Page 31 of Beyond the Storm
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“Okay, I take it back,” Phoenix muttered, crossing his arms over his chest as he shivered. “It’s too cold here. Let’s return to Greece.”
I slipped my arms around him from behind. “I’ll warm you up.”
He swatted me with his tail.
Laughing, I pulled away but took hold of his hand. Snow crunched beneath our boots as we continued toward the cottage.
Phoenix had teleported us outside the ice dragon kingdom’s barrier, where we’d had to gain permission to pass through. The guards knew us and granted us passage right away, but security was tight. And rightly so. Thinking of my adorable little nephew made me feel better knowing those defenses were in place.
An engine rumbled from nearby, the sound growing louder. A snowmobile then appeared through the trees. The younger male riding it wore a thick coat and a gray knitted hat that was pulled down over his ears. Strawberry blond hair jutted from the bottom of it.
“Oh, hey!” Armen stopped beside us, the engine idling. His cheeks were pink from the cold. “I didn’t know you two were coming. I just left, but there’s a pot of stew and fresh bread if you’re hungry.”
“It was a last-minute decision,” I told him. “Thought we’d surprise them.”
When Armen’s gaze met mine, I felt Lust awaken from his slumber and bring forth the color the boy was attracted to most. My eyes transitioned to an icy blue.
“Easy there, kid,” I said. “If D knew you had the hots for his mate, he’d throw your ass out into the snow.”
Armen’s already pink cheeks darkened even more. “I admire Prince Warrin. I don’t have the hots for him.”
“Tell that to my sin.” I smirked, knowing his crush was harmless. Especially when I sensed my eyes change from blue to a rich brown. “Who has brown eyes?”
“No one.” Armen tugged his hat down farther and rested his hands back on the handlebars. His embarrassment was adorable. Oh, to be young and innocent again. “If either of you needs anything, please let me know. Enjoy your visit.”
He took off without another word.
“Sweet kid,” Phoenix said. “Unfortunately, the world devours boys like him. He’ll need to grow a thicker skin if he hopes to survive it.”
“The world is getting better.” I retook my mate’s hand and continued down the path. A minute or so later, the trees thinned and revealed a clearing where a stone cottage stood surrounded by snow, smoke rising from the chimney and a warm golden light spilling out into the overcast day.
“Bell?”Daman’s voice filled my head. Being that close, he sensed my presence. Just as I sensed his. It came with the bond all of us brothers shared.
“Hey, D,”I responded, using our telepathic link.
The front door swung open. Daman stepped out, smiling wide before forcing it away. Sometimes he couldn’t hide his excitement no matter how much he tried to. The changes in him were night and day. He wasn’t my bitter brother anymore who had been in a constant battle with himself. He was happy. That happiness radiated from him, even when he tried not to show it.
“You could’ve called,” he said from the doorway. He wore a cream sweater that paired beautifully with his bronze skin and dark hair.
“And ruin the surprise?” I met him at the top of the steps and wasted no time before drawing him in for a hug.
Daman wasn’t the touchy-feely type. He reminded me of a cat who only accepted affection on his own terms. But he returned my embrace and held on a bit longer than usual. He didn’t need to say it for me to know he felt the same. He’d missed me too.
Warrin appeared behind him. “Greetings.”
I unwound from Daman to clutch the dragon’s forearm. “I hope it’s okay we stopped by.”
“Of course,” Warrin said with a pleasant expression. Not quite a smile, but almost. “Please come in.”
Phoenix followed me inside, breathing in and relaxing his shoulders on the exhale, relieved to be out of the cold air. He crouched beside the lit fireplace to warm his hands. I’d told him to wear gloves. Maybe next time, he’d listen. As if somehow reading my mind, he glanced over and cut his eyes at me. “If you say, ‘I told you so,’ I really will hurl a fireball at you.”
Daman snorted. “I’d pay to see that.”
“Wow, I feel the love, D.” I put my hand over my heart.
“Stop being so dramatic, pretty boy.” He rolled his eyes. “Are you guys hungry?”
