LIAM

After another day of repeated matings, Andrea is so marked with my scent that it’s difficult to tell where her scent ends and mine begins…which is just how I like it. And because she’s so covered in my scent, her blood singing with my fires, we decide to chance a return to Fort Shreveport.

“If nothing else,” she says as she gets dressed for the flight, “We can get the rest of my things and return here.”

I love that she is so willing to be with me, no matter what it costs her, but I want to try to return to the fort. I know she loves it and her people. I know her brother is there, and her friends, and it would be hard for someone as protective as my Andrea to leave them all on their own. We’ll try to return, and I hope it won’t be as bad as I worry it will. I hope that I have enough control that Rast’s presence doesn’t bother me. He’s a good guy, and devoted to his mate.

Even so…I worry I won’t be able to hold it together for Andrea.

“It’ll be fine,” she reassures me, and she must have picked up my worry from my thoughts. She moves to my side and wraps her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek to my chest. “Just that you’re trying is enough for me.”

I hope that she’s right. I hold her close, breathing in her lovely scent and enjoying the feel of her body. It’s distracting, though, and our mating is new enough that having her like this makes me want to claim her again. She chuckles and pulls away, her thoughts promising that we can do whatever we want tonight, but for now we should fly out while it’s not raining.

She packs her bag full of her things, and throws in extra clothing for me that she found somewhere in this mess, and then she’s ready to go. I give her one last, thorough kiss before I shift to battle form and take her gently in my claws. Since we’re higher up, my launch isn’t as rough on her, but I still feel the sickness well up in her belly as we take off. I need to do better, if nothing else so my mate can fly with me in comfort…because I’m never letting her out of my sights again.

Being in battle form and flying is hard on my mind. The constant change of scents carried in the wind, the feel of power in my wings and the burn of smoke in my lungs allows the wildness to creep in. I try to keep my focus on Andrea, and when she senses my struggle, she starts a constant stream of conversation, telling me about each building that we pass and what its purpose was back in the Before. This building was just televisions, she tells me. This one for cheap items, this one for crafts. Of course, then she has to explain to me “cheap” and “crafts” and it’s enough to keep both of us focused until Fort Shreveport appears on the horizon. There’s a scent of old smoke in the air and a female lurking nearby, but as I approach, the female takes off.

She is not interested in challenging, a voice offers, touching my mind. She is just curious. She watches more than she attacks now.

Rast. I know him without seeing him, and a moment later, when the gold launches into the air and wings out to greet us, I can feel Andrea tense against me. Hello, I greet cautiously, using a human phrase. Long time no see.

How do you fare, Liam?

Atalim. And I struggle, but it is easier with my mate at my side. I flood his thoughts with possessive pride in my claiming of Andrea, letting him know that not only is she mine, but that I will tear apart any that try to come between us.

I can feel his acknowledgment, and he sends a similar barrage of mental images and scents of Amy, his mate. He is sending me the same warning, and for some reason, it makes me feel better. He will not try to interfere with my mate, for all that I am in his territory.

I understand.

Will you be staying?

I am not certain, I admit, as we angle low, flying in.

Tell him I said hi, Andrea calls to me, patting my scales. Her thoughts interrupt Rast’s connection, flooding my mind with her sweet presence. That’s Rast, right? Tell him and Amy we’re coming to visit. And tell them I’m going to beat Benny’s ass if he took off again.

I love the surge of her thoughts in mine, and send a flood of affection to her. Rast flits away on the wind, soaring past and then settling on the roof of a nearby building. He shakes his wings out and keeps his head lifted high, and I recognize his stance. He’s not relaxing—this is a watchful drakoni lording over his territory.

You are welcome here, he tells me. But this is my nest.

Agreed. I hold Andrea closer to my chest. I will tolerate Rast’s lordship over us temporarily, but I do not know if I will be able to endure it long term. Already my thoughts prick with irritation, demanding a confrontation, a battle for territory. The need to attack flares at the edge of my mind, sending in red tendrils of anger to pollute my thoughts.

I’m here, Andrea tells me. There’s no need to attack. We’re not interested in taking over his territory. Her hand is small and cool against my scales, a welcome distraction. We’ll visit and then go home, okay? We don’t have to stay. Her thoughts are soothing, as is the love she pushes into my thoughts with all the grace of a sledgehammer.

I adore her for it. You would make a new home with me, then?

Pfft. As if you can leave my ass behind. I’m going to bring new definition to the term “clingy girlfriend” so be ready for that.

Her thoughts make this sound as if it’s a bad thing. I like the thought of you clinging to me. What are you wearing in all this clinging?

Andrea’s laughter peals through the air. As little as possible?

I rumble with amusement, even as I settle on the roof of the gym at Fort Shreveport for a landing. Tell me more. I like this clinging idea.

I’ll save that for later, when we’re alone. She looks up at me, her gold eyes shining bright with affection. For now, let’s go say hi to everyone, okay?

Very well. I set her down oh-so-gently, watching as she plants her feet on the roof and stretches, working out the cramps in her legs from her long ride. She rolls her shoulders and then does a little bounce that reminds me of that cocky swing of her hips that I love so much.

With a toss of her fat braid, she looks over her shoulder at me. Can you shift forms? I’ll get your clothes, unless you want to show the world how utterly badass you are in dragon form.

I love the pride in her voice, and it makes my possessive side surge again. The need to grab her and drag her out of Rast’s territory flares through my thoughts. To take her far away, rip her clothes off, and claim her again.

Just as quickly, Andrea’s thoughts touch mine and she cools the ferocity warring in my head. We can do that later. I promise. I’ll even wear something you can rend with your claws if that’s your kink.

I rumble with laughter, and in the next moment, I’m in my two-legged form, crouching low on the roof and utterly naked. My mate walks up to me, that delicious swagger in her hips, and holds out a shirt. “You’re doing fucking fantastic, baby. I’m so proud of you.”

She knows just what I need to hear, it seems, and I straighten, give her a hungry kiss, and then take the shirt from her hands. I still hate human clothing, but it reminds me of how to be Liam instead of Atalim, so I put it on. “Thank you, Andrea,” I tell her as I put on the sweatpants she hands me next.

“For what?” I can feel her genuine curiosity in her thoughts.

“For keeping me centered when my thoughts veer off course.” I kiss her again, just because I love kissing her and love the way her mind responds when I do, how it goes blank and then slowly fills with pleasure, as if she forgets the world when my mouth is on hers.

“We’re a team,” she tells me between kisses, and I can feel her fierce protectiveness of me. “I’m yours and you’re mine and we’re in this together.”

No wonder I love this female so much.

ANDI

To my relief, Liam seems to calm once he’s in his human form. Maybe it’s habit that when he puts on human clothes, it’s time to shore up the mental walls, but whatever it is, I’m relieved when I feel his mind quiet. We go down the ladder to get off the roof, and the moment we step inside the gym, my brother Benny rushes up and gives me a hug.

“Welcome back, sis,” he gushes, uncharacteristically affectionate for a teenager.

Startled, I hug Benny close. Was he worried about me? How sweet is that? Maybe he needs his big sister after all.

The moment I think that, he pulls away, clears his throat, and then nods at Liam. “’Sup. Glad to see you’re back, bro.”

“You too, bro,” Liam says, and manages to sound relatively normal, which is hilarious. Surprisingly, he offers a fist, and Benny bumps it. What? I told you I was good at fitting in.

Yeah, but I didn’t realize you were that good.

There’s a lot of stuff I’m that good at. His tone is sultry and amused at the same time.

I can feel my face go crimson. “So how are things?” My voice is a little too light and shaky to be casual. “How’s Katrina?”

He rolls his eyes at me. “Fine. You gonna bust my balls about having a girlfriend?”

Oh my god, she’s his girlfriend?

Her scent is all over him, Liam tells me.

The parental part of me is freaking out. Benny’s too young for that sort of thing. But I know my brother, and I know he’s as stubborn as I am, and that lecturing wouldn’t do a damn thing. Plus, I’ve decided to go with Liam, haven’t I? I can’t expect to keep an eagle eye on Benny when I’m running off on my own. It’s time to let him grow up a little and give him space. The world’s different now, and maybe the same rules don’t apply like they used to. “No ball busting,” I promise him. “Just swear you’ll use condoms, expired or not.”

He groans. “Jesus, Andi. We’re barely holding hands.” He crosses his arms at me, his face bright red.

“Holding hands is a good step.” I want to reach out and tousle his hair like he’s six years old, but I can’t do that anymore, I guess. “I think that’s great. Let me know if you want us to look for something when we go out into the city again. I bet she’d like a present. A surprise.”

Benny gives me a grudging look. “That’d be great. I’ll make a list.”

A list? Here I was thinking a makeup mirror and I’m going to get a shopping list? Hope you’re ready to go scavenging, Atalim.

Always ready. He wraps an arm around my waist and presses a kiss to my cheek. “We’ll be staying overnight,” Liam tells Benny. “And we’ll be coming in regularly a few times a week, so no rush on the list. Take your time.”

“Cool, so you guys aren’t staying?” Benny looks impressed. “You got a home set up somewhere else, then? Amy says her sister has a place at the top of a skyscraper with all kinds of furniture.”

“Liam has a place about two hours from here,” I tell him. “We’re still setting up. Maybe you can come visit for a few days sometime.”

“Wicked. It’d be nice to have my own room for a while.” He nods at me. “Glad you two finally got together. You seem happy.”

What a surprisingly mature and sweet thing of my brother to say. I beam at him. “We are. Now fill me in on what we’ve missed since I’ve been gone.”

Liam and I walk with Benny towards the main building, and he tells me all about what’s been happening. I’ve only been gone for a few days, but Benny talks about everything that’s been going on for the last few weeks and I realize he’s filling in Liam, too.

Gwen’s birds are mostly gone, so the old choir room has been cleaned up and adjusted so now all of the chickens share the much-larger indoor coop with the pigeons, and the cow has a stall there. The kids in the fort take care of the animals, and the cow’s not producing anything right now, but they’re hopeful to find a bull and get a calf—and then milk—out of her.

Scooter’s great and loves being in the fort, Benny tells me. No one seems to mind that the dog’s a bit slow, because he’s super friendly and great with even the babies. Major, Lester, and Charlie brought two cats with them, but the others were hard to catch and they’re talking about going back and getting the rest and bringing them to Fort Shreveport.

Gabe’s red dragon has been flaming less, but she’s still lurking, which means Rast is constantly on alert.

That worries me a little. Is Gabe going to get booted out of the fort for the trouble he’s bringing in? People have been kicked out for less, and I’m sure Gabe could handle being on his own, but it still seems unfair.

Liam touches my hand, his fingers lacing with mine. Rast says no. He says they’ll figure it out, but no one’s being kicked out.

Oh good. So the red isn’t as lost as the others?

Oh, she is. Liam squeezes my hand. I can feel her thoughts and they’re completely and utterly chaotic. There’s no reasoning with her or talking to her. I might as well talk to air. But I’m guessing Amy and Rast have a plan of some kind.

“I think Amy’s in the kitchens,” Benny says a brief moment before he opens the door to the cafeteria.

I’ve been so distracted with my mental conversation with Liam that I didn’t notice where we were. It’s lunchtime, so the cafeteria is full of people, young mothers and children, Luz and her wife, Melissa and her sister, the survivors from Fort Justice, and in the corner I see Major, Lester, and Charlie, who raise a hand in greeting.

Everyone’s staring, and for a moment, I shrivel inside. I freeze up, because my mind can’t help but go back to Fort Tulsa, and the smirks whenever I was with a man. The trouble those rumors caused. The men who’d confront me late at night or sneak into my room, wanting a “taste” of what I was handing out, and how unsafe I felt.

That’s not going to happen, Liam says in my mind, and his thoughts are possessive and fierce. He loops a casual arm around my shoulders and pulls me close even as Benny strolls in, and holds me against him, nibbling on my ear and making it quite clear to everyone that I’m his and his alone. Those people aren’t here. These people know I’m a drakoni warrior. They know you’re mine, and I’ll gut anyone that tries to touch you. Just because you weren’t safe in the past doesn’t mean I’ll ever let you be unsafe again.

I relax. He’s right. I look at the faces in the cafeteria, and while there are knowing smirks as Liam makes out with my ear, for the most part, people are smiling in our direction. They look happy for us.

That’s…new.

It’s because they like you, Liam tells me, nipping at my earlobe. They want you to be happy. Even if it’s with a freak like me.

For some reason, tears rush into my eyes. I sniff. I am happy. And you’re not a freak.

I can be, my sweet human. He leans back and winks at me.

And now I’m turning bright red again.

“Damn, Andi, are you gonna sit there and make out with Liam in front of everyone or did you want to talk to Amy?” Benny’s disgusted voice cuts in.

Did I say I wanted to live near my brother? Clearly I’m delusional. I can feel Liam’s rumble of amusement as we start forward again. “Sorry,” I say meekly. “Show me the way.”

It looks like a meaty chili is on the menu for the fort today, and it smells delicious. We find Amy ladling out portions, talking with Retha in the kitchens, and her eyes widen with pleasure as she sees us. “Oh, you’re back! Great!” She hands the ladle over to Retha and wipes her hands on the white apron that covers her pretty yellow dress. “Do you have a minute to talk?”

“Of course,” I reply automatically, and Liam gives my hand another squeeze in agreement.

“I’m going to eat. I’ll catch up with you later, Andi,” Benny says, but he’s not looking at me. He’s looking past my shoulder. When I glance over, I see Katrina waving from a spot in the cafeteria, indicating he should join her. My brother grins at me, pats my shoulder, and then heads off.

I’m definitely second place now. Maybe I should feel a little more hurt, but I’m mostly relieved that he’s preoccupied so I can spend my time with Liam. Is that wrong?

You’re allowed to be happy and do as you please, Atalim tells me. It’s your life, too.

It sounds so practical and obvious when you say it like that, I grumble.

Amy’s quiet as we head down the halls. Our pace is slow so we can keep up with her limp, but I don’t mind. I suspect she’s lost in conversation with Rast as I am with Liam. It’s weird, too, because as we walk, I feel a curious sense of relief that I can’t quite figure out. Is it seeing Amy again? For some reason, the relief continues to grow as we head toward the quarters Amy shares with Rast.

It’s Rast, Liam tells me, and he’s surprised. He is pleased we’re here because now Amy will worry less. You can pick up his thoughts?

No? Not really. It’s just a general feeling I couldn’t quite place. I can’t hear him. But now that Liam mentions it, that reminds me. All of us that took your blood, though, we can sense when a dragon attack is coming. The air feels heavy. It’s like we’re all a bit more sensitive to emotions now.

Interesting. Your scents are all different, too. Benny smells slightly changed. You do, too, but in all the best ways. And his eyes gleam with a heat that makes me blush…and makes me aroused, too.

Save it for later, or else we’re going to freak out Amy, I tease him as we enter her room.

Liam just sends his amusement to me. There’s that “freak” word again. I’m starting to get excited every time I hear it, wondering what you have in store.

I’m blushing as Amy sits down heavily in a stuffed, padded chair. My brain’s completely distracted, but I do my best to pay attention as she gives us an awkward smile. “Thanks for coming back here with me. I’m sure we could have talked in the cafeteria, but there are far too many ears, you know? Plus, I really wanted to sit down.” She grimaces, rubbing her bad leg.

I feel a bolt of displeasure out of nowhere and step closer to Liam.

Rast again, he tells me. He doesn’t like that she works so hard. You’re sensing that, too?

Yeah, it’s weird. I rub my aching forehead. I don’t like that I’m picking up Rast’s emotions. That’s…new and more than a little unsettling. Maybe it’s heightened because I took your blood and now we’re mated?

And your mind is connected to mine. Interesting. Except Liam doesn’t sound interested.

He sounds a little displeased.

Not displeased, he corrects, picking up my thoughts. Worried for you. Is it too much for you to be here?

Only way to find out is by being here.

“Everything okay?” Amy asks, watching us closely.

Should we tell her? I ask Liam. When he agrees, I’m relieved. I don’t like secrets, and I’m glad we’re on the same page. I pull up a chair across from Amy and sit down. “Minor problem,” I tell her, and confess the emotions I’m picking up.

She comes to the same conclusion that Liam did. “Something with the blood, then? It amplifies your psychic connection to Liam? And through him, you can pick up traces of the others?”

I spread my hands. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

Amy drums her fingers on her lips, her expression distracted, and I can feel that she’s having a conversation with Rast. “Is it going to be a problem for you to stay here for a few days?” she asks. “Because I have a favor to ask.”

She looks at us expectantly and Liam turns to me. Is it my decision, then? “I’m not sure,” I admit. “It might be hard for Liam to be here with Rast here, and I don’t want him to suffer.”

I’ll do my best if you’re needed here, he tells me silently, brushing a finger over my cheek.

Just because you can try doesn’t mean that I want you to. I love you too much to watch you struggle, and you’re still re-learning a lot about your control. You’re having a hard time right now, aren’t you?

Maybe. Behind his amusement, I can feel a hint of strain. It’s Rast’s presence, he admits. It didn’t bother me before, because I couldn’t feel him. My instincts were turned off. But now that they’re awake…

Everything’s a mess, I agree.

Amy raises a finger to get my attention, and I sheepishly realize we’ve been silent, lost in a mental conversation. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I know how it feels.” Her smile is full of sympathy and understanding. “But before you dig in too deep with an argument, I wanted to point out that I’m asking you to stay because the fort needs protecting and Rast and I want to leave for a few days.”

“You won’t be here?” I echo, confused. “What do you mean?”

“My sister’s pregnant,” Amy says. “We’ve been trying to keep in contact via Gwen’s birds, but the last one she sent was a few weeks ago. She mentioned she wasn’t feeling well and that her belly had swelled up quite a bit. It’s concerning to me because she’s only been pregnant for about four or five months. She’s definitely not due anytime soon. I sent a message back, but I haven’t heard anything and I’m worried.” Amy bites her lip. “So we want to go visit and stay for a few days, just to make sure everything’s all right, but with the female dragon camping out right in front of the fort, I feel like we need someone here to watch over things and protect everyone in case she tries anything.”

“And since we showed up…”

“Exactly.” She gives me a hopeful look. “Would you mind? We promise to come back as quickly as possible. I just need to know that Claudia’s all right. She’s the first person to be pregnant with a half-dragon baby and I worry about her.”

And she touches her stomach.

Oh.

I’m thinking her sister isn’t the only one pregnant with a half-dragon baby. “I’m fine with it if Liam can handle it.” I turn to my dragon—my mate—and I feel a fierce sense of pride at the thought. He’s all mine.

He smiles at me, all gorgeous golden skin and flashing teeth. “If Andrea doesn’t mind the stress of keeping me grounded, I’m good to stay.”

“Stress?” I sputter. “How is it a stress for me?”

Because you’re going to have to keep me preoccupied.

Oh. I blush again. That doesn’t sound bad to me at all. It sounds like…a pleasure.

For both of us, my dragon-man agrees.