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The trees opened up to a large clearing, right at the base of a giant hill. “What are we doing here? I like sex outdoors as much as the next bloke, but it’s February and it’s bloody freezing.”
Releasing his hand, Nikki retreated backward, never breaking eye contact. “I want to show you my dragon.”
While Rafe had seen Nikki’s dragon from a distance, he’d never seen her shift. Did it mean she was starting to trust him more?
Not wanting to spook her, he fell back on his practical nature. “Is that safe to do even though you’re pregnant?” At the irritation in her eyes, he quickly added, “I’m not trying to be overly protective, but shifting into a dragon wasn’t exactly covered in that pamphlet Dr. Sid gave me. I have no idea.”
Relief flashed in her eyes. “Oh. Well, it’s fairly normal until late in the second trimester. The baby shifts with me, so in the first five months or so, it’s perfectly fine because I won’t go into labor unless it’s a rare circumstance. After that, it’s dangerous because if a female dragon-shifter goes into labor in dragon form, the baby could die.”
“Why?”
“Well, we must embrace our inner dragons to shift. But our inner dragons are born as babies, too, and don’t have the mental capacity to change shape and maintain it until around six or seven years old. If a child is born in dragon form, they won’t understand what is happening, so they will try to fly, and soon crash. Even if the baby dragon is contained, it may never shift into a human since it will most likely spend the first however many years as a dragon. Without the human side to rationalize and keep the dragon side in check, the child will eventually go insane.”
He grunted. “Then I don’t care how angry you get, from the fifth month onward, you’re staying in your human form. That’s an order.”
He half-expected fire to flash in her eyes before she changed her mind about showing him her dragon. But she smiled and surprised the hell out of him as she answered, “You are definitely one step above a dragonman in this instance. Most females aren’t allowed to shift after the first month or two.”
“And the female dragon-shifters just listen?”
She tilted her head. “It’s more of agreeing to prevent constant belly-aching and whining. Although, some female dragon-shifters will sneak away and shift when their mate is otherwise occupied. It’s sort of the worst-kept secret on Stonefire.”
“So the males think they’re getting their way, but then give the women some freedom without looking weak?”
“Exactly.”
Rafe shook his head. “I’m starting to understand just how difficult it must be for women dragon-shifters.” He winked. “It’s a good thing you lucked out and got a human.”
Nikki stuck out her tongue. “I’m not sure ‘lucked out’ is the correct phrase.” He glared, and Nikki laughed. “Okay, maybe it is a bit lucky. But can I shift now? Dragons don’t feel the cold as keenly as humans and I’d like to get started.”
“If it means I get to watch you strip naked first, then, by all means, start.”
“Rafe...what’s your middle name? I need something to mutter at particular times.”
“Daniel. My parents were rather old-fashioned in their name choices.”
“It’s better than being named after a famous inventor who fell in love with a pigeon.”
It took Rafe a second, but then he remembered where he’d heard the name. “Nikola Tesla?”
“The one and only. My dad had full naming rights and wanted to name me after two extraordinary people—Nikola Tesla and Helen Keller.”
“That’s a strange combination.”
Nikki shrugged. “It could’ve been worse. I could’ve been named Rafe.”
Before he could do so much as narrow his eyes, Nikki slipped off her coat and tossed it at him. Rafe caught it. “Undressing isn’t always going to distract me. But just this once, I’ll allow it.” Nikki answered by throwing one shoe at his head and then the other. Rafe dodged out of the way. “You’re going to have to try better than that, Nikki.”
Mischief danced in her eyes. “Oh, I’m saving my best moves for later.”
Off went her shirt and jeans. Rafe’s mind went blank as she wiggled out of her panties and bra. The faint sunlight shone down on Nikki’s naked body and his jaw dropped. He would definitely need to take her outside once it was warmer again.
“Stay back,” Nikki ordered before closing her eyes.
Her body glowed a faint purple before her torso stretched and covered in scales. Her arms and legs became forelimbs and hind legs. Talons extended from her fingers. Her nose and jaw elongated into a snout as a tail grew behind her.
In a matter of seconds, a thirteen- or fourteen-foot purple dragon stood in the clearing, with her wings extended behind her.
Carefully placing Nikki’s clothes down, he approached her. Nikki lowered her snout, and he gently touched her nose. The scales were smooth like hard leather, but with a slight glint to them. Meeting the large eye on his side, the brown color reminded him of Nikki’s eyes.
