Page 127 of The Dragon's Mate

“I went to that one too,” Elora said. “It wasgreat. The woman who was running it – it must have been your friend’smother-in-law – gave a fantastic speech. She seriously should consider runningfor mayor.”

“I thought the mayor was pro paranormal,”Kaida said.

“He’s pro whatever he thinks will get himre-elected,” Elora replied. “Anyway, my point is, I know it’s stressful andrallies like the one the senator held are terrible and stupid, but I’m confidentthat most people in the city don’t hold his views.”

Kaida stirred the sauce and didn’t reply. Shewanted to believe that Elora was right, but she hadn’t watched only a bit ofthe senator’s rally, she’d watched all of it, feeling more and more sick to herstomach, the longer Bren’s father spoke.

“Has the pressure eased off your clan yet?”Elora asked.

“No, not really. There are maybe a fewless reporters trying to sneak onto our lands, but not enough to make a difference.We still require security around our land and clan members still have to be snuckout by Bishop and his team members if they want to avoid being followed allover the city.”

“That sucks,” Elora said. “People willcalm down eventually. Something new will come along and it’ll be the next bigthing.” She looked over Kaida’s hair. “Did you see that putting streaks of colourin your hair is trending right now for humans?”

“Yes. The clan has been keeping a close eyeon anything related to dragons that’s popping up on the internet.”

“Does it bug you that they’re mimicking yourlook?”

“No,” Kaida said. “It’s a good thing. Itmakes it easier for us to blend in.”

Elora laughed. “You make a good point. Hey,were you born with that colour in your hair or do you dye it?”

“We are born with it,” Kaida said. “It matchesthe colour of our scales when we are in our dragon forms.”

“Same with the flecks of colour in youreyes, huh?” Elora said.

“Yes. Most dragon’s eyes are gold withflecks of colour, but a few are born with their irises the colour of theirscales rather than gold in colour.”

“That’s so cool,” Elora said.

The front door opened, and Kaida’s dragonpurred so loudly that she couldn’t contain it. Elora grinned at her as Brenyelled out, “I’m home! Holy God, that smells good.”

She could hear him heading down the hallwayas he continued to talk. “So good, that I’m going to put my plan to take youstraight to bed on hold and instead eat some dinner before I eat your puss- Elora,hey.”

Bren stopped in the doorway of the kitchen,his face turning a cute shade of tomato.

“Hello, Bren,” Elora said with a grin. “Howwas work?”

“Uh, good.” He hesitated and then crossedthe kitchen to press a kiss against Kaida’s mouth. “Hey, that smells delicious.”

“The garlic toast will be ready in aboutthirty seconds. I’ve invited Elora to have dinner with us tonight.”

“Cool. I’ll change and be right back.” Brenkissed her again and left the kitchen, bumping his fist against Elora’s as hewalked by.

Elora grinned at Kaida as she grabbed threebeers from the fridge. “Oh my God, you two are friggin’ adorable.”

* * *

Kaida stood in the doorway of the kitchen andstared at Bren’s ass as he loaded the dishwasher. He straightened and closedthe dishwasher, then set the pots in the sink to soak. As he ran hot waterinto the pots and added soap, she moved behind him and put her arms around hiswaist.

“Hey,” he turned and kissed the tip of hernose, “I’m almost done cleaning up. Did you and Elora pick out something to watchon Netflix?”

“Elora said thanks for the invite, but she headedhome.”

Bren grinned at her. “Perfect.”

Kaida laughed and squeezed his waist. “She’syour friend, Bren.”

“She is. Which is why she took off. Shecould tell I wanted some alone time with you.”

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