Something flickered through his blue-opal gaze, but it happened so fast she could not read it, and his markings and pupils remained flameless—giving nothing away.
“Are you sure?”
She caressed a hand down his sternum briefly to distract him.“Let’s get to your parents' place to get home and play.Maybe you can show me your fire.”
This time, she saw the low, blue embers.“You tempt me to radio my father and shift our evening meal plans to tomorrow.”
“Don’t you dare!”Kai stepped away and then headed toward the stairs.“What would they think of me if we canceled at such late notice?I’m sure your mother has already had food prepared.”
“Cooked.My mother would’ve cooked it all herself.”Aodh followed her down to the lower level.
Kai gasped and rushed forward.“That’s even worse.Come on before we are even later.”
Aodh chuckled as he stepped past her and reached the door.“Are you sure you don’t want the Mckenna to carry you?”
“No.The flight would wreck my hair, and I don’t need to add fright to our tardiness.”Kai breezed out the door he opened and rushed to the stairs.
“You’ll still be beautiful.”Aodh took hold of her hand and strutted beside her, thankfully keeping pace with her shorter strides.
“Be that as it may, I want to make the best impression.”Nerves were causing her heart to pound, and she felt a little queasy.The baby never caused her sickness, so she knew it had to do with knowing she’d be meeting two people important to the Thunder.
Gracious, it was his parents.
Other dragon-shifters crossed their path, heading to the hall for an evening meal or on their way to their dwelling to eat and rest.Each of them offered Mckenna and Aguya greetings.They returned each one with a smile, nod, or verbal affirmation even as they continued their private conversation.
They are just dragon-shifters like everyone else you’ve met.Aodh’s response made her aware she was literally thinking out loud.
No.he is the old Dragon King, and your mother his mate.Aren’t they like Drahk royalty?I saw a library video about old European customs.
Aodh’s chuckle fluttered through her mind.We don’t have royals.
I’m sure it equates to the same thing.When your father or mother walks the territory, I assume your kind respond to them with a measure of respect.
Well, yes.My father will always be honored until he passes.
See.Kai declared.
Aodh squeezed her hand.“Love, do not stress yourself.I promise tonight will be fine.”
She glanced up at him and felt his stalwart strength beside her.She wasn’t doing this alone.
“Okay.I will try to keep calm.”She placed a hand on her stomach, hoping to steady her emotions for the baby she carried.
It took them longer than Kai thought it would to reach the home that sat just within the boundaries of the center of the territory but still far enough away to offer space and solitude.
“It’s so pretty.”It was the first word she could think of to describe the two-story stone structure with vibrant green ivy climbing up the sides with a paler-green leaf and small, purple flowers woven throughout.A large flower bed seemed to wrap around the house with blooms in various colors, shapes, and sizes.
Kai had seen a smaller garden in front of some Drahk homes, but nothing as unique and all-consuming as this place.
“My mother loves her flowers.It was the hardest thing for her to deal with during the twenty-plus years after the wars when it seemed the Earth stopped producing a single plant.”Aodh stroked his thumb over her wrist.“She’s been making up for it since the first blooms appeared six years ago.”
“You think she’d help me to do something to the Mckenna Building?”Kai knew the building belonged to the people, but since she and Aodh would live there for some time and raise their child there, she wanted it to look like a home—something she had never really had before.
At the front door, Aodh tugged her to his chest and stared down at her.“It would probably make her happy if you asked her.”
Smiling, Kai said, “I’ll do it then.”
Aodh leaned down and kissed her.
