Chapter 17
Victoria slid down the side of Drake’s body over soft, glittery scales, her boots thumping against the stone of their landing place. He’d flown them to one of the uninhabited mountains behind their compound. In this spot there was almost no wind so it was eerily quiet up here.
She clutched their son close to her chest, surprised he hadn’t made a sound during the entire flight to wherever they were. If anything, he’d seemed almost happy to be in the air. Definitely his dragon nature.
She’d learned quickly in the last couple days that Phoenix mainly ate, slept, and pooped. Considering he’d decided to stay in her belly for thirteen months, she’d expected a lot more when he finally emerged into the world. Like a walking, talking hybrid who could already shift and breathe fire. Turned out he was just like every other shifter baby. Sometimes his wolf peered back at her and sometimes his dragon did. But usually, it was just his beautiful silvery-gray eyes looking at her.
And she loved him more than anything in the world.
“How was the flight?” Drake asked as he started pulling clothes from the pack she’d set down beside her.
“Perfect. He didn’t even stir.”
Drake grinned widely as if she’d just told him their son was a genius. He’d been like that ever since she’d woken from her coma a week ago, proud of everything the little guy did. Her big, tough mate had even been proud after Phoenix’s first poop. It was adorable and ridiculous and made her love for Drake grow even more.
Something she hadn’t thought was actually possible.
Taking Phoenix from her arms, Drake held him close and wrapped his other arm around her shoulders as he started walking along a well-worn stone path. There shouldn’t be such a smooth walking path this high up on the mountain…but he’d probably created it himself, she realized.
“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing?” Other than revealing his gift to her, because he hadn’t given her any hints.
“You have about twenty more seconds. Be patient.” He kissed the top of her head, laughing lightly.
They walked along the wide path until they stopped in front of a large cave opening.
“I found this and decided to get it ready for our son. I’ve been using my fire to make it large enough to accommodate his dragon once he’s grown. I also carved out shelves for his treasure and smoothed out certain areas so he wouldn’t hurt himself while he’s young.” He stepped inside, linking his fingers in hers, his excitement barely contained.
Victoria’s eyes widened as Drake let loose a stream of fire, lighting a huge, circular stone fire pit in the middle, filling the cavern with light.
“You did all this?” She dropped his hand, moving over to one of the rows of shelves Drake had created with his fire. Running her finger against the smoothness of it, she smiled when she saw a green gem the size of her fist already on one of the shelves.
“I gave him some of my own treasures to start his collection.”
She laughed, the sound ricocheting off the walls—and waking up Phoenix. His eyes popped open and he immediately reached for her, making fussy little sounds as he waved his hands around. Oh, someone was hungry.
“I guess I didn’t really think about that part of his nature,” she said as she helped Phoenix get positioned for feeding. “Which feels pretty crappy.” She’d been so focused on her long pregnancy and getting their home ready, she hadn’t thought about what his dragon side would need. She had been assuming that he’d be able to shift into both wolf and dragon because every hybrid she knew of could shift into both of whatever they were.
“You’re not a dragon,” Drake said. “It’s not second nature to you. My own father created a cave for me so very long ago.”
“He did?” He’d never told her that and she loved learning new things about her mate.
Drake nodded once, his mouth curving up into a small smile as he watched their son cuddled against her. “Yes. And he gave me my first jewel. A sapphire. I still have it.”
She smiled at her mate, leaning up to give him a brief kiss. “I’m sure our son will love this place.”
Drake glanced around the cave, his expression serious. “It will be a good place for him when he needs space from the clan. Or if he needs to practice breathing fire or even flying when he’s first starting out.”
“It’s perfect.”
“He’s perfect.”
“No argument from me there,” she said, looking down at the greedy little guy. He dozed off mid-feeding, then jerked himself awake and started up again, making them both laugh.
“I never thought I’d be here. That I’d have a mate, much less a child.” Drake’s voice was quiet, intense. “I’m so glad you are mine.”
“And I’m glad you’re mine.” She couldn’t imagine a life without her wonderful, sweet dragon.
Luckily, she would never have to.