Page 74 of Dragon Rivals of New York

Midas pulls her to his side, but the look he levels on me and my mates is cold. “What you did was reckless, and, as your king, I never would have condoned it. But…” He dips his head. “Thank you.”

More dragons swoop into the temple. Cyrus, shifting gracefully just as he lands. Finley, awkward, with a stumble, but a wide smile.

“Shift back,” Finley says, bouncing on her toes. “I want to hug you.”

I’m honestly not surehowto shift back, but I watch as Kyro changes forms, suddenly realizing shifting would mean being naked in front of all these friends. Finley seems unbothered by her own nakedness, after only a week of being a dragon, and that gives me a bit of bravery.

I wish I could ask what to do, how to do it, but before I can struggle too much, Jethro is petting my side and whispering in my ear. “Just relax and think about being human.”

Doing as he instructs, I shift more easily than I expected,instantly stepping behind him to hide.

“Come here, baby,” Kyro coos. “Nothing to be ashamed of.”

Easy for him to say. Nakedness has always been normal for him. But I’ve grown up feeling nothing but shame about my body. It was something to be covered and hidden, lest I tempt someone into sin. It was too curvy and alluring, my boobs too big and enticing, which was somehowmyfault. I always tried to hide those features. Until I got divorced and realized how messed up that all was. Butthisis pushing way past even my newfound confidence. It helps slightly that people aren’t paying as much attention to me now, too busy talking about the Ruby Diamond Horde’s quick retreat and what it might mean for the future.

Finley gives me an understanding smile and says, “Hugs later,” before she takes off into the sky again with her mate.

Midas, Jeslyn, and Adrianna are conferring about something or other, a few other dragons giving them reports after following the Ruby Diamond Horde. Seems their siren was injured and that was part of why they left so quickly. It looks like they’re headed back to Europe, but Midas sends scouts to keep an eye on them from a distance, and more to watch the east coast to ensure they don’t circle back.

Kyro comes up behind me and brushes my hair off my neck, whispering into my ear, “Your body is beautiful and naturaland nothing to be ashamed of.” He kisses the tender skin of my neck. “I love you.”

Jethro wiggles his eyebrows. “What about me?”

“What about you?” Kyro asks.

Jethro huffs out a hot breath. “Well, I love you, you big grump, and now there’s nothing you can do to stop me from loving you for the rest of our lives.”

Kryo chuckles, and Jethro steps closer, sandwiching me between them. He kisses Kyro over my shoulder.

“Say it,” he whispers.

“Can’t I just show you?” Kyro takes Jethro’s face in his hands, but Jethro pulls away.

“Say it, and I’ll let you show me.”

“Brat.” Kyro reaches around me to slap Jethro’s ass. The movement pulls him against my backside, his cock notably hard despite what we just did in the pool. Twice.

“Yes, but I’myourbrat.” Jethro grins, then takes my hand and kisses my palm. “Don’t worry, lovely, I won’t be a brat for you. I plan on worshiping the ground you walk on.”

“I love you,” I tell him. His grin is electric, but then his eyes shift to Kyro with a question.

Kyro steps around me, so he’s standing right in front of Jethro. He wraps the other man in a tight hug and whispers something in his ear too quietly for me to hear.

“I knew it!” Jethro exclaims with a smile so big it’s got to hurt. His eyes meet mine. “He loves me.” He whoops loud enough to draw the attention of everyone in the temple. “He loves me! And I love him.” Jethro sweeps me into his arms and spins me around. “And I love her! And he loves her! And she loves us! And we’re gonna fuck and love and care for each other forever!”

I’m laughing, and Kyro’s laughing, Jethro’s contagious joy infecting us all.

“I’m taking my mates home,” Jethro hollers at the top of his lungs. “No one bother us for at least twenty-four hours!”

“You’ll be at the last night of Goddess Week,” Midas says, his voice commanding.

“Of course,” Jethro answers his king and follows it up with a wink. “But don’t expect to see us before then.”

“Come on,” Kyro touches Jethro’s shoulder. “Let’s teach our girl to fly.”

Epilogue

Otto

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