Page 98 of Dragon Keeper

Sloan wandered out, his big body looking so strong, and Melissa made grabby hands at him.

“Hello, my loves. Oh, and Tor,” Sloan teased. “What are we up to?”

“She was meeting her family, and the queens were blessing her.” He lifted his face for a kiss.

“Mmmm.” Sloan gave it to him, attentive as always. Sloan had always been so good to him, but Melissa seemed to have settled whatever restlessness his mate still had in him, and Tyr could see his mate’s happiness like a glow he wore around him.

“I was thinking we could invite everyone over for a picnic this evening—just something simple to enjoy the last gasp of summer.”

He smiled at his mate’s words. “Sounds lovely. There’s a nice bit of mead to enjoy.”

“There is. And Riley and Brayden have offered to help me cook up some meat and some of the summer vegetables on the outside roaster.”

“That sounds amazing. If Cade and Poe come, the triplets can play in the clearing.” They were little terrors, and they had so much energy.

“The orbloks will keep them amused.” Sloan laughed, and so did Tor. “Mostly.”

“I’ll go start finding things for a big salad,” Tor said. He tickled Melissa’s feet, then left them.

“Are you happy, love?” Sloan asked.

“I have everything I could ever ask for, mate—a great love, my little bee, family, hives, home.” He was so much more than happy.

“And I have you, my mate, and our daughter. Our brothers. And more friends now than I’ve ever known.” Sloan kissed him again. “This is home.”

“Yes. Thank you.” He’d never known how much he was missing in his life, until Sloan had believed in their bond.

The bees buzzed around them as Sloan picked up Melissa, then pulled him to his feet. They resettled together, him holding their girl again, Sloan holding him. It felt perfect. Like he’d been waiting for this his whole life.

Tyr couldn’t wait to see what came next.

The End