Page 50 of Starfall

The link went both ways, which was probably a surprise to the dragon.

The aches Rowen had mentioned weren’t as bad as she had anticipated. She rolled over and was surprised to see him gone. That kind of hurt. She checked under the bedding to make sure she hadn’t just worn him down to a nub.

Rowen came in and sighed. “I was trying to get back before you woke up.” He was wearing a robe made with fabric styled in a falling leaf pattern on a black background.

He carried a tray, and she rolled to her back and slowly scooted up to the headboard. He set the tray between her side and his, slid his robe off, and settled next to her, a sheet demurely across his lap. “So, we are bad bosses.”

“Why?”

“We’ve been working off the venom for three days. One week to New Year’s.”

“Oh, shit. I have to make some calls.”

“Relax. The alchemist and Orla worked out a spell to cover the township. Not only will this form be accepted as Emery, but as far as our places of business are concerned, we are on a vacation. Together.”

She grabbed a croissant and peeled it apart. She paused and sniffed it. “Hey, this is from the diner.”

He grinned. “Gabi brought emergency rations once I told her we were in a sort of confinement.”

“Embarrassing.” She put some in her mouth. “But helpful.”

He laughed. “This is when the big family comes in handy. Just wait until later. Meg is bringing us a care package from the restaurant.”

“Oh, Ribs?”

“And brisket and pulled pork and the pigtail fries.” He grinned. “Sauce, bread, and pickles.”

“Wow.” She covered her mouth. She investigated her teeth. Almost normal.

“That aroused you?”

“A little, but it was mainly a drool issue.”

He laughed and handed her a fruit cup. “Gabi was appalled when I said we hadn’t eaten since the party.”

“Not strictly true.” She blushed.

Rowen stroked her from cheek to breast. “True. That was a lot of fun. I can still taste you.”

She stuffed half her croissant in his mouth. “That should take care of it.”

His eyes were twinkling, and he quickly finished the mouthful. “Well, we have a week. What do you want to do?”

“Um, meet the rest of your family and start figuring out what Avaknell left me?”

“That sounds sensible. Where did she live?”

“You know that huge house on the hill?”

He froze. “Yes.”

“That’s her place. Or my place.” Emery smiled at him. “Or our place.”

Rowen smiled. “Her car is in the drive. No one brought it. It just showed up.”

“It does that.”

“There is also no room for a key in the door.”

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