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Keres rubbed the pink bottom stretched over his lap. “Are you ready for the last ten, Snowflake?” He reminded himself to maintain his stern expression despite her adorableness. He definitely couldn’t condone her leading the other mates on a dangerous rescue mission.

“I said I was sorry. I couldn’t just run away,” she reminded him, looking back at him with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“You put yourself and the others at risk, Mate.”

“I’d do it again,” she told him defiantly.

“I know. That’s why you have ten more swats.”

“That’s not fair. I couldn’t keep them from coming. They would have walked there to help their dragons,” Rimi protested.

“Do you want to make it twenty?”

She stared at him hard for a few seconds before slumping back over his legs with a disgruntled, “no!” Keres quickly delivered the last smacks and lifted her to sit on his lap.

He controlled his smile at her hiss of discomfort.

Rimi could toughen her hide by thickening the skin over her vulnerable cheeks, but she didn’t make the mistake of adding extra naughtiness on top of the daring rescue that had earned her a spanking in the first place.

“No more risking your life, Rimi.”

“I think you knocked off all my scales, Daddy.”

He kissed the top of her head and hugged her close before wiping the tear tracks off her cheeks.

He didn’t think it was possible to love anyone as much as he loved his dragon mate.

The next eons would not be enough time for them to spend together.

“Your scales are fine, Snowflake. Your butt will sparkle just as beautifully as the rest of your dragon.”

She relaxed against his chest. Keres loved holding Rimi and knew after her years of hiding alone, she craved his touch. He rocked her slightly to comfort her. After a few long moments, she leaned back to meet his gaze with a sad expression.

“I can’t believe Slate is gone,” she whispered.

“Dragons don’t stay with their parents long, Mate. He’s off to find a horde. I bet he’ll contact you from time to time.”

She nodded, sniffing loudly before asking, “Do you think Evan will cause any more problems?”

“I doubt it. Even if he had some of the powder left, he can’t make more. It will disintegrate with time.”

“How did the chemist get so many to work for him to attack us?”

“Some people need a cause to give their lives purpose. Those who view others with envy crave having someone to blame all their problems on. Dragons make a big target.”

“That makes sense. It’s so stupid though. Your horde has protected Wyvern for centuries and asked so little from the citizens,” Rimi said.

“Our horde, Snowflake.”

“I don’t know how you’ve had multiple mates and survived. I dreamed the other dragons’ mates grew old and passed last night. I’m still sad thinking about it and everyone is young now.”

“I wondered what that nightmare was about. You should have told me.”

“There’s nothing you can do to change it,” she said with an audible pout to her voice.

“I can remind you it’s best to live in the present. Worrying about the future will cause you to miss precious memories you can make now.”

Several long seconds passed as she considered his words. Finally, Rimi nodded and admitted, “You’re right. I need to cherish my time with my friends.”

“Exactly. Now, what would you like to do today?”

“Do we have to stay here?” she asked.

“No, we can go anywhere you’d like.”

“I’d like to start at the dragon statue on the square, please.”

“Okay. Any reason why?”

“I want to see it and the names again.”

“Then that’s where we’ll visit. Tonight, there is a celebration in town following the harvest. I’d like to make an appearance there.”

“Will the others be there?” Rimi asked, looking hopeful.

“They will. There’s a theme tonight.”

“A theme? Like everyone wears pink?”

“Kind of like that. But it’s Dragon Day,” he said, sounding slightly embarrassed.

“I don’t remember hearing of a Dragon Day celebration before in Wyvern. That’s really an oversight. The city should have celebrated its dragon guardians from the beginning for protecting all the citizens,” Rimi said.

“From the horde’s perspective, it should be Mate’s Day. They are the ones who sacrifice their ordinary lives.”

“I don’t think Lalani, Aurora, Ciel, or any of the others would agree with that statement.

They didn’t sacrifice their lives. They have wild adventures instead of everyday drudgery.

Who else gets to rule the sky, flying on the back of a dragon stud who can shift into the most handsome and able lover ever? ”

“Just an able lover, hmm?” Keres leaned in to kiss her pink lips.

Pressing her hands against his chest, Rimi pushed him away. “Don’t get any ideas. You’re not going to distract me from going on an excursion!”

“We could combine the two. A trip to an isolated waterfall and then…” Keres let his voice trail away suggestively.

“I don’t have a bathing suit,” Rimi said, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

“Skinny-dipping it is. Let’s go.”

“Could we take a picnic basket with us?”

“Marvelous idea, Snowflake! Let’s get you dressed and I’ll go talk to the cook. He’ll be delighted to make you a picnic basket of goodies. I think you have him twisted around your little finger.”

“I didn’t do anything special. I try to be nice to everyone. They all do wonderful things for me.”

“Of course you’re sweet to everyone. Would you like to fly with me or on my back?”

“I’ll ride.”

“How about we strengthen your wings by flying there together and then I’ll give you a ride home?” Keres suggested.

“If you insist,” Rimi agreed with a sigh.

“Thank you, Snowflake. I’ll go organize our trip. Why don’t you go play in your room for a bit while the cook throws together some sandwiches?”

When she happily agreed, Keres lifted her off his lap onto her bare feet. He quickly restored her panties, smoothing the gorgeous green silk over her blushing bottom. “Daddy loves your new undies. They’re very pretty.”

“They are!” She celebrated and pulled her top up to show off the matching bra. After he’d admired the pieces, he dressed Rimi in her jeans and drew her shirt back into place.

He’d gotten her a few sets of lingerie. Finding matching pieces in the right size was difficult, but two owners of an intimate apparel shop in Wyvern had searched through all their boxes to put together this pair and four others.

He had repaid the shop owners’ kindness by locating silkworms and a mulberry tree for them.

If anyone could figure out how to make more of the soft material, those two determined women would.

Keres walked Rimi to the doorway of her room where she rushed in to reassure her stuffie, Rumble, that she’d survived her spanking. When she caught him lounging against the doorway, listening, Rimi had changed her story, embellishing the pain she’d endured.

“Snowflake,” he’d warned.

“But I’m okay, Rumble. You don’t have to worry. Keres is a very nice dragon who loves me.”

“Thank you for clearing that up, Mate.” Keres waited until he was in the hallway before chuckling at her endearing brattiness.

Do not panic, Snowflake. A copper dragon is coming in from the east.

We need to get out of here. We can go back and do something inside Wyvern. Rimi’s voice was tight with tension as she scoped out their surroundings, checking for an escape route or shelter.

Stay calm, Rimi. You trust me to protect you, right ?

Of course, but let’s not test it.

Keres hid his amusement at her lack of faith. He had five hundred years on the other dragon and several tons of power. You don’t have anything to worry about, Snowflake. I promise.

She turned her bright green eyes to look at him before. Okay, but I don’t like this.

Duly noted, Mate.

The copper dragon had approached as if drawn by Rimi’s scent. Then, as he came within a mile of their flying path, the dragon veered suddenly away. Keres roared after him to add another warning to whatever had caused him to leave.

He left. Her dragon voice revealed her surprise. That’s never happened.

Our mating bond must keep other males at bay.

Does that mean I don’t have to worry any longer? Your horde hasn’t pursued me, but I thought that was because they’re already mated.

That was my assumption as well. Or that I was too fierce for them to risk challenging.

Rimi rolled her eyes dramatically . If the mate bond is the reason, I don’t have to worry anymore. She did a few celebratory loops, making him snort fire in amusement.

There’s the lake. It’s time to relax.

By the time they landed at the location he’d chosen, Keres could tell Rimi needed a break. Those extra swoops had challenged her endurance. Her beautiful dragon form needed to build up more strength. He would make sure she got more opportunities to enjoy flying.

Do we swim in dragon form? she asked when they landed.

He considered the gentle lapping water. Keres hadn’t seen any predators in the water, but he wouldn’t risk his mate. “It might be chilly. Let’s start out wearing our scales and then switch to skin. ”

Keres led the way into the water, with Rimi following eagerly. He loved how her beautiful scales shone with the reflection off the blue water. Her heart-felt sigh of enjoyment made him happy. She deserved all the fun experiences in this world to make up for her rough start in life.

A splash of water caught him directly in the face. Keres twisted to meet the sneak attack, and Rimi’s other wing lobbed the cool liquid at him. Oh, you’re in trouble now, Snowflake!

Keres lifted his massive foreleg and stomped it down on the surface of the water, sending a tidal wave over her head. When it cleared, Rimi blinked her beautiful green eyes at him and sniffed.

That was scary, Daddy. I could have drowned!

He rushed forward to reassure her. When he was two steps away, she flipped her tail over the surface of the lake, pummeling him with water. Her hoots of laughter met him as his head emerged from the deluge.

Gotcha!

He shook his head and lunged forward. You are in so much trouble for playing your Daddy.

You have to catch me first!

Keres paused for a moment to allow her to dart away and then gave chase.

Fish darted away from them, and songbirds fled the area as they romped in the water.

The wildlife might never be the same. He had no idea how even a drop of water remained in the lake by the time he caught her, capturing her long neck gently in his jaws to pin Rimi in place.

When she shifted into human form, he followed her. She bobbled under the water, having obviously not processed how deep the water was where their dragons had cavorted. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her back to a spot where they could stand safely .

“That was so much fun,” she told him, panting as she tried to regain her breath.

“I enjoy seeing you laugh,” Keres told her.

“Guess what else I like?”

“What?” he asked, smiling at her cuteness. What was she going to come up with next?

Rimi reached up and pulled his head toward hers. She pressed her lips against his and kissed him enthusiastically. He loved how her tongue darted into his mouth to deepen the exchange. Heat blossomed immediately between them.

Keres hooked his fingers under the hem of her T-shirt and ripped it off. For once, he regretted that their clothes reappeared with their human forms. Now he wasted precious time revealing her luscious curves.

In a few moments, the water lapped over their bare skin. Keres caressed his mate, celebrating her full curves and beauty. Rimi stroked her hands over his chest and daringly traced his muscles under the surface. Closing her fingers around his shaft, Rimi squeezed.

“You’re playing with fire, Mate.”

“I can live with that.” She drew her fist upward and whispered, “Show me what you like, Daddy.”

He wrapped his hand around hers and moved her grip up and down. Quickly, her caresses became too alluring. “Temptress,” he growled and pulled her fingers away. Keres trapped her hands behind her back with one of his.

“Daddy’s turn.”

Holding her securely, he powered through the water to the shore. Carrying her to a thick patch of grass only slightly wet from their boisterous play, Keres lowered her gently. Stretching out beside her, he gripped her wrists tightly when she tried to free herself .

“Daddy’s turn,” he repeated sternly, holding her gaze until she submitted. “Good girl. That deserves a reward.”

He leaned over her and captured her nipple between his lips.

Rolling it firmly, Keres then lashed his tongue across the tip.

He loved her wiggles of delight under him.

Her body responded to his touch so eagerly.

After treating her other peak to equally delicious treatment, Keres drew before releasing her breast with a pop.

“Please,” tumbled from her lips as she raised her hips to rub against his hard thigh between them.

“I’ll make it better,” he promised. He stroked a hand down her rounded belly and cupped her mound.

Squeezing it gently, he treasured her moan of arousal.

Keres brushed his fingers down the cleft of her pussy before dipping into her wetness.

He deliberately targeted those special spots he’d discovered were her most sensitive.

When she twisted underneath him, Keres rolled to his back and sat up with her cradled against him.

He guided her thighs around his hips and lifted her to hover over his throbbing cock.

Teasing her entrance with the head of his erection, Keres coated himself with her juices before lowering her slowly around him.

When her pelvis rested against his, Keres pressed a hard kiss to her lips before warning, “Hold on, Snowflake. This is going to be a wild ride.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed her inner muscles around his shaft. “Make me come, Daddy. I need you.”

Keres didn’t need any encouragement.