Page 23

“Well, it's undoubtedly for the best; you probably don’t jump at the flame anymore.” Ninki shrugged one toned, bare shoulder.

Her white dress was a crisscrossed halter with a wide opening to show off her cleavage.

The skirt flowed to just above Ninki’s knees and her hair was in one long braid dangling over a shoulder.

Seeing how the gorgeous Drahkelle was dressed made Kai feel less anxious about her long, lace gown, even if it felt strange not to wear all black. But she now lived in a different place and would adapt to other customs.

“Nope, can’t say that I do.” It was strange how the last time she and Ninki were in this bathroom together, Kai had been nervous at being in a strange land among strange people.

Now, there were flutters in her stomach because she wanted to ensure she sent her uncle off correctly.

“The way Aodh tosses around fire left and right, it didn’t take long for it not to faze me. ”

“Guess you're truly becoming one of us now.” Ninki gave her a wink in the mirror.

“I hope so.” Kai inhaled as she stared at herself and realized Ninki was right.

Not only was her belly marked by scale lines under her dress, but her curves were becoming more toned and well-defined.

She figured it probably had a lot to do with the dragon taking over her body, all the walking, and the sex.

As often and in as many positions as Aodh wanted to have sex, it had to be considered an aerobic activity.

She rolled her lips inward and tried to control her smile.

“You don’t have to have lines that glow or flames in your eyes for me to see you thinking dirty thoughts about the Mckenna.”

Kai laughed but kept her thoughts to herself. She and Ninki had developed a friendship, but she didn’t think she’d ever be comfortable discussing her sex life with Aodh with his ex.

“How did you get roped into escorting me to the ceremony?” Kai left the bathroom, the dress swishing along the floor behind her.

“I volunteered for it. When I heard who Drago was to you, I asked Tana if I could walk you over.” Ninki placed a hand on Kai’s lace-covered arm. “Your sister isn’t here. I thought you would need the support.”

It was strange for Drahk to make such a gesture by touching her; it went against how they interacted as a people, but Kai was grateful for it.

Kai sighed. “I do need it. I appreciate you being here.”

After a light squeeze, Ninki pulled away. “Well, let’s go. We don’t want to miss them flying Drago to the altar.

“I’m ready.” Kai reminded herself to breathe as she bent down and grabbed handfuls of the dress hem to keep it off the ground until they got to their destination.

She started them down the few steps from the bedroom toward the front of the suite and began to go over her blessing for the twentieth time.

This was the third time she’d watched someone in her family pass away, and she hoped it was the last time for a while.

~YH~

“Are you ready for tonight, Mckenna?”

As Aodh tugged and adjusted the cuffs of his white-cotton dress shirt and exited the front door of Drago’s home, he turned to meet his brother’s gaze.

This hadn’t been the first time he’d spoken with Liekki, and his brother had linked with him hours ago when he let him know he had gotten the communication and was headed to Drago’s.

He’d attempted to reach out to Liekki himself, but his brother had his mental walls up, and Aodh couldn’t get to him.

Once his brother reached out to him, he’d filled Liekki in on the details connecting Kai to Drago.

Liekki had been just as astonished as Aodh when he heard the tale in first person.

But his brother had a levelheaded and jovial personality that allowed him to take everything in stride; his emotions were rarely affected by much.

It made his brother the perfect second. Liekki always kept his cool, even when Aodh could easily allow his emotions to cause him to burn off an offender's head in a blink.

Liekki remained unflappable until he had to react, and that made the blue dragon-shifter fucking dangerous.

So, when Aodh explained the plans for tonight, based on the current situation, Liekki didn’t even release a quiver of emotion through the mental bond—unruffled.

A few others were still gathered and cleaning up the debris that had fallen from the roof, so Aodh continued his discussion with Liekki the way it started.

“This isn’t the first final flight I’ve handled.

” The paranormal battles and skirmishes were brutal and excessive.

Even though the Drahks had only lost a few of their people, each final flight had imprinted on his soul as a leader.

That was why he’d presented the argument to his leadership council to agree to negotiate a peace treaty and territories.

Aodh glanced up toward the top of the house, where two Drahks were pulling away the last chunk of the roof.

Their dragons would have torn the roof off in minutes, but when it came to final flights, they needed the house to remain intact around the deceased dragon.

Their beasts would have ripped the place to shreds and pulverized the foundation.

Aodh preferred the home to remain salvageable after it was cleaned from top to bottom and the roof over the hoard room was restored for the next occupant.

Aodh rotated his shoulders to relax and stretch his muscles as he prepared for what they were about to do.

“It’s not. But you’re the first Drahk ever to invite outsiders in the fashion that humans celebrate Thanksgiving dinner,” Liekki teased.

He snapped his gaze toward his brother. “They're not coming to the damn ceremony,” he hissed.

Aodh knew his brother was purposely annoying and goading him, as Liekki enjoyed doing.

All of the Drahks got the message about the Lupine and would not approach them when they saw them moving in on their territory border.

Hell, Liekki knew he would be the one to get Morlie and the wolf Alpha, but his brother was in rare form this evening.

That thought made Aodh stare hard at his brother, assessing him and attempting to read what Liekki may not be saying. Even as Liekki kept his focus on the building team workers, Aodh studied him. “What’s with you?”

Liekki glanced at him but turned away just as quickly.

" I'm not sure what you mean. This night has little to do with me beyond the obvious,” he said, holding his arms wide and showing off his crisp, white apparel, then nodded toward the roof where the last workers shifted and flew away, swaying trees and scattering dust around the lone structure. “It’s about your mate.”

Aodh heard his brother’s words but still wasn’t buying it.

Just like Liekki knew him, Aodh knew his brother.

Aodh wasn’t fooled. Even though only the building team had left to change and join the Thunder at the ceremonial grounds, Keahl, Edjer, and Rhys, their father, who was the previous Mckenna, remained just feet away on the side of the house, keeping the space for their dragons to shift.

So, Aodh shifted the conversation to another level, careful not to select the familial mental channel, so it excluded their father, too.

Where have you been over the last two days?

Liekki lowered his gaze to the ground between his white, low-booted feet . I haven’t neglected my duties, Mckenna.

Don’t pull that rank shit with me, Liekki. Aodh’s beast growled within. His brother’s response only made him more concerned. No one is accusing you of not doing your damn job, brother.

Liekki moved his head from left to right, stretching out his neck muscles, but Aodh could still read all the tension in his brother’s body.

When Liekki kept silent, Aodh continued. Since your patrol the other morning, you’ve had your shields up. I can’t remember the last time I had to fuckin’ radio you to communicate something.

Liekki’s gaze shot toward him. Orange flames flickered in his brother’s eyes as his lines lit up the white fabric of his short-sleeved dress shirt and the skin of his arms. In a breath, the fire of his emotions was banked.

Don’t I have the same rights as other Drahks? To fuckin’ privacy? Liekki bit out and turned away.

Aodh’s head snapped back. If his brother had shifted and allowed his beast to bite his head off, Aodh would not have been more shocked. Glancing up at the sky, where the ribbons of purple hue declared dusk would soon fade to night, Aodh exhaled.

He didn’t have time today for whatever was happening with his brother. Just as Liekki stated, this night was about Drago and Kai, his mate. Nothing would ruin him being there for her and giving her what she needed.

Abso-fuckin-lutely. Aodh stepped around his brother until he was right in his face. You know you can tell me anything. When you want to pull your stubborn head out of your dragon’s ass long enough to talk, you know where you can find me.

Liekki grunted.

Ignoring his brother’s continued silence, Aodh turned around and said, “Let’s get ready!”

Aodh started to walk away to ensure space for his dragon.

His beast was bigger than all the others, except his father’s was a close second with Liekki’s, and Edjer and Keahl’s were a match in size.

They would have to make a star shape around the house to accommodate the fifth flyer, creating five distinct points.

Tomorrow .

Aodh halted. He glanced back over his shoulder at his brother.

I figure tonight, your horny ass will be busy with your mate all night. Liekki arched a single brow that disappeared under the ebony strands of his long hair. A very pregnant mate .

Aodh knew what Liekki meant. Kai’s belly made her appear much further along than she should, which concerned Aodh.

He smiled wickedly. I definitely will. Tomorrow first thing. Aodh refused to allow whatever was going on with his brother to fester.