Page 11 of When Dragons Play

Rumor paused between the chairs and stared at Timber before he chuckled. “Yeah, we do, don’t we?

Epilogue

“Hey, Timber, are you ready?” Bàlint called.

Timber turned and gave Laser a fervent look, his eyes pleading. Laser lifted his hand, waving Timber on to the brutal torture he was sure his friend was about to receive. He lifted his hand and rubbed at the bruises marring his skin.

Those damn kids are a menace to society, he thought with amusement.

You jealous James make better booms, his dragon muttered with a huge yawn.

He does at that.

The ‘Dragonlings’ he had discovered were made up of the offspring of the Dragon Lords, Sarafin, and Curizan. Bàlint, Trisha and Kelan’s son, was as proficient as his mother when it came to playing tag. It didn’t matter how much he and the others had learned over the past year, they were still novices compared to those kids.

“Dragon’s ballocks, we’re babies compared to the babies,” he muttered, thinking of James, Leo, Morah, and a host of others.

Dry laughter made him tilt his head back to see who had overheard him. He groaned when he noticed twin visions of his former commanders observing Timber and the kids. His dismay grew when they pulled up chairs, two on either side of him.

“Be thankful Kelan didn’t ask Pearl to take over your training,” Brogan said.

Laser’s eyes narrowed and he frowned. “Who’s Pearl?”

Barrack shuddered and opened a Rowado beer. “You don’t want to know. She’s a horrid human with a vile sense of humor,” he replied.

If a human woman drew that reaction from an ancient twin dragon, he was thankful they hadn’t been assigned to her. He lifted his drink and swallowed. His eyes were locked on Trisha’s flushed face. She was braiding her long curly hair in preparation for joining the fun. She looked up, catching his intense scrutiny of her.

He lifted the bottle in his hand when her lips curved into a soft, gentle smile and she tilted her head in his direction in acknowledgement. The tightness in his chest released when Lord Kelan looked at him and raised an eyebrow. He shot his commanding officer a rueful grin.

You going to get us in trouble again, his dragon warned.

Not this time, my friend. I know better now.

Good. I no like being in brig.

“Looks like Rumor and Cameo are going to join in the fun,” Cree said.

“Yeah, good luck with that. I don’t like falling into the kids’ damn traps,” Calo retorted with a shake of his head. “There is no way I’m stepping foot into those woods.”

“Isn’t that Hope?” Brogan remarked.

Laser noticed a petite, emerald green dragon disappearing into the woods with two other dragons. The thud of bottles on the table resounded in the air. Cree and Calo, their features blurring, were striding after the three. Brogan’s snicker of amusement faded when the vidcom next to him pinged and a woman’s face appeared.

“Delilah, I thought you were going out with Melina and Sarah,” Brogan said.

“We were, but guess what the boys dug up? Did you know that Tasiers don’t die if you bury them?” Delilah replied in a sweet tone.

“Holy Goddess. Is there no end to those damn creatures?” Barrack growled, glaring at Laser.

Laser raised his hands. “The trader never said anything about them reproducing,” he defended as the twins rose with muttered curses.

He blanched when Brogan pointed his finger at him. “I’m going to use the transporter and put every damn one of those things in your bed.”

“I’m on the D’stroyer. Lord Mandra and Zebulon have banned them,” Laser remarked.

“Loves, I’m still here. Can you please come home? I think Moonshine thinks he’s their mommy,” Delilah announced.

“Dragon’s ballocks, that’s all we need. Come on, brother,” Barrack muttered.

Laser sighed as he watched the twin dragons shift and take flight. Alone again, he studied the compound where he had been sent a year ago as a reject along with the three other men he now considered his brothers. His lips quirked when he noticed that Rumor and Cameo were finally taking control and admitting their sentiments for each other. It was taking them long enough.

He was finishing off his drink when the sound of a throat clearing pulled his attention. He started to rise, but Kelan motioned for him to remain seated. Twisting in his seat, he warily watched his prince and commander slide into the chair across from him with a concerned expression on his face.

“Do you have an assignment for me, sir?” he asked.

Kelan studied his face for a moment before he nodded. “Yes, I do. There is a group of warriors that have been a royal pain in my ass⁠—.”