Page 64 of To Quench Her Thirst

“I’m sorry I was so angry at you for so many years,”she heard Drago send to the creature inside him.

“And I…feel sorry…for causing you…pain,”the Drake replied.“I was frightened…the first time I came out. Fear…made me angry. And anger…brought the flames,”came the deep, rough voice.

“I didn’t understand you before,”Drago sent back.“But I want to. I wish…I want us to be friends. After all, we share a body.”

“I want…to be friends…to,”the Drake replied.“And I want…to see Addison.”

Addie felt a rush of love go through her for the big beast.

“Of course you can see me again soon,”she sent back.“Now that Drago understands you would never hurt me, I’m sure he won’t mind giving the two of us some time together. I’d like to take another ride with you—on your back, this time.”

A surge of elation came from the Drake.

“I would love…to go flying…with you!”he sent.

“I’d love it too.”She looked up at Drago. “Would that be okay?”

He stroked her cheek gently as he looked into her eyes.

“Yes, baby—that would be fine. In fact, I think everything between the three of us is going to be fine from now on. Thank you for bringing us together.”

“Yes…thank you,”rumbled the Drake in her head.

“You’re welcome—I love you both!”Addison sent to them. And the she poured out a river of caring and love to both Drago and his Drake. After all, both of them were her Mates now.

As her heart swelled with emotion, she couldn’t imagine being happier. She had no idea that yet another blessing was coming her way…

EPILOGUE

ADDIE

“Yes, you were right Addison—you’re pregnant.” Commander Sylvan—who also happened to be a doctor—handed Addison a tiny pink flower he had pulled from the small machine he’d fed her blood sample to. The unique thing about Kindred pregnancy tests was that they told the sex of the baby at once—in the form of colored flowers.

“A baby girl!” Drago breathed, leaning over to look at the tiny pink bud in the palm of her hand. “The Goddess has truly blessed us!”

Addie smiled at his reaction. Because the Kindred were ninety-five percent male, they valued females highly. Any warrior who was able to father a daughter was considered to be extremely favored by the Mother of All Life.

But as happy as she was, she was still concerned.

“Commander Sylvan, are you sure the test would let us know if there were any…complications with the baby?” she asked anxiously. “I mean, after the Vargans made me drink the spider poison, I was told there could be, um, side effects.”

“Ah yes—they told you a child that grew with unnatural speed could be conceived—I understand. Drago told me all about it.” Commander Sylvan nodded. “But I don’t think you need toworry—the test would show any abnormalities—we would have gotten a full printout of any problems, not just a flower. Besides, it’s been months since the two of you went on your mission to Crimson Moon and according to the size of this flower, you haven’t been pregnant for long.” He nodded at the little pink bud Addison was still cupping carefully in her hand.

“Oh, all right.” Addison nodded gratefully as her anxiety eased. “Thank you, Commander Sylvan.”

“You’re welcome, Addison.” He smiled at her. “It’s early yet, but all indications are that you’re going to have a healthy pregnancy and a beautiful baby girl.”

“Thank you!” Addie’s eyes were suddenly stinging and she had to sniff back tears. “I don’t know why I’m crying—I was just so scared when I missed my period! Scared of having an instant pregnancy and a ‘Choosing Child,’ I mean.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, baby.” Drago put an arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “The Goddess has blessed us—we can trust her to watch over the new little life inside you.”

“What about the life insideyou?”Addie asked him, giving her Mate a watery smile. She turned to Commander Sylvan. “How long can I safely keep flying with Drago’s Drake? I hate to stop right away—he looks forward to our dates so much.”

Ever since she and Drago had Bonded, they had been going off to nearby uninhabited worlds where he could let his Drake out safely. Drago had made a special harness and saddle for the huge creature to wear and now Addie could ride securely on the Drake’s back. She loved soaring through the sky and knew she would miss it terribly if she couldn’t do it anymore.

Also, the Drake really did love his time with her. Drago was mostly conscious now when his other half came out, but her new Mate considerately took a back seat and let her spend time with his Drake when they flew. They didn’t talk muchduring the flights—mostly they communicated with emotions. Addie loved feeling wrapped in the powerful creature’s love and protectiveness almost as much as she loved the sensation of flying high in the sky on his back.

Commander Sylvan chuckled at her anxious question.

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