Page 101 of Walking in Darkness

“We believe you, but that doesn’t change the fact that, as our mate, you have access to what is ours. And you will take advantage of it,” Hudson said.

“Oh? I will?”

“Yes, because it would hurt me if I thought you were doing without something I could provide. It would hurt my dragon. It would make him feel as if he could not provide for his bonded,” Hudson said. “It could affect his overall well-being. Surely you don’t want that.”

Connie barely kept from rolling his eyes when Hudson shuddered for added effect. What Hudson said was true, but Connie could smell a guilt trip a mile away.

Kit crossed his arms as he glared at Hudson. “Oh, you’re good, I’ll give you that. I know perfectly damn well you’re manipulating me, but you’re sexy while doing it, so…”

“Is it working?”

Amused, Kit rolled his eyes. “What you’re basically telling me is that a thousand-year-old dragon is going to pout if he doesn’t get his way.”

Connie nodded. Hudson totally would if it got him what he wanted.

“Fine! If you want me to spend your money, I will spend your money. We’ll see which one of us cries uncle first,” Kit threatened.

Connie didn’t have the heart to tell Kit that he couldn’t go through their wealth in two human lifetimes. “While this has been interesting, let’s get back to the subject at hand. For now, let’s concentrate on the bonding ceremony. Don’t worry about the words. I’ll type it out in a text for you. In fact…” Connie did just that. “There.”

“Thanks.” Kit checked his cell, then returned it to his pocket. “So? That’s it? That’s all I need to say?”

“Yes. But Connie and I will say it in our native language first,” Hudson said. “You’ll repeat it back in yours.”

Kit threw his hands up in the air. “Wait, you have a native language? Like a dragon’s native language? For real?”

“We do, yes.”

Kit glared at Hudson when Hudson just sat there. “Oh, come on, don’t just blow me off like that. Let’s hear something!”

Hudson laughed once he’d gotten a reaction from Kit. “Sure.Iss qereh dsj dikh. It means I adore you, babe.”

“Wow.” Kit laughed slightly. “Your language is, um, okay, there’s no way a human can speak that. It sounds like you have rocks stuck in your throat and you’re hissing around them. And I adore you too, but whoa, that was insane.”

“Iss musj dikh bihk ssex schrsv hurss,” Connie said.

“I heard the word sex in there. At least, I’m pretty sure it was intermixed with all that gravel and hissing.” Kit eyed Connie. “What did you say?”

“Roughly translated? I want to hear you scream my name during sex.”

“Yup, called it.” Kit snickered.

“Our language has several hard consonants and sibilants,” Hudson said. “It employs sounds that humans describe as hissing, like the soundsj,ss, andsv, as well as a noise that sounds like a beast clearing its throat—likeach.”

“Please don’t get offended, but it’s really grating on the ears,” Kit said.

“It absolutely is,” Connie said. “The audible footprint of Draconic is indeed harsh, so no offense taken.”

“I will admit that when we’re in this form, it does sound like the human equivalent of language, but in our true form, it sounds more like hissing and throat clearing,” Hudson said.

“Draconic. That’s the name?” Kit asked.

“Yes.” Connie patted Kit on the knee and stood up. “I’m going to go get the wine and the wineglasses. I’ll be right back.”

Hudson also climbed to his feet. “I’m going to duck back into my hoard for a few minutes. There was something I wanted to give you also, Kit.”

“Oh?”

Hudson touched the pearl earring still in Kit’s ear. “Yes. Be right back.”

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