all the sparklies! Hi, Triton! Hey, Anemone.” Mercury snuggled into Talon’s chest. Oh, I’m so glad to be home.
That was so scary. I swear I didn’t mean to go.
It was just… I don’t think either one of us intended it.
If you’d intended it, you would have been in really big trouble. As it is, we’re going to have to work on your internal no-ness.
My no-ness?
Talon nodded. Yes, your no-ness, as in, no, I can’t slide today. No, we are not going to some strange place to find a rock. No.
Mercury chuckled, rubbing his face against Talon’s chest. No-ness. I love it. Anemone will help?
She says she will, yes.
“I’m hungry,” Mercury said aloud. “Is anyone else hungry?”
Talon had to laugh. “I bet Kami is.”
“Oh my God, yes. That cold space while we were sliding was like, super draining. I could eat an entire side of beef.”
“I want doughnuts,” Mercury stated. “Filled ones. Jam. Cream. And I want a patty melt. Did you know about patty melts, Talon?”
He nodded somberly, trying for serious. “Boone and Durango introduced me to them.”
“So good. And the dragon? His name is uh…”
“Dannol.” Kami put that in. “Why isn’t anyone ordering food?”
Reno rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. “Give me your orders everyone.”
“Doughnuts!”
“French dip!”
“Patty melts!”
Anemone’s laughter filled the air. “Can I have a turkey sandwich, please?”
Talon sat back, Mercury in his arms, and he was so relieved he just let everything wash over him, Triton still gripping his hand.
This was the best family a dragon could have. And he loved them all so much.
Now they just had to keep everyone safe. Especially his best friend and his mate, who seemed determined to find trouble.
Not determined. It was an accidental thing. Honest. Kami met his eyes. I swear to you. I heard the baby’s stone, and I was so excited I grabbed his hand. I didn’t even try.
He nodded because he got it. You two were just trouble looking for a place to happen.
We so are. Kami looked at Mercury and winked. “Thanks for getting me home.”
“Yeah, I think that we should practice not doing that anymore, and then after the baby, you and I can practice doing it right with Talon.”
Reno growled softly. “I don’t know if I love this idea.”
“You can come too. I don’t care. If I can transport a whole hoard, then transporting a few dragons should be fairly easy.”
“Don’t put the cart before the horse,” Reno said. “Just try to not do it, okay?”
Anemone smiled at Reno, going to put a hand on him which made him relax immediately. “We’re going to practice all sorts of things, Reno, but I promise you we’ll do it in a controlled environment where it will be very difficult for anyone to get hurt.”
Mercury nodded. “Also, I don’t want people knowing we can do this.” He looked at Kami, so serious. “I think it would be a mistake if we let it out how we could do this. I think they would try to come and get us.”
Kami nodded. “Smart dragon.”
Triton frowned a bit. “Have we considered moving the two families up to where we are, so that it’s more difficult to access you?”
Reno shook his head. “I want to stay with my team.”
Talon did the same. “I want to be close with Kami, you.”
Triton rolled his eyes. “All right, then let’s block off this floor.”
“Then everyone would just know something important was on this floor.” Mercury pointed out.
“I’ve been locked up for a very long time.
This is our keep. We have protection all over.
” Mercury smiled at Triton. “I appreciate that you want to help and protect me and your brother, but I don’t want to be locked away anymore.
It’s awful. And poor Kami. He’s just not suited to that. ”
“I detect no lies there.” Kami snorted. “I’m really the person voted least likely to be the idiot you want to have locked in a box. Even a pretty box.”
“All right, well, we can agree we should be very aware of who comes to be on this floor.” Triton scowled at Talon. “I do not wish to be an alarmist,” he said, “but I want you and your mate safe.”
We don’t have the problems that you do with Leilani, but Reno and I have an alliance. Reno, Boone, and Durango have an alliance. So, by marriage, so to speak, I have an alliance with them.
Yes, but I am your brother, and this baby will be my family, so I have the ultimate alliance with you.
This is true. I love you so much, my brother, and you know that. I promise I will talk to Cain about putting in more security cameras and perhaps some sensors on the door so we know when someone is coming and going. Does that help?
And some pressure sensors on the windows.
Fair enough. Talon knew there were people on the staff who did that kind of work who could totally be discreet and not gossip about what they had been doing all day.
Triton squeezed his hand before letting go, then ruffled Mercury’s hair. “You should rest now.”
Mercury yawned but shook his head. “After the food. I’ll rest then.”
“Very well.” Triton just shook his head. “You’re all so stubborn.”
Talon laughed. “We are, but that’s okay. You love us anyway.”
I love you, too, Mercury said. I don’t want to put you in danger.
“Then we’ll work on controlling your talent. Everything will be fine.” If he said it enough, even to himself, he would begin to believe it.