“Anyone besides me think it’s odd that now two of three mates have ties to that clan?”
“Fantastic question, Quint,” Ionus replied. “I have a feeling this is the bidding of the Goddess herself.”
Are you alright, love?
Emotionally drained…Ronan pushed his half empty plate away.
Let’s go play with the babies.
While the others addressed patrols and what Ronan shared, we escaped to the one place that always made me feel better.
“We haven’t had to use a fire extinguisher in a while,” Alex winked as we entered the den. “I think we owe that to Uncle Odem.”
“Unca O!” The four dragonets cheered as they ran toward us. Ronan was a bit overwhelmed, but the second Luna rubbed his belly he melted.
“Babies happy. Oh-Paul and Rue-bee,” she did a pretty good job saying their names for the first time. “Happy.”
Ronan took a seat on the couch and Luna immediately crawled onto his lap. “You’re a smart girl, aren’t you, and a pretty one too.”
“I have tutus. Lots and lots,” then she growled. “Brothers burned some.” At least Kane and Hunter had the decency to look properly chagrined.
“Sorry Wuna,” they apologized.
“Daddy and Papa bought new ones, see?” She tugged at the lilac one she had on.
“I love it. Will you help me find pretty ones for Opal and Ruby after they come?”
“Yes,” Luna beamed. “More girls to play with.”
I think my mate just found his new BFF.
With Ronan in Luna’s capable hands, I sat on the floor with the boys. Griffin currently drove the loud, noisy fire truck I got them for Christmas around the room, running over buildings and walls Hunter and Kane put in his way. It was nice to see the three of them playing as children should. Maybe Griffin was only in protector mode when emulating his father.
Besides putting those running from the Gorynych in our paths and in our lives, I believe the Goddess had bestowed gifts to our offspring beyond any we’d seen.
I couldn’t wait to see what this next line of protectors brought to their generation.
Bring it on, Mother Goddess. We’re ready to do your bidding.
Chapter Fourteen
Ronan
When my car was ready to be picked up from the shop, Odem and I drove down in the Jeep so he could follow me home. Of course, I couldn’t resist popping into the children’s clothing store in town to raid the racks, filling Odem’s arms with sleepers and adorable socks with lace frills around the ankles. I found one outfit that saidButterfly Kissesacross the front and another with dragonflies all over it and quickly added one with ladybugs.
Odem and I reached for our wallets at the same time when we got to the counter and engaged in a stare down that resulted in the shopkeeper laughing and dividing the bill in half, since neither of us was willing to budge. He insisted on carrying everything, which was fine by me, but as we headed out to the curb, I got the strangest feeling when I looked at my car.
“What is it, mate?” Odem asked, pausing beside me as I stood on the sidewalk and stared at it.
There was nothing visibly different about it, and yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. My stomach roiled at the thought of getting in it and for a moment I thought I’d have to dive for the nearest trashcan, grateful to spot one in front of the next shop.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, “There’s just something about the car. I-I don’t want to drive it.”
“Okay, you drive the Jeep and I’ll follow in the car,” he offered.
“No,” I snapped, putting my hand out to stop him when he started to head that way with our packages. “There’s something wrong.”
“I’ll call Larkin,” he said, tipping his head back to scan the sky. “Let’s go back in the shop and wait for him there.”
