“Your family is really kind,” I murmured. I thought of Saffron, too, who’d set this up for my sake.
Aurum paused, then broke into a small smile. “Yeah. They are.”
As we waited, we drifted over to the playpen where Saffron entertained a restless toddler. But as we approached, I gasped in surprise.
“Whoa,” I said.
I’d only seen Ruby from a distance, but ten minutes ago, he was definitely human. Now there was a plump winged reptile in his place.
A young dragon.
A high-pitched keening sound escaped me before I could stop it. Shamefully, I slapped my hands over my face.
Aurum laughed. “Was that you?”
I groaned in embarrassment. “Sorry. The baby dragon was so cute, I couldn’t help myself...”
Saffron sat cross-legged in the pen. He looked right at home. “Want to hold him?”
“Can I?” I asked.
Saffron scooped up the baby dragon and handed him to me. I carefully supported his bottom so he felt secure. His scales werea rich shade of amber with striking black scales—a tiger pattern, just like his omega father. He was heavier than I expected, though hewasa dragon, after all.
Ruby peered at me curiously. His eyes were intelligent and bright. As I looked into them, emotion bloomed within me.
“He’s so cute,” I murmured. I couldn’t stop smiling.
Aurum watched us closely with a captivated expression. “You two look natural together.”
I blushed. I’d never thought of myself as particularly good with children, mostly since I didn’t have many chances to interact with them. But holding Ruby awakened a powerful warmth deep inside my soul.
“Aurum’s right,” Saffron remarked, watching us with a smile. “Look how pleased Ruby is. You know what you’re doing, huh?”
Ruby pawed at my chest playfully with chubby dragon digits. His claws were too small to inflict harm, so it felt like being poked with the blunt end of a pencil.
I chuckled and patted his head. “You’re a cutie.”
Ruby squeaked happily like a bird.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Aurum and Saffron exchange a pointed glance. I was curious but didn’t want to bother them by asking what it was about. Probably a twin thing.
“And... done,” Taylor announced.
We all glanced up from the pen to see Crimson and Taylor proudly putting the new outfit on display. My eyes widened in amazement. It was a gorgeous shirt and trousers, nicer than anything in my entire wardrobe.
“Oh my gods,” I said. “It’s so... professional.”
Crimson fawned over his mate. “That’s because my talented mate sewed it.”
Taylor shrugged modestly. “I’m used to sewing quilts and plushies, not clothing. But this was good practice. I think it turned out all right.”
“All right?” Crimson scoffed. “This is a piece suited for my exquisite collection!”
Aurum rolled his eyes as he fetched the clothes. “Can you two conduct foreplay when you’re alone? Thanks.”
As Aurum brought the clothes towards me, I handed off Ruby to Saffron, who was just as eager to hold him.
“This is incredible,” I murmured. The stitching was beautiful, and the fabric felt expensive. I also noticed it wasn’t overly baggy. But would such a trim outfit look good on me?
