Their journey was almost over.
Their questions would be answered.
And no matter the answer, they’d love him.
Chapter Twelve
Gatlin
Gatlin knocked on the door to the Dior consulate estate. The den of Drakes and their prized prince was a wonder among stags who, across the country, had all dreamed of sharing a Dette or having such a cohesive union. So, when Karl, a Slang member of their polyamorous bond, opened the door, his eyes widened for a moment as his mouth stretched into a smile. “I suppose you’re looking for Gaz?”
The way he said it, likegatz, held a curl of caramel endearment.
“Among others. It’s lovely to see you, Brother.” Gatlin opened his arms and gave the male a tight one-armed hug before he moved to Teige and then Viraj, eyes narrowed. A hug did not extend to Viraj, but his gaze dipped and nose twitched. Instead, he took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Welcome. It is good to see you again.”
Viraj didn’t meet his gaze. “Lovely to see you again, too, Karl. How is everyone? My nephews asleep?”
Karl twisted his lips. “They are at the Long consulate this evening. We’ll see them in the morning. Shui only had one blank and a light heat, so they volunteered since Ryan had a rather difficult time.”
“I hope he is well.” Viraj stared up at him, his shimmering eyes glinting with fear.
“Seven blanks. A few ruptured.” Klaus sighed. “Marc doesn’t like us doing the heat suppressants too many years in a row, so this was an off year for him.”
Viraj reached for the slack of fabric at his belly and flinched. “I’m sorry to hear.”
Karl’s nose twitched again. “But you… I suppose it’s none of my concern.”
Viraj shrugged. “Not like I can hide it at this point.”
Karl nodded and asked a question that Gatlin and Teige hadn’t thought to, the one they really should have. “So, you identify as a Drake?”
Viraj froze, mouth opening slightly. “I—I don’t know. I used to. I—didn’t know. Sort of.”
“I apologize for the rude questions. Come in.” Karl waved them in and Viraj spoke up.
“My dragon appears like a Drake. I thought I was one until certain things made me realize I wasn’t. And only recently did Gaspard figure out what I was. I suppose if I am a functional Dette, I will wear the title happily.” Viraj smiled.
“And if you are not?” Gaspard’s clipped step interrupted them as he approached, drying his hands on a cloth as if he’d just come from washing them.
“Does it matter?” Viraj glanced at Gaspard and his cheeks darkened with a flush.
“I suppose not. The only question is whether or not you want to be added to the Dette group text.” Gaspard smiled.
“I suppose I would.” Viraj offered a shy smile that made Gatlin’s heart melt.
“Come, come. We can smell it on you, Viraj.” Gaspard led them away.
“Smell what?” Teige stood beside Viraj and rested a hand on his back, urging him forward.
Gaspard and Karl chuckled as one. Gaspard, however, smirked. “You smell absolutely of bred Dette. The only question is if anything took.”
“I doubt it.” Viraj snorted and Karl coughed before excusing himself politely.
They walked as one to Gaspard’s study, which had an annex to the side with a small examination room.
Viraj followed orders as Gaspard excused himself with an order for Viraj to take his shirt off. “If it’s something more, we’ll check at your estate tomorrow where you can shift.”
Having another dragon shifted in his house with as many mates they had running about could cause tensions, Gatlin supposed. In any case, Viraj stripped his shirt and sat on the exam table, legs spread, arms dangling between them as he hunched over, self-conscious of his belly.
