Page 46 of Walking in Darkness

Surprise, along with a touch of unease, crossed Michail’s face. “Forgive me.” He bowed his head slightly to Hudson before making eye contact with the two female dragons. “And I also ask your forgiveness. Where I come from, females are not allowed to hold positions of power. My surprise showed, and for that, I am sorry.”

Audrey put her fork down. “Do you believe females are incapable of holding positions of power?”

“Not at all!” Michail hurried to reassure her. “Such a bias based on gender is antiquated, and quite frankly, stupid. I’m relieved Hudson does not follow such thinking since he is a mate to my son. But unfortunately, not all leaders feel this way.”

Audrey relaxed. “Very true.”

“Again, I apologize.”

“No, no, there’s nothing to apologize for. I might’ve overreacted a tiny bit. Even though I’m a dragon and part of Hudson’s inner circle, I still get the occasional male who questions my position.”

“More fool them,” Connie mumbled into his eggs. “She teaches us new fighting techniques in our dragon form. She also doesn’t take it easy on us during training. When I tell you she’s vicious in a fight, I’m not exaggerating in the least.”

Audrey’s smile was only slightly evil. “Why, thank you.”

Kit’s parents seemed relatively relaxed, considering they were surrounded by dragons. Hudson was glad to see that, though. As Kit had been told, it was hard going into another paranormal’s territory—especially when you were the weaker paranormal.

Which reminded Hudson of something he needed to talk to Kit’s parents about, but he wouldn’t broach the subject at the breakfast table.

Once the meal was over, he invited Kit’s parents back to his private quarters.

After they were settled, Hudson brought up the topic he wanted to talk to them about. “Grace, Chris, Michail? I have something I wish to ask you. It concerns Kit and him being my mate.”

“Is there a problem?” Grace asked.

“Not a problem, per se. More of a security issue. As you know, Kit loves the three of you very much. He’d do anything for you. And that’s a problem,” Hudson said.

“Excuse me?” Chris demanded, outrage clear in his voice.

Michail groaned. “Chris, he’s a mate to a dragon. Actually, he’s mate to two dragons. One of which is the right hand to a king. The other, of course,isa king.”

“As my mate, Kit will be targeted. What is the best way to hurt me? Hurt my mates. Out of the two of them, Kit is more susceptible. I’m sure we all know why.”

“It’s because he’s human, isn’t it?” Grace asked.

“After we officially mate, Kit will not be fully human. Connie and I will take steps to make sure of that. But unlike youand Chris, Kit will never be a dragon. My kind cannot change another into what we are,” Hudson said. “He will be protected, of course. They both will.”

“If Kit is protected, who would someone go after next?” Connie asked. “His parents.”

“And Kit would do anything for you three,” Hudson added. “Which brings me to my point. I’m sending a couple of my dragons back with you.”

Chris immediately shook his head. “That’s not necessary.”

“Pops—”

“It is necessary,” Hudson continued. “I’m going to be brutally honest—Kit is my greatest weakness.”

“Oh, wow, thanks. Just what I love to hear,” Kit snapped.

Hudson turned to Kit. “Do you have fangs? Claws? Can you shift? Breathe fire? Cast spells? Yes, after you become our mate, your hearing, vision, sense of smell, and ability to heal will increase, but—”

Connie jumped in. “But Kit, you’ll always be vulnerable. You’ll have some paranormal abilities, but you’ll never be a paranormal. Unlike your parents.”

Grace and Chris started speaking, both interrupting each other. Kit was arguing with them, trying to talk over them.

“Chris? Grace? Okay, Kit, if you could—no, Grace, that’s not—” Michail stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled. Loudly. “Mother of all, that’s enough!”

Chris and Grace cringed, but they stopped immediately and turned toward Michail. Hudson and Connie also winced.

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