I can help with that, he said in my mind.She was the daughter of Mage Zanic.
Ben
What?That'snotpossible,I heard Kris say. We were flying high in the night sky, heading back to the Circle of Elders, or what was left of it. Kris, when he had fully opened his mind taking all walls and blocks down, had showed me everything, all his memories, his thoughts and insecurities, his past loneliness, the sadness of missing his family. I saw it all, including the total and utter devastation that he wreaked on the Elders.
That is what she said when she was talking to Elder Atticus. I opened my mind, and I did as Kris had done. I took down any barrier or wall, and I let him see everything. All the times when I was a child, orphaned after losing my parents, the timeI met Master Stephen, and my time adjusting to my new coven. I shared every memory, including the thoughts and fears of the events that had just happened. We veered a little at those last thoughts, and I felt his anger.
Easy, my Beloved, I projected.I’m safe. I’m here with you and I’m uninjured, and our babe is safe as well.
I felt us level off.
I’m sorry, my Cardia, the very thought of you being injured is a lot for me. I can't believe Zanic had a daughter, and not only that, but a daughter who is now immortal because of the blood of a dragon.
I heard his rumble as we started to go down. I looked and the stone pillars that once stood proud were all flattened. The beauty that the place once had was now gone. We landed just as the others pulled up in the vehicle. I hoped we wouldn't stay here. I wanted to go home, but we needed to check on Roarke.
That thing you did with Roarke took a lot of your energy, didn't it?I asked.
Yes, but it was the only thing I could think of to save his life. I hope he and his family are all right with it. It's very rare that a dragon adopts another into his caste, he explained.
Why would his family care? Why would Roarke care, for that matter?I wondered.
When a dragon adopts another dragon into their caste, they’re basically changing the other dragon's lineage and merging them into their lineage. I quite literally made Roarke my brother and a member of the Golden caste. Sometimes the parentage can take offense and disown the one that was adopted, he said.
Wait, do you think they would rather have a dead son than one who has now been made brother of the king?I asked, stunned at what I was hearing.
I don't know. I’m hoping because I am king, it will soften the blow and they will accept him still. Especially after the explanation that he could have died, he said.Even if they don't accept him, I do not regret doing what I did. He saved your life and protected you. He was more than a friend and guard.
I agree. If they were anything like Roarke, they would still love and care for him.
Kris shifted, and we walked over to the SUV. Cameron got out and handed Kris a pair of sweatpants. I was thankful for that. No one else needed to see my Beloved's naked body.
"How is he?" I asked.
"He's still unconscious, but his breathing and pulse have gotten stronger," Devin said.
"Let's get him inside. Elder Sonod has arranged for us to stay here tonight and had them prepare rooms." Basil said.
"What about the other elders?" I asked.
"Two are dead. Including Atticus, that is three. One is missing, and the other is here and called Chieftain Tomlin for aid," Elder Sonod said. "The one here is named Elder Zaurarr. He didn’t care for Atticus and his racist ways."
"So, we won't have any trouble?" I clarified my question. The last thing I wanted to do was stay here and fall asleep only to be attacked.
"You’re safe here. There won't be any trouble," he replied.
We made our way into the giant mansion and got Roarke settled. After ensuring that he and Dev were okay, Kris and I went to our room. I just wanted to crawl into bed and cuddle my Beloved and have him hold me, and that's what we did.
The Next King
Krispin
"Ow!Yougiantfuckinglizard with wings!" Ben cried out. It had been three weeks since the incident at the Circle of Elders, and now Ben was in the midst of labor.
"If you ever come at me with your knotted dick again, I am going to fucking kill you!" he exclaimed again.
I looked over to Devin and Roarke for any help they could give. They looked just as clueless. Well, Roarke did. Devin looked frightened. Roarke had not fully healed yet, and he and Devin had not yet bonded. They were waiting until he was at full strength to perform the bonding, and by the look of Devin's face, it may be longer after hearing Ben. Roarke had yet to talk to his parents, but he understood and felt honored to be called my brother.
"Ow, fuck! Oh, the mark will just glow and open, and I'll grab our son. You missed the fucking part where it feels like your entire fucking body is being torn in fucking two! What kind of fucking magic is this shit that it couldn't fucking be painless?"Ben panted. He grabbed my shirt and pulled my face to his. "Next time you're having the fucking baby."
