Page 6 of Emerald Waves (Primordial Protectors #2)

Chapter Four

Emerson

Relaxed.

When had I ever been this relaxed?

The answer was simple—never.

I felt foolish having never known my dragon had been there all along. Dragon, why have you hidden from me?

Because those awful dragons didn’t deserve us. They-they, they scared me. Then I hid so long I couldn’t find my way back.

But we found you , Caro’s dragon said.

Yes, dragon, you found us when we were lost.

And we’ll never let you go . Caro kissed me and all thoughts of who, what, and questions of why, evaporated.

“Emerson, I don’t want to be too forward but I’m not leaving you. Not now, not ever, which begs the question of where we’ll live.”

My eyes popped open as the reality of his words hit.

“Deep breath, Emerson. We can stay here, but that would require renovations. Massive, renovations.”

“Do you have a library or a,” dare I ask. I knew he did, all dragons did. Well, all dragons aside from me, but that was a private matter. “A horde room the ancient scrolls can be kept in?”

“I do have a horde and a small library, though my horde is a bit unconventional.” I wonder what that meant.

Now, I am really intrigued. Would he trust me enough to share his most prized possession with me?

Someday… “Ionus has the largest one but there are several rooms in my home that could be combined and turned into the library of your dreams.”

The library of my dreams. I once thought this warehouse was just that, but now, as I glanced around, it dawned on me—I’d merely been existing here but never truly living.

“I-I’d like that.”

Caro’s smile lit up my soul. I’d pleased him with my answer and willingness to be with him. How could I say no? Refusing a mate was the worst thing to do for both parties involved. But refusing a gorgeous attentive man such as Caro was nothing short of foolish, and I’d grown tired of being alone.

“I’ll ask Ionus to handle the renovation. He’ll know just what you need. I can promise you the security at our compound is top notch and your treasures will be well protected.”

Treasures.

Caro knew these books were my horde and he’d treat them with the utmost delicacy. That much I knew without question.

“Temperature controlled would be best. Airtight glass shelving for the ancient scrolls,” my mind wandered on, scanning my most treasured pieces.

“Ionus will be aware. If I recall correctly, he had a hand in erecting this building.”

“Yes.” Enough said, Ionus would ensure our greatest dragon assets would be protected.

“Let’s get you dressed and fed.” Caro pulled the drain plug then gently lifted me out and helped me to stand on the rug as he proceeded to dry me off.

I was naked.

In front of another person.

Wait, somehow I completely missed him undressing me?

“What’s going on inside that beautiful head of yours? Your entire body just tensed up?” Caro paused and glanced up to me. His hands slowly stroked my thighs in soothing circles. Though the concern that marred his handsome face was due to my words and that brought me no joy.

Wait, he called me beautiful.

“S-sorry. A million things ran through my head at once.”

“Any you care to share?”

“Just um.” My face burned. “Never been naked in front of anyone before.” Aside from those who’d shunned me that day. Though I’m happy to report it went without the erection I currently had, but I chose to leave that bit out. No need to say it when it stared him right in the face. Literally.

“Is it wrong of me to be happy about that? Knowing I’m the first one to see you this way?”

Had I unconsciously hidden all these years waiting for my mate?

No, we hid out of fear.

My dragon spoke the truth.

“When did I get dressed?”

“While you were stuck inside that handsome head of yours, I assessed your wounds, which are nearly healed, and dressed you. Now, let’s find food.”

“Probably not much in the kitchen. I pretty much live off take out from the diner.” Mable and Cicily took pity on me, at least my guess was that’s why they were so nice to me.

But they delivered food regularly here. I tried to tip them well, but they refused it each time.

I ordered all three meals once a day and reheated as I got hungry, otherwise I’d forget to eat.

Given I rarely left my home, that had become a cave, there was nothing more than leftovers in the fridge.

They always snuck a dessert inside the bag for me though. My little happy treat each day.

A bright moment in a very dark life.

No more.

Yes, no more, dragon.

“As soon as possible, that will all change. I’ll make healthy meals for you, and you’ll eat three times a day. For now, I’ll reach out to Mable and get an order delivered.”

I watched in awe as Caro drew his cell from his pocket and made the call. For as large as he was, he maneuvered around the small space that was my home with grace and ease. Smooth, flawless motions in a space meant for humans half his size. He was truly poetry in motion.

“Emerson, are you alright?”

“Oh yes, um, why?”

“I said your name twice with no response. Do you have a headache? Where’s the medicine?”

He was worried. About me?

“I’m fine. Just lost to my thoughts.” Though since coming around from the fall, they were a lot less erratic and far more…sensual. Lordy, the floodgates hath opened.

Caro stood still for a few moments. “You’re right. I don’t feel any negative energy through our connection. My apologies, it’ll take a bit of getting used to for me.”

“What will?”

“You. Your thoughts and feelings. Mannerisms and such, though I must say you’re not as frantic as you had been.”

Maybe that fall righted my brain?

No, it was you and I finally coming together as one.

Dragon, I’ll never let you down again.

Nor will I ever leave you, human.

I had a dragon and a dragon mate.

“What is all that noise?” Pounding and saws and hammering.

“That is the repair men fixing the door I destroyed to get to you.”

“What about the cameras?” I hopped up. “It takes a specialized team to fix the system.”

“Deep breath, Emerson. I destroyed the roof top hatch. When I got here I tore the hatch from the structure to get inside. The main camera system wasn’t damaged, just the roof top connections. Ionus contacted them and they’ll be out tomorrow to repair them.”

I forgot, Ionus was the one who handled vetting the contractors for the system I’d designed.

“Mable was insistent on coming inside and seeing for herself that you’re alright. She’ll be here any…” the alarm on my phone sounded. “Moment.”

“I let her in.” I loved this system and the fact that the app was easy to use from anywhere. If cell service was down, it automatically connected me via satellite.

“Emerson!” Mable exclaimed and hurriedly set the bag on the table.

The apartment above the archives was a modest one bedroom and bath.

The walls of the living area consisted of built in shelving units covered in books, with a simple couch in the center of the room.

Many lonely nights were spent in that very spot, my nose buried in books to stave the loneliness off.

“When I heard you’d been injured I was beside myself.

” In a surprise move, she hugged me. Mable wasn’t usually a hugger.

“And you found your mate. Damn fool had been right under your nose for decades.”

Caro actually blushed. It was the cutest thing I’d ever seen, especially on a man his size.

Where did that come from? I didn’t use words like cute.

“Something like that. Thank you for bringing the food over, Mable, and in record time. I can assure you Emerson will be taken much better care of.”

And likely never out of his line of sight.

Did I just giggle?

Has my body been invaded by aliens?

I probably had a book about it in the archive room.

And another giggle. No wonder they both stared at me as though I’d grown a second head. I very well might have.

We’re just happy, dragon. We’re fine.

Enjoy it, Emerson. We both waited far too long to find our happiness.

My apologies, dragon, I take full responsibility for my actions.

We take equal responsibility, human. We both hid from the world.

It was as though we navigated a new world, albeit cautiously. How much do I let go of and allow myself to enjoy and how much do I hold back? I had more questions than answers and none of which would be found in my horde. This was an area my dragon and I would navigate with our mate.

And another giggle.

“Emerson, are you ill?” The back of Mable’s hand ran across my forehead. “You’re not hot.”

Mate, are you okay?

Yes, I apologize. My dragon and I felt silly.

Because we have a mate.

Hush, dragon, don’t embarrass me.

Neither of you should be embarrassed. I’m equally as happy as you are.

Caro’s arm came around my waist as he tugged me against him and pressed his lips to the top of my head. I swear, I purred. Another new note to make, dragons purred when happy.

“Ah, well, I see. I’ll just leave you two to, ah, well, I’ll just leave you two. Enjoy your meals.”

I hugged her. “Thank you Mable for always being there for me. Even when I didn’t know where there was.”

“You are very welcome, sweet boy. And if that big scowly dragon taps a talon out of line, you just call old Mable and I’ll set him right.”

Caro rolled his eyes.

“I will, Mable.”

As soon as she left, Caro made himself at home within the tiny galley kitchen. Plates were filled and a water bottle for each of us was set out. “Please, join me,” Caro waved me over to the table. All papers and books that had been spread across it were neatly stacked off to one side.

“Thank you. Wow, did you order one of everything?”

“Maybe? But you’ll soon see it takes a lot to keep your dragon healthy.”

Hadn’t considered that. No wonder my dragon hid as long as it had.

I dug in with a vigor like I’d never had before.