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“Mate, the conception of our offspring is vitally important to my Thunder. This young one will finally solve the issues that have plagued us for multiple decades caused by the devastation that humans wrought. Keeping it from them is not something I can promise you.”

Everything Aodh stated was true. Kai was aware that the changes in the world had hindered his people from growing their numbers. However, she didn’t have much in the world that belonged to her. And she wanted the small, precious moment to belong to Aodh and her for a little while.

She cupped his jaw and whispered. “For a little while.”

Aodh exhaled and looked as if he wanted to say more. She was happy when he didn’t and pulled the door open.

Kai exited their suite and saw the guard, a young man she was unfamiliar with, sitting in a chair against the wall above the stairs. She wondered how long the guards would be necessary.

When he spotted them, the guard immediately rose to his feet. He inclined his head, first to Aodh, then her. “Mckenna. Aguya.”

“Ladon. How long have you been on duty?” Aodh stepped toward the young man with his sword strapped across his back.

Kai understood the deference the guard paid to Aodh, but she was flummoxed trying to determine why the young man had offered her the same level of honor as he did to the Mckenna.

But she realized that could not be the case because how he addressed her didn’t make sense, so she figured he’d still been speaking to Aodh.

She brushed it away and continued toward her sister’s suite.

“Only five hours, Mckenna. Aine will relieve me in an hour.” The young Drahk puffed out his chest as he stood under the Dragon King’s regard.

“Is that the same for Alina?” Aodh gestured with his head toward the female guard before the door at the bottom of the stairs.

“No, Mckenna. Her shift started three hours after mine. Edjer informed us we are to stagger our shifts.”

“Well done.” Aodh fixed his gaze on her. “Remember what I said, mate.”

“Yes. I remember everything.” She gestured toward the door. “If one of you do not mind giving me a hand.”

Before Aodh could move around the young male, Ladon was beside her. “I have it, Aguya.”

This time, Kai was sure the guard was addressing her. She frowned, irritated that members of Aodh’s Thunder still didn’t know her name. “It’s Kai,” she corrected.

“My apologies, Aguya Kai.” The young male’s markings glowed a soft violet but seemed to darken with the evidence of his joy the longer he stood there.

Kai glanced at Aodh, who was poised at the top step, ready to descend, his expression unreadable.

She fixed her eyes back to the young man. “Why do you keep calling me Aguya? What does it mean?”

It was as if someone had stuck a candle up the guard’s backside, and his markings were so bright that small violet flames danced in his eyes. “Mistress of Fire.”

“Mistress of...what?”

“Fire,” Ladon confirmed.

Mistress of Fire. Seeing Aodh in her peripheral vision with his hands crossed over his muscular chest, he still had the same expression. Kai wondered why he didn’t correct the guard. “Why are you calling me this name or title?”

Kai wondered if it had anything to do with how she stormed into the council meeting and almost started a war.

Perhaps they were mocking her. Thinking she was a stupid human trying to take on eight preternatural entities.

However, she doubted Aodh would stand there silently and allow something like that to happen.

No, Aodh would have this Drahk’s head and everyone after him who dared ridicule her in such a way.

Ladon glanced from her to Aodh, then back with a bright smile as he declared, “Because you carry the Mckenna’s offspring.”

She gasped, checking to ensure the heavy stone door to Morlie’s suite was still closed. Relieved, she stepped close to Ladon and whispered. “How do you know this?”

Angry, Kai shot Aodh a harsh look. It was only a few minutes since she’d requested they keep the baby under wraps. How had he told Ladon so quickly without her overhearing it? Was there a code of some sort she had missed? A hand signal, perhaps?

“All Drahks know, Aguya Kai. Drahks share a connection, a bond through the Dragon King.”

“Connected.” Kai wasn’t sure if the word came out or she thought it.

“Yes. The Great Spirit ensured through our mage traits that the Mckenna knows if one of us is ill, lost, or dead. When he claims his mate fully, all females of age can carry offspring. All the Thunder is overjoyed and sees a new day dawning and growth for our kind.”

“Enough, Ladon.” Aodh’s words were firm and authoritative but without anger.

“Yes, Mckenna.” Ladon stepped back and away from the door, a quiet presence awaiting his next orders.

Their short conversation seemed to come to her from a distance.

Ringing. Kai could only hear the load ringing in her ears.

Her heart beat so fast it felt like it would gallop right out of her chest. She took several breaths, not wanting to find herself passed out on the floor before Ladon.

Shocked by everything the young guard stated, she glanced at Aodh, who had moved at some point.

He was closer now. Aodh stood beside her.

“Why didn’t you tell me this when I asked to keep it secret?” she whispered harshly.

“I tried, little flame. But you can be stubborn when your mind’s fixed on something.” He caressed her bottom lip with his thumb.

She wanted to knock his hand away. Kai was upset at him, but she refused to make a scene in front of his people. However, it was clear to her that he knew as soon as she came in contact with one of his people, they would bestow the honorific.

“But you could have—”

“Later, Kai. We will discuss it all later.” He rested a hand on her waist and drew her forward. “As Ladon stated, changes have occurred within the Thunder, and I must address them.”

“Okay. But this is not over.” She forced a smile on her lips.

“I know, mate. See your sister, and when you finish, come to the Mckenna building.” His hand stroked along her curves.

It was so hard for her to keep her anger when he touched her. “I will. Should I have one of the guards bring me or get Tana?”

Aodh smiled down at her. “Neither. You are their Mistress of Fire and have all the authority to move about my territory without fear. Everyone’s goal is to protect you and our offspring.”

Mine .

“Yes. I am.” This time, her heart did a little flutter. Until Aodh, she’d never had anyone looking out for her, and now she had an entire Thunder of dragons. Wow. “I will see you later.”

“Until then.” He captured her lips in a quick kiss before he turned and journeyed down the stairs.

Taking another deep breath, she glanced over at the guard. “Thank you, Ladon.”

He scrunched his brow. “I’m unsure what I did, but you are welcome.”

She shook her head at the young guard’s innocence.

Now, why can’t Morlie be mated to someone like him?

The thought of the intense wolf who wanted to take her sister away from her gave her chills.

Aodh said he trusted Chanin, but that knowledge didn’t make Kai feel more at ease about the wolf-shifter.

Right now, she refused to let Chanin occupy her mind.

It was more important to her to see how her sister was doing.

“The door, please, Ladon.”

He nodded, then grasped the handle and pushed it open.

“Morlie.” Kai moved deeper into the small suite. She called out to her sister as the door closed behind her.

She hoped Morlie hadn’t fallen into a depression from everything that happened and had buried herself in the bed. But when Kai arrived at the bedroom area, she saw her sister standing in the corner, her gaze fixed on the window. Morlie stared out the clear glass like beyond it lay her existence.

“There you are.” Kai smiled. “How are you after all the craziness of yesterday?”

Morlie turned slowly and faced her. Her sister’s eyes were tight at the corners with accusation. “Why didn’t you tell me, Kai?”

Kai paused in her tracks and stared at her sister. She wondered if Morlie had heard their conversation through the thick door. Or had someone told her? Licking her lips, Kai asked, “How did you find out?”

“Eilidh last night.”

Kai groaned and ran a hand over her wild curls. “It wasn’t her place to say anything.”

“No, you’re right, Kai.” Morlie pushed away from the wall with her arms folded. “It was yours. You should have said something.”

“That’s why I am here now,” Kai declared, lifting her hands at her side and then allowing them to fall with a slap to the outside of her thighs. Hell, she’d only discovered the pregnancy a few hours ago and still had not fully wrapped her mind around it.

“A little late. I thought we were in this together. No secrets.” Morlie stormed off to the sitting room.

“We are!” Kai followed behind her. “I couldn’t tell you what I didn’t know.”

“What you didn’t know.” Morlie shook her head. “You’re the only one who knew the truth.”

I’m the only one who knew ? Kai was lost now. She felt as if she and her sister were having two separate conversations. This may not be about the baby at all. “Wait...what are you talking about.”

“Just admit you lied, sissy.” Morlie balled her fists at her side.

“Lied. About what.” Kai held her hands up and lifted her brows.

“Me being of age to mate!”

Oh, shit.

~YH~

“Leave us.”

Bleddyn and Rudie turned and walked out of his house without another word.

Chanin stared at Minsi, and heat radiated through his body. It was so palpable he could feel his heartbeat in his hands. He curled his fingers into fists to keep control of his wolf.

Minsi smiled, her lips curled up so high as she slowly rose from the couch that she appeared as cunning as a feline. And he fucking hated felines.