Page 26 of Their Princess

He nodded.

Stroking a finger down the top of one of his wings, my eyes widened to realize they felt like stone as well.

“Father said I wasn’t supposed to show others because even though demons are different, I’m very different.Toodifferent,” he explained in a whisper.

My chest hurt, feeling that familiar pang. “I understand being different,” I told him. “However, I think you look amazing.”

“Do you have abilities?” Trey asked him.

“Abilities?” Elrith asked back.

“Like breathing fire,” Trey explained as he stood before him.

Elrith shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not supposed to be in this form much, unless my life is in danger.”

I’d thought it before, but he was incredibly articulate for being so young. Was it due to being alone and needing to survive? Or had someone been teaching him? More questions for later.

“You can shift back,” I told him. “Thank you for trusting us and showing us.”

The black smoke swirled around him and then dissipated to reveal him back in his demon form. “Are you going to tell others?” he asked. “Are you going to tell the king?”

“I think King Jolmach would think you are awesome, just like I do, but if you don’t want me to tell him, I won’t.” I gripped his little hand in mine and said, “I promised to protect you, remember? Me and my mates. Right, guys?”

All three of my mates nodded.

Elrith smiled at me and said, “I’m glad you’re here, Princess. You make me feel safe. It’s been … I haven’t felt safe much.”

My hand shot to my chest as it hurt and I pulled Elrith into a tight hug. “I’m glad you feel safe with us.”

“Come on, we better hurry or King Jolmach will eat all the breakfast,” Kayden teased. “Elrith, want to race?”

“Race?” he asked as I reluctantly released him. The urge to cuddle him against my chest and protect him from the world roared through my veins.

Kayden nodded. “I’ll race you to the castle. Loser has to give the winner his bread roll.”

Elrith gasped and took off at a sprint towards the castle.

Mason and I laughed as Kayden ran after him.

“Is this feeling what I think it is?” Trey asked me as he and Mason jogged on either side of me. We moved just fast enough to keep Kayden and Elrith in our sight, but not fast enough to pass them.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Did we just adopt our first child?” he clarified with a soft smile and reached over, squeezing my hand.

“You’re okay with it?” I asked, shocked by the happy feeling flowing through our bond. I had planned to talk to them about it once we all had a moment alone.

“If we weren’t together, I would have adopted him if you hadn’t,” Trey answered.

“Same,” Mason replied with a nod.

My heart warmed at their replies. I was so lucky to have them as mates.

I smiled up at my handsome dragon prince and asked, “Do you think my parents will be shocked when we come home and introduce them to their first grandchild?”

Trey laughed. “No, they’ll fawn over him just like Dan did you.”

Mason nodded in agreement. “Dan will probably steal him like he stole you all the time.”

---