Page 39 of Connor and the Dragons

“Being separated for too long can involve… physical pain,” Moerrven said quietly.

“Well, maybe I can go ahead. Test the portal, so you don’t end up locked in San Jose, unable to get back to Moerrven,” I said.

Both of them perked up at that, and Sky leaned forward, laying a hand over mine. “You’d do that?”

“Of course. You’re my brother.” I met Moerrven’s eyes. “And you’d sit on the wrong side of a portal waiting for him. I’m not letting that go wrong.”

Sky’s eyes were growing wider, and he looked a little like he was about to cry. Moerrven reached for his hand and squeezed it.

I cleared my throat. “Besides, if it all works out, maybe we could bring the family the other direction. Mom could visit for a week and be home by dinner, San Jose time. Dad could come, too, and Anne and Willow, even Leah if her competition schedule allows. They wouldn’t even have to close the tai chi studio.”

Sky sat straight up. “Oh, that is an idea! I didn’t think of it that way. Do you think they’d be freaked out?”

“Probably, but you know Mom and her mysticism. She definitely believes in dragons, so why not trolls? Especially one who is practically married to her favorite son.”

Sky laughed. “Pretty sure you’re her favorite. I’m a stripper, you’re in grad school.”

“I’m in grad school for history.” I mimicked my mom’s voice. “A very impractical field of study.”

The door opened again, and Oallian peeked in.

“I could demonstrate being a dragon to your mom, if she likes dragons,” Oallian said. “Though why one would not believe in dragons is beyond me.”

“You just had your ear pressed to the door, didn’t you?” Sky asked.

Oallian shrugged, clearly not ashamed. “I wanted to know if Connor needed me. By the way, can I take measurements of your cock? I wanted to crochet you a garment. Kessrin is teaching me how.”

Moerrven choked on his tea.

“Oallian, this is family time,” I said.

“Oh. Right.” Oallian’s eyes darted around. “Just very normal measurements, for an art project. Nothing to see here.”

“Go. I’ll be back soon. Let me talk to my brother.”

“I like to talk to Sky, too!” Oallian said. “Okay, I’m going.”

The door closed, and Sky snickered. “You know, he could come all of the way in.”

“I’m not sure that is wise,” Moerrven said. “From this angle, I could see more of him. And, well, I don’t think he’s wearing very many clothes.”

There was a single, formal knock, and I sighed and stood, smirking at Moerrven. “This had better not be another neighbor complaining about the naked dragon.”

“Mostly naked,” Moerrven corrected. “He may have been wearing boots.”

I walked to the door, and opened it to find Kessrin in his dressing gown with the expression of an ambassador delivering an apology to a wronged nation. “I ask your pardon for the interruptions. He is,” a pause while he searched for the diplomatic word, “difficult to contain this evening. But I am doing my best.”

The door closed without a sound.

Sky was grinning at me with his whole face. “They can’t stay away from you. Maybe you’d better soothe both of them, in the way that only you know how.” He winked.

I rolled my eyes and said good night before my brother and his husband got any more bad ideas about my relationship with the dragons. At the door Sky hugged me one more time, quick and fierce.

“We’ll stop by before you go in tomorrow,” he said, and he held on to my sleeve until I nodded. “Go get some sleep. Or whatever.”

“Good night, Sky.”

I crossed the hall, smiling when I realized I could hear them through the door. Kessrin’s voice was low and patient, explaining tension, Oallian’s rising in delight over something, both of them going suddenly, guiltily quiet at the sound of my hand on the latch.