Chapter Eleven
Teige
Viraj sat in the back seat of their Land Rover, half asleep while Teige and Gatlin put their suitcases in the back hatch.
They packed light, as their estate in Camden had everything they needed.
They’d been unable to visit them last year as planned, because the Nielsen consulate head’s sire and dam had rented the estate while their new estate was being built.
Aside from the ridiculous amount of dildos left in the oddest of places—thankfully unused—they’d left the place in pristine condition.
With the last bag packed, Gatlin and Teige took to the front seat, Gatlin tossing the keys to Teige. “Thank the gods you like driving.”
Teige tossed the keys in the change cup on the console and hit the start button, before putting the car in gear. “Who doesn’t like driving something with five-hundred horses inside?”
“Me. I’d rather fly.” Gatlin sulked. “I wish we would hire a driver.”
“Pretentious,” Teige huffed. “Also, we can’t talk filthy when we have a driver.”
“Fair point,” Gatlin agreed. “Want a handy while we drive?”
Teige hesitated. “Yes, but I’m not taking risks with V right now.”
Gatlin glanced over his shoulder as Viraj’s head flopped to the side right as Teige glanced up at the rearview mirror.
He turned around in the passenger seat and reached back to rest a hand on their mate’s knee, not to wake him but touching for the sake of touch.
Their nest in Camden was nowhere near the elaborate thing they’d made in Silverton, but blanks would happen, and if none were fertile—there, he’d have them under the supervision of three of dragonkind’s best doctors.
“What’s on your mind, Gat?” Teige turned his attention to the drive and headed out, ready to hit the main road at the end of their long drive.
“That we’re some of the luckiest bastards in the world.” Gatlin turned back around and focused his attention on the road ahead. “We have an appointment to make.”
Teige adjusted the GPS on the dash as it connected to his phone and sighed. “Twelve hours and fifteen minutes. Mind swapping off once we hit Tennessee so I can get a nap in? Just an hour or two?”
Gatlin grumbled. “Fine.”
“It’s not like I can ask Vivi to drive.” Teige laughed, and Gatlin flinched.
“Nope. His driving terrifies me. How can someone drive so slow?” Gatlin sighed raggedly.
“Driving fast has its issues, but he drives so slow, it’s dangerous in the opposite direction.” Teige set out onto the main road and grinned. “But hey, they have that giant truck stop in Tennessee that has all the exotic animal jerky.”
Gatlin frowned. “Yeah. You are alone on that one.”
“Why not?” Teige glanced over at Gatlin. “You never explained why. I get alligator and kangaroo jerky every year!”
“I shacked up with a gator once…” Gatlin cleared his throat. “Can’t think about eating them.”
Teige frowned. “That just makes me want to eat a gator even more.”
Gatlin huffed and stared out his window, leaning against the door with a shuffle. “Wake me when we get there. I like the slushies.”
And so, off they drove.
***
Gatlin didn’t wake when they got to Tennessee, and Viraj had found a blanket somewhere in the back and cocooned himself in. And despite him waking a few times, he remained quiet and still, either stewing in his own uncertainty or avoiding his turn at driving.
“Gatlin?” Teige yawned as he pulled over to the side of the road. A quick glance at the GPS told him he had less than two hours until they arrived at their destination, but it’d been all day, and Teige wanted at least a quick nap.
“Yeah, yeah.” Gatlin opened far-too-awake eyes. “Dammit.”
Teige grumbled and slid out, feet toeing the yellow line on the side of what had once been a trading route, rural roads, train lines, Route 66, and, most recently, I-55.
Gatlin climbed out and circled the hood of the car to slide into the driver’s seat, hanging back as a single car rumbled by, followed by an 18-wheeler.
Teige, for his part, opened the back seat and slid in, pushing Viraj over before hooking the seat belts into the buckles so pressure didn’t set them off. Of all the things that could kill a dragon, a car wreck wasn’t on that list.
The car twitched into gear, and the blinker signaled them onto the road once more with the annoying metronome of clicking. Viraj wordlessly lifted his blanket and snuggled in as Teige leaned over and wrapped his arms around him. “Love you, Vivi.”
“Love you too.” Viraj winced as Teige rested a hand over his belly, touching the gentle swell there.
With how full he felt, Teige couldn’t imagine him not proving himself with blanks—or maybe even a pup.
But, then again, he’d never really seen a pregnant Dette before.
Dettes normally stayed in their nests while they gestated, leaving the whole process a little mysterious to him.
“How you feeling?”
“Like that’s all you’ve been asking me ten times a day since…” Viraj waved his hand. “But otherwise I feel anxious, hungry, crampy, bitchy.”
Gatlin snorted from the front seat as he failed to stifle a laugh.
Viraj kicked his seat with a sneer. “Ass.”
“I love ass. Thank you.” Gatlin flicked his turn signal and drifted into another lane. “Teige, have you texted Gaspard and Marc?”
“On it.” Teige pulled his phone out and flicked his thumb about to get to the correct screen, tapping out an ETA.
Gaspard responded first. Ryan had his blanks yesterday and is resting. Bastien is due for his any day now, so he’s staying at home. Marc is occupied with a septic blank clutch. Do you want to come to our estate or wait until tomorrow?
Were you hoping for another clutch? I’m sorry to hear if you were. Teige hesitated while typing. “Vivi, you feel comfortable going to the Dior estate for your checkup?”
Viraj grumbled and huffed. “I suppose. I’d be more comfortable at our estate, but I suppose if Ryan figures out, it wouldn’t be a problem. Potentially ideal.”
Teige added to the text before sending. And we’re happy to show up at yours. V feels like he should say something to Ryan if he so happens to be up and about. No pressure.
Three dots popped up in the corner as Gaspard responded. I won’t wake him, but if he is up of his own accord, I won’t stop his intrusion.
Teige gave a thumbs-up emoji and glanced over at Viraj, who had turned his attention to the window to stare at the waning sun, or nothing at all. It was hard to tell with Viraj since he’d found out what he truly was.
“Vivi?” Teige reached out to turn his face toward him.
“I’m fine.” Viraj tugged away and Teige wouldn’t stand for it. He turned Viraj’s head back and stared.
“I didn’t ask if you were fine. You’re not.” Teige snuggled up to Viraj and rubbed his face all over him, nuzzling his arm and shoulder, and chest. He did it all, avoiding his belly and the reminder of what they were there for.
“What if I’ve just gained weight from all my snacking, or something. I’ve not left the nest since my heat, practically, and I’ve eaten myself silly and—” Viraj quieted when Teige pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
“What if? We find out and we see if there’s medicine to make you feel more energized. We move on. We can’t ask anything of you other than yourself.” Teige hummed and nuzzled into his neck. “And blowjobs. You give fantastic ones.”
Viraj shoved Teige away, the scowl on his face twisting into a reluctant, tiny smile. “I could do better.”
“Oh?” Teige leaned in to peck a tiny kiss and sneak another nuzzle to Viraj’s neck, infatuated with his scent.
“Hell, the fuck, no.” Gatlin grumbled from the front seat and tapped the breaks to jostle them apart. “If I’m not getting blown, nobody is, and we’re not showing up to that appointment stinking of jism.”
“If he swallows every drop of evidence—” Teige halted when Gatlin interrupted.
“He’ll have to greet family with cum breath.” Gatlin had a point, and Viraj pushed Teige back with a somewhat-affectionate wink.
“I’ll save my energy for our holiday nest. If I’ll be laying blanks… Better to get in our fucking while we can.” Viraj leaned back and tugged his blanket up to his chin, but Teige was anything if not persuasive.
Teige reached a hand under the blanket, tracing Viraj’s thighs. “Are you suuuuuure?”
Viraj closed his eyes and slammed his head back halfheartedly. “No, but I want to be proper, so shoo. Bad boy.”
“I thought you wanted a nap,” Gatlin said, glancing up at them so quickly that Teige only caught a flash of his hazel eyes in the mirror, his dragon lurking in them like embers.
Teige grumbled and snuggled into the blanket. “Fine.”
Teige rustled and got comfortable until a slender hand rested on his chest then slid down, warmth palming his half-hardness.
Teige opened one eye and grabbed Viraj’s hand and pulled it back, placing it on top of the blanket. Teige laughed and cupped Viraj’s hand in his, twining their fingers. “Feisty little mate.”
“Sleep. And if you’re a good boy, I’ll let both of you have me tonight.” Viraj wriggled and closed his eyes, his face a mask of peace.
Their journey was almost over.
Their questions would be answered.
And no matter the answer, they’d love him.