“That was the point. Like she brought in microscopes to look at my sperm and everything. Like she ran blood tests herself. She was well-informed about what was going on.”
“Well, he grew up without you,” I said.
“That was the point. Was I ever the guy some kid would want to call dad?” he asked.
“That’s a cheap excuse. He’s grown now and a little lost. Met his mate and they argued over a bloody rock. Seriously, Del. It’s time to go back and set the record straight or at least talk to him.”
“And say what? Yeah, your mum bought a night with me to make you. I’m not going to lie to the kid and tell him that I wanted him but couldn’t be there.”
“No one’s telling you to lie to anyone,” I crossed my arms. “Seriously. You can’t get out of being a dad forever.”
“I’m a sire not a dad. Jizzing doesn’t make anyone a dad.”
“Look, I can’t be there to guide him. So that leaves your living ass.”
“To do what?”
“Go back.”
“I’m not going back to Earthside. I finally got a house of my own here and I like it. I like living with the elves. They have good feasts and magic and---” he narrowed his eyes on Ferrick’s book. “They can probably help you with that haunted book so your ass can get some real rest.”
“I’ll let them help me, but you have to go back. You can’t hide here forever.”
“Like hell I can’t. Beryl can take care of himself.”
“So, you know who he is!” I said and slapped the table again.
“Of course, I do. I watch all my kids. Just because I don’t want to play daddy doesn’t mean I don’t care if they live or die. If he’s dumb enough to argue over a rock, then let him be dumb. It’s a free planet. Me showing up won’t help him.”
“But it will. I’m not saying you need to be his dad. It’s too late for that, but you can show up and acknowledge his existence.”
“Let’s find someone to talk to about that book. I swear it’s stinking up my kitchen, Pras, and this is a nice kitchen!” Delin protested.
“Me and my book are staying right here until you agree to go and at least meet Beryl,” I said.
“Really? You’re dead arse is trying to blackmail me?”
“No, I’m not trying to do anything. Bring in whoever you want to banish me, but I’ll tell you this, people know who I am.They know what I gave up to save my kids and a lot of other people. I don’t think you’ll find someone to banish me so easily.”
“Why are you still so bloody annoying?” Delin asked.
“Because I’ve lived with Ferrick long enough to learn how to be,” I shrugged.
“Fuck, fine. I’ll go over for a week in a few months once my next hundred year mark rolls around. It’s the best the magic of the village will let me do anyway. You know the living can only leave every hundred years,” Delin said.
“That’s all that I ask. Now, who can kill this fuck for real? Like keep him dead and not annoying the rest of us?” I asked and Delin smirked.
“Thought you’d never ask. Let me get some pants and we’ll head out,” he said and dashed out of the kitchen.
It killed something inside me that he, Clarence, and I would never be a trio of young dragons just trying to have fun again. The least I could do was light a fire under his ass to help our shared descendants. That would have to be enough. Beryl was the kid related to all three of us and the only one I knew of who was.
Chapter 15
Jade
Guardians of Glitter Bomb Territory
When I woke up, Beryl was nowhere to be found. I reached out for him automatically, but we wouldn’t have our mating link until after we exchanged our claiming vows. Though, the reflex was already there. In the quiet of the bedroom I missed him. Then my brain started in on my to-do list. I needed to swing by Flight School today and figure out how to approach a sleepover for Jondi at Eran’s house. Part of me wanted to say we could wait until he eventually stumbled onto the idea himself, but everyone knew there were some risks involved in putting off the claiming vows too long. The first mate of the territory had his claiming gland erupt way back before I was born. I never wanted to go through that. Plus, I wanted Beryl. At least I did when it was quiet and all hell hadn’t broken losse yet. Years ago, I’d read a book that arousal started in the mind. It talked about how anyone with a heavy mental load might have trouble focusing on sex. I always figured the true-mate response magic would take care of that but leave it to me to be able to out worry what we thought was one of the most powerful magics to be found anywhere.
