Rhythe was home, his belly swollen with our eggs. Something told me it was time and that was why my beast was in such a tizzy. I trusted that instinct. If I was wrong, there was no harm other than a meeting rescheduled. If I was right, my mate needed me.
I closed up my laptop, packed it away in my bag with my clothes, then stepped outside. I tossed the bag into the air and erupted into flight, catching it with my talons before it could hit the floor. It was a dangerous thing to do with an expensive laptop that had all of my work on it, but my skills were enough that I trusted my ability to catch it. And honestly, today, I didn’t care if it broke.
Once the wind hit my wings, my dragon took over completely. He had a raw need to be back at our house. I didn't fight him, because now that my beast was front and center, I felt his desperation fully.
We flew faster than we normally did, anxious to get home. It didn't feel fast enough.
When I landed on the balcony, I dropped my bag to the ground, not bothering to pick it up and take care of it. I’d come back for it later or one of the staff would deal with it. I didn't care which.
I had to get to my mate. Until I saw firsthand that he was safe and happy, nothing else mattered.
The first place I tried was our room. He wasn’t there, but he was close. I could scent him. I made my way to the adjoining nesting room where he had set up our beautiful, elaborate nest.
Hamel had outdone himself with our nest. Not only had my mate picked out all of the materials, but it had pieces of our hoard woven in, as well as some items from his family, including bits of the shell from the egg he and his brother had once shared.
But as wonderful as that was, what made it even better was that Hamel had managed to incorporate my family nest into it. Mine had seen better days and wasn’t one I felt comfortable using as it was. But this? This was perfection. It was like the humans did at weddings with the old, new, and borrowed thing.
Rhythe’s brother loved it too but said it needed a pop of color. He and their parents gifted him gems, and the entire family spent an evening weaving them in, making the nest sparkle and shine like it was fit for a king.
I took a few pictures from that night and gave them to an artist friend to turn one into a painting. It was a memory I would always cherish, and I wanted my mate to be able to see it the way I had and hold it close.
This nest was uniquely ours, but also carried our family history with it. Neither of us could be happier about it. Hamel’s reveal brought tears of joy to both our eyes. He was a master of his craft. But it was the family touches at the end that made it complete.
Rhythe was lying inside the nest, his hand over his belly, when I walked in. He breathed deeply and labored. The scent of the room had changed slightly. My beast had made the right call. It was go time.
“I was just about to call you,” he said. “I think it’s time.”
“My dragon sensed it. I came home as soon as I could,” I said.
“Is that why you’re naked?” He rolled his eyes.
“You like me naked.”
“Fair.” He flinched. The pain was getting worse.
“What can I do?”
“Any chance you want to take over so I don’t have to do this part?”
I smiled. “If I could, I would, mate.” I climbed in beside him, and he snuggled up close.
My mate held on to me, hugging me close. As he controlled his breathing, I tried not to interrupt. He knew I was here for him and that I’d do whatever he needed. And if this was what he was asking of me, this was all he wanted at this moment.
I rubbed circles on his back, kissed his forehead, all the ways I could think to silently give him my support. At one point I thought he fell asleep, which was good. He was gonna need his energy.
He quickly proved me wrong.
“Get out!”
I never jumped out of anywhere that fast, and I was king of the jump shift.
“Tell me what to do now.” Quiet time appeared to be over, and I felt completely hopeless.
“Help me out. They’re coming soon. I need to take a shower first.”
“Understood.” I scooped him up, and instead of setting him down to undress here, I took him straight into the bathroom. The water ran, coming up to temperature while I undressed him.
I started with his hair, massaging the shampoo in and then rinsing it with the warm water. He always loved it when I washed his hair, and today was no exception.
