Poppy chuckled warmly as the dragonet pouted. I didn’t miss the way my mate’s expression melted into liquid love at the sight of a child. He’d always been incredibly nurturing—it was no wonder he was magical with kids.
My heart squeezed with a rush of affection for Poppy. He really was perfect.
Saffron raised a brow at our interaction, then followed it up with a knowing smirk. “Sooo,” he drawled. “When should we expect the newest addition?”
“Saffron,” Rorik chided in a low grumble. But there was no use hiding it. I saw the burning curiosity lurking behind his expression, too.
Poppy smiled up at me, as if expecting me to answer the question.
“W-what?” I asked.
“I’m wondering the same thing,” he replied sweetly.
My jaw dropped. Simultaneously, heat flooded my face from cheeks to ears. “Why is it up to me?” I blurted.
Saffron burst out laughing. Even Rorik bit his lip to stifle a chuckle. Poppy’s warm smile remained glued to my face. It struck me that he resembled a painting in his own right—timeless, alluring, and beautiful.
I swallowed as a thrum of desire coursed through me.
Poppy’s eyes sparkled.
I cleared my throat. “Anyway, it’s none of your business,” I grumbled at Saffron. “It’ll happen when we’re ready.”
That didn’t wipe the stupid smirk off Saffron’s face. “Sure, big bro. Totally believe you.”
Rolling his eyes, Rorik gently elbowed his mate. “It’s time for the boys’ nap,” he said gruffly. “Let’s go.”
Saffron pouted—a grown-up mirror image of Jaki’s pout from earlier—but conceded with a sigh. “Fine, I get it...”
Poppy waved goodbye to the twins as Saffron and Rorik headed up to their room. I waited for them to disappear up the stairs before I let out a shaky breath.
When did my heart start beating so fast?
I jolted as Poppy’s hand brushed against me. He tilted his head, flashing a bewitching smile before he slotted his slender fingers into mine. The gentle feeling of his palm filled me with fizzy warmth. It didn’t matter how many times I held hands with Poppy—it always felt like the first time, awakening the same electric giddiness all over again.
“Viol,” Poppy said in a small voice. “I’m feeling a bit tired. Do you mind if we lie down?”
A hot shiver of anticipation rolled down my spine.
He’d saidwe.
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out he didn’t actually want to take a nap. My already racing heart kicked into overdrive.
Poppy and I had been lightly intimate since the first time a few months ago, but nothing that would potentially result in a pregnancy. We weren’t abstaining for any particular reason. The time just never felt right.
But the loose ends had been wrapped up, and Poppy no longer had the weight of the world bearing down on him.
And judging by the low-burning fire in his gaze, I had a feeling something was about to change.
18
Poppy
The air wassilent but charged as I led Viol to our bedroom. He didn’t speak, and neither did I, but I knew the same thoughts were running through both our minds.
Viol shut the door behind him and locked it without taking his eyes off me. He dimmed the lights. His breathing was low and rough, as if claws squeezed around his chest, and his frame was taut as a predator about to pounce.
The tiny flame of desire stoked low in my belly grew hotter. Just being alone with him in a room was enough to make my heart race. But after that conversation with Saffron and Rorik, my mind veered solely towards breeding.
