“Aye, all are good to go. We’ll take this lot to the compound.” Where we would put them, I hadn’t a clue and hoped like hell Ionus did.
“Thank you, Ionus,” Upalo smiled. “I know Ronan and I will want to have Dad close. Kes was moving in with Mattias today anyway, so his room is empty.”
That was news to me. Unexpected? Nope, just wasn’t sure when that was all taking place. Perfect timing for sure.
Several of the dragons were interested in law enforcement in their new town of Dragon City. Larkin was more than ready to expand his force, given the rapid growth. Hmm, maybe he had housing options for them.
Either way it was camp sleepover atCasaDenarius.
“Alright, everyone got clothing?” Murmured yeses answered Ionus’ question. “Let’s head out then.”
You’d think it was Christmas morning with as excited as I was. Ronan was going to be over the moon. When we landed on the pitch, Mattias and Caro were waiting along with the remaining Drakemyres. Introductions were quickly made as we dressed, then it was time for the big reveal.
“Look at you, bouncing on your heels,” I teased Upalo. “Need to run a few laps, puppy?” He lightly punched my arm, but that damn smile of his was blinding. “Ouch!”
“Right, like that even hurt you. I’m so damn excited. I got my brother back, have two beautiful nieces coming, and now our dad. I’ve waited so long for this.”
That part, I understood more than he knew.
“Well, come on then. What are you waiting for?”
Upalo hollered. “Come on, dad, let’s go see Ronan.” The two of them sprinted off ahead of me, straight toward our house. A home so full of love, mirroring my heart, that I nearly cried.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ronan
The front door banged open and my dragon slithered forth with careful precision, filling the nest, wrapping around our eggs.
Mate! Are you home?
Aye and Upalo and I have a surprise for you.
You all just scared the scales off me coming in here like that!
I’m sorry, but you’ll understand in a moment why your brother is so excited.
Footsteps pounded up the stairs, keeping my dragon on edge.
Only when I see that we are safe.My dragon had been tripped into full protective mode, and I would not ask him to go against his instincts. Not after he’s saved me as many times as he had. He’d never steer me wrong.
Upalo burst into the nursery, a brilliant smile on his face, until he saw my dragon and realized his mistake. He tripped overhis feet backing up, and landed on his ass, hands up, realizing instantly what his abrupt entrance into our home had triggered. Another man stood behind him, one that was unfamiliar to us, meaning my dragon was going nowhere.
“Ronan, I am so sorry,” Upalo said. “I wasn’t thinking. We found dad and I couldn’t wait for him to see you.”
He found dad?
It took a moment for the word to sink in, for me, and my dragon, then he retreated, allowing me to slip into the robe I kept draped over the edge of the nest.
“Ronan?” I might not remember his face, but when he spoke, there was a note of familiarity to it, hazy, but I was certain I’d heard it before.
“Dad?”
“I’ve missed everything,” he said, staring at me forlornly. “Look at you, you’re all grown up. “My baby boy. With a family of his own now. I am so sorry I couldn’t be there for you all these years.”
“You haven’t missed everything,” I said, holding my hand out to him. “You only missed the beginning. Come see the future.”
He came around the outside of the nest and hugged me over the wall of blankets. When my brother and my mate left on their mission, the furthest thought from my mind was that they’d return with my father.
