“So soon?” he asked. “I thought it took a while for a dragon.”
“The heat cycle often brings on babies,” I said, “but yes, it was very soon after imprinting for a heat cycle. We were blessed.”
I pushed my chair back and stood, then held out a hand to Finley. She took it, and I reeled her around the edge of the table and into my lap, sitting with her. She looped her arms around my shoulders and waited until I tipped my head back so she could kiss me softly.
“I heard what you said,” she whispered. “Don’t be afraid, baby. Whatever comes, we’ll face it together. We will hope together, and we’ll be scared together, and we’ll be disappointed together. You won’t fail in protecting me, we both know that. You won’t fail in providing for me. I won’t let you.” Her laughter lifted my heart. “As long as we’re together, we have everything we need.”
“Preferably without your mate-parent looking over your shoulder with that disapproving look, am I right?” Hadriel grinned and lifted his eyebrows.
Mom turned back to give him a look of death.
Hadriel virtually sank into himself. “Yes, that should’ve been much quieter. I realize my error. Whoopsie.” He put his hand beside his mouth and said to Finley and me, “Tough crowd.”
“It’s a bit weird, helping my sister with this,” Hannon said as he ladled a bit of liquid into the bowl.
“Well, maybe one day I’ll make the concoction for your mate. We’ll be even, how’s that?” she replied.
“If I’m ever that blessed,” he said.
“How does it work?” Hadriel asked, watching Hannon.
“I’ll take both bowls into the bathroom and pee in them,” she said, then murmured, “I had some practice with Mr. Pee-body.” She shook her head. “If they turn bright green, I’m pregnant.”
“What if one turns bright green and the other doesn’t?” Hadriel asked.
“It depends which one turns,” Finley said dryly. She earned a look from Mom. She ignored it, of course, and leaned into me, running her lips along my cheek and nibbling my earlobe. “I know I said all that stuff about togetherness, but I’m a little scared, too. This is such a big deal, and there’s so much danger ahead of us. What am I going to do if I can’t fight?”
I cupped her cheek. “You’re going to stay by my side. No one will touch you if you’re next to me.”
She gave me a nervous smile that sank down to my heart and then excused herself to the washroom.
Hadriel tapped his fingers rhythmically against the table as Hannon and my mom cleaned up the galley. Nervousness traveled back and forth through the bond.
“And you’re sure it’s yours, right?” Hadriel asked conversationally.
I had his throat in my hand and his body shoved against the wall before I could register moving. The table lay on its side and chairs were strewn around the floor, one still spinning.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Hannon grabbed my arm with one hand and put his other hand on my chest. “Let’s not hurt him. Finley loves him.”
“If you ever say that to me again,” I growled, ignoring Hannon, “I will finish you. Do you understand me? You get to stay alive because of Finley. That is the only reason.”
I leaned in close, making sure my message was delivered. When I saw the fear deep in his eyes, I released my hold and pulled my hand away.
Hadriel coughed, sliding to the ground. He grabbed his throat and curled up into a ball.
“Good reaction time, sire,” he wheezed, coughing again. “I was expecting violence, but I did not expect it so fast.” He groaned, getting to hands and knees and dropping his head. “Wow. That was fucking terrifying. I thought I was going to die. I think I sharted. Did anyone hear it? That was good, though. That was good. You had zero doubt in those crazed peepers of yours, sire. I was worried, what with the situation with your real father, you know? Sometimes our past can cloud our judgment. Not you, though. No clouds in that psycho stare. None whatsoever. You have perfect trust in our girl. Phew. I think that gave me heartburn.”
“Here, let me help you up.” Hannon reached down for him.
“Wait, wait.” Hadriel held up his hand. “Is he still looking at me?”
Hannon looked my way, a wrinkle in his brow. “Yes.”
“Then I’ll just stay down here, nice and small. I don’t think he’ll kick me when I’m down.”
Mom threaded between Hannon and me, looking down on Hadriel. “You flirted with an alpha dragon’s rage to see if he had any doubts about his mate?”
“Flirted? That wasn’t flirting.” He pushed back to his knees. “I punched his rage right in the fucking nuts. I needed to know, though. Even a little doubt can grow into the kind of parasite that eats you alive. I needed to know if Leala and I would have to protect Finley from the king’s misguided rage down the road. I’m sure I don’t have to explain that to you, ma’am. This kingdom isn’t known for its sanity.”