Page 79 of Tor

“Because you’re picking up my connection to Liv,” he grumbled. “The one you just heard storm by.”

“Ah.” Raven cozied down closer to him under the fur. “She’s the one determined to have more than one mate, right? And Leviathan’s brother Torc is determined to tame her into wanting just him?”

“Ja.” Despite his cousin’s predicament, he smiled, so content to have Raven in his bed, by his side, to hell with Liv’s antics. She was a big girl. And she was playing games. “They might have worked together well in battle, but that brief comradery’s obviously fallen apart.” He searched out what he felt off his cousin. “It seems there’s dissent in Torc’s tribe, so he wants Liv to return with him. Agree to become his mate to uphold his alpha status.”

“Yet she doesn’t want to be the bride who saves the day because she’s an infamous Sigdir now,” Raven deduced. “She wants to be her own woman with her own pack, so to speak.”

He chuckled. “At the very least.”

She was about to respond but didn’t have a chance when the door blew open. Seconds later, their son skidded to a halt at the threshold, then raced in and leapt onto the bed.

“Sorry, I tried to stop him.” His mother showed up soon after, laughing and winded. He had clearly given her a good chase. “But your son has a mind of his own.”

Raven smiled when he walked onto Tor’s chest. “No doubt he does.”

Tor nodded thanks to his mother that all was well and she could go because allwaswell. Better than it had ever been. So said their offspring when he started hopping from foot to foot in excitement.

Raven laughed. “What’s he so happy about?”

“I don’t know, perhaps...” he began but trailed off when he heard what his son just had.

The same thing Raven heard moments later.

“Ohhh,” she whispered at the light fluttering that soon became a steady beat. A constant in all dragon ears far and wide. She put a hand to her womb and looked at Tor and their son with tears, knowing right away. “He’s eager to meet his new little sister.”

Yes he was, because his younger sibling was very much on her way.

As was a brighter future than they could have possibly imagined. So said the laughter and celebrations that resumed all that day and many more to come.

Thanks to Loki, Thor, ten dragons, and friends who made all the difference, the Sigdirs, and their allies were no longer under the threat of a godly war. For the first time in years, humans and dragons could wander about freely. Many had been lost, but they had succeeded in the end. Dragons could once again be born without the threat of warring gods draining their energy, and communities once again thrived.

Five couples had Forged in Fire, and fated mates came to be. More than that, babies were created. New life that would go on to carry dragonkind into the future. Dragons who, by all accounts, would eventually become nothing more than myth and legend.

Or so that was the common belief of humankind...

“Such a shame they don't really exist,” a young woman said a year or so later, closing an ancient-looking book left by the owners of the New Hampshire colonial she was considering buying. “That doesn’t seem right.” She frowned at Adlin, her distinguished older real estate agent. “Truly, the things in this book....” She shook her head and peered at the author’s signature. “Cian makes them seem so real.” A little shiver of awareness went through her at the sound of his name. “Soalive.”

Adlin's eyes grew merry and his smile charming. “Doesn't he, though?” His smile grew wider still when he slid the paperwork her way. “So, would you like to buy this house?”

“I’m not sure.” She eyed the colonial, just imagining the possibilities. It was rather isolated, which was a good thing. A downright necessity, actually. “This seems like an awful lot of house for just me.”

“Wouldit be for just you, though?” A sparkle lit Adlin’s eyes. His Scottish brogue grew thicker. “Mayhap your sisters will join you too, aye?”

“Possibly.” Could they all live under the same roof again? “I could talk to them.”

Wouldtalk to them.

“Good, you should.” The corner of his mouth inched up. “These walls have seen many stories like the ones in the Maine chalet.” He tapped the book. “And undoubtedly, will see more to come.”

“Is that so?” she whispered, sensing something about Adlin she hadn't before. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on. He had an almost mystical feel about him if she didn't know better.

Much like she imagined Cian might.

“Aye, ‘tis so,” Adlin sat across from her at the kitchen table and considered her. “Would you believe me if I told you dozens of lasses who lived in this very house had traveled back in time?”

“Probably not.” Though the idea intrigued her. “But kudos for being the most interesting real estate agent I’ve ever come across.”

“Would you like to hear their stories?” He slid a cup of tea her way she never saw him make. “More to the point, would you like to know why youshouldbuy this house?”

She knew she should say no. That she couldn’t afford it. But she just couldn’t help herself. If for no other reason than its isolation.

How it might, if she were lucky, keep her safe.

“I think maybe I might like to hear those stories.” She eyed the charming old house. “Go ahead, then. Tell me why a girl would ever want to live here.” Her gaze lingered on the ancient oak tree blowing in the wind out front. “Why a single girl like me would want to buy a home out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a Stonehenge nearby.”

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