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What I wouldn’t give for him to call me Daddy.
Soon.
“I sure am.” I sat with them. My family. Seeing them made my heart expand to the point it nearly burst. “Famished.”
We ate the finger foods, washing everything down with water from the flasks, and while Asher sprang to his feet and started exploring the edge of the meadow, I sat back, bracing myself on my palms with my legs stretched out in front of me.
“He’s amazing,” I said softly, just staring at him. I couldn’t look away. I wanted to catch every grin, every look of curiosity, and even his scowls. “Thank you so much.”
“Why thank me?” she asked, her fingertips teasing across mine.
I turned my hand, linking our fingers, and my heart exploded. There was no place I’d rather be than right here. Right now. “For letting me back into your life.”
Her gaze left mine before returning, and she swallowed. “I told you back at Kuunik and Zara’s place that I want everything, Gravor, and I meant it.”
Sitting forward, I cupped her face. “Lay it out for me, because I’m not keeping my hopes up until I know exactly what you mean.”
“You, Gravor. I’ve . . .” She gave me a smile that sunk all the way to my bones, warming me through. “I love you, and I want it all.”
“Mate,” I growled. “I love you too.” Some might say this was sudden, but it felt right. It had from the moment I met her five years ago, and when I was eighty, it was still going to feel perfect. “Once we’re with each other fully, our mate bond will lock us together. You need to know that.”
“Why didn’t it happen five years ago?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t feel it has yet.”
No consent, my dragon said.
Does it take that?
No forcing. Ever.
So if I don’t ask her first and make sure she understands, the bond won’t solidify.
No.
I liked that.
“I want to be with you again,” she said. “I’m not afraid of forever. You’re all I’ll ever want or need.”
Asher ran over to us, holding out his hand. “Look, a little dragon.” He tossed the winged grasshopper up and it took flight, soaring a short distance across the open area before landing in the deep grass.
“Do you like dragons, Asher?” I asked, smiling at my son. Could life get any better than now?
“I love them.” His face scrunched. “When I grow up, I’m gonna be a dragon!” With that, he spread out his arms like they were wings and raced across the grass. “Watch me. I’m gonna fly!” He kept hopping into the air, flapping his arms.
I watched proudly. “See? Good genes.”
Mazie just laughed.
Back home, we cooked dinner together, sitting at the island to eat it. Then we did the dishes and settled in the living room.
“Bedtime’s soon,” Mazie said when Asher slid his tablet onto his lap and started to play a game.
“Aw, can’t I stay up really late tonight?” he asked. “I don’t need to sleep. I’m a dragon, remember? They never sleep.”
“What would you say if I told you that even dragons need to sleep?” I asked, lifting him to place him on my lap.
“Dragons aren’t real,” he said with a sigh, slumping against my chest. “Wish they were.”
