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It’s just exactly what I said it is. There’s obviously an opening up in the ceiling. Way up higher than I can see. A shaft of light comes straight down and hits this water, makes it glow bright blue.

It’s lovely and it smells sweet, but I’m not going to let the kids drink unless I don’t have a choice. There is still stalactites and stalagmites down here. So it’s a natural cave, a natural cavern.

Ah.That actually helped a great deal. Hawk was familiar enough with cave systems to know that if there was a pool, he needed to follow the water. The first part of the cave they had entered had been dry, which meant it had been in use by some sort of creature long enough to kill the rock. But now they were where it was damp, the sound of water dripping loud as long as the roaring stopped.

“I need to hear,” he barked. “We must follow the water.”

“We’re with you.” The huge dragon was calm, and he kept the other one steady with a hand on his shoulder. “Just lead on.”

The caverns and tunnels twisted and turned, and on occasion, he had to crawl. This was wild, caving like he hadn’t done in centuries, since he was young and full of piss and vinegar. That must have been how those children felt, as if they were exploring, like they were grand adventurers.

He would bet they were very sorry children now, or, if not, they soon would be.

Call to me, love. I need to hear your voice.

Everyone is getting a little fussy, Hawk. Including your baby. We’re hungry.

I’m almost there.Somehow, he knew it in his soul. The internal compass that would always lead him to Cosmo was pinging like mad.

He tried to breathe, but the air was like soup, and he knew he had to get Cosmo out of here. The way narrowed, but all he hadto do was crouch, the big dragons behind him doing the same. He could hear them breathing, but the children’s father had quieted as if he also knew they were about to come upon their quarry.

Call out to me aloud.

“Hawk?” The cry was still faint, but he heard it, and it gave him direction when the tunnel he was in split into two directions. He pushed a sizeable rock out of the way. The children would have been able to climb over it, but Cosmo’s belly would need more room.

“I hear you!” he shouted, and he could feel the relief across the bond with Cosmo. Yes. Almost there.

He staggered when he burst into the cavern that held the pool of light, his vision graying out with the terrible brightness of it.

“Hawk!” The joy in Cosmo’s voice was a palpable thing, and he was almost bowled over when Cosmo ran to him, flinging himself at Hawk.

“Papa!” He heard the cries of the children as they ran for their father.

“You came for me.” Cosmo kissed his cheeks and chin.

“Of course I did, love.” He pulled back enough to look critically at Cosmo, assessing his health. “Are you well?”

“Tired. A little wet. And hungry.” Cosmo’s belly rumbled as if to emphasize the point. “And a rock pinged off my head.”

That explained the dried blood.

“We brought some provisions.” The big dragon came up behind him, voice wry.

“Hey, Boss. Cool. Thanks for coming with Hawk.”

“Rescues are my specialties. Hawk. My name is Gavin. Pleased to meet you.”

“And I’m Eagan. These are my twins.” That came from Papa Blue Dragon, who was holding onto the little ones like he’d never ever let them go.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Was anyone marking our path?”

“I did.” Corbin popped into the cavern, looking relieved. “Thank the goddess.”

“Yeah.” Cosmo sniffled. “Sorry, now that you’re here, I’m a little wigged.”

“You have every right to be, love.” Hawk checked Cosmo over again, but aside from his bumped head, he seemed well. He put a hand on Cosmo’s belly, sending a little call to the baby there.

Papa!The happy little thought suited him to the bone, and it was so much clearer than before.