Page 142 of The Dragon's Mate

Bones took a deep breath and released it,the thick cloud of smoke emerging from his lungs nearly obscuring his face. “Cadmusand the other elders are right not to do interviews with the humans. We owethem nothing. Not an explanation of how we live nor a glimpse into our lives.”

“All right,” Jarvis said. “You don’t haveto be a dick about it, Bones. It was only an idea.”

He glanced down at the baby in his armsbefore holding him out to the large dragon. “Here, hold Kova for a while. Itwill help calm you.”

Bones cradled the baby in his arms and Javeestroked the baby’s round head and kissed his forehead. Bren was a little amusedto see that holding the baby did seem to calm the big dragon.

He slipped his hand under the table and restedit against Kaida’s thigh. Despite his assurances, despite the polite way thedragons had been treating him, she’d had a pinched and worried look on her facesince the moment they joined the clan.

She slipped her own hand under the table andtook his, holding it tightly. They were both staring at the baby and after amoment, Sika said, “Bren, you haven’t held Kova yet, have you?”

He shook his head and she motioned toBones. “Give Kova to the human, Bones.”

Bones hesitated before standing and reachingacross the table to hand the baby to Bren. “Do not drop him, human.”

Sika rolled her eyes. “It is because ofBren that Kova is safe. He’s not going to harm him.”

Bren took the baby, sliding his right hand underhis neck to support the baby’s head until he was cradling him in his left arm.The baby was the spitting image of Jarvis, and Bren smiled at Kaida when she leanedagainst him and traced the baby’s soft cheek with one fingertip.

“He’s a beautiful hatchling,” she said.

“He is,” Bren replied. His breath caught inhis throat when the baby made a soft snort and his eyelids fluttered open. Hisirises were a brilliant shade of gold with flecks of jade. Bren stared in fascinationat them as the baby stared back unblinkingly.

Sika was sitting on the other side of Kaidaand she leaned closer, smiling at Bren. “He likes you, human.”

Kaida kissed the baby’s foot clad in darkorange socks and then stroked his tiny leg. Bren glanced at her. The look ofyearning on her face matched his own, he was sure of it. The idea of having ababy with Kaida almost felt like an obsession now.

She met his gaze and smiled at him and, notcaring that the other dragons were there, he leaned down and pressed a kissagainst her mouth. Instead of pulling away like he half-thought she might, shereturned his kiss.

When they broke apart, Gram was grinningwidely at them. She held her arms out. “Give the hatchling to me, human, andreturn to Kaida’s cabin so you two can get started on making your ownhatchling.”

“Gram!” Kaida’s face turned a bright redas the other dragons around them laughed.

Gram took the hatchling and kissed his forehead.“Oh please, it’s not like we don’t already know you’re sleeping with thehuman. Just remember to be gentle with his fragile human bones.”

* * *

Bren squinted into the darkness. He couldhear Kaida dressing, but she had pulled the blinds in the bedroom and the room waspitch black. He fumbled for his phone on the nightstand, turning on the flashlightand aiming it in her general direction. Kaida raised her hand to block thelight shining in her eyes.

“Sorry.” He flicked on the bedside lampbefore sitting up. “What time is it?”

Kaida was wearing the blue cloak that matchedthe blue in her hair and her eyes. She fastened the cloak and slid the hood upover her head. “Almost three. I’m sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep, Bren.”

“Where are you going?”

“It’s my night to fly,” she said and thenpurred so loudly, her entire body seemed to vibrate. She rolled her eyes. “Sorry,my dragon gets super excited about flying.”

“I bet. Can I come with you?” he asked.

“What?” She stared at him in obvioussurprise.

“Can I come with you?”

“I… that’s not a good idea.”

He slid naked out of bed and crossed toher, secretly amused by the way her gaze immediately dropped to his dick. Heput his arms around her. “I’d really like to join you. I’d love to see you inyour dragon form.”

“Why?”

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