Page 17 of Singing the Dragon’s Heart

Chapter

Seventeen

K ami breathed in, pulling his hands up to his chest, letting them touch his sternum. Then he exhaled, pushing his hands out, focusing on letting energy flow through him.

Turned out tai chi was really good for moving blocked energy around, which kept him warmer. It still took Reno to really blow that heat into him like his own perfect furnace, but he was doing better. Functioning more. Of course, as it got colder in the icebox valley their keep lay in, he wore more layers.

But that was okay.

Reno liked to strip them off him.

In. Out. He drew one arm across his chest, turning his feet so that he did a super-slow open-handed strike to the right. He repeated it to the left.

“Practicing to fight maple syrup dragons?” Talon teased, walking up, towel draped around his neck.

“Suck my left nut,” Kami said. Inner peace. Slow and steady. Do not beat down the big warrior.

“Nah. It’s sweaty, I bet.”

“It’s actually cold. I think I will have Lake crochet me a nut sling made out of that chunky wool.”

Talon laughed so loud it echoed in the training salle. “You’re starting to show, even with your huge sweater.”

“You think?” He glared. “Thanks for letting me know. I forgot.” If he’d ever had any idea that he was going back into the field once the morning sickness had worn off, which he really hadn’t, he knew now that was impossible. The baby bump threw his balance totally out of whack.

To work on that, he lifted his right leg into a big stork kind of move, then set it back down and bent his knee, leaning into a lunge with both hands pushing out in front of him.

“I’m bored, Kami.” Talon sighed, falling in beside him as he did the other leg. Talon matched him move for move, his big body surprisingly graceful.

“I’m sorry.” He was, too. “Have you talked to the guys? Reno and Boone and Durango? They could coordinate?—”

“I don’t want to go out without you.”

His heart ached for his friend, because Kami knew the only time Talon had felt he’d fit in was when he and Kami had worked together. And he was the one who was moving on.

“I know, man, but at this point, I would be a danger to you. And now that this whole stone singer thing is awakened…” He heard the fucking rocks all the time. And he didn’t even mind it. They were kind of comforting and super interesting, and he loved finding them in the rough.

“Yes. It would be a distraction in the field.”

“It would. Some omega would be stoneless, and I would hear their stone and boom. I could be a crispy critter in no time. And I’m gonna have a baby in the not-too-distant future.”

“Will you…will you talk to them with me? I don’t think they like me.”

“That’s because you’re an asshole.” Inhale. Exhale. He glanced sideways, expecting a grin, but Talon had paused, his expression stricken. “Dude. You’re really worried about this. What’s not to like? I mean that. You’re my best friend.”

“Well, yes. So you must perforce like me.”

He stopped moving, letting his balance settle before he turned to grab Talon by the forearms. “Tal, your brother had trouble assimilating, too, but look at him now.”

“Bah. He had Cerran even when he came here. I am alone.”

He poked the big guy in the chest. “No. You. Are. Not.” He punctuated each word with a poke. “I am your friend. Reno would do anything for you. Your brother loves you deeply.”

“I feel as though I have no purpose.”

“Okay. So what do you want to do?”

Talon shrugged and sighed. “I think I’m going to leave.”

He stopped short and damn near toppled over. “What? What did you say?”

Talon caught him easily. “I’m going to leave. I don’t think there’s a place for me here. I think it’s time for me to move on.”

“You’re not even going to stay to see the baby?” Kami knew he was gaping at Talon, but he couldn’t help himself. “How are you going to be a godfather if you leave?”

That stopped Talon for a second or two. “You’ll find another one. You have a whole other family now, a whole life. I’m a third wheel or an eighteenth wheel or whatever many wheel.”

“It probably has to be an odd number. Can I point that out? Otherwise, the metaphor doesn’t make any sense.”

“Is it a metaphor or a simile?”

Kami glared at him. “Oh, shut up. Don’t go. You’re my best friend. Please. I need you, okay? And so does Triton. Reno says he talked about you all the time when you were apart.”

That made Talon smile a little bit, which felt like a huge score, then the smile disappeared and Tal shook his head. “I don’t want to live at his house anymore.”

“That I can do something about. I don’t know if you want to live on the same floor that I’m on, because there are a lot of children, but I can totally arrange for you to get an apartment. And I can also talk to Reno about helping you get something to do. That’s got to be more fun than sitting around Triton’s place.” And less complicated.

“Okay. What can I do here? I’m really not a paperwork kind of guy. I’m not really a teacher kind of guy. I’m more like a point-and-shoot kind of guy.”

Kami thought about that for a second and pursed his lips. Talon had a point—he was not particularly educational and he was…shit. Kami wasn’t even sure he knew how to read and write. It had never come up. “What if I tell him that I need you to come help me?”

“What?”

“Well, you know Reno has a job beyond bothering me.” He whapped Talon when he put on a wide-eyed, patently shocked expression. “He’s a trainer, dude. But you know, whenever I need somebody to get rocks out of strata, you’re always there to help. If you could help me, you could be my muscle, so to speak. That’s not any different than ever.”

Talon gave him the side-eye. “Are you just making up jobs so that I have something to do?”

“Probably. But you do happen to be doing the job that I’m making up. I mean, literally everything I know about this whole stupid stone singer thing you know, because you’ve been there. We don’t know. But if it’s not a real job, then we’ll make it up. Nobody’s told me that we don’t get to have muscle.” It made sense, after all. When he was finding a stone, he didn’t need to be always digging in the damn dirt, right?

Of course right.

“That could work, I suppose.”

“And you’re an experienced rescue guy. If a team needs help, you go, right? Keep your toes in that water too.”

Talon nodded slowly. “I can talk to the others about that, yes. If I can get my own place to live…”

“That I know we can do. Cain is like, all over helping with that shit.” He hoped. That was what Reno said, anyway.

“Thank you, Kami. I hate feeling…whiny.”

“Bah. You’ve had a lot to adjust to.” He patted his friend’s arm.

“Not as much as you.”

“I have a mate to help.” He gave Talon a wicked grin. “And omegas are way more flexible than braaken.”

“Are they now?”

“Uh-huh. Just ask me, I’ll tell you.”

Talon rolled his eyes. “I can tell you that I remember now why I left my keep.”

“Yeah? Your brother a little hidebound for you?” He clicked his tongue, waggling his eyebrows.

“Little bit. Hell, a lotta bit. I’m very used to making my own rules.”

“I imagine especially given you’re the older brother, you should just growl at him and tell him that you’re the boss.”

They both chuckled together, then Talon winked at him. “Have you met Elowyn? Spoken to him? Trust me, of Triton and Cerran and their hailee, Elowyn is the boss. No question.”

“Ooh kinky. I don’t need to know kinky shit about your brother.”

“He’s in a committed threesome. That’s a little unusual, especially given that two of them are alphas, you know.”

“How does that work exactly?” He had to know.

Talon shook his head. “I didn’t ask. I don’t want to know. Gross.”

“You do seem to lack a certain basic curiosity about cool shit, man. I would have asked.”

“You have Elowyn’s number. Go for it.” Talon looked a little like he was smelling onions.

“Trust me, getting your own place will help. Let me figure out how to do that real quick.” Reno, braaken, are you busy?

No. Mentally, he saw one of the trainee warriors kind of go flying across the room. What do you need?

Talon needs his own apartment. How do I do this?

I would say talk to Cain, but he has a lot on his plate. There’s got to be some sort of housing person. I’m assuming that’s not Jack. He’s more of a supplies person. Try Betty.

I like Betty. I can do that. Have a good afternoon. Are we having supper together?

I don’t know why we wouldn’t. Okay. Well, that was sure.

Good deal.

He offered Talon a smile. “All right, so we’re going to go see Betty.”

“Now?”

“Do you have something better to do?”

“Well, no, not really.” Talon shrugged. “It just seems very sudden.”

“I’m not a big fan of waiting for shit, you know that. Let’s go talk to Betty. Then we’ll find you an apartment. Have some soup. Get you moved in.” One foot in front of the other and shit. They just needed to get things done.

Talon rolled his eyes, but Kami got a laugh and he thought it sounded relieved. “All right, lead the way.”

He snorted. “Like you don’t know the way.”

They clomped upstairs, not really saying much. There honestly wasn’t a whole lot to say. Kami was feeling very much as if he’d solved some major problem, and he was also kind of feeling very self-important.

He’d let it go to his head but?—

They opened the door, coming face-to-face with an incredibly grumpy-looking woman with hair the color of slate standing with Cain in the middle of the office floor, having a nice scream at one another.

Like spittle-flying screaming. Neat.

“—required by law to send him back with me,” she screamed, and Cain bellowed back.

“This is not your keep! You do not define the laws for my people. We do not answer to you!”

“This is bigger than you. You are not allowed to have a stone singer here!”

Hey, they were talking about him.

Talon’s eyes began to glow, and he growled.

Oh. Oops.

Reno, you’d better get up here now.

Why? What’s the matter?

Well, I’m about one hundred percent sure that someone’s fixing to try to kidnap me, and if and when that happens, Talon’s going to eat them, and I’m going to let him. I thought you’d like first crack.

Absolutely. All right, I’ll be right there. Two shakes.

Thanks, mate, I appreciate it.

He cracked his knuckles. He’d been waiting for weeks to find some good trouble.

“Who is this?” She flung a hand at him and Talon. “I am not done with you yet!”

“None of your business, and yes, you are!” Silver light seemed to be gathering around Cain, and he and Tal might not even get to fight, because Cain was going to UV fry this lady.

Kami cleared his throat, drawing their stares. “Who are you?”

The lady dragon drew herself up, looking down her nose at him. “Lady Barra. I am from the Hanash keep, which is a mine on the western coast.”

“Sounds…wet.” Talon snorted, and Kami winked at him. “And why do you think this stone singer is bound to go with you?”

“Because it is our keep’s turn! When a new, very strong singer is discovered, they are sent, in turn to all of the major mines.”

“Well, we clearly have a mine here,” Cain said. “And we have never had a singer. So it is actually our turn.”

“Ooh, nice turn of logic, boss.” Reno slid into the room, the scent of brimstone wafting from him.

“What is going on here?” Lady Barra shouted.

“Well, I came up to see if we could get Tal here an apartment of his own.” Kami waved a hand at Talon. “Tal came because I made him. And Reno showed up because he’s my mate. I’m the stone singer.”

Her eyes popped crazy wide. “What? You?” She blinked rapidly. “Let me see your back.”

Kami shook his head. “Oh, no, there will be no nakey time with you. I like my alphas male, and you screech a lot. Like one of those tiny owls.”

“How dare you.”

Reno chuckled. “That was a good one, baby.”

“Thanks.” He bowed. “I’m here—well, I’m pretty much here. I’m not from a keep, Lady Barbie.”

“Barra!”

“Right.” He sighed, then let go of the mean teasing. “Look, I wasn’t raised in a keep. I’m from a banished dragon family. So I don’t have to follow your rules. I am totally willing to take training as a stone singer if it makes everyone happy, but I’ll be doing that, and working, here. Or not at all.”

She opened her mouth, but Tal and Reno moved in on either side of him, and she snapped it shut. She glanced at Cain, who he thought was trying not to appear smug.

“Lady Barra, Kami has agreed to stay here at this keep, and I am pleased and proud to have him. I would never hold him here, but I will not ask him to follow some antiquated tradition, either. It is his choice.”

“But graake dictates…”

“No.” Reno stepped in front of him. Watch me be all braaken, baby. If that doesn’t work, Tal can eat her.

Sex-ay.

“He is my mate. He has said he has no wish to go. I was raised in the Lladris keep, and I loathe your traditions. He will do nothing he does not wish to do. This warrior decrees it.” Reno thumped his chest. It was an impressive display, especially when smoke started curling from Reno’s nose.

Talon grinned. He’s pretty good at that. I will roar at her if I need to.

That might shake the baby out of me.

Oh, ick.

Barra blew out an angry breath. “I shall be forming a tribunal about this.”

“Knock yourself out,” Cain said, his diction as informal as Kami had ever heard it.

She huffed before turning on her heel and striding out of the room.

Cain smoothed his hands down his heavy tunic. “So. An apartment you said? You have decided to stay, Talon?”

Tal’s eyebrows went up. “How did you—Yes. For now.”

“Good. Good. As you see, we will need you in the coming months. Barra will not give up. Her keep is in decline, and she feels she needs you for the prestige, Kami.”

“And why do you need me?” Kami asked.

“Because you save dragons. You’re Reno’s mate. Talon’s best friend. You play a wicked game of Go.”

He grinned wider. “I do.”

“Wait, you play board games with Cain?”

“Um…” He peeked at Reno sideways. “You work a lot.”

“I do. But I have been trying to spend more time with you.”

“You have. And you guys are all my heroes. She is un friendly.”

“That’s an understatement of the century. She was hot as a wet hen. You know, man, you shouldn’t have let her in.” Reno’s eyes were twinkling now.

Blue bubble of protective joy. Kami loved that thing. He thought it was fucking cool, thought it was even cooler that three babies had created it.

“Speaking of, Cain,” Reno winked at him. “Her entourage is still waiting outside like they are supposed to be. They don’t get to come in, they don’t get to play, and she is being escorted out right now. I believe Triton’s doing the honors, friend.”

That made Talon smile. “My brother is nothing if not impressive.”

“Oh, you don’t do half bad,” Cain said. “So, an apartment. Do you want to be on the same hallway as Kami?”

Kami knew that there was no way Talon would want?—

“Please, as close as possible. I am the godfather of the baby, so I need to be close.”

He’d be damned.

Talon’s lips twisted. If I’m going to stay, I want to be close to my chosen family. You are dear to me, you pain in the ass.

Cain’s smile widened. “Well, congratulations. I believe there is one next door, actually. Or there’s one across the hallway next to Lake.”

“I’ll take the one by Kami and Reno.” Talon winked. “Six children is a lot to have next door.”

“I’ll tell you a secret.” Cain leaned forward and winked at Talon. “Six children is just a lot.”

No shit on that.

“Let’s do this. Apartment ho!” he called, feeling as if they’d vanquished the foe.

Cain called in Betty, who he thought had been hiding from the old battle-ax lady. “Can you get the keys to the apartment beside Reno?”

“Of course.” She beamed at Talon. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Talon bowed a little.

Betty left to get the keys, and Cain smiled at Talon. “If there’s anything you want to change or demo, let Betty know. Ellie is the assistant who can help you with furnishings.”

“Thank you, Cain. I appreciate it all. I have simple needs.”

“A big bed, a TV, and a phone to call and order food,” Kami teased.

Reno snorted. “A dragon after my own heart.”

“I need a couch as well. One large enough to fit my friends.” Talon stopped and smiled. “And my godchild, my ki’kai.”

Betty beamed at him. “You are the baby’s ki’soff? How wonderful. You must be so pleased.”

“I am honored. I have been blessed with a great responsibility. I will teach him, or her, all the things that a warrior needs to know.”

Reno grinned, one arm around his waist. That’s adorable. Boone and Durango are going to be so jealous.

Boone and Durango have eighty-seven thousand children between them. They’re not going to care.

You have a point.

“All right. Come, friend. Let us go and find my apartment so that I can settle.” Talon turned for the door, and he and Reno followed along.

Kami was fairly sure he’d lived six days in the last hour and a half. It was almost like being out on in the field. Almost.

He’d take it.