Page 21

New Life

Ozyn

D eke was tense when we left the disastrous meeting with Blake. He ended up yelling at his younger cousin, warning him he was putting too much faith in his pack and the council.

Blake didn’t want to go to war with the aviary unnecessarily. He believed in diplomacy over fists, which made his fighting gift a tad ironic. He adamantly refused to challenge the Alpha of the aviary, not wanting to be perceived as a tyrant. A challenge would be a last resort.

I understood this, he had no reason to believe they would stop at submission, believing they would fight to the death instead. He had three young children and a pregnant mate, Kade could fade away and die, too if anything happened to him. The odds were that he would win, being much younger than the aviary Alpha, yet I could not blame him for avoiding the risk, however small.

For me, with no experience with the council, I had no frame of reference. From what I’d been told, they were a bunch of alphas who’d become bloated with the power over shifter kind. They had allowed omegas and betas to join their ranks shortly before the reason for the beta sickness was revealed. Once Sweetwater and many other packs broke ties with them, they had ejected all but the alphas and closed ranks. Some who were sympathetic to omegas and betas clung on to act as the voice of reason, though they were drowned out by the shouts of the power hungry.

The council had, by all accounts, bought into the rhetoric the aviary were spouting about Sweetwater: that the pack was an abomination, led by those perverting The Luna’s true message. We, since they were my pack now, were too involved in other races, diluting shifter bloodlines by allowing omegas to mate with whomever they pleased. The council also believed the babies born to the pack were there by using demon magic, not down to The Luna’s blessing.

It took all of my self control not to just take to the skies and burn the aviary’s compound to the ground. I could find all their leaders, the council included, and just eat them. It wouldn’t even take me long to end their reign of terror.

Unfortunately, it would cause bigger problems for the pack once the smoke cleared. The humans would never trust me again. I would be hunted until I either died, risking Deke’s life, or I returned to Abrocaelum. Deke would likely have to return with me and we would never be allowed to visit. I believed if it got so dire, the authorities would demand the portal be closed permanently cutting elves like Teárlach off from their families. A disaster all around.

There had to be a way to end this without putting everything at risk.

Shifters chuckled at the sight we made going through the house. I clung to Deke, legs around his waist, arms around his neck, his hand under my ass supporting me. Well, they were amused until they saw his expression. It was stormy, showing all his frustration.

I tucked my head against his neck, occasionally kissing his mating mark to soothe him. I didn’t care about the indignity of a centuries old former dragon king being carried by his mate like a child. My mate needed me and the comfort carrying me like that gave to him. If it was in my power, I would do it for Deke. It was as simple as that.

Deke didn’t head straight for our new home, instead going to the portal. I realized why when we approached.

“Hey, Safi!” Deke called out. My friend was on duty with a mix of elves and shifters around the portal.

Safi spoke to an elf before he came running over. “Hello, Deke, Ozyn. Is there something wrong?”

“Come to dinner tonight. Seven, okay?” Deke didn’t give me time to even say hello but the offer of dinner to Safi made me smile. I had not seen much of him in the last few weeks.

“I’d like that. Thank you.” Safi returned to his post. Perhaps he thought Deke would change his mind if he lingered.

We did not stay there. Deke took the path home saying hi in a less and less terse voice the closer he got. Still he did not put me down to walk. He did pause once or twice to nuzzle me or just kiss my hair. Never had I experienced love like that.

Finally in the house, Deke put me on my feet. “Thank you, I needed that.”

“Anything you need, always.”

He pulled me close, slotting his mouth over mine. I went to my tiptoes to kiss him back hungrily. Through our bond I felt his need.

I broke the kiss, going to my knees to tug at the fastening of his jeans. Deke smirked, but helped me free him.

There in the doorway where anyone could pass by, I pleasured my mate with my mouth.

Deke paused my movements with his hand tugging lightly in my hair. “People can see. Someone’s coming.”

Once I pulled away, he ducked down to hoist me over his shoulder. He smoothed a hand over my ass, then tapped it lightly. “Besides, I want this. That okay?”

“Yes!”

He ran up the stairs with me in his grasp and had me knotted soon after. I felt his happiness in the bond. The simplicity of his love for me was beautiful. He loved me without conditions or expectations. Despite my snarling at his friend, he was more than content in our bond. It gave him a constant source of comfort.

My mate ensured I was not squashed by his much larger frame as we lay panting and tied together after our love making. The feel of his cock stretching me, his come pushed deep inside, smoothed the ruffled feathers from Micah putting his body on display to my mate.

They thought I did not know, but since the incident with Chase, the enforcers had made a game of getting me to bite. I fell for it each time, unfortunately. One day they would tease too far and learn a lesson: never mess with a dragon.

Being knotted always made me sleepy. I roused briefly when Deke slipped free of my body. He returned from the bathroom with a cloth to clean me up, then tucked the sheet over me. It was too warm outside for a blanket, but I liked to be covered up.

“I’m just going to start dinner.”

He wasn’t gone long, there were sounds of the kitchen as I floated in that half-asleep phase, when he returned.

“Babe, I’m going to head to the main house to pick up some stuff for dinner. I forgot to order groceries.”

“Need help?” I asked almost fully awake.

“No, you relax.” He kissed my nose.

The doorbell rang. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Safi had brought it because I enjoyed the sound of ticking after so long in silence.

“Back in a sec.”

He hurried out of the bedroom and down the stairs where I heard him open the door.

Winter’s voice filtered up to me. “Thought you might need supplies.”

Not all of the replies could be heard over the sounds of them moving through the house, but I did hear Deke kindly ask Winter to stay for dinner too. He accepted and even offered to cook, which Deke rightly declined.

I felt a rush of love for my perfect mate.

Deke was pretty good in the kitchen. Luckily, since I was… a danger to all foods. They were either raw or burned. No in between. I had grown up with cooks after all.

I rose from the bed, dressed in a nice pair of jeans since we were having company, and found one of Deke’s shirts to wear. Being surrounded by my mate’s scent was divine.

Get your cute ass down here , he sent to me along with a mental picture of the steaks he was preparing to grill outside.

Descending the stairs, I caught sight of Winter and Deke laughing over beers. They looked comfortable around each other once more.

“Congrats on your mating!” Winter called when he heard me approach.

Is it okay to hug him now? I asked Deke.

It is. I’m sorry I made it an issue before. His shame was easy to sense and completely unnecessary considering some of my behavior he never commented on. Truthfully, I felt like he enjoyed my displays of possessiveness.

I went to my friend and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, tipping my head against his. I let out a happy sigh. “Thank you for bringing food.”

Winter patted my hand. “You’re welcome. It’s like a night off work having someone else cook for me.”

“Just be glad it isn’t Ozyn. He can barely cut a tomato!” Deke’s laughter was so sweet, even when directed at me.

With Winter catching us up on the tea, as he called it, Deke assembled dinner until we were just waiting for Safi’s arrival. Winter had heard talk about us inviting the fae and figured after my recent heat we didn’t have groceries. He was so thoughtful.

At exactly seven, the doorbell rang once more.

“Go let your friend in,” Deke said, picking up the plate of steaks. Winter was transferring plates and bowls to the dining table.

Safi stood with a handful of wildflowers tied in a sweet posy. “For you both, to say congratulations. I am glad you have found your forever mate here, Ozyn.”

“Thank you, come in.” I took the offered flowers with a smile. Their fragrance was lovely.

My friendship with Safi was not as physical as with Winter. He and I had been through too much to feel comfortable with touching when unnecessary.

He followed me to the dining area, looking at everything. The others greeted him warmly. I saw him relax somewhat in Winter’s presence.

There was small talk while Deke finished making our meal. Winter helped him plate it with a fond smile. They talked and joked easily while I tried to get an idea of how Safi was feeling in his current job. I believed Deke was right, Safi was unsuited to being a guard.

Over dinner I felt the spark I’d felt once before nearly three hundred years ago. My scent would have changed, yet Deke would not notice it for a few hours or even a day. His wolf senses were not as strong as a dragon’s.

I feel them! We’re pregnant.

Really? His hand squeezed my thigh. I’m so happy right now. Do you want to tell them?

Our guests at the other side of the table were staring at us.

“Talking via the bonds is strange.”

“You see why it’s considered impolite in company?” Winter asked Safi pointedly.

“We’re pregnant!” I announced with the widest smile.

Both their faces lit up. It was wonderful to have friends who shared in our joy. They congratulated us warmly with Winter rounding the table to hug us both.

“The flowers were a splendid idea then. You should press a bloom to remember the day you knew you were pregnant,” Safi suggested.

“A good idea,” Deke agreed.

We settled back to eating our dinner. Talk turned to the meeting with Blake where Winter sympathized with both, giving Deke greater context. Also reminding him he was going to be a father, and asking if he would take such a risk with our lives now.

Properly chastened, we moved on to other topics, including our last dinner party experience where we met the nanny, Ingal.

Can I ask him? Deke inclined his head towards Safi. We had discussed his idea.

Please. I think he will take the request more seriously from you. There is time for him to think it over. I will lay the eggs in a few weeks.

So soon?

Then we need to roost them. One of us or my kin will have to be with the eggs constantly until they hatch. That takes about a month, give or take. It is all dependent on the magic they hold. With you being a shifter, it may take longer.

“They’re doing it again.” Winter was grinning.

“Safi,” Deke started, “we were wondering if you would like a change in jobs.”

“It is possible there is something I am better suited to,” he hedged.

“We,” Deke took my hand, “would like you to be our nanny when the time comes. You would stay with us—“

“Yes!” Safi didn’t even think about it. He sat straighter in his chair. “It would be my honor to help you with your family.”

“Would you be available during the roosting? To help with the house, bring us food and the like?”

Safi’s smile was blinding. “I can do that. You have made me so happy. I—It’s a good job to be a guard—“

“But it isn’t you, Safi. You don’t have a warrior’s heart,” I said gently.

He stiffened. “Are you calling me a coward?”

Fuck, Deke mentally cursed.

“Not at all. There are not many who would relish the challenge of dragon hatchlings or a prickly roosting dragon who is bored. You have different strengths. You saw me in that place and made me your friend. I think you have more courage than most.”

Safi blinked. “I’m sorry, you’re right. It is just—“

“The past affects us all. We have a new life here, where we can choose what suits us, not what tradition dictates.”

“Very true. I am looking forward to being your nanny. Should I meet Ingal, learn more about what the job entails before roosting begins?”

Deke’s pride was clear. “Absolutely. The dude has his hands full, though. Four babies and maybe another if Aldrin doesn’t get a new heat blocker in place soon.”

“The healer is studying my blood to see if he can replicate the magic I used to control my fertility. He hopes there is a hormone or chemical that will work on the shifters.”

“Oh, we used moonroot,” Safi said dismissively.

We stared at him in shock. How had I forgotten? Was I so lost to my feral side, I missed what they were doing to my dragons?

“What?” Deke asked, his mouth agape.

Safi frowned, glancing between us all. He took a moment then explained, giving us new hope of a solution.

“When Glorin had the shifter fighting rings, he had the shifters fighting over omegas. He had to control their heats, so moonroot was used to suppress them and I… I have forgotten the one we used to stimulate a heat. They did not work so well on dragons because they sensed them in the food and the doses needed were much larger, but they would do in a pinch where magic was impossible.”