Page 32 of Beyond the Darkness

Stella outright laughed.

“This disc will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Sir Connie.”

Stella applauded Kit. “Mission: Impossiblefan, are you?”

“But of course, Ancient Chief Cook.” Kit winked.

“If you happen to have an ice chest nearby, I’m afraid I must commandeer it,” Connie stated in a formal tone. “The mission requires it.”

“It will be a sacrifice, but I understand,” Stella said, playing along. “Just a moment, Sir Conrad. I will go retrieve your ice chest.”

Connie bowed low. “Many thanks, my Ancient Chief Cook, for your sacrifice.”

“I’m taking that as my new title.” With a giggle, Stella left the kitchen.

“You guys are fun,” Kit said after she left.

“Stella has a great sense of humor. And besides, after this morning, we need a little humor, don’t you think?” Connie asked.

Kit sobered immediately. “Yeah. Yeah, we do.”

“Well then, my fine sir, no gloomy looks for you!” Connie grabbed Kit and twirled him around the kitchen. “We have snacks to obtain and a mission to complete.”

Stella appeared a few minutes later with an ice chest and helped them pack it full of food and drinks.

Kit peered into it. “That’s a lot of food.”

“No one wants a hangry dragon,” Connie reminded Kit. “Plus, we’ll be missing lunch here.”

Kit snorted.

“Thank you, Stella. We appreciate it,” Connie said.

“Have fun.”

Connie picked up the ice chest and rested it on his shoulder. Grabbing Kit by the hand, he escorted him out of the kitchen toward the lake. The journey to the boat dock was brief.

It accommodated only two boats, but it also included a boathouse for storing gear and a spacious fishing area, complete with several rocking chairs.

Connie often retreated here alone to unwind and fish. Hudson joined him only at Connie’s request, respecting his need for solitude. Residing in a court meant constant company of other dragons. Courts, similar to werewolf packs, were designed for communal living.

Contrary to ancient tales, dragons were not solitary creatures.

Some dragons preferred solitude, but generally, dragons were sociable creatures. They thrived on the bonds formed with their court mates, not to mention the need for structure.

“Show off,” Kit teased as they walked. “That thing has got to be heavy.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” Connie promised, preening slightly as they walked. No human could carry the ice chest the way he did, or so he would claim if asked.

“So, where are we going again?”

“Boat dock. Hudson should be there waiting for us. In fact, there he is.” Connie motioned with his head to where Hudson stood by the pontoon.

“And we’re taking the ice chest with us?”

“Of course,” Connie said.

“Hey. The boat is ready to go. I also grabbed the skis and a coupleof rafts. If skiing gets tiresome, we can just laze on those for a bit,” Hudson explained as he took the ice chest from Connie and put it in the boat.

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