Page 39 of The Dragon's Stormwoven Bond

“I think you might have.” Valen climbed into the bed with me, and I settled into his arms.

“Is Rhythe still here?”

Valen nodded. “He’s with the nest.”

“I’m worried about him,” I whispered, not wanting my brother to hear.

“Hmm. He has been quiet lately. Have you tried talking to him?” Valen pressed a kiss to my temple and nuzzled against me as he spoke. He was not content until he got his scent all over me. I wasn’t complaining.

“He doesn’t want to talk about it.” I sighed. I wasn’t used to my brother not confiding in me. It had me all feeling left out and confused.

“Give him time. Perhaps on the way home, you and he can ride in the car together and you’ll have a chance to talk.”

“That could work.” I nearly pushed him today once everyone left, but the moment didn’t feel right.

“Me and the team will ride with the eggs and the trophy.”

I chuckled. “Sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

“I’m sure that I have the greatest good luck charm, plus an additional four good luck charms. No other team has that.”

“Pretty sure most mated Leaders brought their families.” It was one of the things that made this sport special. It was more than individuals and even teams; it was about community and family.

“Yes, but none of those families are as amazing as you, mate.” He kissed my cheek.

“I’ll give you that.”

Valen kissed my neck and held me tighter around my middle. “We have to get up soon and go to the welcome banquet.”

“I know.” I didn’t want to people. I wanted to stay in bed with my mate. As much as I loved being with my eggs in our nest, I’d forgotten how amazing a bed felt. And now that I had a taste, I wanted another and another and another. It didn’t hurt that my mate was snuggled up against me. “I just want to hold you a little while longer.”

We did end up skipping the banquet. He called and let his team know that his mate needed the rest, and there was truth in that. I did, but it was more that we needed the time together.

And my brother, being the rock star that he was, he stayed with the nest all night long, assuring us that it was an honor he was happy to have. We owed him so much for all he’d done for us since we met. I wasn’t sure how we’d repay him, but we would.

In the morning, when it was time to get up and head to the competition, my mate was ready and refreshed. It was go time.

My parents both offered to stay with the nest so my brother could come to the competition. He refused, saying this was where he wanted to be. We all tried to sway him. These games were his favorite thing, after all. But there was no arguing with him, and eventually we gave up.

I kissed each of our eggs, hugged my brother close, and promised that we’d be back as soon as we could, which wasn’t the best thing to promise when the competition was elimination based. The sooner we got back, the worse that meant the team was doing.

As a surprise to no one, the first round—they nailed it. They blew the competition out of the water. But they’d also been paired with a team that was brand-new, with new dragons, a new coach, and a new program. It wasn’t indicative of what the competition would look like for them next round, but it got them closer to the finish line.

Between their times in the sky, I went back to check on the eggs. And to check on my brother, bringing him food and a play-by-play of my mate’s team’s performance. He’d been watching it on his phone, but that didn’t stop my enthusiasm from overflowing and turning into a play-by-play for him.

They did really well the second round too, not quite as wide a margin in victory, but easily the winners. There was only one round left, and they needed to bring their A-game for the final competition if they had any hopes of bringing home that trophy.

I went back to the nest until Valen called me, letting me know it was a twenty-minute warning. I was there just as they were getting ready to head to the field and gave him a good-luck kiss.

I watched as the choreography, the one I’d been in the room as they created it together as a team, went off without a hitch. Unlike my brother, I wasn’t huge into the games. I didn’t know all the fancy terms for the dives and the twists and the circles and the corkscrews that they did. But more than once, the crowd went silent, as if they were all holding their breath at once, wondering if they’d be able to pull off their particular trick.

And when they landed on the ground, their routine complete, the roar of the crowd was deafening. They had done it. They managed every move flawlessly.

I could feel the pride pouring off of my mate. It didn’t matter if they got the trophy or not. Today was a success.

Although… they did end up winning that trophy.

It sat in the back of the van with my mate and our nest. I went with my brother, who remained just as tight-lipped as ever. All I could do was be there when he was finally ready to open up.

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