Page 6 of The Mating Claim

Xavier beamed, but Tristan watched Caderyn blink as if surprised. He suspected what the Shadow Wizard’s thoughtful expression indicated – not that Sonia had physically hurt the Caderyn, but the little girl talked of a deeper, more hidden pain buried inside thewizard.

Then she began babbling again and clapping her hands. Caderyn handed her over to Xavier as a puff of cobalt blue smoke filled theair.

When it cleared, Drust stood by the window, regarding them all. In his usual cobalt blue tunic, trousers and soft doeskin boots, the dragon looked flummoxed. Tristan recognized the look on Drust’s bearded face, having seen it in the mirror when he first courted his lovelyNikita.

Ah, and so it begins. Women will do that to you. He nodded to Niki, who squeezed hishand.

Sonia reached out her arms. “Dragon!” she criedout.

The stricken look dropped from Drust’s face as he spotted the child. Beaming, Drust picked her up, and cuddled her. “Hello, little one. Missme?”

“I miss you,” she sangout.

Xavier looked astonished. “Are you secretly teaching my little girl to mimicyou?”

Drust shook his head and kissed the top of Sonia’s blonde, curly head. “No. She is a fast learner. Sonia, can you say dragon for UncleDrust?”

“Dragon,” the toddler yelledout.

“And what else can you tell your papa?” heinquired.

Then she put a finger in her mouth. “I luv daddy andmama.”

As Xavier grinned, Sonia added. “But Iz luv dragons too. Dragonsrule.”

Her father frowned. “You swear you’re not teaching her secretly,Drust?”

“No. Someone else who likes dragons may be. Ask yourmate.”

Tristan bit back a laugh as Xavier looked even more stunned. Drust handed the baby over toXavier.

“I’m here…” Drust folded his arms, but his voice felloff.

“To watch a movie. Very well. Let’s watch,” Tristan suggested. He did adore a goodmovie.

Tristan flicked a hand and the wide screen television above the hearth began playingThe Princess Bride. He flicked another hand and a striped bag of popcorn appeared in Drust’shands.

“For guidance,” Drust finallysaid.

“I know.” Tristan considered. “Buttered or is anyone on adiet?”

“I’ll take mine buttered,” Gideon said, patting his flatstomach.

“Buttered all around,” he decided, zapping popcorn into everyone’shands.

Niki bent down and whispered into his ear. “Save the butter for later, wolf, when we are alone inbed.”

“I promise,” hemurmured.

With considerable effort, Tristan controlled his rising desire. He thought of the grim consequences for the dragon if Drust did not get his hands, or dragon claws, on the Book ofShadows.

Drust blinked. “I come to you for guidance and you give meentertainment?”

“Watch.” Tristan settled back into hischair.

“I hope there is at least a dragon in it,” Drustmuttered.

“Sonia loves this one. I believe we have watched it three hundred times,” Xavier murmured, settling his daughter into hislap.