Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Was that how he felt?
“The type of unknown we’re facing has certainly shifted.” It’d gone from being purely exploration based to having a significant political component. “I think Wren is the only one unhappy that the amount of roughing it has decreased.”
That got a laugh from Merritt. “He was disappointed, but he perked up when Toman promised to take him camping to see the dinosaurs.”
Wren was going to get himself and his eager to please mate eaten.
Merritt’s giggle said I might not have held back that thought or my sigh well enough. “They’re supposed to be small from what Wren was describing.”
Thankfully, it seemed like only smaller dinosaurs that had been able to fit through the gate had gone back and forth, so I didn’t have to worry about a T-Rex eating him, but there were still a startling number of unanswered questions.
“I still can’t believe they have living dinosaurs.” It was too surreal for me to process completely. “And I can’t believe we still don’t know which side had them first.”
“Every time we figure out one answer, ten more questions pop up.” Merritt swung our hands, smiling like all he could see was the adventure. “I think recording Toman talking is going to be a good idea even if the people who go through the portal take a lot of notes.”
“They’re going to be taking notes for the rest of their lives.” And they still wouldn’t catch up.
Wait.
The people going through the portal?
“It sounds like you haven’t changed your mind.” I hoped I was reading his words and emotions right. “I know the situation has shifted completely.”
Unfortunately.
It seemed like with dragons nothing was ever logical or went according to plan.
Merritt gave me a curious look but slowly shook his head. “No. I would’ve gone through before, but after meeting you, it doesn’t feel right. Is that how you’re seeing it as well?”
Yes.
I opened my mouth to explain that but his snickers cut me off. “I’m not going to point out how dramatic that answer sounded, Daddy.”
Rolling my eyes got more silliness from him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but even though there seems to be a glitch in our bond, I’m glad it’s strong enough that you can hear me.”
“Glitch, huh?” He raised one eyebrow, aiming my own expression back at me. “Is that how you’re going to explain away your drama?”
“Yes.”
That time I deliberately formed the word in my head and made sure it sounded dry. Merritt tried to keep a straight face but it was too difficult. His mate was just too funny and laughter was the only response to it.
“You’re so ridiculous.” Still giggling, he kissed my cheek. “But you’re right. You’re funny and special and amazing.”
“I know.” That got more happy sounds from him and the last of the stress I hadn’t realized he was carrying seemed to fade. “I also know that I’m a wonderful mate for not dragging my mate through the portal. I’m very understanding about that and I’m not going to complain about missing out on meeting strange people with new drama and more political chaos than you can shake a stick at.”
Merritt was trying to hold back more laughter, but he was going to hurt himself, so I did the only thing a Daddy could do and reached over to tickle his side before he registered the movement. “Gotcha.”
As laughter spilled out of him, his entire body twitched and wiggled. He gave me an adorable frown when he finally caught his breath, though. “Daddy.”
“Yes?” Aiming for innocent, I raised one eyebrow. “Your air seemed stuck. So I helped.”
“Stuck air?” He sighed, doing his best to channel a dramatic dragon. “Stuck air. Yes. You’re very helpful.”
“Thank you.” Kissing his cheek that time, I stood straighter. “It feels good to do nice things for my mate. Like helping him breathe and play toys.”
Shaking his head, Merritt managed not to laugh but he was barely holding back a smile. “You’re always very nice to me and I like it when we play toys.”
“I like it too.” He seemed to be sliding closer to his little headspace, so I swung our hands wider and slowed my stride. “I like walking with you too. Especially when you knew to do it so Daddy didn’t explode.”
His quiet snicker made me chuckle. “You were…you had big feelings, Daddy.”
“That is a wonderful understatement.” That got more happy sounds from him. “I’m not used to dealing with people who are so stubborn about being wrong. I’m also not used to people like the councils sending their most annoying people to get them out of their hair for a while.”
Merritt sucked in a dramatic breath and stuck his nose up in the air. “I’m not annoying.”
“I am.” My timing was pretty good on that and I got a giggle from him before he managed to catch himself. “You were smart enough to grab it as an out, though. So you’re in a different category.”