Page 29

K ai felt a sliver of exhaustion when she reached Aodh’s office building.

Previously, when she walked escorted around the territory, some Drahks spoke to the person escorting her and offered her a respectable nod of greeting.

However, this time, it seemed like every person she passed spoke directly to her and smiled.

Of course, they greeted her with the name that had become her new title since the pregnancy.

The walk, which was not short by her standards, she filled with good day, thank you, hello... good day, thank you, hello.... Good day, thank you, hello...

Thirsty with her cheeks aching from smiling so much, she stepped into the shade of the building.

She looked toward the conference room and was glad to see the door was open and the room empty, so Aodh was not in a meeting with his leaders.

She didn’t want to disturb his day, even though he’d asked her to come by after she’d visited with her sister.

She traversed the stairs to the top landing. Both doors were open when she arrived at the short hallway between the two offices. Yeongi sat behind his desk working, and she hustled away quickly before he could see her and call out a greeting.

She heard voices coming from Aodh’s office, but when she was still a few feet from the door, Aodh called out to her before she could see the office clearly.

“Come in, mate.”

Kai was sure Aodh felt her presence even without seeing or hearing her, just as she did his when close.

As she crossed into the office, his warmth spread through their connection and affected her body in many ways.

The feelings of comfort and strength filled her heart, but the building lust Kai pushed aside.

With Liekki sitting in the chair across from him, it was the last place she wanted her mind or body focused.

Aodh’s marking radiated a soft violet as his gaze rested on her.

That same joy resonated within her.

“I don’t want to interrupt. I can wait or return if this is not a good time.” Kai took only a few steps into the office.

“Liekki and I were finished for now.” Aodh waved her over.

“Oh, the Mistress of Fire has arrived.” Liekki glanced over his shoulder at her before he rose and offered her a nod.

Kai crossed the room and paused beside Aodh’s brother and second. She placed a hand on her hip and looked up at the jovial man. “Is that all you have, Liekki? I expected better. More pomp and circumstance,” she teased.

Liekki waved his arm around like some eighteen-hundreds’ courtiers before the queen then gave a dramatic bow. While still lowered, he lifted his head and asked, “I believe this is how you humans show deference and humble themselves before important people, right?”

“Something like that.” Kai giggled. There wasn’t anything about a man who stood close to seven feet in height and whose shoulders could easily take up an average door width that appeared lessened or subservient to anyone else.

“Then good. You deserve it at least once.” Liekki resumed his full height. “So, how is the ball of fire treating you?”

She tipped her head to the side and frowned at the odd question. “Since I have only been pregnant half a day, I barely know they’re there.”

He glanced over at Aodh and then back at her. “I’m sure you will soon.”

“Most women don’t even start showing or feel a movement until around four months.” She linked her hands before her to keep from rubbing it over her soft belly.

Liekki looked at Aodh again.

Aodh arched a brow.

Kai frowned at the odd exchange. “Should I know something?”

“Most Drahkelles need plenty of rest,” Liekki informed her.

“Well, I’ll sleep when necessary, but I am fine now. Day one.” She moved to the side of Aodh’s desk.

Liekki tipped his head to the side. “Well, spitfire, twenty smoke rings salute to you.”

“For?” She leaned a hip against Aodh’s big desk.

“You finally did it. I was beginning to have doubts Aodh’s dragon would claim you. Ever.”

Kai’s cheeks burned. Liekki’s words conjured up the image of what went into a Drahk claiming night and all Aodh did to her.

Instead of giving in to the embarrassment heating up her neck and face, she decided to brazen it out with this man who was now her family.

She leaned in a little toward him and covered the side of her mouth as if she didn’t want Aodh to hear.

She whispered loudly, “I was beginning to feel the same way.” Then she added a not-so-private pointing action toward Aodh because there was no reason she should be the only one getting teased, “You think he was scared?”

Aodh let out a low rumble, and a wisp of smoke ribboned between her and Liekki.

Liekki ignored the pointed threat.

The sign of the dragon’s smoke caused tingles to awaken along the skin of over half her body.

“Probably had a little dragon performance issu—”

“Enough!” Aodh bellowed. “Liekki out!”

A wide smile spread Aodh’s brother’s mouth as he offered her a conspiratory wink before pivoting back to Aodh, whose massive girth still took the seat behind the desk. “I’ll see you downstairs shortly. I’ll let the others know when they arrive that you’re finishing up another meeting, Aodh.”

“That would be of help to me.” Aodh shot a look at his brother.

Not fazed, Liekki glanced at her again before leaving. “Good day to you, Aguya Kai.”

“You, too, Liekki. Try and stay out of Aodh’s crosshairs.”

“What’s the fun in that?” He continued out the door.

She shook her head and laughed.

“Mate, come here.”

Kai rounded the desk and kissed him on the lips. “How difficult is it to work with Liekki?” she questioned playfully.

“A chore always.” Aodh let out an exaggerated exhale. “Sit with me for a moment.”

“Okay.” She started to move to the chair Liekki vacated when she felt Aodh squeeze her hip.

“Not there.”

She looked around and didn’t see another option, but she quickly realized he meant his lap. Kai shot a glance at the open door of his office.

“Come here, mate.” He tugged her closer.

“Oh!” Surprised, she found herself hoisted onto him. She was grateful she’d worn pants that day. Otherwise, her sex would obscenely be on display because of the way her legs were hooked over the arm of the chair. “Aodh, what if someone comes in?”

Aodh stroked a finger over her cheek and down the side of her neck. “Kai, they already know you’re claimed. Finding you in my arms wouldn’t shock them.”

Kai knew what Aodh said to be true with the number of couples she’d spotted in the great hall and, at times, kissing and heavy petting along the side of a building or tree. However, it would still be something she would have to adjust to when it came to her.

“Fine.” At times, it was easier to give in.

“Are you resting and eating?” His hand moved along the side of her breast but didn’t stop.

She shivered. Being in Aodh’s arms made her body come alive. Pushing aside the instant desire, she answered him. “I’m not tired. But all I have done today, it seems, is eat.”

“Good.” He rested his broad palm over her stomach.

Good? Second to my insane lust for you, I want to eat now . “Not good,” she countered.

“This is normal. Hatchlings grow fast, and it causes all expectant mothers to consume a lot and rest. So, whenever you are hungry, do not judge it. Just eat. And whenever you want me, little flame, you can have me. Trust that my insanity is just as great for you, mate.”

“Well, that’s good—” She leaned away, and her back bumped the edge of his desk as she stared at him.

Aodh’s gaze, with a low cerulean flame, met hers.

Something odd just happened. “Why’d you call it insanity?”

Her parents had been close and in love and often could finish each other’s sentences or were aware of how the other was feeling just by a glance, but she’d only known Aodh briefly.

Her feelings for him were deep but complicated given the natural order as she’d always known it was not out of whack.

But to have him saying or confirming things she’d only thought didn’t make sense.

He took hold of her hips and dragged her up his thighs until his hard length pressed against her sex.

“It makes perfect sense. You are not just my mate, but my claimed mate with my young growing even now in your womb. Even though we do not have the years and love of your parents or mine, we have something special, mate.”

Kai gasped. His words were no coincidence. It felt eerie, so she grabbed his shoulders and started to rise.

His hands tightened on her hips and kept her in place.

“Aodh...how?...How?” She licked her lips and swallowed, trying to get her words together. “How did you know I compared us to my parents? My lust...all of it. Are Drahks mind readers?”

Have they all been able to read my mind this whole time?

“Yes and no, Kai.” He chuckled. “In dragon form, all Drahk communicate through the mind but are shielded from reading one another’s thoughts.

So, if I wanted my brother to know something, I had to mentally speak it to him directly.

However, it is not discerning; other dragons can hear it if they are nearby. ”

“But I’m not a dragon. You aren’t in your Mckenna form. So, how is this happening?”

“You carry my offspring.”

Her face tightened. She was confused.

Aodh must have noticed her expression. “The link between claimed mates during pregnancy is strong. It doesn’t matter what form both or either is in. Then, we can communicate through that unity bond.”

“But, I’m not Drahk,” she declared. None of this should apply to me .

“You’re right. It shouldn’t apply to you. But it is happening.”

Kai folded her arms and gave Aodh a stern look. “Why didn’t you tell me about the unity bond.”

“Forgive me, mate.” Aodh lifted a hand and cupped her cheek as he held her gaze. “You’re the first human female claimed who conceived. I honestly didn’t think it would happen with you. Even for me, this is unchartered territory.”