Slowly, the tenseness in her rigid frame relaxes, and she sighs softly. Leaning her head back, she smiles at me. "I'm not the only one watching and learning what my mate needs. You did good." Her praise is followed up by a kiss as she remains leaning against me.
"I would not be a suitable mate if I didn't notice what does and doesn't make you happy." Glancing toward the front of the car, Torben makes eye contact with me using the rearview mirror. He gives me a terse nod, and I assume it's his way of showing approval.
"So back to this mate order thing. Someone needs to start explaining because I'm confused." Feray makes thegive memovement at Diaval, and he hands her back her water bottle.
"Well, way back when—" I gesture in the air, rolling my hand slightly. "Most families were like how this one is shaping up to be. The female having several mates in her nest. In the grand design, it makes more sense." Shrugging, I look between Diaval and Torben.
"What Easton is trying to say, given everyone's chosen profession, is that someone will always be with you. Not that anyone would tell you to quit your job, but you could if you wanted to. Combined, your mates make enough to support everything." Torben offers.
"Or if there's something you always wanted to do, we could help you achieve it." Diaval interjects.
"Is there anything you always wanted to do?" Leaning forward, I hug her tighter. Hopefully, she'll let us in on what her deepest desires are.
Chapter 14
Feray
What isit I want to do with the rest of my life once this is over?
I've never thought about what the future holds. All I've ever known is struggling from paycheck to paycheck, hoping to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. Now my mates are asking me what I want to do with my life, and I'm not sure. The question settles heavy in my chest, a strange mix of excitement and terror. For the first time, someone is asking me to dream. "Can I think about it? It's a big decision."
Do I want to be just a housewife? Do I want a business of my own that I can run out of another building close to the house? Will Fi and her mates want an entire house of their own in the future?
"Of course, little wolf. It's something to think about." Torben glances up into the rearview mirror, and there's understanding in his amber eyes. He knows what it's like to have limited options suddenly blown wide open.
A yawn echoes from the front seat. "What did I miss?" Khal rubs his eyes, turning in his seat to look back at me.
"Feray bit me and accepted my scale. We are currently looking for a safe place to camp for the night." Diaval sounds positively bored relaying what's happened since Khal was last awake.
Reaching down, I grab one of his energy tonics out of the mini cooler and pass it forward. "Is it still okay for me to sleep in your coils tonight?" I scoot to the end of the seat, coming up between the driver's and passenger's seats to look at him better.
There's a vulnerability in asking. Khal has been so patient, watching me bond with the others while he stands guard. I want him to know I haven't forgotten him.
"If that is what will give you peace of mind tonight, then that's exactly what we'll do." His voice is still gravelly from just waking up, and I blush slightly.
"What's the blush for, Precious?" Khal teases as I slide back into the back seat.
"Just had a naughty thought, that's all." I scoot back and lower my eyes before carefully passing Diaval his mug back.
"Now I am truly curious." Easton reaches out and caresses my cheek, sending molten heat straight down to my core.
"Seriously! I'm trying to drive..." Torben growls out.
My eyes immediately find his in the rearview, and they're glowing. His bear is hungry, and it's not for food. "Oh, shit..." I squirm under his intense gaze, heat flooding my cheeks and pooling low in my belly.
"For goddess's sake, why are you two acting so weird?" Diaval's serious tone gets Khal to turn and flick his serpent tongue out, tasting the air.
"Damn, Precious... Be thankful the rest of us have dull senses in our human forms." Khal winks at me, then stares at Diaval. "Flick your tongue out, old man, and figure it out."
"Don't play stupid. It's unbecoming of someone your age." Diaval mocks Khal and finally flicks his dragon's tongue out. Holy hell, that thing is thicker than Khal's...
"How many penises do dragons have?" I arch a brow, looking at him.
I hear Khal choke on his drink. Diaval chokes on thin air and coughs several times, clearing his throat. "What would possess you to ask that? One. I have one..." He stares at me in shock, and I turn my gaze toward Khal.
"Someone—I won't mention his name—" I hike a thumb in Khal's direction "—hid the fact he has two!"
Diaval shakes his head and huffs out a laugh. "The second one really isn't a penis, so he also has one. The other is purely for mating purposes. Its venom makes your womb ready to accept his seed."
