“Yo, Muzo, give us a hint,” Aurum said, poking my shoulder.
Saffron sat next to me. “Yeah, give us a hint. By the way, how’s the egg? Hatching yet?”
I did a zipping motion across my mouth. “My lips are sealed. Just like the eggshell.”
They both frowned in various shades of disappointment.
Crimson gravitated towards the dresser. He opened each drawer and judged its contents. “So, are you still going to give us a tour, or should we snoop through your belongings and come to our own conclusions?”
Cobalt marched over to the dresser and firmly shut the drawer his nosy brother was looking at. “No,” he stated. “Come with me.”
Crimson shot a shifty look over his shoulder, then muttered, “Isawthat polyester blend. You can’t hide your sins from me.”
Thystle rolled his eyes and dragged Crimson away from the dresser before he set it on fire.
Cobalt stood by the hidden door with his brothers gathered behind him. He was quiet for a few moments. I could tell he was nervous. I wished I could telepathically transfer some of my relaxed energy to him.
“It’s okay, Cobalt,” I promised. “Nobody’s gonna judge your hoard.”
Cobalt turned his gaze on his suit-wearing brother. “Even though Crimsonjustinsulted my wardrobe?” he countered.
“That’s different,” Crimson argued. “That heinous shirt isn’t part of your hoard.” He paused, suddenly looking horrified. “Unless it is, in which case, Holy Drake save your soul.”
“It’s not,” Cobalt said.
Crimson deflated with sheer relief.
“Seriously, Cobalt, we all love you and respect you,” Thystle chimed in. “That includes your hoard. We may poke fun at each other sometimes, but we don’t really mean it.”
Cobalt’s expression relaxed around the edges. I knew that hearing his brother say they loved him must’ve melted his heart a little. Underneath his big strong appearance, he was a huge softie.
“He’s right,” Jade said with an encouraging smile. “Whatever lurks beyond this door is your passion. We’re dragons, Cobalt. Weallunderstand that.”
Since I wasn’t a dragon, I’d never fully know what it felt like to have a hoard, but I knew it was deeply special to each individual. Maybe it was the way I felt about Blueberry, but times a million.
The resolve hardened on Cobalt’s face. Having his brothers’ unconditional support gave him the last scrap of strength he needed to open the door.
“All right,” Cobalt said. “Come inside.”
I smiled as the brothers excitedly burst into the aquarium chamber. Its blue light spilled out into the bedroom. It reminded me of the egg’s glow.
I rubbed the shell’s sides. In the past few days, it exuded more warmth than usual. I was all for the egg taking its time to hatch, but I was keen to see my baby, too.
“Must be tough waiting.”
Viol’s gruff comment startled me. I whipped around to see him standing by the bed. His sharp purple eyes were focused on the egg.
“Oh, hey, Viol,” I greeted.
He looked confused when I patted the space next to me for him to sit down, but sat anyway. He perched on the furthest possible edge, keeping his distance from me, almost like he was afraid to get too close. Maybe he didn’t want to accidentally poke my eye out with the studs on his leather jacket. What a thoughtful guy.
“Not interested in Cobalt’s hoard?” I asked, nodding at the open chamber. I heard the dragons’ voices mingling in excitement as Cobalt gave them a tour.
Viol snorted. “What do I care about another dragon’s hoard? Egg’s more interesting.”
Underneath his hard tone was a current of softness, one he couldn’t hide.
I grinned. “Do you wanna touch it?”
