Page 60 of Smoke and Blood

Kai was sure he aimed to make the kiss brief, but the same thing happened when they touched or kissed, even for a moment: their desire ignited.

She released a low moan when he swiped his tongue over her lips.Unable to stop her response, she parted beneath him and allowed him to glide into her mouth.Her nipples and her sex throbbed as he pressed a hand to the small of her back right at the top of her ass, drawing her closer to him.

“New mates, they can’t be trusted to get anywhere on time because they can’t keep their hands off each other long enough.”

Leaping back from Aodh’s earth-shaking kiss, Kai stared up into Aodh's face, haloed by threads of silver in his ebony hair.It amazed her that Aodh strikingly resembled his father.Liekki, too, but the look of Aodh’s brother compared to this man framed in the door was more familial.

“Father.”Aodh chuckled instead of appearing as chagrined as Kai.

“And tamp down your flames before you singe the young lady with your adoration,” the gruff man chided with little, violet flames in his eyes as he stared at them.

“I’ll remind you of the same things the next time you glance toward Mother.”

A broad smile graced the older man’s features.

There went her hope of making a great first impression.Not when she got caught being pawed by the man’s son on his doorstep.

Aodh stepped forward and received an embrace from the senior Drahk.“I hope you saved some meal for us.”

“Latecomers should be grateful for scraps.”The man gave a thunderous, firm clap to the back of Aodh’s shoulder.

“I’ll see what Mom has to say about you eating all the food from her favorite son.”Aodh curled a hand around her waist and urged her forward.“Kai, this is my father, Rhys Brandr.Father, this is Kai, my mate.”

“Aguya Kai, I believe, is her appropriate address,” his father stepped before her with a smile.“It is nice meeting you.Mother of my grand offspring.”

“Hi.I-It’s nice to meet you, sir.Uh...Mr.Brandr.”Kai had never seen anyone bow to Aodh, but she wasn’t sure of the protocol when meeting a dragon ruler, even one that had retired from his official position.She stood there and wrung her hands, feeling anxious.

“No need for those titles.You can call me Rhys...or Father Rhys if you see fit.”The big man with a rough, textured voice filled with wisdom clasped her hands between his larger ones.

“Rhys.”She smiled.She liked the man.There was no doubt of his great power, but there seemed to be a genuine sincerity about him.Maybe in time, she’d be able to add the parental moniker.

“Mate, don’t keep the children on the porch all evening.The meal will get cold.”A strong, yet lovely, lilt came from inside the home.

“We’re on our way, love.”Rhys stepped back and allowed her and Aodh to enter.

The inside was well-lit, with two blazing fireplaces at both ends of the front room.Two broadswords hung crossed over one hearth—one adorned with platinum and the other pink diamonds.The warm tones gracing the marble and steel furnishing made the place appear as welcoming on the inside as on the outside.

Moments later, a striking, svelte woman with mature curves and fewer gray strands than the older man stepped through an archway from the back of the spacious front room.The woman had canary markings and low flames in her eyes.Her soft, angular features reminded Kai of Eilidh and also offered a resemblance to Liekki.

“Hello.”Kai swallowed her nervousness and lifted her chin just enough to show the woman, this mother who had carried Kai’s mate, Aodh, that she was strong enough to carry the older woman’s next generation.

“Well, well.You are as pretty as the Thunder is talking about.”Standing before Kai, the older woman gave her a kind smile.

“Mate, this is Brenna Brandr, my mother.”Aodh stood behind her, not touching Kai but sharing his strength at a critical moment.

“Brenna, I’m Kai.”Kai held her hand out to Aodh’s mother.

The woman ignored her hand, closed the gap, and embraced Kai.“Welcome to our family home.”She leaned back, her flames now a powdered-lilac hue.“This is yours as well.”

Kai may have been able to press down her nerves before this woman, but she could not stop the tears that swelled in her eyes at the warmth and generosity of the older woman.Kai believed she had learned to deal with the loss of her mother, but feeling the strong arms of the gentle spirit before she made Kai feel the void in her heart that Viola Conley, her mother, had filled.

She wanted to blame it on pregnancy hormones, but standing with Brenna, Kai felt the absence of a mother figure in her life and how she would not be able to tell her mother about her love for Aodh or ask questions about her pregnancy.

“Oh, precious one.”When Aodh’s mother pulled her in this time, she held her tight and stroked her shoulders and upper back.

For so many years, it had been a sense of pride for Kai not having cried when she lost her parents before because she had to be brave and strong to care for her younger sister.Now, she squeezed her eyes shut as hot tears rolled down her face, soaking the woman’s dress.

“Let it out.So much has happened.Drahks can be a lot, and we’re beastly winged people who whistle in flames.”

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