“Come meet Opal and Ruby,” Odem said as Raven placed Opal in my arms.
I leaned and rubbed my nose against her shell, kissed her, and cuddled her close. “Little lady,” I whispered. “These are all your uncles. I pity the dragon who ever tries to take you on a date.”
Chuckles filled the room, which just grew in intensity when Odem said. “They’ll have to get through me first.”
“Congratulations,” Ionus said when he was finally able to make it through the doorway. “You two truly did a fine job. Welcome, baby nieces.”
The room was crowded with bodies now, all oohing and aweing over our girls. Their knowing, right from day one, just how much they were loved and cherished, was worth far more to me than vainly waiting until I’d had time to compose myself.
This day was all about them.
Chapter Twenty-One
Odem
I couldn’t believe our babies were here. Well, in egg form, but Goddess above were they ever brilliant. If their eggs were this beautiful I could only imagine how spectacular their dragons would be.
My brothers took many photos, for which I was thankful for. I was far too busy and comfortable snuggling with my family to move and take any of my own.
Congratulations, brother. They’re beyond words,Ionus said.
I couldn’t agree more,Mattias added.
Call us if you need anything. We’ll leave you to rest.
At Ionus words, the room cleared of all but Upalo.
“I’ll help you change out the blankets.” With the gentlest of moves, I slid out, then scooped up a sleeping Ronan. Upalo placed the eggs on top of him, Ronan’s arms immediatelycradled them tightly. Upalo removed the birthing blankets then helped me settle them all back into place. “Sleep well, brothers.”
I lay there for the longest time, making sure the girls’ eggs were tucked in tight and that they touched. Having their labor finish as quickly as it had was a blessing, just as they were. So tightly bonded in the womb, one couldn’t be without the other, nearly chasing each other out of my poor mate. It’ll be amazing to watch their bond strengthen once hatched.
Goddess, I was one lucky dragon.
Naptime didn’t come easily, nor did it last very long for me. Ronan groused a bit as I got up, but his eyes never opened. Poor guy was exhausted. Seeing them all nestled together hit me right in the heart and I finally took the time to snap a few pictures for myself. Ronan had really embraced fatherhood and was excited for the girls to come. Quite the change from the angry twink calling me everything but Odem as he stormed down the street with his sonogram picture waving wildly in hand.
That man and our girls were my everything.
“No rest for the wicked?” Mattias winked as I entered the kitchen. He and Kes were busy cooking away.
“Your kitchen broke?” My words held no malice. Hell, I was the brother who loved having a full house.
“Thought we’d make you guys dinner. It was a long day…” Before he could finish whatever he was about to say, Quint broke in.
We found a lair of dragons under a sleep spell. We’re checking them for leech markings before we wake them.
They could still be of Gorynych blood, so tread lightly and keep your eyes open.
Aye, Ionus. Canyon is walking each one to see if he recognizes them. I have a feeling he wasn’t born of this village and was another gifted dragon they’d kidnapped.
Agreed. They were collecting special dragonets for their own evil uses. Hopefully we can reunite families as we locate more dragons.Ionus’ hope was shared by all of us.
Congratulations, Odem on your eggs. I can’t wait to meet the girls.
Thank you, brother. Please be safe.
“Are they okay?” Kes asked.
“Aye, sweetheart,” Mattias pressed his lips to Kes’s temple. “They found a hidden lair with elders under a sleeping spell.”
