Page 62 of Dragon Keeper

“Any time, love.” Tyr kissed his cheek. “Anytime at all.”

Chapter

Nineteen

Tyr smiled as his sister led little Fredda into the area with the pool. They were water dragons, really, even though Aleana had not been born that way, and he wanted them to have access to the warm, steamy goodness while they visited him and Sloan.

“Mama! It’s so pretty! Look at how the rocks shine!” Fredda spun around, looking at the way the crystals lit the area.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it? Ewyrmli Tyr and Sloan are so good to us.”

Fredda snuggled right into him, face against his belly. “He is! Hello, baby! When are you going to get fat?”

“Soon. Soon the baby will grow.” He hugged her gently. “Right now, our baby is so tiny. Just a spark.”

“I want to see baby though!”

“Not for a long while, sweeting. It will be after another bee season.”

She pouted. “That is a long time.”

“It is! You’re going to be able to teach them so many things. To swim, to dance, to sing.” And right now, he was ready to get in the water and swim.

“Can we swims now?” She bounced and twirled. So much energy.

“Yes, we may.” He glanced at Aleana who nodded. “Come in and we’ll relax. Sloan is going to be home soon with picnic foods.”

He slipped out of his robe and slid into the warm water.

Before he could even blink, his niece flung herself into the pool, her clothes flying. Aleana laughed, then followed more sedately, slipping into the water, her loose dress left on the side of the pool on some rocks.

“Oh, this is lovely. Sloan did a grand job.” She smiled at him, but there was worry in her eyes.Is she in danger?

Not with us here. And now you know.

I need to make sure Mari knows.Aleana loved her mate so much, and hewasfearsome. He would protect Fredda.

He will. We all will. She is part of a family that adores her.

And he could be dangerous.

Yes. But we’ll hope nothing is going to happen.And be prepared if it did.

“But now we’ll focus on the Giving Feast and preparing for the winter festival.”

She nodded, treading water. “This pool is amazing, brother. Sloan is worth his weight in honey.”

“More than.” Sloan was his everything, his heartbeat, his soul.

“I am so glad you have him.” She frowned at Fredda. “Fredda! Do not dive so much.”

“But, Mama! I like it!”

Tyr ducked down to hide his smile.

“Yes, but you are splashing with your feet when you do, and I want to enjoy the quiet.”

“Yes, Mama.” Fredda swam across the pool, careful not to splash.