A gust of wind tore at us, pushing us in from the edge of the plateau and highlighting how dangerous it would be to try to scale the cliffs.
“Okay, I guess it’s fairly safe,” I said, caving.
Caz led the way inside, chuckling to himself. Almost immediately, Florian planted himself in the kitchen and began prepping food.
“Do you just keep this place stocked all the time?” I asked, frowning at the fresh eggs and bread that appeared.
“Yes.” Caz rubbed his forehead. “You would not believe the amount of waste that happens. But every residence must always be ready to receive the tyrant at a moment’s notice.” He made it into a whiny tone, screwing up his face into a bug-eyed thing at the same time.
“Caz doesn’t enjoy the political part of his job.”
“I hate the flunkies who follow me everywhere,” he grumped, flopping down onto a sofa.
Durion disappeared deeper into the chalet, saying he was going to change and then scout out the back to ensure everything was safe and they truly were alone.
Holly yawned. “I think I’m going to take anap if that’s okay with everyone? If this collar removal is as rough as you say, I’m going to need energy.”
“Food first,” Kolar grunted, shooting to his feet and stealing the first wave of eggs and toast that Florian had going. “Then sleep.”
Holly eyed him.
“I’d recommend it,” Kolar said, thrusting the food at her. “But you do what you want.”
“Thank you,” Holly said, smiling as she took the plate and glass of water. “Can you show me to a room?”
Kolar swept past her and toward the stairs while I settled in next to Caz who sat upright. His arm came around me and pulled me in tight, rubbing my shoulder slowly while he rested his chin on the top of my head.
I sighed and cuddled in tighter, seeking out his body warmth. But I couldn’t stay for long.
Ella found herself a seat nearby while Dirk waited until she had plunked her butt on the cushions before sitting himself between her and the door.
“How are you doing?” I asked before the silence between us could deepen.
“It hurts,” she whispered, fiddling with the collar. “But not unbearably so. I’ve had worse. Like when we had to run through the Glass Forest to escape those hunters.”
I felt her guard go up as she mentioned the hunters.
“It’s okay,” I reassured her, gesturing at the men. “They’re my …”
“Flight,” Caz growled possessively. “We’re her flight.”
My flight of dragons. I smiled. The term was perfect, sitting right with me from the instant Caz declared it.
“You two are mated, then.” Ella looked between us quizzically.
I twisted my head to look at Caz.
“Turn your head,” he ordered to Dirk.
Dirk sighed dramatically, and, just to disobey, covered his eyes with a pillow from his chair instead.
I pulled away from Caz, ignoring the whine from my dragon at separating from him. Then I lifted my shirt, showing Ella the mate marks on my skin. Caz started to lift his shirt, but my dragon growled, so he stopped, looking at me with a grin.
Mine, I mouthed at him. His grin only grew broader, but he pulled his shirt back into position.
Ella was gaping. “I don’t believe it. How?”
“I don’t know. Neither of us do,” I admitted, sinking back in next to Caz, who planted a gentle kiss on the top of my head, chortlingaway to himself about how I had put a claim on him just there in front of another woman. I thought about calling him a child, but he was so obviously happy about it, I just let him be.
