Page 58 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Bailey took a deep breath. “He just got back here, sweetie. It’s going to take a little time before he’s ready to join us.”
Aidan was relieved she answered because he hated to upset his son. He was still finding his way as a father while also figuring out his role as a Pendragon, which required entirely different skills. His mate was much better about altering her behavior as needed between her mother and slayer duties. He admired her for it.
Ruari grunted. “I’m shocked Aidan allowed him back at all.”
“I like him better than you,” Orion said, scrunching his face. “He’s nicer and plays with me.”
“Are we talking about the same person?” Ruari asked, turning to Aidan with surprise.
“You’ll have to see for yourself,” he replied. “His transformation appears even greater than yours—so far.”
Bailey relaxed against Aidan, gaze running across the assembled group. “So, what has everyone been up to? I don’t see most of you except for our dinners.”
He was grateful for her change of subject. Thoughts of Zoran still soured his mood.
Kayla, her red hair pulled back into a ponytail, peeked past Candace and Paul. “I’ve been cooking non-stop, preparing foods that can be stored and eaten as much as a month or two later without refrigeration. That sorcerer from the tower, Thatcher, has helped with some preservation spells that help keep the tastes fresh.”
While Aidan preferred to keep most war-planning talk to designated locations, he didn’t mind discussing minor elements. She knew better than to get into specifics. Everyone in the fortress had been given repeated lectures on the matter, so he trusted her to keep the topic vague.
“I have no doubt everyone will appreciate your hard work,” he said carefully. “But you need not push yourself too hard. Be sure to give yourself time to rest. We have already set aside tons of rations and add more regularly.”
She folded her hands on the table. “I know, but the more we have, the longer it will last. People are going to be tired and injured and need food to restore them. Having nutritious meals will help with that. Plus, you’d be surprised how much it takes to feed a large army, and the coalition will be here soon. They may need extra rations to supplement what they bring as well.”
Kayla might have been only twenty-one years old, but she showed maturity far past her age.
“You are the true gem of the kitchens,” he said, giving her a respectful nod.
She smirked. “I know.”
Everyone laughed.
Bailey cleared her throat. “We should probably wrap this up. As much as I love socializing, everyone has a lot to do, and we need sleep.”
Amusement filled Aidan. He was doing his best to make the most of their family dinner and trying to hide his eagerness for it to end, but she felt his desire while sitting in his lap. His mate was less patient than him tonight.
They still had to organize dinner clean-up and then time with their son. Only after all of that could they be alone together. She was pushing the timetable to make it happen sooner than usual, and he couldn’t say he minded.
“Yes, let’s finish,” he said, feeding her another bite.
She popped a piece of meat into his mouth as well. No one at the table argued, and they all finished their meals quickly, understanding the pendragon and his mate were ready to be alone.
Chapter 16
Bailey
“Mommy?” Orion asked, looking up at me with his golden eyes.
I squeezed his hand as we walked from the castle toward the village. We’d just finished eating the noon meal, and I had to take him to my brother before I could resume my hunt for the human rebels. We needed to dismantle the group quickly before they caused any more trouble. The search was taking more time than expected, and I worried they’d do something else terrible before we caught them.
“Yes, sweetie?”
His expression turned serious. “You’ll find them today.”
I frowned. “Who?”
“The people you’re looking for.”
Had he overheard one of us talking? I tried to avoid the subject, but there was always a chance he caught some things with his excellent hearing. He was part dragon shifter, after all.
