“Hey!” Kimu tried to come in.
I stopped him with a hand on his chest.
“What's going on?” He asked as he tried to peer around me. “Is the King all right?”
“He's fantastic, but he can't see anyone right now. In fact, I need you to tell everyone to stay away from my apartment until we come out.”
“Stay away? Why?”
I grinned broadly. “Because we're in the middle of mating.”
“Mating?” Kimu whispered, his eyes going wide. “Dragon mating? He mated you?”
I nodded and smiled wider.
“Holy shit!” Kimu hooted, then hugged me. “Congratulations!”
“Shh.” I glanced toward the bathroom and heard a thump. “He's on the brink of attacking you.”
“What?” Kimu backed up.
“Dragons are sensitive during a mating. He sees everyone as a threat. That's why I need people to stay away.”
“What about food? You good?”
I sighed. “We could use a hot meal. It's hard for me to cook when I'm so tired, and we've run out of bread and cheese.”
“You mean, you're tired from all the fucking?” Kimu grinned.
I grinned back. “Yeah, from all the fucking.”
“Is it incredible?”
“Better than that.”
“Holy shit!” he exclaimed again, but this time in a whisper. “I'm so fucking jealous.”
“As you should be.” I smirked.
“I'll get you some food and leave it by the door. I'll knock once, just once so you'll know it's me.”
“Oh, thank you so much!” I hurried inside to get my money pouch—or Cyn's, rather—and pulled out a handful of coppers. “Here.” I handed them to Kimu, who was leaning into the apartment, looking for Cyn. “Get yourself something too.”
“Sure thing. Thanks.”
“He's in the bathroom.” I shook my head at Kimu as he continued to peer around me. “Oh! One more thing.” I grabbed Cyn's mug and handed that over too. “Could you get him some coffee? He loves the stuff, especially in the morning.”
“No problem.”
“Cream and sugar.”
“Got it.”
“And Kimu, thanks again.” I hugged him.
A growl came from behind me.
“Oh, fuck,” Kimu whispered, his wide-eyed stare focused behind me.
