19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
Mattias
“What would my mates like to do with this wonderful evening we’ve been given all to ourselves?” I asked.
“Ice cream sundaes are an absolute must,” Caspian declared.
“I’m making a banana split tonight,” Kes said. “With chocolate ice cream, warm peanut butter, marshmallow, and whipped cream.”
“In other words, you’re turning your favorite sandwich into a sundae,” I chuckled as I gathered them in my arms.
“Do we still have chocolate graham crackers?” Kes asked.
“I believe so, unless you’ve killed another box since you wandered through here nibbling on the last one?” I replied.
“Good, then we still have some. I’m going to crush one to sprinkle on top of my whipped cream.”
“Let’s go make some epic sundaes,” I said, getting the bowls down when we reached the kitchen while they dug out the ice cream and toppings they wanted.
Kes hummed while he worked, slipping into a song that fit the rhythm and flow of whatever he was doing.
I loved that he did that and today was no different.
Caspian still tried to shake his hips to the tune, despite his growing belly.
They never failed to brighten whatever space they occupied, no matter what the situation was.
The love I felt for them knew no bounds, it only grew more with every heartbeat.
Theirs. Mine. The dragonets. We were all one now.
“Any after sundae plans or did your minds stop at ice cream tonight?” I asked once I’d warmed their toppings for them.
They preferred when I used my flames, especially now that pregnancy was making them impatient. I’d feared for the stove one morning when the bacon wouldn’t crisp fast enough.
“Never got past the ice cream,” Caspian admitted.
“He suggested ice cream, so I didn’t bother thinking about anything else,” Kes said before spooning in another bite.
He followed it with a dramatic sigh, a dreamy expression on his face as he savored his treat.
“I knew I smelled ice cream!”
Odem’s voice startled Kes, who reached for his patch and began slipping it over his eye before deciding against it.
More trust. More growth. Uncle Odem would be a fixture around here the way he was in every house.
I was pleased that Kes now felt comfortable enough around my brothers, or at least one of them, to leave it off.
Odem didn’t bat an eye. His sole focus was on the toppings we hadn’t put away yet.
I’m so proud of you, mate.
As am I, Caspian added, deepening Kes’ blush though he didn’t reach for his patch again.
“How do you smell ice cream?” I asked as he turned and shot me a pleading look. “Fine, grab a bowl but make sure you put it away this time. No cracks about my mate refreezing it either, you’re old enough to clean up after yourself.”
“I’ll remember this time, I swear,” Odem said as he headed for the freezer.
“You still haven’t explained yourself.”
“What’s to explain. I smelled ice cream and took a detour.”
“Is that going to be your story when Ronan stomps over here looking for you with a twin on each hip?”
“Ronan and the twins are with Emerson and Cade, enjoying an evening together since Caro is on patrol tonight so I’m good,” Odem declared.
“You hope.”
“Yes brother, I do.” Odem said.
Goddess I hoped nothing ever changed him.
“There was another reason I dropped in tonight,” Odem said.
“Thank you,” I said.
“But I still smelled the ice cream.”
I slapped a palm against my face, half regretting my earlier plea that he remained unchanged. Give me strength, this was one of those days when he was going to be a bigger handful than Hunter and Kane with the hiccups.
“Before you deliver whatever news you intend to deliver, please remember that there are two pregnant mates in the room so be gentle in your delivery.”
“Bro, you act like this is the first go around,” Odem said. “If I was going to accidentally scare an egg out of anyone it would have been Alex and Ionus would have fried me on the spot.”
“Just consider yourself warned.”
“Alright, alright, sheesh, you worry too much,” Odem said. “They’re both sitting right now anyway.”
My voice took on a low, growling overture when I leveled my gaze on him. “Odem, so help me…”
“That exactly what I’m here for,” Odem replied as he shoveled a heaping bite into his mouth.
“Is there any ice cream under that hot fudge?” I asked, head propped on my elbow as I watched him indulge himself.
“Somewhere.”
“Will there be a point in this conversation when you tell me what you’re doing here besides eating all the hot fudge in the house?”
“Indubitably.”
“Did you snack on a dictionary this afternoon?” I asked.
“No, I discovered a new cartoon I thought your mates might appreciate,” Odem replied. “Well, technically, it’s an old cartoon but I think they’ll love it.”
“I see.”
I rubbed my chin, eyeing my brother, waiting for there to be something more to his random visit.
“Problem?” Odem asked, but only after he’d devoured a fourth of his bowl.
“Just waiting for you to get to the punchline.”
“What punchline?” he asked, head cocked, a quizzical look on his face.
“Seriously?” I asked, my inner skeptic hesitant to believe things were truly that calm in our world right now.
“Seriously, bro, when have you ever known Ionus to send me as the messenger of doom?”
“True, he prefers to deliver those himself,” I admitted.
“I didn’t want to intrude on Ronan’s time with Em, they need that.
Emerson spends entirely too much time pouring through the archives searching for ways to help us.
Ronan gets him to laugh. He’s even introduced Emerson to podcasts, which backfire from time to time, to hear Caro tell it, when Emerson rages about the presenter getting the information wrong.
Emerson’s been helping Ronan broaden the dragonets’ library.
The number of books he’s ordered almost rivels the number of outfits. ”
Chuckling, I raised an eyebrow while I studied him. “Almost, huh?”
“It’s getting closer.”
“Mmm hmm, how much closer?”
“Uhm, three to one, give or take the random package or two. He loves dressing our girls.”
“I bet you do too,” Kes said, grinning at him.
Odem rubbed his hands together, eyes alight with joy. “Those little bows are so cute.”
“Aren’t they?” Caspian said.
His bowl was mostly empty, which was likely reason that he’d chosen now to chime in. There were only a few bites left in Kes’ too, mine was a melting mess but I’d eat it anyway. Not only would it taste the same, it would probably taste better swirled together in the bottom of the dish.
“Searching for bows to match their outfits is like being on a scavenger hunt,” Odem declared. “The best part is finding socks to go with them.”
Sighing, Caspian folded his hands beneath his chin. “Socks. Those tiny ones with the ruffles are the most adorable thing ever. I love all the colors they come in but the one with animal faces on the toes are the absolute best.”
“When they wiggle their toes, those tiny duck beaks and elephant trunks are going to be so much fun for them,” Kes said. “I bet they start babbling and waving their little fists around, giggling up a storm.”
“While tide pools form around our feet,” Caspian said. “It’s going to be adorable.”
“Or glaciers,” Kes remarked, giggling. “I couldn’t resist the animal covered socks either. Or the cartoon ones. Their feet are going to be so tiny.”
“Not for long. Look at Ionus’ brood. Blink and they’re across the room, they move so fast now,” Odem pointed out.
“True, and Cade loves to let his wings out so he can keep up with them,” I said. “We’ll treasure every moment with those adorable feet before we have to chase after them.”
“I’m going to love watching you keep up with six of them,” Odem said, “especially when they start heading in different directions. I can just see it now. You’re going to need a sleigh instead of a stroller.”
“A wagon might not be a bad idea, especially for romps around the compound,” I said, considering several possibilities, including one big enough to hold my mates too.
My dragon perked up at that, eager to be the one to pull it over the land, tail rapped around the handle as he led them on a wonderful journey.
I’ll request one be made. You’ll get your wish, dragon.
Thank you. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, order the sleigh too, for those times when our mate makes it snow for us.
I bet they’ll enjoy that.
I think so too.
Odem burped, blushing while my mates giggled. “Excuse me. That was delicious. Ready to watch some Snaggletooth episodes?”
“How did you inhale that so fast?” I asked determined to finally focus on my ice cream.
“Wasn’t fast,” Odem said. “You just got distracted.”
Mattias, I need you in my office, now.
Son of a…
“Remember that crack you made earlier, about Ionus being the bearer of bad news. I’ve got to go.”
“No worries, I’ll be here.”
“Thanks,” I said, hurrying out the door grateful for Odem’s presence, since I hadn’t planned to leave my mates alone tonight.
Imagine that. This wasn’t the first time his timing had been suspiciously perfect, but I was coming to appreciate it a great deal. When I arrived, Ionus sat behind his desk, hands steepled as he glared at his computer screen.
“I’m not going to like this, am I?” I asked after I’d closed the door.
“It depends. I’m not sure what to make of it yet and hope you’ll be able to help me unravel this particular mystery.”
He turned the monitor around so I could see what kept him from playing with his dragonets tonight.
The artifact on the screen looked fragmented, with several chunks missing.
Something was inscribed on it. When I stepped closer to the screen, I immediately recognized what it was.
The insignia of Caspian’s Seadragon herd.
“Where did it come from?” I asked.
“Among artifacts Emerson unpacked earlier today. Whenever he updates the digital catalogue, I receive a notification. This was the first thing I spotted when I opened it tonight.
“Where is the rest of it?” I asked.