Page 71 of The Ruby Dragon's Unconventional Mate

“It’s not stupid, but we can move past it.”

“I believe you.”

Lars beamed at his mate. “Good. Arthur made me cheesecake pudding.”

“I’m not sure if that sounds yummy or awful.”

“I haven’t tasted it yet, but it’s something different.” Lars chuckled. “And it looks easier than baking.”

“Arthur, hmm?”

“Yeah, Arthur. He likes to bake and…he’s not at all like Simon or Celeste.”

“No?” Bryant looked at him with a quizzical expression.

“No. No, these two are sparkly.” Lars shrugged. That was the best way to explain them. They were rainbowy—like pure rainbows and lights.

And feathered.

And they laughed together.

“Sparkly.” Bryant shook his head. “It figures that you would find someone sparkly in your fairy-tale house.”

“Shut up. I’m going to make you leave again.” He rolled his eyes, proving to Bryant that he was playing.

“No, Andine needs Slippy, and I need you to kiss me and then you can go have cheesecake pudding.”

The kisses sounded better than the cheesecake pudding, but the baby wanted cheesecake pudding. His little one was a sick, sad little dragon.

“I want to meet Andine. You have a familiar, and I missed it.” He caught himself getting teary.

“She just came over today, and I’ve missed you.” Bryant tugged him in and hugged him tight. “I mean it. I’m so sorry. Not about the Keeper; I don’t know about that part yet. I’m sorry for treating you like you didn’t get a choice in any of this. I’m sorry for not talking to you and for just being an asshole. Please forgive me. I’ll make sure that I listen better in the future.”

What was he supposed to say? That it was an actual perfect apology, and he didn’t want to argue about it, so he didn’t. He just held on tight. “I’m sorry that—I don’t even have words for what that creature was that hurt you and Lachlan. I hate that she did it.”

“I do too, but I have been reminded—very forcibly, actually—that I could spend a bunch of time reliving the past, but I’m going to miss my present and my future if I do that.” Bryant winked at him. “I don’t want that. I want to be with you now. Cravings and kicking babies and swollen ankles. I’m in. Come home. Please.”

Lars nodded. “I want you to meet Arthur and Alban. You don’t have to have them at the house if you don’t want to, but it would mean a lot to me if you would just meet them.”

“I will. I promised myself I would fully give them a chance.” Bryant breathed deeply, and Lars could see the effort it took to say it. But it was an effort he appreciated so much.

So much.

He squeezed Bryant’s hand. “Let’s get this over with. Arthur, could you come in, please?”

Arthur kind of floated in, the feathered dragon absolutely spectacular. He met Bryant’s gaze and bowed partway. “It is my honor to meet you. I understand that you were ill-used, but I am here to serve you and your family line until it ends.”

Bryant stared at Arthur, and Arthur didn’t back off for a second. He just stood there in all of his rainbow glory, those feathers not even fluttering.

“If you harm so much as one hair on my mate’s head or my child’s head there will be hell to pay.”

Arthur tilted his head, blinked. “I have been called to you and your family to protect them and love them and you. If I do cause them harm, then do as you will. The beast that you killed was not a Keeper of the Keys. I have nothing to worry about. My biggest concern is that you will never find happiness.”

Bryant blew out a hard breath. “Can you be happy away from your twin?”

“Could you be happy away from yours?” Arthur chuckled softly, the sound merry and not mean in the least. “Alban is right here with Lachlan. I expect to see him often and speak to him more frequently than that. We are so excited to have been called to serve in the same wing, and with a baby on the way!”

Lars watched them, paying attention to Bryant’s tension.Are you all right?

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