Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“Yes. My many times over great-uncle carved it from a huge chunk of stone. My skills are not so artistic,” Samuel said, modestly.
“I’d be so afraid to make a mistake. You could ruin the entire stairway,” Rimi pointed out.
“I prefer not to think about that, Miss.”
“I bet,” Keres said with a smile. “Thank you again.”
“I have a great story to tell my kids tonight. They will be very jealous that I got to see the new crystal dragon,” Samuel said before nodding his goodbye and walking down the steps.
Rimi dropped to her knees in front of her name and ran her fingers over the grooves. “I guess that makes this permanent.”
“No, Mate. This makes it permanent.” He lifted her hand to kiss the dragon pattern etched into her flesh. A thrill zinged through him at the light contact. Her eyes widened as she shivered in reaction.
Rimi nodded. “I’m glad.”
“I am too, Snowflake. Shall we shift and continue our tour?”
“I’d like that, please.”
“I’ll show you where each of the dragons live. You can always find mine by the black stone. Oldrik, Ardon, and Skye rotate between their two mountains,” he told her as he led her down the stairs.
“Are they close? Their territories?”
“Luckily, they’re neighbors. Let’s start there first.”
Back in the air, Keres heard the faint sound of music playing. Could that be what Ardon had referred to yesterday? He tracked the sound and verified it came from the same direction.
Music again, he sent to the entire horde. I am with Rimi. I won’t leave the borders of Wyvern.
Same direction? Drake asked.
Yes. I believe so.
Let’s watch and see what happens, Khadar suggested.
Definitely. It could be a festival someone is putting on. Keres turned to look at his mate. Before her arrival, he would have flown that way to investigate due to boredom. She was his focus now.
Can we make another circle around Wyvern? Rimi asked him privately.
He nodded. Flying without fear was a new sensation for her. He didn’t wish to cut her fun short.
Try this, Snowflake. Keres did a barrel roll through the air.
How?
Carefully, he coached her through some daredevil moves all young dragons learned. Her absolute joy went straight to his heart.
Wooohooooooo!
Chapter 12
Slate? Are you here? Rimi called her son.
I’m with Drake. He’s teaching me to torch things.
Rimi looked at Keres. He didn’t seem bothered at all that his son had asked someone else to teach him a skill. “Shouldn’t you help Slate build his dragon skills?”
“I have and will. Learning from different sources is wise. Drake will show him something different than I will to create double the knowledge.”
“Oh, that’s normal?”
“Not at all. Most young dragons are either chased from the nest by their sires if they’re still around or they’re abandoned. Survival of the fittest at its best, I’m afraid.”
“That’s not nice.”
“Slate will leave soon, Rimi. It will be tough for you to let him go, but his nature is telling him to find his destiny. Already, he’s able to survive. After he gathers information from everyone, he’ll be smart as well.”
“I’m worried most about the threats I keep hearing about.”
Keres nodded. “I am, too. It’s too quiet. Something is brewing.”
“Got anything else to distract me with before the hunt tomorrow?” Rimi asked.
“You’ve seen through my efforts, have you?” Keres smirked.
“It wasn’t hard. So, what’s on the schedule for today?”
“I thought you might like to see my hoard. We’ll have to start one for you. Every dragon needs their own treasures.”
“So, I get to take some of yours?” she asked, an unfamiliar greed bubbling inside her at the thought of precious collections.
“Calm down your inner dragon, Mate. We’ll negotiate a few exchanges,” Keres assured her with a glint in his eye.
“Exchanges, huh? What if I don’t have something to swap with you?” she asked.
“Oh, I think you will. Interested?”
“You couldn’t keep me away.”
Keres reached into his pocket and pulled out a strip of black satin. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wear this.”
“You don’t trust me?”
“Of course. This makes it more fun.”
A thrill went through her. She couldn’t mistake the sexual heat that had kindled in his gaze. When Keres twirled a finger to direct Rimi, she nodded and turned around. The satin felt cool and soft against her skin. It also felt naughty.
Keres wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her down the hall. Unused to not being able to see, Rimi felt instantly Little as she depended on him to guide her. Tracking the turns and twists as they walked through the mansion, Rimi was pretty sure she knew where they were. When a delicious aroma of Italian food wafted past her, Rimi stumbled. If they were near the kitchen, she was completely turned around.
“Maybe it’s best if I carry you, Snowflake,” Keres said and scooped her up in his arms with ease.
He walked so swiftly and pivoted several times. Completely disoriented, Rimi gave up trying to figure out where they were. She relaxed against Keres’s powerful chest, trusting him completely. He rewarded her with a kiss on her hair.