Page 36 of Destiny of the Dragons

They collapsed against each other. She was wedged between them, Smoke underneath her and Jace between her and the couch.

Jace threw an arm over her waist, and then closed his eyes. He wasn’t asleep, but he wasn’t conscious either.

Mia poked his cheek. “That bastard fell asleep on me.”

Smoke chuckled. He looked tired, too, and Mia wondered how much of that energy he absorbed for her benefit.

Exhaustion edged at her vision too, like when she cast a powerful spell.

Smoke patted her back. “You’re okay? We didn’t hurt you?”

She would be sore in the morning, but it would be totally worth it. “I’m okay.”

Smoke carried her into Jace’s bedroom, and then returned with Jace. Mia snuggled in between them and fell asleep fast, her body, mind, and spirit at peace.

Jace approached his mother’s office building, power singing through his veins. His mother did business on the Strip, because of course she did.

He’d slept for two days straight. He’d woken up, Smoke and Mia fussing over him, and eaten a huge meal. Mia had to go work, and Smoke had a contact to meet, or Jace would have had another session of mindblowing sex with his Treasure.

He’d have to do it after he returned with the answer to all their problems.

The building was excessive as always, with marble floors and golden accents. The picture of generational wealth.

The receptionist was a human girl, pretty enough. Her eyes widened when Jace entered the building. Jace didn’t know who she was, but more than likely she was trained to know him on sight.

Jace wore his best suit, tailored to his body, and ditched the tie like usual. After his business this morning, life would be perfect.

He was filthy rich, had his Treasure, and went through a powerful molting. Most dragons would have to molt twice more to get to his level.

He grinned at the receptionist. “Tell Clarinda that her son is back.”

The girl picked up the phone. After a brief conversation, she swallowed hard and gestured at the elevator. “The Lady said to be sure you’re ready. If so, come up.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” Jace winked and the girl blushed, licking her lips.

Normally he would seduce her, just to keep riding this high, but he thought about Smoke and Mia waiting for him, and he kept walking.

The elevator was posh and lifeless. The ride to the penthouse was shorter than he remembered. He stepped out, and scent assaulted him.

His older brother was here, as was one of his fathers and one of his mothers.

He took the short walk down the hallway, leading into a giant conference room. It was a modern day throne room, with expensive furniture, gilded paintings, and priceless artwork.

His mother sat at the head of the table. She hadn’t changed a bit since he left, as though time was irrelevant.

Her glossy black hair was in a bun, not a strand out of place. Her golden-green eyes bore a hole into him, silently telling him this had better be good.

Jace used to worry about measuring up. His older brother, Dax the asshole, sat to the left. Jace would bring his latest acquisition to his mother and she would simply raise an eyebrow and the gesture at the door.

Few times he’d done enough to be allowed to sit down.

Jace grinned at his family. He was about to show them all. They would beg him to come back.

Jace took the spare seat at the end of the table, and sat down. “Good morning.”

His mother simply looked at him.

Dax frowned. “Who do you think you are? You’re outcast until you prove otherwise.”

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