Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Kissing and caressing his mate, Ardon tasted her dewy skin. He nibbled along her shoulders and delivered small nips at the curve of her neck. He stroked a hand down her torso to dip into her moisture. Tapping and brushing her clit, Ardon continued his thrusts to drive her toward a climax.
“Mmm!” Skye hummed her pleasure into the hallway a few moments later as her tight channel clamped around Ardon’s shaft. The intense contractions erased Ardon’s control, and he emptied himself into her.
Oldrik lasted a few seconds more before spilling into Skye’s warm mouth. He dropped to his knees to kiss their mate deeply. He wrapped his arms around Skye and Ardon, pulling the trio tightly together. Ardon understood. Oldrik was not competition for Skye’s affection. He was an ally in pleasing her.
The dragons’ relationship as allies had deepened into this new bond they shared together. Ardon had always felt closer to Oldrik, seeking his counsel over the years. Had this triad always been fated to happen? A sense of rightness settled over him. Ardon felt Oldrik’s rough hand grip his shoulder and suspected Oldrik’s guarded thoughts aligned with his own.
Chapter 7
The next morning, Skye asked a question that kept popping up in her thoughts. Should I close that lock?
Oldrik studied his mate across the breakfast table in concern. “Is our connection overwhelming you?”
No. I enjoy feeling you. I didn’t know if you’d tire of hearing my jumble of emotions.
“That will never happen,” Ardon assured her. “Once the second lock is unfastened, it’s not possible to seal it again. We could jam it shut like you did for the top one, I guess, if it is bothering you. I’ve never heard of that happening before.”
You’re saying I’m weird in a nice way.
“Unique is a better word than weird. And we love you just as you are. Just like you love Oldrik even though he’s old,” Ardon joked.
He is not!
“Watch your back, bronze dragon. I’ll build you a doghouse behind the mansion if you’re not careful,” Oldrik warned, obviously not serious.
Wouldn’t that be a dragon house?
“Exactly,” Ardon agreed with his mate’s playful suggestion.
What would happen if the third lock was open?
“It would erase any barriers between our minds. It is an emergency line if you need help. Through it we could find you easily,” Oldrik told her.
“That one is reversable. It can be sealed and reopened as many times as necessary. Remember the process we used to locate that door so you could find it,” Ardon added.
So, I’d want to seal it again?
“Probably. You may not wish to experience our dragons having a bovine snack as if you were the one crunching,” Oldrik said.
No! Skye considered the scrambled eggs and sausage on the plate in front of her and lost her appetite.
“I have a question for you, Blueberry. I noticed you’re missing a portion of your hair. What happened?” Oldrik asked, distracting her.
Oh! It probably looks scraggly. I had to cut it to get away from a bad guy who’d tried to trap me by grabbing it.
“You are beautiful, mate. I do have an idea. One of the dragon’s mates, Lalani, is a hairdresser. Would you like to spend some time with a few of the newest dragon mates and let Lalani cut your hair?” Oldrik asked.
I’m not very good with new people.
“These aren’t just people. These are young mates like you. You’ve already met Lalani. She’s the one who gave you her pad of paper so you could sketch the dragons,” Ardon explained.
Oh. She’s nice. I’d let her fix my hair.
“And the other two mates. Would you be okay with Aurora and Ciel coming? You might have some questions for them,” Oldrik suggested.
Are they all friends? They may not like me.
“They can’t wait to meet you. In fact, their dragons are the ones who contacted us. Lalani noticed your hair and wanted to help,” Ardon explained.
That’s nice of her. Can I give you some signal if I’m not comfortable? Like yank on my earlobe?
“Or you could just send us a mental message,” Ardon suggested with a smile.
Skye rolled her eyes, laughing at herself. Of course she could do that. Oops! Sorry, I forgot.
Feeling silly, she stood and walked over to sit on Oldrik’s lap. He immediately snuggled her close and offered her his toast. Absentmindedly, she took a bite and leaned back to chew. She tuned out for a while as the shifters spoke to each other.
“… Keres,” Ardon said, drawing her attention.
I like him.
“I’m glad, Blueberry,” Oldrik said and held a glass of milk to her mouth.
From their expressions, something was wrong. What’s up with Keres?
“Dragons can exist for a while without a mate, but eventually, the solitude causes problems,” Oldrik explained.
How?
“Mates are our link with the world. When we’ve lost that connection, there is nothing holding us here. Dragons can become disconnected with their human side and become feral. Eventually, they lose their mind. They wither and die,” Ardon explained.