“Fine,” Thystle muttered. “Next time, just talk to me. I would’ve been happy to fly you to the roof.”
He liked the kiss, so I gave him another one. “I promise, I will. Now, Ireallyhave to make my nest.”
“Can I help?” Thystle asked.
“You can stand there and look sexy.”
“Done.”
As I hurried to pick up the blanket, the instincts flooded back in full force. Now that the immediate threat was done, I could concentrate on nesting. But it quickly became apparent that a single blanket wasn’t enough. I fussed with the blanket over and over, unable to find the best configuration.
Frustration crept over me. I didn’t have much longer, but I couldn’t bring my egg into this world without the perfect nest. My eagle soul wouldn’t allow it.
Thystle must’ve sensed my annoyance. He touched his wing-tip to my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“No,” I said curtly. “I need more materials.”
“I can get more,” Thystle offered.
The thought of him abandoning me right now was too much. I shook my head. “No. Please, stay here.”
I knew I was acting crazy, but I couldn’t help it. My hormones and instincts raged out of control. All I wanted was the best for my egg, and I wanted itnow.Was that too much to ask?
Thystle’s scaly brow furrowed in concern. He was quiet as he mulled over the options. “We could—”
Saffron’s sudden muffled voice cut him off, yelling, “We came as fast as we could!”
A rainbow of dragons landed on the rooftop. My eyes widened as Thystle’s brothers circled us. Each dragon carried a mouthful of nesting materials, from blankets, to dry straw, to driftwood.
Jade placed his neatly folded blankets by my feet. “We heard you were in need of assistance.”
Crimson added a few handmade quilts to the pile, courtesy of Taylor. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? It would’ve saved us a lot of commotion.”
Even Thystle seemed awed by his brothers’ rush to help. “Where did you guys come from?” he asked.
Saffron deposited his intriguingly-shaped driftwood before me. “Viol told us,” he explained.
Aurum snorted and dropped a clump of straw beside his twin’s offering. “More likescreamed,” he mumbled.“It felt like he’d kill us if we didn’t bring you nesting materials ASAP.”
“I would,” Viol said darkly.
Aurum yelped in shock, his eyes going wide as plates as he flattened to the ground. Viol had manifested behind him like smoke, glaring at the golden twin in a clear order to shut the hell up.
I took Aurum’s offering with a smile, hoping to dispel Viol’s murderous energy. “Thank you, everyone. This is exactly what I wanted.”
Apparently satisfied by this, Viol reined in his dark aura. Aurum sighed in relief.
Cobalt seemed oblivious to the drama beside him. He nudged a large rock towards the pile. “For your nest. I hope it helps.”
“Dude, it’s a rock,” Aurum said. “How is that comfortable?”
Cobalt’s shoulders drooped. “Golden eagles nest on cliffs. I thought he would like it.”
My heart squeezed with affection. Thystle’s whole family jumped to my aid without a second thought. I couldn’t have been happier.
I grabbed the rock and rolled it into the nest. It sat on top of the blankets and straw, holding everything nicely in place. Cobalt was right. The addition of the rock sparked my eagle instincts. I felt soothed by its presence as I sank down into the nest.
“It’s perfect, Cobalt,” I said. “Thanks.”
