Page 5 of Betrayed By Dragons

"That, too." I unpack a half dozen little containers full of pillowy, basket-steamed goodness.

"I thought you were getting enough for everyone," Amy whines.

Jett sighs. "I thought I was, too."

"Dragon magic takes a lot out of a person," Grace says wisely. Her deep, resonant voice is full of authority. "The priestesses are always famished after a strenuous day of workings."

I shoot her a glance. These three are the only people in the Stone Kingdom who know I'm receiving instruction on dragon magic from the high priestess. They still don't know that I'm receiving instruction on magic from the high priestess because I'm the bearer of a rare and ominous artifact of the Shadow Kingdom, but that's beside the point.

The point being that I'm starving, of course.

Jett magnanimously hands me a plate, and I heap one of every kind of dumpling onto it, snagging a couple of containers of sauce, as well, before passing everything on.

"Well, witchy magic leaves a girl with an appetite, too," Amy says, helping herself to an equally generous portion.

"So does, you know, being the dude to go and get the food," Jett grouses.

Fortunately, there is in fact enough to go around. Gathering for lunch like this has become a bit of a ritual over the course of the past week. It's one of the highlights of my day, honestly. A chance to relax and refuel after straining to try to cast the most basic of dragon magic spells. An opportunity to connect with my friends.

And a welcome distraction--considering my mates are busy conducting official state business.

My skin heats, just thinking about Jianyu and Rafe. My days may all be spent here at the Temple, but my nights belong to them. My mates and I have spent hours exploring each other's bodies and getting to know each other better. I've traced every inch of Jianyu's golden skin and lean musculature, scraped my nails down every sculpted line and curve of Rafe's broad shoulders. They've fucked me one after another in every position imaginable. They've come on my tongue and deep inside me; if it weren't for the fact that dragons who haven't successfully Emerged can't get pregnant, I'd probably be carrying their whelps a dozen times over by now.

I long to connect with them on an even deeper level, though. They're the missing parts of my soul, and I've relished learning about their likes and dislikes. What makes them laugh and what brings up dark memories for them.

I remind myself that we've only been together for a week and a half. There will be plenty of time to continue to strengthen our connection.

This longing I feel whenever we're apart... This hunger deep inside me...

This feeling that there's still something missing...

It will ease. It has to.

Focusing on the plate full of deliciousness in front of me, I push my longing for my mates aside, for now.

Never one to allow a silence to last for long, Amy pauses between bites to nudge me with her elbow. "So guess who made a successful finding potion today."

My eyes fly wide, and I chew as fast as I can. "Really?"

She'd been working on that forever back in Unity. Nominally, it was to help her find her missing phone charger, but she had high hopes that she could build on it to look for more important things. Namely, her father--a wizard who hasn't been seen since Amy, Jett and their mom fled during the war.

I try to squash the prickle of premature hope in my chest. If she could find her father with magic, maybe she could help me figure out what happened to my parents, too.

Amy nods. "It's super basic for now, but Grace here"--she absently brushes Grace's pinkie with her own--"hid my bracelet, and the potion helped me find it. No problem."

"That's awesome."

"Very," Jett agrees, but his voice holds reservations.

Grace doesn't seem to catch Jett's strained tone. She smiles as she takes Amy's hand in hers for a moment before letting go. "You came to me with so much talent. I'm glad I get the chance to help you tap into it."

Amy blushes, but she can't hide her grin. "What can I say? I have a really great teacher." Her smile dims slightly. "One who's willing to work with me, even if I am half dragon."

Jett's eyebrow twitches. "You're 100% awesome, is what you are."

Amy waves him off. "Yeah, yeah, I'm great, I know."

"Humble, too," I add.

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