Page 102 of Infernal Ruby
“You’re silly, Papa. Thank you.”
Ruby and Opal babbled away, Luna readily answered them. I often wondered if she really understood what they said. Luna poured pretend tea into their cups and showed them how to hold it—pinky out, of course. The girls weren’t at the level Luna was and dropped their cups a couple of times. Our ever-patient princess just picked them up and showed them again, kissing the tops of their heads like the mini adult she pretended to be.
Or maybe she really was. Who knew anymore with the Denarius offspring. There wasn’t a day that went by where one or all of them didn’t surprise us.
“Miss Luna, may I join your tea party?” Ronan asked.
“Yes, have a seat. You look lovely tonight.” Oh my Goddess that girl had the compliments down. “Who does your hair?”
“Alex, what has your daughter been watching?” No one I knew in this family talked that way.
“Heaven knows. She’s won control over the remote recently. Came in a couple of times and she had it on soap operas.”
Well, that explained it. My sassy mate preened at her compliments and joined right in with the girls. I escaped to the kitchen to find out what we were eating.
“Mattias, Kes, are your new careers in the culinary field?” Every time I turned around these two were cooking.
Keeps us busy and our minds off…things.Mattias said.Kes is struggling more than I am with our mate missing.
Makes sense. Anything I can do to help?
No, but thanks for asking. Since Upalo, Rory and Larkin have fully mated it just hit him hard.
New mates, new lives, and new emotions. Learning to tread the roads ahead would require evasive maneuvering for sure.
Our compound had turned into a town of its own. Out in the courtyard now sat rows of tables and chairs under canopies where we often dined together. Not always, but we tried to at least once a week, sometimes more. We were loud, boisterous and always trying to one up each other, but my brothers and I were the happiest we’ve ever been.
Outside, some of the dragons cooked the meat to go with whatever it was that Mattias and Kes had going in the kitchen. Too many bodies now to all fit inside one house so we meandered in and out. It was nice but come winter the cold weather may be a challenge for some of the smaller dragons. Hmm, that gave me an idea.
As we sat around, eating and exchanging stories, it dawned on me how familiar this was. Days long ago when we’d hit a pub, mead consumed all around you. Drunk locals wishing to best us at arm wrestling, angry when they lost. In no way did I miss those itchy burlap tunics, nor the inability for humans to properly bathe. It got so bad there were times we avoided their stinky asses all together.
We’d bought and sold more property than I’ll ever remember but always kept the land Dragon City currently sat upon. It called to us and now I understood why. It was meant to be the safe haven it had become.
Things were winding down, dishes done, and yawning dragonets to tuck into their beds for the night. Ronan and I said our goodbyes, Kaelith taking the night shift the moment he’d finished eating. He took his duties as part of our team seriously. My brothers and I appreciated his and the others dedication to keeping everyone safe.
“Goodnight, my angels.” I kissed Ruby and Opal as Ronan turned off their bedroom light. They were asleep by the time we’d finished bathing them. A chore I more than enjoyed taking part in with my mate. Blowing bubbles and watching their tiny hands try to catch them as their laughter filled the bathroom.
This was the life.
Brothers! To the private beach now!Mattias sharp words set my dragon into protector mode.
“Ronan, grab the girls and go to the horde room. Now!”
He was across the hall, half in dragon form, as was I. We each carried one down the stairs and once my family was safely tucked away, I hurried down the tunnel to the beach area Mattias considered his own.
“Who are you?” Ionus bellowed. “And how did you get here?”
The half shifted Merdragon lay sprawled upon the sand.
Is he even breathing?I asked.
He’s injured,Mattias said, Kes by his side.
Do you know him?
No. I don’t believe we’ve ever met.
“Mattias,” Kes’s eyes widened. “Don’t you feel it?”
Startled, likely by Ionus’ need to yell, the figure bristled. “I-I…” what was he about to tell us? “Ca-cas. Caspian,” he fell to the sand again.
“Goddess,” Mattias scooped him up. “He’s our mate.”
