Page 27 of Emerald Waves
Wait, had he said before. “Can you communicate with them?”
“I can. With all animals, it’s part of my gift.”
The fates chose well when they picked the Denarius brothers to guard not only the gems, but dragon kind. Who knew it extended to so much more?
Or was that all the brothers, with their kind hearts hidden beneath their gruff exteriors, have chosen to take the weight of the world’s problems onto their shoulders?
Possibly both.
“I’m absolutely blown away. This is nothing short of amazing and will be the perfect place to get lost in research.” I envisioned myself deep in thought as I watched these magnificent beings in the natural habitats Caro had taken the time to recreate for them. Would some have babies? Would I get to witness firsthand near extinct species repopulate? Goddess, excitement spiraled through me, igniting the passion I’d once had. Sadly, the longer I ignored my dragon, the faster that passion was replaced with unhealthy obsessions. With Caro’s guidance and my dragon’s voice, both of them, I’d not lose sight again.
“Do you have any wildlife you’ve rescued up here?”
“No, I wish we had the proper space for it. Instead, I’ve privately funded many across the globe. Even dropped off a rare one here and there.”
I had a feeling his here and there was more prevalent than not. Many rare and near extinct wildlife rescues were making the news as of late. I bet my kindhearted mate was their silent finder.
“Well then, let’s get you sorted. I’m sure that brilliant mind of yours is mentally digging through the boxes already.” I loved how the entire time we stood here, Caro held me. Not in a hey, he’s here might as well be cordial way, but as in a he truly cared one. His gentle touch skimmed up and down my back, nearly sending me into a dream state. My dragon purred, ready to curl up with our mate’s dragon and nap inside this glorious horde.
“I couldn’t think of a more suitable horde for us.”
Caro sighed. “I’m so happy you feel that way. Come, let’s make it better by adding yours to it.”
Together we had the boxes unloaded in no time though there was a lengthy discussion on how to properly shelve the archives.
“Alphabetically makes the most sense,” Caro argued his case.
“But there’s a method to my madness.” Was there really? Previously led by an unnatural fixation I now saw my process, if it could even be deemed that, as questionable.
Caro cocked a brow. “Please, enlighten me.”
There was no easy way to do this. “Fine, you win.”
Having witnessed a peacock strut, watching it dragon style as my mate puffed out his chest and strutted across the room was hilarious. Wait, is he whistling? This lighthearted side of Caro thrilled me to no end. Breaking down barriers, I believe it’s called, and we were doing just that.
But where to put me…
“Is there a way to make space for a desk?” The area pretty much rotated between rock walls and tanks.
Caro paused and glanced around. “We could always put one next to Trooper’s tank, then you’d have company while you work. Or in the center walkway, what there is of it.”
I wonder if through our connection I’d eventually harness the ability to speak with sea life too. Goddess, please don’t wake me. I hope this dream never ends.
“I’ll put your clothes away, then I have a surprise for you,” Caro said, then kissed me and disappeared before I got a single word out.
I’m not sure how many more surprises I could take. None of them have been bad, just a lot in a short period of time..
But my inner child that missed their childhood was in heaven with all his new aquatic friends. “Here, fishy, fishy.”
“You know,” I jumped at Caro’s voice. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. I was so, I don’t know, scared isn’t the right word.Reluctant is better, to show you my horde and now I couldn’t be happier it was you I got to share it with. A mate who appreciates these wonderful creatures as much as I do.”
Guess I wasn’t the only one that mating had changed.
“Come on, time for your surprise.” It was nice to handhold with another. Well, not in the dragging you into a thirteen-year-old purgatory way. How sad is it that all these years later I associate holding hands with being dragged into the council meeting and forced to shift. While Caro was pulling me, somewhat, it was a gentle, excited tug, followed up with sweet glances over his shoulder.
“Wow, it’s gorgeous up here.” When we first arrived, we drove right into the underground garage and bypassed the amazing mountainside.
“Over there against that rockface is the entrance to Ionus house. Across from us is Quint’s and behind us is Mattias and Odem’s.”
