Page 63 of No Ordinary Drakeling
“There’s a coldness about it.”
“I thought the same when I arrived. I am glad it is not just me. I cannot pinpoint what it is exactly, but it is not inviting.”
“I know the dragons in our family are black, but certainly they could add more color to the place.”
“I agree or maybe a chair that it does not hurt to sit on.”
“Zane wishes for me to redecorate our apartment upstairs.”
“I am glad he is trusting you to do that. I know you will do a wonderful job. Think of it like one of your outfits—just on a wall or in a room.”
“That’s a good idea. It’s less intimidating that way. I don’t want him to hate it.”
“Just remember, you will need to live there too, so do what pleases you.”
“Did Chrysander give you a similar task for the apartment you share with him?”
Ellery’s green eyes hit the floor. “No.”
“I don’t want to criticize your mate, but he should at least consult you to ask you if you like it.”
“Perhaps he is waiting until after our mating ceremony.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“I am nervous about being a good mate, but I am too.”
“I sense a fire in you, Ellery. Maybe it’s because I know there’s a dragon somewhere in there, but I think you’re going to do a fine job in every aspect of your life.”
“I am so glad you came to live with us.”
“Me too. Not only because I’m grateful to Fate for giving me my other half, but I think it’s good for you too. You can’t only be surrounded by dragons.”
The hybrid’s rich laughter flowed out. “Did I tell you how upset Chrysander was when he returned home to find I had cut off all my hair?”
“I wasn’t even there, and I can hardly believe you did it. He wasn’t pleased?”
“I do not think so. Zane says he has always had a thing for elven men.”
“Are you going to grow it back?”
Ellery shook his head. “No, I hated it. I might let it grow a bit more, so I do not have to cut it so often, but I will not wear it long again. It is heavy and annoying.”
“You can’t decorate it with beads when it’s so short.”
“I could not afford beads and even if I had the money, no one would trade with the weird hybrid. I am not used to having them, so I cannot miss something I never had. I love yours, though. They are beautiful.”
“Thank you. I know it made no sense to spend so much time adding beads and thread to it when I had to wear a cloak everywhere, but I liked the look of it. And it gave me something to do in the evening after the clothing workshop was closed.”
“You will need to add some black beads for Zane.”
“I’ve already got a pattern in my head. I won’t ask him to do it. I know it’s traditional for a mate to decorate one’s hair but he’s a dragon. He might not appreciate me handing the task over to him.”
“It could not hurt to ask.”
Tiri wanted Zane to like him and didn’t want to be a burden on his time, so he demurred at the idea of questioning his mate about it. But it would please him to have Zane follow his people’s traditions. Perhaps when they were closer, he could broach the subject. “I’ll think on it after he’s ready to give me a dragon bite. Will it hurt?”
“I understand as long as it is part of two mates coming together intimately, there is no pain involved.”
