“Mckenna.I didn’t expect you back.”The wyrm female smiled at him.“Is there anything that you need?”
“Yes.Answers.”
She tipped her head to the side and stared at him.“To what question?”
“Kai’s things.”
“Ah.The clothing that was not fit for rags.”Tana shook her head and made a scoffing sound in her throat.“Someone should be burned to a crisp to have allowed her to wear such garments.I’m sure the one in the healing chamber isn’t better off.”
“No,” Aodh confirmed.“Did you see to it yourself?”
“No.Ninki carried the things to the burn yard with the rest of the daily garbage.”
Damn.It was what Aodh had known, but hearing the hurt in Kai’s voice and the pain in her beautiful eyes, he had hoped.Believing perhaps there had still been a chance.But apparently not.Dragging a hand through his hair, he growled.“I assumed that.”
“Her outerwear.I’d originally given it over but returned for it before it was scorched.The jacket I laundered.It was worn, but it seemed to be part of the charm.”Tana said.
He eyed her.“Where is it?”
“In my room.A few of the patches were hanging by a thread.I wanted to repair it.”
Thank the Great Spirit.“Bring it to me.”
“Yes, Mckenna.”She started forward.
“One more thing.”Aodh waited until the older female turned back to him.When she did, he continued, “Kai will take her evening meal in the antechamber where her sister rests.”
Tana nodded.“I will see it.”
After Aodh nodded, the attendant shifted the tray to one hand and opened the heavy door with the other.
Once she was gone, Aodh went to the sliding glass door.He needed to get to his office and take care of things.Out on the ledge, his feet half off, he inhaled and glanced around at those moving about—his thunder.
Aodh felt torn asunder.His concern for Kai was intense, and his need to be like his father and be a strong, dependable leader was ripping him in half.
Soon, he’d have to decide and force his dragon’s hand.He knew his dragon cared for the thunder, and his beast could not neglect the responsibility as the God of Fire.
He’d seen how Kai had retreated into herself while he’d been away.Her declaration about staying with Morlie had a lot to do with her worry over her sister, but part of it he knew was her erecting a wall, placing a distance between them.
It won’t work, little flame.
Despite the responsibility for the thunder, now that he’d tasted her sweetness and sank deep into her tight wetness, he craved it and her more than his next ball of fire.He’d have her.
In total agreement, his cock twitched and thickened.
He’d give her this night only.
Exhaling, he shifted and took off toward his office building.
~YH~
She jerked awake.Kai couldn’t believe she’d fallen asleep.The last thing she remembered was reminiscing aloud to Morlie, going through their childhood memories with their parents.Recounting the beauty of their mother’s voice, how Morlie’s vocal ability was just as velvety, even at a young age, and how Morlie and their mother would joyfully perform for Kai and their dad—neither of whom could carry a single note.During game nights, they would wear out the few Lena Horne records her mother brought while fleeing the catastrophes.Kai missed those moments and wondered if her sister would ever sing again.
Kai wasn’t sure if her sister could hear her, but talking helped Kai and made her feel like she was doing something.Tana had brought her food, and Kai had only taken a few bites, not having an appetite.
She stared through the glass at her sister’s still form.Happy Birthday, Morlie.
Throughout the day, she repeated those words to her sister.It was the second birthday that Morlie was too sick to celebrate it.Kai vowed to herself it would be the last.
