Page 67 of Dragons' Future

I swear I see a shadow leak out from Kai’s back and skitter around his feet. Kai shifts his weight and the shadow disappears, but not before Quinton marks it. I know, because I can feel my mate’s interest through the bond. Since Autumn enhanced our pack’s connected magic, Quinton has been able to summon the darkness more and more. Apparently, he isn’t the only one with such magic.

Leralynn sinks happily onto a velvet couch, the wolf jumping up to curl at her side. Kai takes up a post behind his mother.

"I would like to thank you for the unexpected aid," Cyril says formally. "Might you accept some refreshment while we discuss?—"

"- How exactly I brought a fleet of ships to your border from across the world?" Leralynn supplies easily, accepting a glass of wine Cyril pours.

“I understand from Autumn that it involved fancy magic, Emric’s life, and a leverage of the Gloom passageways not previously known to Massa’eve,” says Cyril. “I do not wish to sound ungrateful, but I must ask why.”

Leralynn swirls the wine in her glass then nods, as if having come to a decision. “Salazar’s ethics, as well as those of the Serpari’s queen, do not align with our own. Especially their outlook toward humans. I wished to see an ally on the Massa’eve throne.”

“I thank you on behalf of Massa’eve and our mortal neighbors,” I tell her sincerely. “If there is a way Massa’eve might express its gratitude -”

“Actually, I do have a personal favor to ask.” Leralynn’s smile reminds me of a cat with a bowl of cream. “If you are amenable, I would ask the Massa’eve throne to extend a temporary position in its court to my son, Kai.”

Kai’s head snaps toward his mother at the same time as Cyril’s eyes narrow. “In what capacity?” both males say at the same time.

Leralynn shrugs one shoulder. “I leave that to you to work out. I would personally steer away from diplomacy, but then again, perhaps fire breathing dragons are exactly the kind of beings he’ll do best with.”

EPILOGUE

KIT

Istep back with an oomph as Lilath vaults into my arms, knocking me back into Cyril. She has nearly doubled her size in the couple of weeks since I last saw her and is now chattering non-stop in a trill high pitched voice that makes me cringe and smile at the same time. Holding the little dragonling tight against my chest, I rub my cheek over her warm scales. The dragon inside me starts to purr.

"She's missed you." Lee settled the four unhatched eggs into a special heated nest we’ve prepared in the royal nursery. Nestled in the eastern wing of the palace, where the morning sun bathes the room in warm, golden light, the nursery is a masterpiece of Hauck and Autumn’s creation. The walls are constructed from enchanted wood to withstand the accidental fire belches dragonlings are prone to and stone pillars in each corner glow with additional fire-absorbing runes. Translucent crystal makes up the ceiling, allowing in natural light during the day and a view of a full star sky at night.

At my uncompromising insistence, the security teams stationed on the roof and at all doors and windows are hidden from view. Not that anyone can forget that they are there with Tavias running surprise inspections every few hours.

Lilith snaps at my hair and I pull back just in time to prevent an accidental haircut. Little wonder Lee’s own braid is wrapped into a tight coronet atop her head.

"No hogging the dragonling," Cyril says, pulling Lilith out of my arms. Despite his gruff voice, his bright blue eyes are shiny and lined with silver. Lilith bends her head and the pair nuzzles their foreheads against each other. Then Lilith shakes herself like a wet puppy and her scales take on a blue color to match Cyril’s.

“Stars,” Cyril murmurs.

My eyes sting. Beside me, Lee presses her hand to her heart. I take her other hand and squeeze it tight as Tavias and Hauck step forward tentatively. My pulse quicks. The storm of the males’ apprehension and excitement, which reaches me through the bond, threatens to overwhelm me.

Cyril lets Lilith down, but the dragonling disappears behind his legs, looking uncertainly at the males.

My chest tightens.

Extending his hand, Cyril summons a handful of water from a flower vase and shapes it into a translucent rabbit that starts hopping across the room. Lilith squawks in excitement, and takes off after her prey—her final pounce taking her right into Hauck’s open arms.

Hauck, who’d crouched strategically, falls back with a laugh.

“You’ve conquered me, my lady,” he informs Lilith. And I know he isn’t talking about the tumble.

I bite my lip. Oblivious to it all, Lilith breaks into a victory dance atop Hauck’s broad chest.

Tavias glances my way and I give him an encouraging nod. He draws a fortifying breath. “Hello there…” Tavias stumbles, but picks up again with renewed courage. “Hello. I’m Tavias... It is a pleasure to meet you, Lilith.”

The dragonling turns her head up toward him, her little eyes wide as she cranes her neck.

I clear my throat pointedly.

“Right.” Tavias crouches uncertainly, holding out his palm. A large, calloused, trembling palm.

Lilith hesitates several heartbeats, then tottles across Hauck’s chest toward Tavias. She extends her snout slowly, as if he is the smaller of the pair, then nuzzles Tavias’s fingers in the gentlest caress I’ve ever seen from her.

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