Henry elbowed him in the side as he lifted his arms. Wind swirled around them in a gentle breeze and the wards lowered. The moment his parents crossed them, Henry lifted them again, securing them once more within their boundaries.
Draco couldn’t help but smile at the display. His mother’s dragon form glistened in the afternoon sun, the deepest fiery red. She’d made an art out of how she used her wings to best show off the multitude of colors they contained. His fathers followed slightly behind her, used to her showing off a little. Well, more than a little. They didn’t seem to mind, though. She really was stunning. His fathers were all darker. Blaise, the deepest blue, so dark he was often mistaken for black. But no, when the sun hit him just right, like it was now, you could see the midnight blue color of his scales. Joash, his middle father, was primarily purple, but he had the same rainbow scales Draco possessed, just in a different tone. And finally, Volos, the true black dragon. His father’s scales had no color, unlike the others. Pure black.
“They’re so beautiful,” Henry gasped.
“Yeah,” Draco said proudly. There was no denying his lineage when his parents were together like this. When he stood among them, he had all of their colors in his hide. It made him want to shift and join them.
Instead, he walked forward, unable to stop his smile. Sawyer met them at the end of the pool, gaping at his parents as well. “Draco!”
“I know, right?” Draco said.
“So cool. So extremely cool.”
Draco beamed, loving that his mates were suitably impressed. As it should be. His parents were incredible and powerful. They shifted back, revealing their human forms, and Sawyer gasped again. His mother had left her long, flaming red hair loose and wore a red silk outfit. She’d definitely dressed for the occasion. His fathers were dressed more casually, but they’d still put care into their dress. He could see it now. He’d never have noticed before. His family was beautiful.
Dalinda met his gaze and smiled, her face lighting up. “My baby!”
Draco groaned. “Mom.”
But he moved toward her anyway because she’d held out her arms and the smile on her face was impossible to resist.
“Don’tMomme Draco. You will always be my baby.”
She wrapped him in her arms, and he hugged her as tight as he could.
“You’re wasting away to nothing, Draco. Do you not eat? What have I told you? You have to keep up your strength! This many mates will take a lot of energy.”
She pulled away and squeezed his biceps. “See this? Puny. Son, you must take better care of yourself.”
He was plenty big enough, ate more than enough to sustain himself and the needs of his mates. She had to fuss, though. He tried not to scowl at her.
Sawyer, on the other hand, was biting his lip. Henry was staring at his feet, his shoulders shaking. The brats. How could they laugh at him at a time like this?
“And are you just going to stand there like a lump, Draco? Who are these glorious creatures? So rude. I know you were raised better.”
“Mom,” Draco whined. “Come on.”
She huffed and turned to Henry. “Let me guess, you’re the mage. Henry, right?”
“Yes ma’am. Henry Jerrick. It’s so great to meet you.”
“And I am Dalinda Volsunga. Let me get a look at you.”
She held out Henry’s arm and looked him up and down before giving Draco a knowing look. “Oh, he’s gorgeous, my son. What a perfect mate for a dragon. I’ll speak to you later, young mage. My son clearly isn’t eating well. I’ll instruct you on the proper care and feeding of a dragon mate.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“And you,” Dalinda said. She turned to Sawyer and grabbed both of his hands in hers. “You must be Sawyer.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“I knew you were meant to be his, you know. He spoke non-stop about you. Constantly Sawyer this and Sawyer that. His crush was such a sweet thing to see, and a first for my normally cautious and reticent child.”
Sawyer grinned and glanced at Draco before turning back to his mother. “Well, it was mutual. I absolutely adore him.”
“Well, of course you do. How could you not? However, it does not appear that my son is looking out for you as well as he should be. I don’t want to insult you, dear, but you’re a little thin and extremely pale. We should probably get some food in you.”
“Yes ma’am,” Sawyer said. “I’ve been a little under the weather, but I promise, Draco and my mates are taking very good care of me.”
