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Apparently, I would gain super strength and healing through that bond, something that allowed us to share our lifeforce with our fated mates in their hour of need. It was also a handy way to keep tabs on their location and emotional landscape during times of battle. That wasn’t the only thing that came with apparent magical power up. Oh, no. I would gain the ability to shift into some kind of half-Drakon, half-woman thing. Wings would punch out of my back, my skin would become purpled and toughened for battle, and I would apparently be semi-impervious to spellwork. Oh and grisly claws would bust loose so I could rip out the throats of my enemies.
Peachy.
“So,” Eden pressed with an evil grin. “Am I allowed to ruin your pity party?”
It was my turn to scoff as she didn’t wait on an answer but screeched loud enough for everyone within a mile to hear. “I’m pregnant!”
An answering–“You bet you fucking are, baby!”–was hollered back before a jubilant cheer rose from the Stellar Misfits outside as they continued to go about their business of fortifying their temporary settlement in my woods. I scowled at the reminder but I couldn’t hold the surly expression for long because of the way Eden was practically glowing with joy.
“That’s why I’ve been assigned a bodyguard. As you can tell, Cadmium is thrilled to have been bestowed the honor.”
Rising up to her feet, Cadmium offered Eden a deep bow. “I will guard you and your precious young with my life.”
The kicker of it was that the Drakon was absolutely, one hundred percent serious. Instead of getting another round of teasing, as I expected, Eden shocked the hell out of me by laying her hand on the gruff female’s forearm when she rose from the bow. “I know you will, Cad. I’d do the same for you.”
“It was not written in the stars that I would serve my people in such a way,” Cadmium replied. Her tone was resolute, but it rang with emotion buried beneath that stony facade. “I have made my peace with it. Instead, I have turned my lifeforce into a blade which will protect my Thunder to the last breath.”
The two women stared at one another for a long moment as I held my breath, sensing something deeper was at play here. Raven and Quill came over to give Eden a side-hug, breaking the exchange. Samantha leaned over me to offer her friend a fist bump.
“This is a big deal,” Quill murmured, as she came to refill her glass. “Because the Drakons have a low birth rate. Every young who makes it successfully into the world is celebrated.”
“Ah,” I murmured quietly. “Um, I guess they are not too hot on birth control, then.”
“Oh, on the contrary,” Samantha gave me a knowing look. “From what I’ve heard, your mates–one in particular–might even celebrate such a choice.”
I frowned not understanding all of the nuance hidden in that loaded sentiment, yet somehow sensing that it was important to tuck it away for future examination.
Cadmium turned to me. “What is birth control?”
“Oh, Cad,” Eden chuckled, patting her hand in a condescending manner. “We Earthlings have so much to teach your people now that you are making a permanent home on our wee planet. Birth control is a miraculous invention which stops us from getting knocked up when we don’t want to have a baby.”
Cadmium scowled in confusion, as though the concept was completely foreign to her. “It is… for your protection from a male’s seed?”
“Yes,” Eden nodded. “It allows us to control when and how we have a baby, should we want to carry one.”
“Then I approve.”
Eden smirked and rolled her eyes at me. “So glad we have your approval, oh mighty warrior.”
“Wait,” I piped up, my train of thought catching up to something Eden had just said. “Your lot are not going back to Drakonis?”
“No,” Cadmium replied. “The Stellar Misfits are here to stay. The latest arrivals from Drakonis have dismantled their ship in order to set up this base of operations. There will be no return and no reinforcements. Our Wyer will face our enemies alone.”
A vicious fire had filled her eyes and I shivered at the sheer force of her dragon’s presence, rising to the surface. I had absolutely no doubt this woman was lethal as fuck in her dragon form and I suddenly felt rather glad that I wasn’t one of her enemies.
Butterflies exploded in my stomach as I considered her words. I chewed on my bottom lip, trying to hold back a smile at the news that my purple-skinned throuple weren’t going anywhere, regardless of whether we started doing the dirty tango or not.
“Again, the Drakons are not here to breed you without your consent, Tess.” Samantha scoffed, as though reading my earlier concerns. “I don’t think you are getting the gravity of this situation. A fated mate would think nothing of laying down their life for their fated mate. Hell, each and every Drakon out there would do the same for you, even if you never intended to claim your mates and were essentially sentencing their beasts to madness.”
My mouth dried up in an instant, a jolt of fear racing through my veins. “Uh… say what now?”
Samantha glowered at me and ran a frustrated hand through her hair. “Drakons who are denied the completion of their mating bond over an extended space of time risk becoming heartsick. If they do, their beasts can slide into madness. That’s why they invented their fucking magitech in the first place. Their people were desperate to stop the wars. Weren’t you listening to anything I said?”
But it didn’t really sound like my friend was even talking to me anymore, she seemed to be railing at herself. Tension was riding her body as Raven and Quill stepped up beside her, looking to ease her rising panic.
“Annnnd I think we’re done taxing that overworked brain of yours tonight, bar wench.” Eden stood up, walked over to Samantha, and–instead of giving her a soft word or an understanding back rub–punched the scribe, giving her a dead arm.
“Ow.” Samantha rubbed the limb, then offered Tess a sarcastic thumbs up and a weak smile. “Thanks, witch.”
