Page 15

Rising, Aodh walked to the windows. In this room, they were smaller, unlike the ones on the second floor of all the buildings, which their dragons used as launching pads.

The conference room windows were also extra thick and did not open, solely to keep the discussions private.

Keeping secrets in the Thunder wasn’t customary, but the assembly always discussed things first and tried to find a resolution before passing the information on.

He kept his back to the members at the table as he began, “Kai. Her name is Kai. She was not sick. Underfed and unwashed, but from all I sensed, fit.” Aodh did not go further into detail about Kai’s person.

Not only because thinking of her body in any way would arouse him but also he didn’t want to share any more of her than he had to.

That bit he’d analyze when he was alone.

“It is rumored she is yours.” Anala still rested back in her chair on the other side of Liekki as she spoke in low tones. It would be a whisper to humans, but everyone in the room could hear her—loud and clear.

Taking a deep breath, Aodh glanced back at her. He was glad the textile leader did not use the word ‘mate.’ But Anala had great intuition about others. It was part of her perspicacity, unlike others on the assembly who rushed ahead. Liekki included.

“Yes.” Aodh shifted to face them all again. “She is mine.” Taking his time, he stared at each assembly member’s eyes before continuing. “I know everyone here has concerns about the state of our Thunder and what will become of us in future generations.”

The last generation in their Thunder were now dragonets, juveniles just being trained in their first flights and learning jobs to find their place in the Thunder.

The current gap without hatchlings, their offspring, wasn’t good, and if they didn’t begin to build the next generation, their numbers would dwindle, and they would become weak.

“I promise, as your Mckenna, I’ll not see our Thunder endangered.”

“We trust you,” Hugo rose.

Two at a time, his assembly got to their feet and echoed the Com leader’s words.

“We trust you.” His brother’s declaration came last.

Aodh’s chest puffed up to hear the surety of them all, and the pale-amethyst flames flickered in their gaze as the joyful hue weaved along through the dragon markings on his fellow shifters’ upper bodies.

He didn’t have to look down to see if his markings reflected a rich ultraviolet, revealing his pride in their support.

“Over the next day or so, I will be indisposed. Liekki, my second, will take command. If there is an emergency, contact him or Yeongi, and they will get me.” Aodh didn’t elaborate on where or what he would be doing.

However, he was sure the perspective shifters around him would note any subtle changes to his coloring.

If he didn’t guard his emotions and lustful thoughts in his mind, various tones of blue would reveal them.

“Things will be fine. Do what you need to, brother.” Liekki placed a big hand on Aodh’s shoulder and squeezed.

Aodh released a short wisp of soft, white smoke directed at his brother.

Liekki chuckled as he lowered his hand, not bothered in the least.

Shortly after that, Aodh adjourned the meeting and returned to his office to complete the paperwork awaiting him.

~YH~

Kai walked out of the bathroom after drying her body with one of the most oversized towels she’d ever seen, let alone used.

She slipped into the larger of two robes she’d located in the closet.

After Ninki’s comments, Kai refused to use the smaller one, figuring it belonged to the other woman, who, according to Ninki, was a frequent apartment resident.

She clutched her dirty and worn clothes and felt heat flush her cheeks at the thought of anyone having to launder them.

Not only because they were extraordinarily filthy but because they were threadbare, and chances were that they were so ragged they would disintegrate at the first drop of water.

Since they were all she had, she hoped cleaning them would not be the end of them.

She would have washed them by hand in the bathroom sink as she’d done many times but didn’t think the nice, mild-smelling soap would work to get the stains out.

The items needed beating against a rock or two with harsh soap.

She padded into the bedroom where the air was warm but the stone floor cold, making her regret not having shoes.

The steam created by the hot water, thanks to Ninki, had saturated the bathroom like a warm cocoon.

The cold beneath her feet was shocking, sending jolts through her heels and legs as she started toward the closet.

However, even the unexpected chilly stone did not dampen the tingling over her body.

It was mild while she was in the water but intensified once she’d dried off.

It felt like someone glided feathers up and down her body, covering every inch of her skin only after she’d dipped in something mentholated.

It wasn’t only causing her flesh to tingle but also causing an ache and throbbing sensation in certain areas of her body.

Her breasts felt heavy and sensitive, and her nipples drew taut, making her want to slip a hand into the lapel of the robe and touch them, squeeze her breasts to ease the ache.

But worse than that was the swelling and throbbing of her sex.

She caught herself more than once in the bathroom pressing and rubbing her thighs together to stop the issue.

The only thing she could conceive, resulting in her body’s odd reaction, was that she had to be allergic to one of the products in the jars.

She’d have to discover which one it was and stay away from it while here.

She almost hated not using them because they smelled light, fresh, and had a hint of sweetness.

Nothing too overpowering like a lot of the harsh soaps in the Dispatch.

Since most in the section were struggling, having the luxury of bathing came with a cost that was too high.

So, there were only abrasive bars and gels aimed to kill off germs and infections.

But the products here made her skin feel hydrated and moisturized.

She could not remember her skin or hair feeling so soft.

Yup, she’d hate to give that up for the limited time she would be here.

“How did you find your bath?”

The voice behind Kai shocked her. Secured behind the closed bathroom door, she had believed she was alone.

But it would take time for her to remember that these shifters moved around as if they hovered above the ground.

It didn’t make much sense when she could see their feet touching the floor when they walked.

Steeling herself to face Ninki, Kai took a deep breath, balled her hands into fists, hid them in the bulk of her clothes, and then turned.

Instead of Aodh’s lover, she saw an older woman walking past the dining table carrying a tray and headed toward her.

The woman was tall but slightly built, unlike others she’d met here.

Kai would not use the term compared to herself, but this woman was more petite than Aodh or even Ninki.

Yet, she moved with long, confident strides, bringing her closer to Kai.

As she neared, Kai noticed the short cap of shockingly white hair surrounding an oval face, round chin, an intense aquiline nose, and a set of eyes under ebony brows filled with wisdom and a flicker of chartreuse flames.

Even with the older woman’s curious stare as she took her in from head to covered toes, Kai still felt a sense of calm and warmth.

Kai relaxed her fists.

“It was very nice. I didn’t want to get out.

” The water hadn’t even become tepid when she stepped out, but she didn’t want Aodh or his people to think she was lazy or entitled.

Neither was she. So, she bathed and shampooed her hair as quickly as she could and got out.

The ring her body had left in the tub from the dirt and grime she’d collected all the weeks, perhaps months, since she had washed anything, but her privates, face, and feet showed.

“You could have called out, and I would have reheated your water as often as needed. I’m Tana, Aodh’s attendant.” The older woman stopped before Kai at the bathroom door and smiled.

The woman’s smile was kind, causing Kai to return it. Even though the thought of this older shifter throwing a flame at the water Kai was soaking in made her shiver with trepidation. Hot water was lovely, skin as crispy as pictures of bacon she’d seen, not.

“I’m Kai, and it was perfect, thanks.” Gesturing toward the tub, abashed, Kai said, “I tried to clean up after myself, but I didn’t find any bleach. So, I wiped it out as best I could.”

The older woman held the large laden tray with ease in one hand and waved away Kai’s concerns.

“Humans lean on too many unnatural chemical agents. I’ll handle it all with a touch of baking soda and vinegar.

It’s my position and honor to keep the Mckenna’s suites in tip-top shape. Do not bother yourself.”

“Okay. But I’d like to be shown where the laundry area is so I can take care of my clothing.”

“All of that is not important for you to worry about now. I can see you’re ready to drop, and your stomach growling is a clear indicator you must eat.” Placing a gentle but firm hand on her back, Tana guided Kai toward the chair beside the foot of the bed.

Kai had hoped the woman hadn’t heard the rumbles of her stomach. Whatever was under the covered dishes on the tray smelled good, and she could only get a trace of the foreign scent.

Sitting in the chair, Kai argued, “I need to set my things down.”

“I’ll take care of them.” Tana placed the tray on the small table before gathering things.

“They’re so dirty. I don’t mind taking them to the basket in the closet.” Kai pointed.