Chapter Twenty-Four
Teige
“Since when do we have a communal nest?” Gatlin hovered about the entrance to their vault, eavesdropping on the milling omegas fawning over their eggs.
“No clue, but Viraj is happy.” Teige shrugged, a silly smile on his face. “Let him have it. We’re leaving soon.”
“It’s good for them,” Karam spoke up from behind, a bright smile spread across his face.
“Are you all packed?” Gatlin glanced over at the male, dressed in more western attire, hair cut into a more masculine style—but wearing a little bit of makeup. Eyeliner suited him.
“We had nothing but clothes with us and they are not to my liking anymore.” Karam beamed as Mahava exited the vault, arms laden with soiled linens to be washed.
“We have other staff for that,” Teige said, trying his best to give Mahava a pleading expression.
“And the other staff isn’t here at the moment. You have given me so much, and the least I can do is help you raise this clutch.” Mahava sniffed indignantly, head turned up. “And, I am allowed to call you an asshole, so I am pleased with that.”
Gatlin raised a brow and gave Teige a long look. They’d missed the dynamic they’d had with their snake shifter attendant who’d passed so long ago. Tabitha was dearly missed, but the spirit was appreciated.
“By all means, don’t hold back,” Teige laughed.
“I am not. I will speak my mind. I will also be going to the store before we leave—there’s a spice market that Leo’s driver will be taking me to. Viraj will need certain things to recover and facilitate things.” Mahava smirked as he swung his hips by, a silken, flowy shirt flitting behind him.
The two had visited the Dette sanctuary a few days before to go through some clothes that the other Dettes had donated.
Their nesting halves had expensive tastes, and it wasn’t good to leave old clothes hanging and useless.
They’d returned with lovely wardrobes and excitement for dating.
The two had preferences for Drakes, even if they couldn’t birth pups.
They’d make the right Drakes very happy one day.
They’d make Viraj happy, too. Reclaimed by their own blood, shown respect. Loved.
If it weren’t for the fact that they needed reintegration, Gatlin and Teige wouldn’t have considered hiring them at all. Would have given them a portion to start their hoards. Gods knew they had enough.
More than they deserved, at any rate.
Mahava gathered his bag and sauntered out, leaving to go find their driver.
Teige went about packing, readying for the car to take them to the airport. They had precious cargo.
So, as their belongings piled up by the front door, new shopping, Karam and Mahava’s things, the Dettes began to come up one by one.
Leo saw himself out, a small wave as Cinder followed on his heels, beaming ear to ear.
“Goodbye, Nielsens.” Teige offered them a grin as Gatlin waved.
“We’ll be paying you a visit, soon. If things get too much for you down there, feel free to come up here full time for a while. You’ll have more support.” Leo beamed. “There’s an entire estate of Dettes that fawn over pups at every given chance.”
Teige nodded sagely. “I feel we may discuss this at a later date, but for the time being, Viraj wants the nest we made for him.”
“I saw pictures.” Leo gave Teige an appreciative grin. For someone raised by humans and so young, unaware of dragon customs for the most part, his instincts were impeccable.
“You did good. I liked it.” Cinder grabbed on to Leo’s hand and offered his sweet smile. For all the world, an innocent.
“That means a lot, coming from you.” Teige gave Cinder a pat on the head.
“Yeah, ’cause like, all the nests I see now will decide what I expect from my mate one day when I get old and gross like you guys.”
Leo huffed. “I’m not even thirty!”
Teige’s expression morphed and based off Leo’s reaction, it was noticed.
“Barely a pup, yourself.” Teige shook his head.
“And you’re a gross old grandpa.” Leo stuck his tongue out, loped off, and Cinder stuck his tongue out on the way off.
He liked the little Dettes. It’d be important for his little ones to know them one day. They would set a new standard for the freedom a Dette should expect.
Teige would never let it happen to his little ones. And would sooner disown a Drake son than allow them to think that way.
As the rest of the Dettes left, they finished packing, readying with Shui Long and his mate to aid in gathering the eggs one at a time to carry out to their car.
They had a long journey ahead of them and as much as Teige didn’t want to move them, Viraj needed his nest. His dragon, fretful as always, had found his true nature.
Ryan walked up the steps, chin held high, side by side with Viraj, the two different in appearance—Viraj more angular and taller, but the same in so many other ways.
They had a mixture of features similar to Mahava and Karam, despite difference in station.
But what was more important, was apparent on their faces.
They were dragons no matter what their scales said.