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4
A dull breeze fanned my body, and Kington’s, with each step up the never-ending staircase to the honeycomb lairs.
As we did every morning, we both went towards the caves to spend time with the Dragons and explore my connection to them further. Trying to fine tune my “mental communication” with them, was on the agenda today. Except, it wasn’t as though I could hear their exact thoughts, and I didn’t think they could hear mine. Unfortunately, there was no way for me to know that for certain. They weren’t actual words echoing in my mind, it was more of a feeling, an instinct somehow, but yeah, I needed to be able to develop control of that for what was to come.
After saying good morning to Athina, we stopped by Spartan’s cave, his head tilting as he regarded his rider, Kingston. The Dragons were getting used to his presence here each day, but that didn’t mean they were happy to see him in their territory—or that he could even think of stepping into their caves. Spartan’s eyes narrowed, seeming unsure of whether he was happy or insulted to see Kingston there.
His nostrils flared when he stared at his Soulris, smelling him.
“Oh, don’t even try,” I scolded. “You know exactly who he is. Stop smelling him as if he’s a stranger.”
Spartan’s gaze turned to me and he huffed, looking at Kingston once more, who stood just at the edge of the lair.
“Come here,” I urged him, waving him towards me—I was already inside.
He didn’t listen, instead they both engaged in a scowling match.
Throwing my arms in the air, I grunted. “Okay, listen up you two, because I’m only going to say this once.” I sounded so much like my dad scolding me when I was kid that I almost smiled, but I glared at them before the feeling took hold. “You!” I pointed to Spartan. “You have been by Kingston’s side for—” I paused, unsure of how long they had been together.
“Over twenty years,” Kingston offered, an air of profound appreciation and comradeship weighing his words.
The statement humbled me. I couldn’t even imagine the kind of bond they shared.
Glancing up at Spartan, I pointed an angry finger at him. “You have been by Kingston’s side for over twenty years, so you know better than anyone who he is and what he stands for. I would even dare say that you know his heart. So, you can be as defensive and territorial as you want, but you know damn well that he is not the one you have to protect your lair from. He’s the one you should be inviting into your home.”
Spartan slowly blinked with my words, internalizing them, and then his attention shifted to his rider.
“And you, come on in,” I called back, waving the bronzed giant into the cave, but he remained in place, focused on the towering Dragon before us. “I swear to God, Chief. If you don’t move this instant!” I hissed, and he threw me a dubious glance, but carefully stepped inside, nonetheless.
Spartan’s keen gaze followed his every move, assessing him, trying to decide if he was okay with this, and we kind of held our breaths. After a few moments, his head softly shook, as though he couldn’t accept it, and he retired to the depths of his lair.
Kingston’s chest sunk with disappointment, I dared say hurt too, and I felt terrible for even giving him hope that his own Dragon would welcome him. In truth, I felt like an asshole. Why the hell did the Dragons think it was okay for me to be there, but not the people they spent years protecting, fighting side by side?
It wasn’t fair. Why was I allowed inside Spartan’s cave, but his own soul mate, chosen by him, was not?
“I’m sorry, Chief. I can feel how conflicted he is. This is his nature, but I truly thought—”
“It’s okay. You tried and I let you. No one is to blame for an outcome we knew would occur.” Turning on his heel, he took one step when the sound of rocks shifting and rolling echoed around the lair.
We both looked into the darkness to find Spartan returning, and once again my breath lodged in my throat.
With a loud huff, the cinnamon brown Dragon reached us, and laid down on his belly. He ignored me completely, focusing on Kingston as he lowered his head, and rested his chin over one arm. He was being docile. That was a good thing.
The chief and I exchanged a glance, and I nodded for him to go to his companion with a pointed look.
Swallowing, Kingston glanced at his Dragon, and began to take measured steps forwards. Honey eyes connected with slitted yellow ones, and held with each movement. Finally reaching his side, Kingston stopped before Spartan’s head, and following suit, he slowly sat on the ground. Spartan shifted his head a fraction, leaning closer to his rider, and waited for what he would do next.
As a new feeling spread through my chest, the warmth that accompanied it filtered into my heart. “Touch him,” I whisper-shouted. “He wants you to connect with him.”
The chief risked a glance at me briefly—not in distrust, just hesitation—but I nodded encouragingly. Inching closer, Kingston’s hand lifted towards the scaled cheek, and the second their skins touched, I sensed their energies mixing. Spartan’s eyes fell closed, and the sensation of his acceptance rushed into my being. He was welcoming Kingston to his home.
Emotion captured Kingston, and he lifted his other hand, kneeling in front of his Dragon as he stroked him. A brilliant smile illuminated his face.
Silently, I backed out of the cave, letting them appreciate the moment in private.
After finishing my round of hellos, I arrived at Luna’s lair, to find Draco waiting for me by the entrance. I lifted both hands to scratch his jaw and he lowered himself, letting my touch work its way down to his chest. He was so spoiled.
My brow furrowed when I scratched his cheek, noticing the gloomy skin under his eyes. They seemed like dark circles. Evie mentioned that Vyper and Draco had been born—hatched—almost a week apart, which meant Draco would go into hibernation soon. After giving him some extra love, I pulled on the hardened curvature over his nose and looked straight into his eyes.
