“A-actually, I um, think I need a nap,” I pleaded, not wanting to be left there when anything could trigger a memory at this point.
I wanted my easy chair, more tea, and the blanket that smelled like sunshine.
“Can I just…” Odem began as he helped me to my feet.
“Not a chance,” Ionus said. “I know you brother. You won’t stop at helping him to the door. You’ll insist on getting him settled, which will result in me having to conduct your patrol for you. Now for the last time, get moving.”
Odem kissed me first and pulled me close. “Remember what I told you earlier. If there is ever a moment when you don’t feel safe for any reason, retreat to our horde and I’ll find you there.”
“I will,” I said before letting go. He left via the French doors in the kitchen, the heavy flap of wings rattling the panes as he flew away.
“You are more than welcome to return,” Ionus said as he walked me from his house to ours. “I’m sure you have plenty of questions for Alex.”
“No,” I said. “Why would I?”
“Excuse my assumption,” Ionus said. “With those being your first eggs, I thought you might want to talk to someone who’d already been through the experience.”
“Oh, um, no, no I, I think I um, I’m good for now,” I stammered, grateful to step inside the house and wave goodbye.
At some point I knew I’d need to bite the bullet and sit down with Alex, but when Ionus had mentioned questions, all I could think about was the ones I’d just been subjected to. I didn’t want to know if Alex had buried memories that he struggled with because I wasn’t ready to face my own. I was so over the whirlwind of changes. Was it too much to ask for a moment to get over one shock before being smacked with another?
I paused in the kitchen to see if, perhaps, my thoughtful mate had left a treat from me in the fridge.
Squeee!
He had!
I did a brief shimmy dance right there in the open doorway of the refrigerator when I spotted the heaping plate of pasta, and the container of alfredo sauce beside it, and immediately headed for the microwave. I should’ve burned my tongue on the first bite. It was so, so good that I shoveled food past my lips on my way to the living room and finished the bowl before I’d decided on the movie. Being mated to a fire dragon sure had its perks. Hot coffee would no longer be a challenge for me.
Ten minutes and three squirms to reposition myself, I decided the chair wasn’t where I wanted to curl up and watch moviestonight. There wasn’t enough of that sunshine scent left on the blanket, and I might have eaten far too much to be comfortable. A quick detour to drop my bowl off in the kitchen, then I headed down the hall, bypassing my door to get to his. That big bed of his had smelled like sunshine the night we’d mated there, and sure enough, it smelled like sunshine as I crawled beneath the blankets.
It was easy enough to find a movie in here, but the blankets weren’t right, so I tugged them closer, tucking them around me until I had a nice, warm, sunshine scented cocoon to snuggle in.
Perfect.
I didn’t know how long a patrol would last, but I hoped he turned on the light before falling into bed, or I was gonna get smooshed.
And positively love getting woken that way.
Chapter Thirteen
Odem
Tonight, Caro and I were on patrol and it damn near killed me to leave Ronan after seeing the visions he’d had. Scary, horrific visions of abuse. My dragon wanted nothing more than to curl up in full form, tucking him and our girls safely inside his wings.
No child should ever feel unsafe in their own home.
Those eyes that haunted him concerned me. If that man came anywhere near my family he’d regret it.
Thinking about Ronan’s visions?Caro asked. Ionus had told our brothers and the Drakemyre’s what Ronan had shared.
Aye. I’m both glad and terrified about the memories his dragon has now chosen for him to see.Why now? Was it because his dragon finally felt they were safe?
Not only did I know next to nothing about Ronan and his past, but it now appeared he didn’t remember much of it either. I can’t imagine how lost he’s felt all this time, then to wind up in a townyou knew nothing of after having been chased from one place to the next. At least his dragon protected him. I’d be sure to thank his dragon personally the next time they woke.
If those were his father’s eyes that followed him, he knows where he is.
Yes, but I’m hoping they’re his brothers and he’s kept watch over Ronan.I reached out to ask him if his father and brother possibly had matching eyes, but my mate was asleep. As much as I hated upsetting Ronan, difficult conversations lay ahead for him. I only hoped he and his dragon would be prepared for the tough emotions those memories were sure to bring. If our eggs showed any sign of stress during it, I’d put a stop to Ionus’ interrogations.
