Page 20 of Emerald Waves
Hehe, that was both insightful and slightly naughty. Maybe this new side of me would be more adventurous, although pregnancy wasn’t high on my list of wants at this time. Futuristically, yes, but for now, no. There was so much to learn and properly catalogue. How in the world would I juggle that and hatchlings? Just like that, my libido elevated and readied to…
“Oh, Caro, how much time do we…”beep-beep-beep. “Fizzle sticks. I’ll get that.”
Alone time was officially over as the archive building filled with the remaining four Denarius brothers, plus Alex, and Sherrif Larkin.
“Son,” Larkin gripped my shoulder. “I’m so proud of you. Not only did you find your dragon, but you found your mate in theprocess, and I couldn’t be happier for you. I always knew you had it in you.”
He knew what it did to me when he called me son. Warmed me from head to toe. “Thanks, me too. I um, had given up hope.”
“I know you did and see how it turned out? The Goddess knew what she was doing. But don’t lose yourself documenting every second of every moment or you’ll lose sight of what matters most.”
“What was that?”
He shook his head at me. “Your family. Your mate. Don’t forget to live the life you’ve been blessed with.”
“Thanks, might need to remind me from time to time.”
“I’ll be there, son, I promise.” In a surprise move, he drew me into his arms. “Now, let’s get you packed up and moved into your new life.”
“The filing cabinets can stay,” I called out. They were mostly filled with my journals, but they didn’t need to know that. Maybe at some point they’d go, but for the time being, they were safe here.
The brothers had the vans loaded in no time. While Mattias, Odem, and Quintus ran the contents up to the Denarius compound to unload, Ionus, Alex, Caro and I packed my personal belongings to include in the next run.
“Are you sad to be leaving here,” Alex asked as we boxed my beloved romance and fantasy novel collection. Scary how accurately human writers described our lives in what they considered to be fiction.
“No, not really. I’ll be back when research calls for one of the books or journals we’re leaving here. That’s why I’m only taking the food from the kitchen and not the dishes. That way, if Caro and I are ever here, we still have those supplies to utilize. Same with the furniture.” Plus, I figured Caro’s house was likelymeticulously decorated and my shabby sheik, more like shabby, dumpster diving décor, wouldn’t fit.
“I’m gonna love having you so close now. I can’t wait for the kids to get to know Uncle Emerson better.”
Uncle Emerson.
Once lonely, unlovable, Dragon City’s outcast, had now been welcomed with open arms to the most prestigious family in town. Hell, the ones that technically owned it. They treated me as an equal and now I have a friend. Alex was my first friend.
“I hope that smile is for good and not evil,” Alex teased.
“It is. I just can’t believe how much my life has changed in less than forty-eight hours.”
“Well, dear friend, get ready for more. Now that you’re mated…”
I cut him off. “Wait, how did you know?”
“Look at your heart.”
The pulsating emerald green that was now my heart shone through my threadbare shirt.
“Holy shit.”
“Holy shit is right, and this is only the beginning.”
I purposely skirted the scanner as we loaded the waiting vans. What if it confirmed I was with egg? What if it didn’t? Would I be disappointed or elated? Which emotion was correct?
“Emerson,” Caro whispered as he slid his arms around my waist. “Deep breath. Everything will come in due time.”
Maybe this whole mate-bond thing wasn’t so bad after all? If Caro was able to talk me off the ledge when I teetered on it just by feeling my emotions, this may be a win after all.
Until he got tired of doing it.
Emerson, are you sure you’re okay with moving? We can put everything back and just stay here.
