Page 15 of The Lost Nation

All three of them had asked me with such a serious tone. Perhaps this was another secret draken tradition I didn’t know about. I pulled Ronan down to me. I owed all of them so much. “Always and forever.”

He licked my wounds closed and thrust forward, and I clutched him to me hard as he came inside me.

Chapter 7

Benedict

“The rescued witches are not healing."

I knew these weekly briefs with the witches were important, but it was hardly ever good news. That, and I knew the female drakens continued to struggle. Our species wasn’t meant to live within the confined walls of an old lava tube, after all. Yet they refused to come out, so what was I supposed to do?

I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated.“And what do you wantmeto do about that?” I asked gruffly.

Vela and Astrid both sent me identical scathing looks.

“Take your excitable malesoffthe island. All except the ones who have witch partners. I believe there are five couples now? Let the traumatized femalesbreathewithout the scent of males triggering them every hour.”

Anger was the first emotion I felt, but I learned that the first thing that came to me wasn't usually the correct response. I tried to keep my voice level, reminding myself that all of us were just trying to help the females, and that the witches weren’t deliberately trying to overstep their boundaries.

My wings itched against my back, but I ignored them.“My people fought anddiedfor this island, and you want us toleave?”

Vela rolled her eyes, and Astrid pounded a fist on my desk.“Stop being melodramatic. Take the unmated males, and let them work out their aggression on keeping the human kingdoms safe. Perhaps you can scout out a fewnewareas that we may relocate to once the rescued witches feel safer.That way it serves a purpose while giving the females some space."

Vela paused. “It would have to be a large area if we are keeping the children in mind.”

Ah, yes. The half-demon, half-witchchildren.

I leaned back in my chair. “How is that going?” I asked, more out of politeness than anything else.

Vela’s brow furrowed, and for the first time I noticed the tightness across Astrid’s eyes.“Fine. As well as can be expected.”

Their flat response was telling, but I wasn't blind. It was clear that the witches didn’t understand demon magick, and lacked the ability to control it like they normally would for a young witch being guided into their powers. The truth was ugly: the children werehurtingtheir caretakers.

I picked up a letter from my desk, and shook it out towards both witches.“Luckily, I am sending a delegation out tomorrow to check in with Aldur, led by Ronan. In addition, the lykos have called on us to honor their alliance, and help them with some human relations that have soured and led to isolated fights and skirmishes. I will takemostof the unmated males, but I don’t wish to leave the island undefended, even though the wards should keep everyone out.

They both gave me slight bows. Astrid's gaze lifted to mine. “Thank you. Perhaps we can coax your female drakens out of the caves if the men are gone. Send warning in advance of your return, if you can.”

That was perfectly reasonable.

They turned to go, just as Wren shifted into being next to my desk, Ronan beside her. He stumbled a bit, as he always did when someone else shifted him. Not that he would admit toever being nauseous from it.

“Astrid! Vela! How are you?” Wren asked happily.

The witches gave her sincere smiles in return. “Happy to see you recovering, Queen Wren. You should sing for us one of these nights. It might draw out your females.”

Wren’s lips pursed as she considered that, and even I was struck dumb by such a fantastic idea. That might actuallywork.I turned to Ronan,my nose flaring when I caught his scent. “I see you’ve beenbusy.”

He flapped his wings once, then they settled against his back. “I waslastto know, so I hardly see why you're complaining.Thanks for theheads upby the way." He said irritably.

I grinned at him, flashing my fangs. Our drakens got along quite well considering there were three of us in the mateship, but when Wren was fertile it would likely always be a competition. Wren huffed, looking like she wanted to smack both of us. I glanced at Ronan. “Is everything settled for tomorrow? I want you to take more drakens than I said originally. The witches think it will help the females to...thinthings out.”

Ronan raised an eyebrow. “That’s fine. I’ll select a few more, and we’ll be on our way at first light.”

I nodded, resisting the urge to run to Wren and sniff her. My draken didn’t want to leave her side until itknewif she was carrying our child, but I wouldn’t smother her like that. I’d promised not to.

It was too early to tell anyway.

I needed her help, also.“Can you let Xana know most of the drakens are leaving? See if you can get the other females to join you for a walk on the beach and talk to you.”

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