AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was good to hear her say that because until a few months ago, she had tried changing several times, thinking I would take her back. I was glad she had moved on and was now waiting for something better. I hoped her mate was a good guy.
Finally, Raika arrived with Thea, Almae, and Kaz.
“I asked Thea and Almae to come draw the circle,” she told me. “Just to be safe.”
After they were done, we invited them to stay, but they said they had lots to prepare for the battle that was coming. Kaz stayed. He grabbed a beer, and sat down on one of the porch chairs near Minsi. She froze at first, but when he found some paper and pencil and began drawing beautiful dragons in detail, he won her over. The guy was an artist.
“Who knew the dragon shifter could draw?” Dom asked, sounding amused.
“And he came on an expensive-looking Harley Davidson,” Raika said.
Lucille’s eyes rounded. “Can a wolf shifter have dragon shifters as mates? Because he’s a fine specimen and I wouldn’t be opposed to that.”
Raika chuckled. “You reminded me of Ivy. When she first met Kaz, all she talked about was getting into his pants.”
“Ivy has good taste.” Lucille winked.
I groaned. “Can we change the subject?”
“What I can do is raise the volume so we can have a real party.” Lucille found her phone and speakers and messed with them.
“I thought this was a family-slash-friends dinner,” Dom mused.
“A family dinner party,” Lucille said over the music.
A slow ballad started and I glanced at Minsi. She was quiet, an open book in her lap, her eyes glued to Kaz and his drawings. I had promised myself I would dance with her, but now didn’t seem like a good time.
So, I took another person.
When I tugged Raika to the middle of the backyard, she didn’t resist one bit. She wrapped her arms around my neck and let me guide her as we swayed side to side. I wasn’t a great dancer, but this was an excuse to be with her. It felt freaking great to have her in my arms.
“Did I tell you I love you?” I asked. Raika tilted her head, pretending to think. “Today, I mean.”
A smile spread over her kissable lips. “I don’t think so. But go ahead. I won’t stop you.”
I huffed. “You smartass.” She winked at me. Holy moon … I leaned into her and brushed my lips on hers. She inhaled deeply and moved even closer to me when I pulled back. I stared at her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I kissed her again, and it was so damn hard to keep it family friendly. I had to force myself to stop before I dragged her inside the house. She was getting better at controlling the dragon magic, but we shouldn’t risk it, not when so close to our family and friends.
After another song, I noticed Kaz had gone to the food table and Minsi was alone on the porch. Taking advantage of that opportunity, I excused myself from Raika and asked Minsi to dance with me. At first, she didn’t want to, so I sat down beside her. I stayed there, doing nothing. A few minutes later, I asked, and again she said no.
Then Raika danced with Tyren.
“Look, Raika and Tyren,” I said, my voice gentle. “Want to join them?”
Minsi hesitated, but finally, she nodded.
The next three hours flew by.
Until everyone started cleaning up then leaving, and it was the five of us—Minsi, Tyren, Rue, Raika, and me. Rue would stay with the kids because Raika and I needed to go back to the castle.
We sat down on the living room couch with the kids, and even though I knew Raika wanted to do this, I felt like running away. Rue, also not wanting to hear it again, occupied herself in the kitchen.
“I have something to tell you,” Raika started.
I almost clamped my ears.
