“Four to one, since Emerson and Caro have a boy too,” I explained.
“Seven dragonets,” Dad said. “It will be a joy to see them thrive.”
“Were you a fisherman?” I asked, thinking back to what he’d said about growing up in a fishing village.
He chuckled at that. “No. Not truly. I went out on my family’s boats when there was a need, but I preferred being in the forge.”
“You’re a blacksmith,” Odem said, looking thoughtful.
“Yes. The fire in our forge was fueled by the volcano that had formed our island and the items crafted there were endowed with a piece of our own elemental magic,” he explained.
“When we are away from busy ears I have questions,” Odem declared.
“I’m sure we will have plenty to discuss,” Dad replied. “Right now, I am just thrilled beyond words to be here and to have the opportunity to be a father to my sons again, and a grandfather to these girls. It’s been both a joyous and momentous day.”
“I had dreamed of that volcano so many times,” Upalo said. “But it was always with fear and dread. It wasn’t until today that I realized that there were spells warding it designed to repel anyone who sought to explore its depths. I’m sorry I was unable to awaken you sooner.”
“You woke me right when the Goddess intended for you to, son,” he said, wrapping an arm around Upalo and tugging him into a one arm hug. “No fault lies with you.”
I had my dad back.
I had my brother back.
A dragon of my very own.
My mate.
Twin eggs.
And a giant extended family.
As far as I was concerned, that was as good as being offered the universe on a silver platter. There was no greater gift she could have bestowed upon me. It didn’t matter that we were technically adults, I could feel the joy and relief my brother felt at hearing that from our father. His dragon and mine had been rapidly bonding, and I understood now why my mate and his brothers were so close. Dragon senses were so much stronger than human ones, as I was coming to discover as mine revved up to new degrees every day.
When dad resumed stroking Ruby and Opal’s shells, my babies, already on the verge of sleep, began to purr as they succumbed to slumber.
“Aren’t those the sweetest sounds,” Upalo whispered.
“They are indeed,” Dad said.
“I think a picnic by the nest would be the perfect homecoming for your father,” Odem said. “Why don’t you take my place, Upalo, and I’ll go whip us up something to eat.”
My father grinned at me and winked. “You make sure you hang on to that one, especially if you got my cooking skills.”
“I have no cooking skills,” I admitted.
“Than you’ve inherited my cooking skills,” Dad said. “I once scorched one of your mother’s pans attempting to seer the outside of the fish I wanted to cook for her. She waddled into the kitchen and seared it herself, then ordered me back to my own forge to make a new pan. I made her a whole set and never touched them again after I’d handed them to her.”
“I bet she was grateful for that,” I said, giggling.
“I…remember that,” Upalo muttered as he carefully exchanged places with Odem.
Dad joined us in forming a triangle around the eggs, so we could see them and each other while he continued sharing beautiful memories with us.
“She took one look at you with black smoke swirling up from that pan and leaned against the table, sighing before she sent a burst of wind your way and sent the smoke curling out the window,” Upalo said. “Then she nudged you aside, got out another pan, and banished you to your forge until you replaced the one you ruined.”
“She did say banished, didn’t she?” Dad mused.
“Yeah, she did,” Upalo said.
