Which meant that prior to her treatment, Ivy had been his. Even though his dragon didn’t have the overwhelming need to impregnate her, she still reacted to him.
He must've said something aloud because Ivy asked, "What's wrong?"
His dragon said, Just tell her.
Looking down to meet Ivy's eyes, he explained what had happened and added, "That's going to be a regular thing for you, love, so you'd better get used to it."
She beamed up at him. "I think I can handle that. But it's also interesting, don't you think?"
He sighed. "I can barely think right now after the way your pussy clenched my cock, love. So just tell me."
"Well, in the end, even a former Dragon Knight and dragon-shifter can be perfect for each other."
He kissed her gently before replying, "I suppose so, although it took a little persuading on both sides. It's you who won me over, Ivy Passmore. Not fate."
Mischief danced in her eyes. "Maybe I need a tad more persuading, then, to make doubly sure we're perfect together. Maybe four or more orgasms? Then I can agree with you and accept fate."
With a growl, he rolled until she was on her back. He moved his face until it was an inch from hers. "Right, then I'm going to make them unforgettable, so as to not leave any doubts." He lowered his voice, fully aware his pupils had to be flashing. "And we're going to start with the first two only coming from my tongue."
As he moved down her body to do exactly that, Zain couldn't help but smile. Fate had somehow been right, but just because that was true didn't mean he'd ever take his female for granted.
Epilogue
Years Later
Ivy signed off her latest video call, leaned back in her office chair, and placed a hand over her swollen belly. She murmured to her unborn child, "It seems Matilda has fallen for a dragonman as well. I'm glad."
Matilda was one of the numerous former Dragon Knights Ivy had worked with over the years, doing what she could to help them shed the lies and misconceptions that had been ingrained into them by the Knights.
While not everyone had been savable—or even had wanted to try—Ivy continued to follow up with all those who had.
Because every time someone like Matilda found happiness with what had once been a former enemy, it made her smile brighter.
Glancing at the time, she sighed. Even though Freddie and Daisy were teenagers now, they still demanded game nights at least once a month. And not even Ivy being heavily pregnant would stop them. If she were in labor, Daisy might still try to get a quick game going.
Chuckling to herself, Ivy managed to finally heft herself out of the chair and head toward the door. As soon as she opened it, she found Zain standing outside it. "How long have you been there?"
"Too long. You should've been done half an hour ago, love."
As Zain pulled her against his chest—she had to partially turn these days because of her pregnancy—she snuggled into his heat and said, "Matilda had some big news—she's going to mate one of the dragon-shifters on Skyhunter. I couldn't very well say, 'Sorry, time's up! Have a good time,' now, could I?"
He grunted. "I would have."
She laughed. "You would think after years of being mated, you might occasionally want some time away."
"Never." He cupped her cheek. "Besides, it's not just me. You know Daisy will coordinate a search party, even if it means risking Tristan and Bram's ire."
"Speaking of which, if we don't put the pizza in the oven, it won't be ready in time. And I don't know about you, but I don't want teenagers already raging with hormones to also be starving."
He kissed her gently before turning her to be at his side. "I think from now on, we should stipulate that they do the cooking for these blasted things. I won't have you overtiring yourself once the baby comes."
She placed a hand on her stomach and rubbed lightly. "If I wear myself out placing a pizza in an oven and setting the timer, then I have bigger things to worry about."
Zain growled, but she reached over and placed his hand on the other side of her stomach. As happened often, the little one kicked at Zain's presence. Her mate's expression softened. Ivy continued, "I think you're just anxious to meet this one, and I think it'll be great to have their cousins around as he or she grows up."
In times like these, Ivy often thought of the family her child would never meet—her brother and his partner. But all she could do was tel
l her child some wonderful stories of the uncles they'd never meet.