Page 22 of Pets in Space 10

The Dragon World

Sunlight spilled through the leafy canopy, casting dappled gold and green across the riverbank. A soft breeze danced through the tall grass and sent tiny ripples skating across the surface of the water. Laughter echoed like windchimes — bright, warm, and full of life.

Landry reclined against the tree trunk, his bare feet buried in the mossy ground and his plate precariously balanced on his knee.

Harmonia sat beside him, legs tucked beneath her, her curls catching the light like spun honey.

Her giggles, low and musical, danced through him like firelight — warm and impossible to resist.

Across the field, a flurry of scales and splashes sent water arching into the air. Lilypad and Pug’s younger siblings — three smaller but no less chaotic water dragons — twisted and flipped mid-air, squealing as they chased each other through the shallows.

“You little terrors better leave those frogs alone!” Landry called out with a mock scowl, though the twinkle in his eye gave him away.

Lilypad, perched proudly atop a rock, snorted in reply and nudged the plate of chips pointedly with her tail.

“Alright, alright,” he chuckled, reaching over to slide the plate their way. “Your highnesses may feast.”

The younger dragons descended with triumphant chirps and crunches.

Landry leaned back, wrapping his arm around Harmonia’s waist and pulling her closer until she was snuggled into his side.

Her skin was sun-warmed and soft beneath his hand, and he brushed a kiss just below her ear.

She sighed, her head tilting automatically to give him better access.

The small, contented moan she let out made him grin.

“Careful,” he murmured, easing her down to the blanket. “You make that sound and I forget we’ve got an audience.”

Harmonia laughed, one hand curling around his neck as he leaned over her. “You say that like you mind.”

“I don’t,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her neck. “Not even a little.”

She smiled up at him, her fingers tracing the stubble along his jaw. “Do you miss it?” she asked softly. “Your world… your cabin… your swamp?”

He gave her a lazy, knowing smirk. “You ask me that every day.”

“And?”

“And the answer’s still no.”

She leaned up, her hand cupping his cheek, eyes luminous with love. “You gave up everything for me.”

He bent and kissed her — slowly, deeply — like he had all the time in the world to memorize every curve of her lips, every breath she gave him.

They broke apart — just as a splash and a loud shriek of laughter exploded from the river.

“Gonna get you, old man!” Tyson yelled, his shirt clinging to him as he charged through the water.

“You’re dreaming, boy!” Hog bellowed, water dragons swarming around him like delighted sea puppies.

Landry groaned, resting his forehead against Harmonia’s. “The kids are back.”

She giggled, threading her fingers through his. “They always come back for snacks.”

“And chaos,” he added. “Mostly chaos.”

A familiar creak sounded from behind them as Cap settled down on the edge of the blanket with a sigh of satisfaction. He popped open a fresh bag of chips, the crinkle of the bag startling one of the smaller dragons.

Cap grinned and raised the bag in a mock toast. “Yep. Ain’t nothing better than good magic, salty snacks, and visiting alien worlds.”

Harmonia and Landry burst out laughing.

In that moment — with water dragonlings frolicking in the river, sunlight warming their skin, and the comforting rustle of the enchanted forest around them — it felt like the entire world had aligned.

Peaceful. Perfect. Home.

And somewhere beneath it all, magic stirred again — just as it had that first day in the bayou — ready for the next chapter to begin.