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Rimi wondered what the drawing would look like when Skye finished.
From Oldrik and Ardon’s expressions as they peeked from time to time, it had to be incredible.
The lighting in the cave changed her scales from sparkling white crystal in the sunlight to a rosy hue.
Keres was magnificent, of course. Seeing him in dragon form made Rimi appreciate his masculine attributes. He was hot.
Thank you, Snowflake. I enjoy making you melt.
Keres! Shhh! Rimi hoped the others hadn’t overheard that conversation.
Relax, Mate. I would never share our intimacies with anyone. Are you okay? Skye will draw for hours if we permit it. Would you like her to continue on another day?
Suddenly, she needed to move. Please.
Keres immediately broadcast to everyone. Skye, my mate is tiring. We will have to pose for you again on a different day.
I’ve got enough to finish this on my own, Skye reported. Sorry, I was having too much fun to stop.
Amused by her new friend’s honesty, Rimi didn’t blame her at all for not saying anything. She rose to her feet and stretched her tight muscles. Who knew that staying still would take so much energy?
The three male shifters shook their heads. Rimi could sense their affection toward Skye. Keres’s affection for her differed from those of her loving mates, of course, but Rimi could tell her mate cared about Skye.
You are much more important to me than Skye, Snowflake, Keres reassured her.
I know. I like that you have friends who you care about and who look out for you.
You are now part of the group, Rimi, Keres confidently told her.
Skye closed her sketchpad, concealing her efforts. She walked to stand in front of Rimi. Thank you. I will show you the final image when it’s done, if that’s okay?
Of course, Skye. I can’t wait to see what you create.
Her brother guided Skye to a safe location before Rimi and Keres shifted into human form.
The safeguarding action reminded Rimi of their time as kids together.
Of course, they’d played and had fun together, but Oldrik had focused on protecting her.
When he had to leave, Rimi had limited their communication.
Her place in the dragon world was not his fault or responsibility.
Her love for her brother had forced her to set him free. Rimi loved seeing him happy today.
Keres wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Meeting his eyes, Rimi knew he had followed her thoughts.
“You are very strong, Snowflake,” he complimented her.
“Me? No way.”
“You aren’t seeing it from my perspective, Little one.”
A sudden wave of nausea overtook her. Rimi clapped her hand over her mouth and ran for the cave entrance. Keres shouted her name, but she didn’t stop. Once outside, she lost the battle and vomited.
“Let me help you,” Keres said gently as he gathered her hair in his hands.
The buzz in her head told her he communicated with their guests, but she felt too horrible to pay attention. When her stomach was empty, Keres pulled off his shirt to wipe her mouth and hands clean. He lifted her into his arms.
“Poor baby.” He comforted her and carried her into the mansion and to their bedroom. In the attached bathroom, he stripped off her soiled clothes as he shushed her apologies. “You’re allowed to be sick, Little girl. Let Daddy take care of you.”
“Daddy, I feel awful.”
“I’m sorry, Rimi. Let’s see if I can make you more comfortable.” He washed her face and hands before gently easing one of his giant T-shirts over her head. “Would you like to stretch out for a while?”
She started to nod, but stopped when the motion reignited her nausea. Rimi whispered, “yes,” instead.
In a short while, Keres tucked her in bed. Rimi tried to find a comfortable position, but was too restless to stay still. Keres brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her cheek.
“Let’s try this, Mate.” He placed a cool washcloth on her forehead, and the tension eased. “Better?”
“Mmmhmmm.”
“I have a present for you, Little girl. He’ll scare the sick away so you can rest.”
Rimi heard a rustle and opened her eyes to see the black velvety material in front of her. She reached out to stroke it. “Soft,” she whispered and then hesitated before asking, “A present for me? ”
“Yes, Snowflake. The black dragon is all yours. You’ll have to come up with a name.”
She tugged the stuffie from his hand and pulled it close, hugging it to her chest. “He’ll tell me his name when he’s ready. Dragons are bossy sometimes.”
“They are indeed. Close your eyes, Rimi. See if you can rest.”
In a few minutes, her breath smoothed.
“Daddy?” Rimi’s whisper alerted Keres.
“Hi, Snowflake. Do you feel better?”
“We’re hungry.”
“We’re?” Keres questioned.
“Yes. Rumble and me. We’re hungry.” She shook the black dragon stuffie at him.
“Rumble? He told you his name?”
“Yes, Daddy, and he’s starving.”
“I’m sensing urgency here, Snowflake. Let’s go to the kitchen and see what we can find that Rumble wants to eat.”
He helped her out of bed. Did her stomach seem more rounded than usual? It must be his oversized T-shirt. “Let’s find something for you to use as a robe.”
“I’ll put on my clothes,” she blurted.
“Are you comfortable in my T-shirt?”
“Yes, but your staff…”
“They will smile at you and be glad you’re here. Believe me, everyone working on my estate doesn’t care what you are wearing.”
Keres zipped into his closet and returned with a soft cotton robe he’d forgotten he even had. He helped Rimi into it and drew the belt around her waist. His hands stilled on her much rounder tummy.
“Food, Keres. I need to eat,” she said urgently.
“Should we fly?” he asked.
Rimi nodded. “Rumble will stay here. Can we go now?”
Keres rushed her through the mansion and out to the front lawn. He shifted as soon as she triggered her change and powered into the air to protect her. When she joined him, Keres guided her to his livestock fields.
He drove the plumpest beasts toward his mate one at a time until she failed to attack. Flying to that side of the field, he devoured the last cow for her. Keres landed next to her and rubbed his snout across the crystal dragon’s.
Rimi? How are you?
Better. I’ve never felt like that. My body demanded food.
It’s the hatchling. He needs nourishment to grow, Keres suggested.
She nodded and yawned. I’m exhausted again.
Home and sleep, Mate.
For three days, Keres helped Rimi shift from sleep to feasting. Each time she woke up, her belly had grown. Her current waddle enchanted him. She couldn’t get any cuter.
“Keres, I need to go somewhere safe. Can you take me back to the cave where we posed for Skye?”
“Of course.”
Keres had learned over the last hours not to argue, but to help Rimi with whatever she needed.
He supported her as they made their way to the cave entrance.
Off balance from her enormous belly, Rimi moved slowly.
Halfway there, she bent over to wrap her arms around her stomach. Her cry of pain sliced through Keres.
“Rimi! What can I do?”
“Get me to the cave, Keres. Now!”
Lifting her into his arms, Keres sped for the entrance and eased his precious cargo through the slim opening. He breathed a sigh of relief as they emerged into the enormous cavern. When he lowered Rimi’s feet toward the ground, she pointed to the spot where she had lain for Skye’s picture. “There.”
He carried her to that spot. Rimi sank to the ground, clutching her belly.
Sitting behind her, he rubbed her back, trying desperately to help.
He reached out to her mentally and staggered under the pain that ricocheted inside her mind.
Quickly, he pulled as much agony into his mind as he could.
Her sigh of relief told Keres to continue.
“I need to undress, Keres,” she whispered.
Immediately, he freed her of unneeded clothing. Her scream quickened his efforts. Wrapping his arms around her straining body, Keres supported her weight.
“I’ve got you, Snowflake.”
“You’re never touching me again,” she groaned.
Keres grinned from behind her. That prediction wouldn’t come true. “Let’s worry about our future sex life later, hmmm?”
“Never,” she spat out like a curse before screaming again.
“Something’s happening, Keres. Help me shift.
” Acting instinctively, Rimi listened to her dragon’s demands.
Keres was by her side the whole way. His strength supported her from behind as she allowed nature to take over.
Keres filled her mind with encouragement to bolster her energy and surround her with positive thoughts as he continued to drain the pain through their mental connection.
After an hour of struggle, her brilliant dragon form curled around a sparkling crystal egg.
Keres’s darkness formed a protective barrier to any threat .
Keres inched his beast’s head forward to sniff at the gorgeous shell and about lost half his snout. His mate was a bit protective. He would keep his distance until she would allow him to check out their offspring.
Retreating, Keres took a protective stance over his mate. He would give his life to keep them safe. A wave of love wafted his way from Rimi. She was counting on him.