Page 30 of The Dragon's Stormwoven Bond

My father and I usually didn’t agree when it came to technology, but on this one, I agreed with him. Valen insisted we get it not for actual security, but to make it easier for us to deal with the flood of visitors that had already begun showing up.

“I know, but it’s very convenient when I’m unable to get up,” I said.

“Unable to get up?” His voice took on a panicked concern. “Where are you?”

He came through the house to where we had the nest set up in the corner of the living room, which was more like half the living room. Go, super small house, go.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Just comfortable.”

“Goodness gracious. I was afraid maybe you had hurt yourself.”

We were quiet for a moment as the two of us just stared at one another. I didn’t know what to say, and he was apparently suffering from the same affliction.

“You look good, Son, and your nest is very impressive.”

I grinned. “Thanks, Dad.”

He came over and sat in the chair that was near the nest. “I have a few human friends, you know. They’re all guys I run into at the sports bars where I watch football.”

“Yes, I know this.” I wasn’t sure how it was relevant, but I was sure he’d get there. He wasn’t the most direct communicator on the planet.

“Well, it’s just that we’re so different, humans and dragons. It’s wild to me, because when I told them that my twenty-five-year-old son was getting married, which seems to be the human equivalent of mating, and that he and his partner had plans for bringing children into their life, they were all so happy for me. I was going to get grandkids nice and early, they said, when I still had all the energy for them.”

Everything about that scenario shouted humans.

“If they only knew how old I was.” He laughed at that, being that he was older than they would ever be, and also already agrandfather a few times over, with some of those grandbabies old enough to be his friends’ parents.

I’d been very careful over the years, not friending humans. It wasn’t about being speciesist or anything like that. It was a way to protect my heart. The downside of having human friends was that they couldn’t know all parts of you, and in many cases, were short-lived. It was only a matter of time before they realized you weren’t aging at all, so bailing before that happened was key.

“Anyway, none of your other siblings found their mates this quickly, and it scared me. Not that I don’t think you and Valen will be very happy together, but because, even though I have many children, it never gets easier to see them become independent and no longer need you.”

He grabbed the back of his neck. “Both you and Rhythe have your own jobs. You’ve moved out of our home, and now look at you, you’re ready to prepare for a clutch of your own.”

“We’ll still need you, Dad. Nothing changes that. We want you around now more than ever.”

“I know. Your mom and I have talked about that a lot. I just... you two are probably our last clutch. And I think I was holding on a little tight. Plus, I was incredibly shocked to find out my best friend was mated to my son. In fact, I’m still coming to terms with that.”

He conveniently left out the part where he very loudly forbid Valen from being mine.

“I know, Dad. And I understand why.” I sat up a little taller.

“The entire situation is… whoa. When you say the words out loud, it sounds impossible. I mean, our age gap alone should’ve been a wall we couldn’t get around. One would think that Valen and I have nothing in common. What could he have in common with a twenty-five-year-old? But everything’s been amazing. He loves me, and I love him.”

“I know that. And I’m happy for you. I’m sorry that this new family dynamic of ours did not get started on the right foot. Luckily, we have a long time to make up for it.”

“We do. And I’m sorry too. We should’ve been honest from first scent.” Lesson learned on that.

“No, Pep. I own this one.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “You lied because I gave you reason to be scared of my response.”

“There’s enough blame to go around.” So very much. “But you are here now, and that’s all that matters.

Chapter 18

Valen

“Just think, mate, the next time we come to an event like this, we’ll have five little dragonets in tow,” I whispered in my mate’s ear as we made our way through the row of tables and sat down with our plates.

Pep’s eyes went comically wide, and he sat down abruptly. “Holy scales, Valen. You can’t say shit like that. I’ll start freaking out.”

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