Page 21 of Flight Risk

“And he is making a home for himself in your home?”

I nodded. “Yes, I think he is settling in nicely.” Now. He didn’t need to know that was a relatively new achievement of ours.

“Good.”

Once we arrived at my home, our driver pulled up to the front of the house. We all got out of the car and went up the front steps to the door.

I was not prepared for what we encountered.

There was music playing on the speakers—a cheerful, upbeat pop song. I followed the sound of my mate singing loudly and off-key. It led me to the sitting room. It was the least formal of the rooms in my home. My house was an older-style, large Victorian home that reminded me of the home we’d had when I was a young dragon. I loved the old feel of it, but it was definitely too big for just me. I had always imagined filling it with children someday, though the place felt a bit stuffy for a family just yet.

Inside the sitting room, Kier had amassed a pile of blankets and pillows and was arranging them carefully.

“Kier?” I said.

He looked up from where he was curled up on the floor. “You’re home,” he gasped. Then his eyes widened. “And your father’s here. Oh, goodness, I think I lost track of time!”

My father chuckled, letting out a long laugh. “I’d say he’s settling in nicely.”

Kier’s cheeks turned red. “I don’t know what came over me today. I just—I couldn’t stop buying pillows. I went to several different stores. I think I’ve gone through every closet in the house to find all the blankets.”

I helped my mate to his feet. There was a slight swell to his stomach now that hadn’t been there the day before. My jaw dropped when I saw it. Goodness. I knew that eggs could grow quickly in the womb, but this was extraordinary.

My father came over and wrapped Kier in his arms, giving him a tight hug. “This is perfectly normal, son. You’re nesting. This means that you and Tav are expecting.”

“I am?”

“We are?”

We both spoke at once.

“Oh, brother,” Eryndor said with a grin. “You’re going to be a dad! I’m gonna have some nieces and nephews to spoil. Looks like we’re celebrating more than just your mating tonight!”

Kier put a hand over his mouth. “Dinner! I was supposed to arrange for dinner!” Panic swept over his face, and he reached for me, like I was the anchor who could hold him steady.

I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “No need, mate. We can get takeout.”

Kier’s face fell. “I had a whole menu planned. I can cook, Lord Malric, I can. I just—”

My father held up his hand, and Kier’s mouth clamped shut. He stood straight, with his head slightly bowed like he expected a reprimand.

“Kier, we’re so happy to have you join the family. You’ve been a valuable member of this clan for so long. I can’t believe my son took so long to see it.”

“Hey!” I protested.

“He’s got a point.” Eryndor held out his hand to Kier. “Hi, we haven’t met, but we have talked on the phone, and I think we’ve emailed a few times.”

“Of course. It’s great to meet you, Eryndor.”

“I really think you could have done better than this guy, but I won’t hold that against you.” Eryndor elbowed me in the gut, and I flung my arm out to hit him square in the chest.

My father rolled his eyes. “You see what I have to put up with?”

Kier chuckled, finally starting to relax.

“You know,” my father added with a knowing smile. “I remember when the boys’ father was expecting. It can be a troublesome time to keep track of all the details. Once the nesting basket is here and you have it set up to your liking, things will get easier.”

“Nesting basket?” Kier asked.

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