Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
“You’re coming in, too?” she squeaked as he stepped into the tub.
“Make way… Dragon.”
He settled behind her and pulled Ciel back to rest against his chest. He felt her soften against him and he pressed a kiss to her head. “Just relax. I’ve got you.”
He slowly smoothed water over her body, washing away the smudges of grime and cleaning the scrapes and scratches. Holding on to his self-control as he discovered sore spots on her skin, Argenis treated her injuries.
A large crashing sound made the surface of the water quiver. Ciel sat straight up. “What’s that?”
“Khadar just sealed the entrance for us.”
“What he do? Take down half the mountain?” she asked with awe.
“I have a feeling he just gave the mountain a tap with his tail. That’s what I would have done.”
“That was a tap?”
He kissed her shoulder and resumed bathing her.
“That feels so good,” she whispered.
“I’m glad, Little one. Let’s slide you down to dip your head in the water. I didn’t know when I met you, I’d become a world famous spider hunter.”
“Spiders are awful,” she whispered as he helped her wet her hair.
When she sat back in front of him, Argenis poured shampoo on his hands and lathered her long hair. Scratching her scalp lightly, he assured her, “No spiders, Little Sky.”
“They all ran away. Because, you know, Dragon,” she teased.
“As they should. Dragons are fiercely protective of those they love.”
“Thank you for saving me, Daddy.”
“Every time, Ciel. If you call, I’m there. Of course, I may never leave your side again,” he warned.
“I’ll be okay with that for a while.”
“Deal.”
Chapter 17
Argenis felt her relax on his back and knew she’d be asleep soon. His mate had become quite the companion on flights. There were times when he couldn’t take her with him, but if he could, she didn’t hesitate to go with him.
A woman raised on technology as a babysitter, Ciel was struggling to adjust to not picking up her phone and cruising through social media. The last year, she’d spent studying. It would be a very long time before schools reopened. She needed a new interest.
She’d devoured all the romances in his library. Today, on the way home from patrols, he had a surprise for her. He had a feeling she would be very excited.
A couple of hours later, he felt her wake up. The slight change in their mental connection from her mind in slumber to drowsy and then alert always enchanted him. She hugged his neck. Okay, everything about her delighted him.
I think I fell asleep.
You woke up just in time. Look below.
She followed the direction he pointed with his massive head and took a quick breath in. What’s going on? Is there trouble in Wyvern?
It’s a celebration, Little Sky. Today is a special day.
Really? What’s happening?
You’ll have to wait to see. I’ll land soon.
True to his word, Argenis dropped to the ground with a gentle thump. Well used to sliding off her mate now, Ciel dismounted gracefully and stepped back in his line of vision so he could know that she was safe. In a flash, he strode forward to claim a kiss.
“Let’s go, Daddy. I can’t wait to see what’s happening.”
They threaded their way through the streets of Wyvern. Running into people as they walked, Ciel stuck by his side. She understood why people kept their distance when they met people she’d known for years. Ciel called it the big, scary dragon effect. She and Aurora had become great friends and confidantes. Argenis knew it was comforting to know that Ciel wasn’t the only one that people suddenly reacted differently to because of their mates.
He did not mind being on the outskirts of society. Being alone on his mountain was his favorite place to be. Interacting with people was a necessary task. He would do this for her.
“The library?” she asked, almost dancing with excitement.
“Yes, Little Sky. Today is the grand reopening.”
He had timed it perfectly. As they walked up to the edge of the crowd, the town leader cut the ribbon, opening the doors once again. A committee had approached the town council to allow residents to establish regular hours for the building to be open. Taking books on an honor system, anyone could check out two books at a time.
“Did you know?” a familiar voice asked behind her.
“Aurora! I didn’t!” Ciel darted toward her friend to hug her before waving at Drake. “BSD,” she whispered to her friend, and they both giggled.
Drake rolled his eyes at their merriment, obviously in on the code for Big Scary Dragon. “Go get some books, you two. I have something to discuss with Argenis.”
Holding hands, the two women joined the crowd. Connected still by a thread of mental communication, the dragons could keep track of their mates.
“What’s going on?” Argenis asked in concern as soon as they were out of earshot.