AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Finch trembled and lowered his gaze, so Hugh gathered him in his arms once more and held
him loosely.
“And dragon or not,” he whispered into Finch’s hair, “I love you more than I love gold, or jewels,
or colorful pastries. You are everything to me, Finch. I cannot live without you. Even were we
to never have a child, I would keep you forever, and you would be mine. I would give up
everything to spend eternity at your side.”
Finch shivered, and in a quiet voice said, “I love you, too.”
“Now, come.” Hugh swung Finch up into a bridal carry despite Finch’s sharp gasp and fear-
rigid limbs. “The hoard bed is waiting for us, and the less time we waste, the better. There are
far too many plans we have to make and furnishings we’ll need to have commissioned.”
“Commissioned?” Finch asked as Hugh proudly carried him down the hall.
“Oh, of course. Did you think I’d settle for furniture from a catalog?” Hugh laughed. “While we’re
at it, I wonder if we should start to plan the baby’s future bedroom. Do you know if we’re having
a boy or a girl?”
“No. Not yet.”
“I suppose it doesn’t matter. Gender is no more important than what form our child is born into.
Now, what do you think about purple? Something rich and royal and deep.”
Finch’s eyes sparkled and he smiled for Hugh again. “I think I’d like that very much.”
Hugh returned the expression. “I think I’d like it, too.”
* * *
Purple did, indeed, look dashing in the nursery. Finch selected a color Hugh thought looked
rather like his scales and incorporated it into their plans. It was used in the padded mattress
cover of their bassinet—which did not look like a cage for babies—and while Hugh had wanted
cut amethysts to stud the bassinet’s golden filigree sides, Finch had insisted small gemstones
weren’t baby-proof, so he’d been forced to relocate them to places children couldn’t touch.
Places like the bassinet’s canopy, which was sheer white and looked stunning when accented
with flashes of purple jewels. Likewise, they incorporated their chosen shade of purple into
their paint choices. Finch, who had an eye for aesthetics, designated an accent wall for a pop
of color in a room that was otherwise cozy and neutral. It was all very modern and impressive.
Hugh’s heart was often nostalgic for times long past, but even he had to admit the nursery
