“One of the first things I did when I realized you’re my viramore was to make my nest larger. My dragon insisted on it, and I didn’t stop him. I would really love to have you in my nest with me, Oak. It would be an honor.”
They blinked, then nudged me back.“Well, you don’t have to get all sappy on me, Rome. Dork.”
I snorted, smiling as I watched them climb into the nest, walk around in a circle, and curl up in a ball. Without hesitation, I climbed in after them and curled my body around theirs, reveling in the feel of their warm scales against mine.
They nuzzled against my chin as we both settled down. Part of me wanted to shift back and hold them skin to skin, but my dragon side was in pure heaven right now, and something deep inside of me settled. This was just as good. And honestly, Oakley needed it.
I did too.
I still didn’t know all the horrors that’d been done to them, but I knew they’d been tortured more than once in their dragon form. Hopefully, cuddling with my dragon would help heal the part of them that’d been missing out on what it truly meant to be part of a dragon clan, what it meant to be part of a dragon family, a part of my and Garrick’s clan.
I snuffled their head as they closed their eyes, and I couldn’t help but let my tongue loll out and give the top of their head a lick.
Oakley’s eyes shot open, but they didn’t move.“I took a shower already this morning. I don’t need a bath.”
My chest rumbled, and I gave them one last lick, making them sigh, before I lay my face against theirs.
“I’m gonna fall asleep.”Even Oak’s voice in my head sounded tired.
“That’s okay. We can sleep here.”
“What about the car, blankets, and our clothes?”
“I’m sure they’ll be fine. We can check in the morning.”
“What if you get towed?”
I gave a dragon shrug with a little wing flap.“That’s Tomorrow-Roman’s problem. Today-Roman just wants to cuddle with his mate and sleep.”
“Roman needs to never speak in third person ever again.”
I snorted.“Yeah, okay. I can do that.”
“Good.”After a beat, they quietly said through our bond,“Thanks for bringing me here, Rome… it’s… it’s wonderful.”
That made my dragon half happier than I thought it’d ever been.“Thank you. You’re welcome here anytime. Anytime at all.”
“You sure?”
“Of course.”
“I might take you up on that.”
“I hope you do.”
They were quiet for a moment before they yawned.“Goodnight, Roman.”
“Goodnight, babydoll.”
They tucked themself closer to me, and I could tell the moment they fell asleep. It wasn’t long before I followed them, happy, content, warm, safe, and… loved.
We slept all night long curled up together in my nest, and it was the best thing ever. When we arrived back at the car, I was happy to see everything undisturbed.
We made it back to Anton’s house by breakfast, and I didn’t miss all the sly glances Ker and Jed were giving Oak. For Oak’s part, they just kept rolling their eyes, but every time they caught my gaze, they smiled.
It was lovely.
Theywere lovely.
