Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Xiang shifted in his arms so he could glare up at Kai. “You’re also not allowed to go looking for him. Even if you are a scary dragon.”
Everything inside of Kai warmed, and he lowered his head to nuzzle the side Xiang’s face and neck. “Anything my mate wishes. I will remain close to keep you and our family safe.”
“Aside from the fact that I am still nauseatingly single,” Meimei moaned, her fingers pressed into her temples as if she were developing a migraine. “Why can’t Kai use his magic to zap Jiang Chong here instead of waiting for him to appear when we least expect it?”
Kai’s head popped up, and his brow furrowed. “Zap? I can zap?”
“She’s talking about how you magically moved everyone from the fight to the clan home,” Xiang explained.
“Oh, I can’t do that with him.”
“Why not?” Xiang asked.
“I don’t know him. I moved the Zhang clan because I am familiar with you all and you are now mine.”
There was a low explosion of murmurs around Kai’s statement that he didn’t quite understand. Why were they so confused? Didn’t they understand they belonged to him and fell under his protection because they had taken him in? They were also his mate’s family, and it was his duty to protect all that was precious to his mate.
Xiang waved a hand at him. “It’s a dragon thing. They’re possessive and protective.”
Everyone seemed to accept that explanation and moved the conversation along. But the talking died down as the tea and snacks disappeared.
“I think we need to hold tight to what Xiang said earlier,” Xiao Dan declared. “We made progress. It might not be what we wanted, but the queen who tormented Yichen, Rei, and Kai is no more. We have Kai’s sword. Yichen and Xiang are home. We have also gained three new members to our clan in Moon, Rei, and Kai. That means we are even stronger now than we were before.”
“Plus, we beat Jiang Chong in the past. We will beat him again,” Ming Yu added.
Xiao Dan nodded. “Yes. I will reach out to Winter Varik. He may be able to tell us more about his power that will give us an edge in dealing with Jiang Chong.”
“Good. Then I’m going to bed and sleeping for a week,” Moon yawned. “If this is normal life for a vampire, I’m going to need to work on my stamina. You guys are exhausting.”
A low growl rumbled from Chen as he dipped his mouth to Moon’s ear. “I’m happy to help you work on your stamina.” It was meant to be a whisper for only his mate, but in a room full of supernatural creatures, there was no such thing as a true whisper.
“Ugh. After all this is over, I’m designing a dating website for vampires. This single nonsense in a house full of mates is bullshit.” Meimei threw up her hands and marched out of the room.
With the meeting dissolving, Kai pulled Xiang away from the group and used his magic to take them away to his hoard. The vampire glanced at his surroundings and chuckled. He turned into Kai’s arms, wrapping his own around the dragon’s waist. “Missed our hoard?”
“Maybe a little,” Kai admitted, his entire body relaxing to feel Xiang snuggled in so close. He closed his eyes and soaked in the affection. There was no getting used to this. It was the greatest thing in all the world, better than all the treasures he’d collected. He would have hoarded hugs if he could have, but only if they were hugs from his mate.
However, this wasn’t why he’d brought Xiang to the hoard. They would need to return to the house soon as the sun rose. After everything that had happened, he knew Xiang wouldn’t be able to relax unless he could watch over his brothers and sisters.
“There is something I want to ask you,” Kai continued. He stepped out of Xiang’s embrace and took his hand, leading him over to a dark blue chaise lounge. Xiang sat and Kai took the place next to him. Holding his hands out in front of him, Kai summoned the sword Huangdi gifted him. “Should I destroy this sword?”
“What?” Xiang choked out. He nearly stood, but settled for shifting on the chaise so he was partially turned toward Kai. His eyes were wide, and his mouth bobbed without words coming out. “After everything you suffered and went through? This sword was a gift from a god.”
“But he wasn’t a god when I knew him. Just an emperor, and I have many other gifts from emperors in here,” Kai countered. “It is because of that suffering—as well as what I put you through—that I think I should destroy it. Huangdi was a wise, compassionate man. He did not seek trouble, but always wanted what was best for his people. I don’t think he would be pleased with me and my obsession with this gift. I allowed others to use me for harm because of the sword.” Kai lifted his eyes from the sparkling blue crystal and elegant steel to skim over all the rare items that crowded this cavern. “I allowed myself to become obsessed with material things, drawing away from the human world, when I should have been using my powers to improve their lives. Huangdi would not be pleased.”