Page 100 of Devoted to the Dragon

“Hey, Knox?”

“Hmm?” he asks sleepily. He nudges his nose into the crook of my neck.

“We should?—”

“Tomorrow,” Fennik grumbles, tugging me closer. “No more magic talk tonight.”

Chapter 47

Knox

Randi was greedy with us for an entire week after her heat, and it was bliss. We transitioned from her dragon’s nest back to her lair—which is one hell of an upgrade—and for days, we recovered. We cooked together and talked, spent all day in the forest or at the lake, and spent our nights in bed, learning the feel of one another outside of heat.

It’s like the legends say—dragons are hoarders.

She collected items from each of us and moved our stuff around until everything was so intertwined it was hard to tell whose was whose. The finished product is her new nest and our bedroom. Even though I’ve had the same rooms all my life, this shared nest feels more like home than anything ever has. To be fair, most of my shit from home is now here, and so is my favorite person.

But Randi can’t hide away anymore. Like my mother, she rules a territory—only her territory is in lockdown, the wolves in the North are still at war amongst themselves, and the wolves’ magic is dying. I’d rather find fun ways to make Randi come apart between the three of us, but I guess we can’t spend eternity in bed, however tempting.

This afternoon, we met with Vandera and her mates. The witch still scares the shit out of me, which she reinforced when she told me she would hex me if I hurt her friend again. Then she proceeded to poke and prod at our mating runes and the stone I made into a key, grilling me on magic until her mates finally pulled her away.

The scary witch was tame compared to facing an entire pack of wolves. Normally, I don’t give a fuck, but this matters, and the cards are already stacked against me.

“Chill, vamps. People will follow her lead.” Gunnar claps a big hand on my back, shaking my bones. He’s a mammoth Viking, even if he is a puppy, and he seems to forget that not all of us are giant sized.

“That’s easy to say when you’re not from the most hated of the shifter species.” I force my shadows to quiet, shifting to full human form. No need to freak out the wolves on our first meeting.

Gunnar’s brow furrows. “You do know I’m a half wolf from the Outskirts? What do you think people think about me being mated to an ancient badass dragon queen and a high-ranking wolf? You’re a serpent prince who also happens to be in our horde. I think you’ll be fine.”

I hadn’t put much thought into the fact that Gunnar is a wolf-beast and what that might mean for him. In the bond though, he’s not worried at all.

With an air of boredom, he leans against the doorway outside the meeting room. Behind the door, we can hear raised voices and many people talking at once. Randi is addressing her inner circle first, explaining the treaty and allowing them to ask questions before I join them for the vote.

“I mean, maybe these guys need to be shaken up? Maybe they need fresh eyes. Your people could help, isn’t that what you said?” Gunnar asks.

“Yeah.” I mean that. I’m pretty sure if Randi and Vandera spend some time with Stef, they can find a solution to the mating runes.

“Most wolves don’t even know about serpents. The humans either.” Gunnar shrugs. “You’ll see. This territory is different than most.”

I roll my eyes. “My ribs seem to recall the welcoming committee is very eager.”

Gunnar cracks a smile. “Don’t be a dick and you won’t have problems.”

Fennik pops his head out of the door and signals for us to come inside. I feel as though I’m walking to my execution, but when we enter, taking our place behind Randi at the long table, the crowd is more curious than anything.

“Meet Knox Orm, my mate and the official representative of the serpents’ Western Territory.”

For the next hour, I’m totally dazed as I answer questions, let people feel my shadows, and get introduced to more people than I’ll ever remember. Most are cautiously curious. A few are too eager, and some just avoid me. When it’s time for them to vote about signing a treaty alliance with the serpents, the naysayers are outnumbered by a staggering majority.

Randi sends me a burst of reassurance in the bond and takes my hand. Fennik and Gunnar crowd in beside us.

“See, vamps? It’s gonna be fine.” Gunnar claps my back—too damn hard, the shit.

Randi nuzzles my neck, whispering in my ear, “I’m glad you answered my call. I needed you, and they did too.”

Mother leansover the wooden table and signs the treaty with a flourish, her shadows circling around her. She’s dressed in full regalia today, her intricate cloak with our family crest shining on her back, the serpents in the weave appearing to slither. She looks out of place among all the flannel and foliage, but that doesn’t seem to matter.

My sister steps up next, signing below my mother before passing the pen to Randi. At my dragon’s signature, the energies in the air change. They mix together before bursting, sending out little pops of light. The wave of energy ripples through the crowd, and though most can’t see it, they howl at the change.

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