Page 37 of Destined Paranormals: Volume One

I snorted. “Probably because I fell asleep yesterday midmorning and did not wake until now. Then he insisted on heating water for me in the tub. Which is amazing, by the way. I’m not sure how you got it back here, but it’s wonderful.”

“You are in the tub, then?”

“I am. I’ve only seen such things in the larger towns and only fairly recently. They were always beyond my family’s means though.”

“I will provide you with all of the luxuries I can. Sadly, I won’t be able to get anything new until the next trip back to the trading town. But we will come up with a list, and I’ll get what you desire.”

“I do not need such things. I am already more than spoiled by you. You are enough.”

“You flatter me, mate. I will be back soon. We are going to catch fresh meat for our evening meal, and then Father and I will be home. I will see you then. Until that time, enjoy spending the rest of the morning with Da. He won’t come out and say as much, but he’s happy to have another omega around. He’s only trying to make you feel welcome.”

“I will be sure to thank him. I will see you soon, and we will talk.”

I opened my eyes, turning my head at the sound of Egon returning. He had a small tray, and on it was a mug as well as a bowl, and when he got closer, I saw there was a plate as well.

“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I brought a bit of all that we had. There is more if you are still hungry.”

I sat up and reached for the tray when Egon held it out for me.

“Thank you. I am not a picky eater, and anything you have, I am appreciative of it. I know that my being here will stretch your supplies, and I apologize for that.” I was in the process of trying to figure out how to hold the tray and eat at the same time when Egon came over and placed a plank of wood across the tub. Immediately, I realized it was a makeshift table and set the tray upon it.

“That is nonsense. We have more than enough, and Aleric and Ferdinand went hunting simply to catch fresh meat for a feast tonight to celebrate your mating.”

Egon pulled the chair closer and sat down. He placed his hands in his lap and glanced between me and the various bottles and jars to his left. My stomach growled, so I picked up the spoon and started eating. I closed my eyes at the flavors that were on my tongue. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it was something I could eat time and again.

“This is good,” I said as I took another bite, this one larger.

“It’s a relief you like it. We don’t have a village here that has anyone around for trading, so it’s all stuff we have to grow and make ourselves.”

“I’m more than happy to help with anything I can.”

Egon gave me another smile. “It will be nice to have another to help around the place. And certainly someone else to talk to. Not that Ferdinand and Aleric aren’t great company. They are.” Egon took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then let it out with a nervous laugh. “I’m rambling. I do apologize.”

I was a bit stunned. “You aren’t rambling.” I glanced around the room before my gaze landed back on Egon. “You have a very nice house here. What of it I’ve seen.”

“Thank you. We’ve worked hard on it. Ferdinand seems to be trying to make up for moving me across the sea to some unknown place where there turned out to be nobody. He spoils me, but that is nothing new. He always has.”

“Aleric has mentioned you several times when we’ve talked.” I looked down at the food on the tray. It was three times the amount we’d been given while being held captive. The fact that Egon had said there was plenty told me they were doing well with making a go of things here, despite there not being anyone else nearby. “It will be nice to get to know you beyond what he’s shared.”

“Same. And I know Ferdinand can seem a bit cranky at times, but he’s really a sweetheart. He is fierce when he feels we need to be protected, but he would never hurt you. I hope you don’t feel uncomfortable around him.”

“I won’t. I…my village. The alphas were a bit set in their ways and could be overly protective of us omegas about certain things. Especially being allowed to travel without one of them with us. It was stifling.”

“I have to say that Ferdinand and I haven’t ever experienced a village such as that. Aleric told me he mentioned that we used to be humans.”

I nodded.

“Yes, well, we didn’t live in a group with other dragons. We chose to live away from villages but near enough we could visit during market days.”

“Yes, we won’t have that here, will we?”

Egon shook his head. “It would be nice, but we have made a go of things thus far. I want you to know that Ferdinand and I would very much like for you and Aleric to stay here with us, but we both understand if you choose to move elsewhere.”

Aleric and I had not talked about relocating, and now that we were going to have a baby, I could not see us moving away for the foreseeable future. Our child would be unable to fly until they started shifting. That would be years from now. Granted, the house would become crowded, but we could make it work.

“You will miss your family. You might wish to one day return to be near them,” Egon said, surprising me. Aleric hadn’t told his fathers about the loss of my village.

I looked down into the water, wondering if the hurt would ever fully fade. “I will always miss my family, but I cannot return to them.” I met Egon’s questioning gaze. “Months ago, several of us were taken in the middle of the night while we slept.”