Chapter Twelve
Juni
“Are you ready for the surprise?” Kyson asked and I almost stomped my foot. I’d been waiting far too long to see Kael and Kalliope’s cribs.
“You know I am.”
“Save the snark for the bedroom, Queenie.” He’d given me a new nickname the second our little princess’ egg entered the world.
Gotta say, I was feeling a bit queenie as of late.
Kyson had spoiled me even more with baths, and massages.
Goddess, the massages led to fantastic orgasms. Not sure what my hormones were up too but they sure had a direct line to my cock. “Alright, come on up to the nursery.”
“Oh my god, Kyson.” I ran my hand over Kael’s name engraved into the footboard of his crib amongst hand carved dragons in flight. “It nearly mirrors our headboard.”
“Solid oak and sturdy as hell. The only thing they won’t withstand is fire, so fingers crossed there are no mishaps with gassy dragonets.”
My mouth dropped and I blinked. “Can that really happen? I thought you said they don’t shift until they’re teenagers.”
“Well, sparks have been known to happen. Don’t mean to frighten you, but given the size of Kael’s egg, I wouldn’t be surprised if he shifted early.”
“What the hell, man? Do we even have a fire extinguisher?”
“Calm your tits, Queenie,” he winked. Smart ass used my own words against me. “I’ve already got a few stashed around the house just in case and have a contract signed with the company dad uses for refills.”
I huffed. “You calm your tits,” came out so childish he laughed at me.
“Lost some of that snark, did ya. Come check out Kalliope’s.”
On the tip top of the letter K in her name on the footboard hung a tiny crown and a larger one was on the inside of the headboard, facing inward where our perfect princess would sleep. “Kyson, they’re gorgeous. I’m so excited to see their bedding in them.”
“What did you end up ordering, or do I even need to ask?”
I grinned, having been a bit naughty when I ordered. “Pretty pink princess stuff for our Kalliope and you know, flying lizards for Kael.”
That got me tickled. “You take that back. We’re not flying lizards.”
Through our bond our babies woke, and the connection filled with gurgles and giggles. “You woke the kids.”
“Did not, you did.”
“Now we sound like kids,” I rolled my eyes.
“Takes one to know one.”
“Dragon, are you hearing this nonsense from your human?” I tattled on Kyson.
Aye, and yours as well.
“Ha-ha,” Kyson pointed at me. “Busted!”
“Come on, silly mate, we woke the kids.” Who knew those words would ever come from my mouth?
But they have and now Kyson and I sat in the nest next to our babies and fawned over them.
“Daddy and Papa can’t wait to meet you both.
We’ll play and Papa will take you flying and we’ll hug you until you say no more. ”
“Daddy is right. We can’t wait to meet you. We love you both so much,” Kyson choked up. “You mean the world to us.” Happy feelings poured through the bond.
“Will we be able to communicate with them like we do with each other, through our bond, I mean?”
“Yes, just as we are now.”
“Maybe not this winter but next, do you think we could take a couple of days and bring them to meet Brighton? I’d love to show them where Daddy and Papa first met and fell in love.”
“Juni, I think that’s a wonderful idea. Come on, they need to rest so they can meet the world soon and I need to put the finishing touches on their dressers and the bassinette. I figured you’d want that in our room for the first couple of months.”
“Yes, please and thank you. The laundry is done so I’m gonna nap with them.” Kyson kissed me and covered us up.
“You go right on ahead, darlin’. I love you all.” Contented gurgles came through our bond.
“We love you too, Papa.” Snuggled up with my babies I remembered mom’s words, get all the rest you can now because once those eggs hatch your life will be a whirlwind of feedings at ungodly hours and lots of diaper changes. Naptime it was until Kyson woke me up for dinner.
“Darlin’, dinner is ready. You know I hate eating alone.
” My once surly loner-turned loving mate had insisted we always eat together.
Gotta say, I do enjoy that as well. Long gone were the days of ordering in, vegging out in front of the tv while shoveling Chinese food straight from the container into my mouth.
Those days I’m happy to have behind me.
The table was set for two, candles included, the lights dimmed low. “My, my, Mr. Cinders, if I didn’t know any better I’d think you were trying to get into my pants,” I batted my lashes like the southern Belle I’d just ruined an accent for. Flirting I could do, accents, not so much.
“Maybe I am and, maybe I am,” he winked. “Have a seat and I’ll serve you.”
This was a nice change. Generally, we cooked dinner together, which I looked forward to each night. But being served by a handsome man I’d never turn down, especially when it was my very own dragon.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve this wonderful meal but thank you.”
“Kind of my version of a date which we were long overdue for. How do you feel about taking to the skies with us afterward?”
“I’d love that, but what about the eggs? I won’t leave them alone.” I was firm on that and I’d not budge.
“Don’t worry, darlin’, I feel the same way. Mom and Dad are gonna come watch them so we can get out of the house for a bit.”
I should’ve known protective Papa wouldn’t leave our babies unattended. “A night ride does sound wonderful.”
“Even though summer is about to hit, it’ll still be too cool for you up there so bundle up, my Queen, and let’s head out.”
“The babysitters are here!” Dad announced as they walked inside.
“You two enjoy your evening out. Grandma and Pops have everything under control.” Mom started doing the dinner dishes.
“Mom, just leave those. We can get them later.”
“Nonsense, you know idyll hands don’t work for me,” she chided. “Take your mate out for a nice flight. Clear skies and lots of stars to soar beneath.”
Kyson shook his head at her. “Let’s go, Juni.”
I bundled up and even wrapped an extra blanket around myself just in case and met Kyson outside. He’d just stripped down and waited to shift until I was near. He knew how much I loved watching our dragon appear.
“There you are,” I rubbed his snout. “It’s been too long, dragon.”
Agreed. It’s time to stretch my wings.
I’m ready when you are.
His large talons wrapped around me with the utmost delicacy.
As soon as I was situated, he took off at a run through the clearing and over the mountainside.
Higher he flew, well above the tree line and I glanced down at the land we called home.
My heart filled to overflowing with how at ease and comfortable I was here.
I missed nothing of my old life. I was right where I belonged.
Doing well, mate?
Never better, dragon.
We soared through the sky, at times so fast it stole my breath away, but I loved every minute of it. Casual dips and dives gave me tummy tickles. To not only know that dragons existed, but to be an integral part of their community, was beyond amazing.
If only my mother could see me now.
No, correct that. She doesn’t deserve to be a part of my life, nor do I want her toxicity anywhere near my babies. Not to mention our dragon may eat her.
Something funny, mate?
Just picturing you eating my mother.
Do we even want to know why you thought that? Kyson popped in.
Nope, I just know I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.
Good enough for us.
Keep in mind that option is always there. I hear humans taste just like chicken.
Dragon! Kyson and I scolded at the same time.
Just saying…
Huh, now I wondered if we really did taste like chicken.
Dragon landed in a clearing on a random mountaintop. As soon as I stood on my own, he shifted. “Lay the blanket down and let’s make love beneath the stars.”
“Someone’s pulling out all the romantic stops tonight,” I teased. “What if someone sees us?”
“What if they do?” Kyson peeled my clothes off then gently laid me down.
Skin on skin, gentle touches turned needy. Our bodies craved one another as if we were the other’s life source. If dragon lore was correct then in essence we were. I could never get enough of Kyson though when he was inside me it would remain my favorite.
Completely uninhibited, Kyson took me right there in this meadow beneath the stars. I felt our mate bond strengthen as though the fates were giving our mating the final seal of approval.
Quite possibly they were. This time felt so different than all the other times we’d made love. I felt Kyson all the way through to my core. Every fiber of our bodies united, I even felt his fire burning inside me.
Mated.
Yes, dragon. Our mating has been blessed by the Goddess herself.
I had no words, only feelings, and did my best to convey them through our link.
Why they chose this moment to bless our union was odd to me. What did it mean? Did it change anything? How do I act? Feel?
It means you’ll now live as long as I do. The human life you once knew is no more. You’ll heal faster when hurt, you’ll live far longer than any human will. You are a part of our clan, forever.
Forever.
Am I a dragon now? Can I fly?
Kyson chuckled. No, darlin’, you’re a dragon’s mate. You get all the dragon perks just without the wings and shifting.
Works perfectly for me.