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)
“No, Snowflake. He’s too smart for that.”
“Oh, good. So, we dig? Do you have shovels?” she asked, scanning the area.
“Dragons do not need shovels,” Keres said, and raised his hand, flexing his fingers like claws when she seemed confused. “Ready to get dirty?”
“Let’s do this!”
Chapter 14
“Thank you for doing my nails, Daddy,” Rimi said, studying the pale pink color he’d applied. Digging through the stone had done a number on her talons. She’d loved his pampering when they had finished.
“My pleasure, Snowflake.”
“You really didn’t have to seal that section between our hoards,” she suggested.
He’d carefully filled in the passage with the stones they’d displaced while connecting to the hallway. Then Keres had heated them to melt the metal veins running through the rocks together to lock them in place. She could dig a door again, but he’d hear it for sure.
A shimmer caught her eye, and she launched herself from his lap to scramble under his desk. Grabbing the gold coin from the floor, she danced around it, chanting, “Mine, mine, mine!”
When he only smiled at her and wasn’t concerned about having dropped the treasure, she studied him carefully. This was the third coin she’d found this morning. “Are you hiding these for me to find?”
“Dragons never give away their treasure.”
“You already gifted me a bunch of stuff! Remember the tiara, the gems, the castle?” she reminded him, tapping her foot. “Admit it. You’re leaving these for me to find.”
“A shrewd dragon never questions the source of wealth. She just enjoys it.”
“She does, huh?” Rimi considered the coin in her hand for a second and then thrust it into her pocket. She needed to cultivate her greedy dragon side. Might as well start now.
“Is everyone still coming over today for the hunt?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Yes. Look, here’s Slate,” Keres said.
“Slate, I think you grow two feet every time I see you. You need to spend more time with your mother,” Rimi fussed, walking over to hug her son.
“Mom. I’m not a baby anymore. This hunt is more ceremonial than anything else. I’ve eaten a ton of cows from the field already,” Slate told her.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.” Keres drew his eyebrows together in a gesture Rimi recognized as the precursor of a lecture.
“Oops, it will have to be later. I think Skye and her dragons are getting ready to land,” Rimi said quickly.
“Oldrik and Ardon haven’t announced their arrival yet, Rimi,” Keres told her, turning to stare at her in confusion.
Permission to land.
Of course, Drake, Rimi answered, before shrugging. “Sorry. I guess I felt Aurora arriving instead of Skye.”
Keres simply shook his head and ushered her toward the door to greet their guests. Slate fell in behind them. She could feel his eagerness to hunt together with the group of dragons.
Is there any way Slate could remain here as part of your horde? she asked Keres.
No, Snowflake. I’m sorry. He’s not part of our pact. Slate would not find a mate here. He needs to find his own place.
I’m going to miss him.
We both will. We’ll have to practice making more dragonets, Keres suggested.
Meeting his gaze, she didn’t need to answer. The silent message that flew between the mated pair said everything.
“Ewww,” Slate commented from behind them, making Rimi laugh.
“Sorry.” She lied. Rimi wasn’t repentant at all.
As they emerged into the fresh air, more calls sounded as dragons and their mates arrived. Each of Rimi’s new friends carried a large velvet bag. Soon, they divided into two groups: the horde and the excited, fated partners. When the sun became too hot, Rimi linked her arms with Ciel and Brooks. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”
“Good idea,” Aurora agreed as she shielded her eyes. Lalani wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her toward the door. The others followed as they chatted.
We will leave as well, Keres messaged Rimi.
She paused and turned to wave. Be careful. Take care of Slate!
After watching their mates shift and take off, the group continued inside. The women took turns taking their tiaras out of the protective bags and pinning them securely in place. Brooks produced a crown made of rubies and diamonds that everyone admired.
As the group streamed into the dining room, Rimi waved everyone into their chairs. “Thank you all for joining me and having some fancy fun.” She stopped and touched her tiara to make sure it was still in place before continuing, “I’m a little nervous even though both Slate and Keres assure me I don’t need to be.”
“Are you worried about the hunt or this tea party?” Lalani asked with a gentle smile.
“Both?” Rimi answered.
“I’d be nervous, too, if I had a child going off with the big dragons for the first time,” Brooks admitted.
“No need to be nervous about us. We’ll only bite the scones,” Ciel promised and gnashed her teeth.