“Very good. We will figure out flying another time,” Taranis said, and Bas’s wings tucked in. “Well, I think it’s time for some tea.”
Bridget yelped as Bas reached out and picked her up with his front talons. He lay down on the grass and brought her close.
“If you’re hungry for virgins, big guy, I think that ship has sailed,” Bridget joked because one huge eye was looking at her. Bas huffed a growling dragon sound and held her close to his chest.
“She’s yours. Yes, we all know,” Taranis said irritably, hands on his hips. He turned to the Greatdrakes boys. “It appears tea will be held outside. Hop to it.” Apollo and Valentine took off back toward the house.
“I need all the rum, please!” Bridget called after them from the cradle of warm, leathery skin and claws she was held in. She rested her head against one of the large blue scales of Bas’s chest. “I’m glad you’re okay. Never do that to me again.”
Bas just snuffled at her hair. There was a tingle behind her eyes before his mind touched hers.I’m sorry I frightened you. Stay with me. I don’t know if I like this.
I’m not going anywhere. I promise,she replied and let out a shaky sob of relief. He was still in there and was going to be okay. She wasn’t sure if she was. What a fucking night.
30
Bas refused to let Bridget go, so the Greatdrakes ended up gathering together the lawn furniture that wasn’t broken and having their tea outside. Bridget was given a cup of rum that she sipped while sitting on Bas’s foot.
“How long is he going to be like this?” Cosimo asked.
Taranis shrugged. “First shifts can vary. He needs towantto be human. Once he can make that link between his human and dragon side, he will be able to slip in between them as quickly and easily as he likes.”
“You were right when you said that high emotions kick it off,” Valentine commented. He was staring at Bas, a frown on his face. “They were shagging at the time.”
“Wow, can you not tell the king of the fae dragons that?” Bridget said, putting a hand over her face. “And Cosimo is sitting right there.”
“I hate to alarm you, Bridget dear, but I have had sex before,” Cosimo replied with a smile that was too much like his son’s. All the Greatdrakes had that sly little grin designed to melt the panties off anyone it was aimed at.
“Sex or fighting is usually how it goes,” Taranis said, unperturbed by any of it. “That’s why dragons usually shift in their teens. You all are late bloomers because magic was broken for so long. Nature is healing and all that.”
Apollo chewed a cookie nervously. “So I really need to not fight with Lachlan anymore if I don’t want to shift.”
“Or you need to just fuck him and get it over with,” Quinn piped up.
Apollo spluttered in outrage, and Bridget laughed.
“He wants to know if Mpreg is a thing, Quinn, and is afraid to ask,” Bridget said because if they were going to embarrass her, she sure as hell was going to return the favor.
“What’s Mpreg?” Taranis asked.
Quinn explained, in great detail, with hand gestures, and the look on his face was so priceless that Bridget wished she had a phone on her to take a photo.
“What? No! That’s not a thing. Only women have the power to create life. It’s why you should always worship the Goddess because she is the life bringer,” Taranis said, with a shake of his head. “Look, Apollo, if you and Lachie want to have children one day, there are surrogates. Dragons have always had same-sex matings, and there have always been donors and surrogates willing to help them have a family.”
“I don’t want Lachlan Ironwood’s babies! That’s not why I was asking. I just don’t want to get pregnant by accident,” Apollo said, red-faced.
Cosimo and Valentine both rolled their eyes, and Bridget hid her smile behind her glass. No one was buying Apollo’s bullshit.
“Basset will return to his human form when he’s ready to. I don’t think he’s going to let you go tonight, Bridget, so I hope he’s comfortable to sit on,” Taranis said a short time later.
“I’ll be fine if I can grab a pillow,” Bridget replied. “I don’t want to leave him. He’s...scared.”
“A first shift is always terrifying, so I’m not surprised by that. Quinn and I will stay in one of your guest rooms tonight in case we are needed again.”
Cosimo let out a sigh of relief. “Good. I feel better knowing you are here for this. I am out of my depth, and I don’t like it when my children are in pain.”
Quinn hugged him. “It’ll be okay, Daddy G. Bas just has to be an overachiever as much as possible. I’m sure Bridget will be able to convince him back to his human self. He will want to make out with her too badly. Can’t do that as a dragon.”
“Pussy power,” Apollo nodded. “Good plan. Bound to work.”
