Delaney finally spoke up again. "Thank your dragon for me, Rian. I'm glad he's decided to share. Now I can get to know both halves of you."
Rian smiled. "He likes your food. Maybe feed him a lot if he comes out. Then he'll love you, too."
A human would've missed Delaney's quick inhale, but Rhydian heard it. He had a feeling this was the first time Rian had said he loved her.
And for a split second, Rhydian was jealous of the boy. He was fairly sure he loved Delaney as well.
His dragon spoke up. While that's all well and good, when can we kiss her? I want the frenzy.
Ignoring his beast, he focused back on Rian. "Give your auntie a hug first and then we'll talk."
Delaney met his gaze and Rhydian wished he could be alone with his female, hold her close, and murmur how much he wanted her.
However, Rian rushed Delaney and hugged her. Rhydian stood, watched the boy and his aunt holding each other tighter than he'd seen before, and his heart lifted further. This was his family. And with the uncertainty about Rian's dragon mostly gone now, he could simply enjoy them and start planning a happy future together.
There were a few things he needed to do before he could st
art making those memories, but he didn't care. He loved Delaney and Rian. From now on, he needed to make sure they knew it.
~~~
Delaney somehow managed to keep calm until Rhydian had finally put Rian to bed and called the doctor.
When Rhydian finally hung up his phone, he walked up to her and pulled her to his side. "Given the way Rian acted, Maelon said he could wait until the morning to examine the boy. Although he advised us to keep a close eye on him until then."
She melted against Rhydian's side, grateful for his support to keep her from collapsing into a puddle on the floor. "So he'll be okay?"
Rhydian kissed her temple. "He should be." He leaned back to meet her gaze again. "You did brilliantly, love."
"I didn't know what I was doing." Tears prickled her eyes. "All I kept thinking was that I couldn't lose Rian forever. And that somehow, someway, I had to keep his dragon happy until you could get here."
As Rhydian rubbed her back in slow circles, her tension melted away bit by bit. He replied, "And you did. Dealing with a young, inexperienced dragon isn't easy. You have a knack for it."
She smiled faintly. "Maybe. Although it was your dragon who ultimately convinced him to work with his human half."
Rhydian shrugged. "Some children have a tougher time adjusting than others. The first time the dragon comes out and speaks is the hardest."
"And from here on out?"
He pressed the small of her back in reassurance. "It should get easier. Even though you don't have an inner dragon to bring out, I can give you some tips."
The corner of her mouth kicked up. "Better ones than serving him massive amounts of ham?"
Rhydian snorted. "Yes, better than that. Although we should stock some cooked meat in the refrigerator. I'll have someone from the eatery bring it in the morning."
"Why do I get the feeling that dragons don't eat cooked meat in their dragon forms?"
"They don't. But the human physiology works like yours does, so we have to cook it then or suffer the same risks."
Silence fell for a second. It would be easy to brush everything aside and keep things light. But Delaney couldn't do that. "So any of our future children will go through the same thing?"
His pupils flashed. "Yes and no. Every dragon is different." He leaned his head closer and nuzzled her cheek. "Although I'm sure with your stubbornness, he or she will make it as difficult as possible."
Even though her time with Rhydian was short compared to any other man she'd been with, the thought of children with him didn't scare her. If anything, she looked forward to it. After all, children with the man she loved would be amazing.
She resisted blinking. Love? Aye, she loved him. No matter if he was taking care of the clan, coaxing Rhydian to work with his dragon, or teaching her how to dance, she loved every facet of his personality and being.
The only question was whether she should tell him or not.