After dinner, once most of the food and dishes had been cleared away, leaving only a table filled with assorted desserts and another with several kinds of drinks, the band started playing. They began with some soft, quiet music, which had a few people getting up to dance. Teya was content to sit at the table with Jericho and people watch for a while. Neo and Rachel had joined them, as had a few others. When the third song started, a slow country song that was popular about ten years ago, Jericho stood. Teya turned to see what he was doing and found him standing beside her chair with one hand extended.

“Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?” He bent in a slight bow. She stared at him a moment, surprised by his request. Dancing now would be nothing like dancing in his time, surely watching those on the floor now told him that. Either way, she wanted to be in his arms, so she put her hand in his.

“Of course.” She stood and let him lead her out on the dance floor. He turned and pulled her into his arms, and together they swayed to the music like the other couples. “I like this.” She gazed up at him for a moment then laid her head against his chest as they continued to move in time with the music.

“I do, too.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head.

When the song ended, he walked her back to their table, her hand in his.

“Can I get you something to drink?” he asked as she took her seat. Something deep inside her warmed and she smiled up at him.

“Yes, please. Water would be great.”

“I will return shortly.” She watched him go, wondering where all this had come from. Not that she was complaining. It was beyond wonderful, but it was also beyond Jericho’s previous social knowledge.

“How are things going with you two?” Rachel’s voice drew her away from her mental musings. She turned back to the table and those that sat around it.

“Great. He’s still learning how things work now, and not just the technical advances, but he’s learning fast.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Rachel’s smile held something more mysterious in it. “I meant how are things going between the two of you?”

“That’s my cue to leave for a little while.” Neo pushed his chair back as he stood. “I’m sure I’ll see you later.” He nodded to everyone at the table then wandered off to ask some girl to dance. Teya watched as he stopped beside a table and asked Johanna. She took his hand and followed him out on the floor. Turning her attention back to Rachel and her question, Teya hesitated.

“Things are great.” She couldn’t help the satisfied smile that crept across her face. “That’s all I’m going to say about it.”

“No fair,” Gina said from across the table. “The least you can do is give those of us not getting any a little vicarious thrill.” Gina leaned back and rubbed the hard mound of her large belly.

“You look like you’ve been getting plenty.” Rachel gave Gina’s pregnant belly a pointed look.

“Yeah, but not recently.” Gina pouted. “Mario’s been out of town entirely too much, and when he is home, he’s afraid he’ll hurt me.”

“When will he be back?” Teya was glad to have the center of conversation off her and Jericho’s sex life.

“Day after tomorrow.” Gina shifted in her seat.

“That’s good,” Rachel put in.

“He’s not scheduled to leave again soon, is he?” Teya looked at Rachel for the answer instead of Gina.

“Not that I know of, but I’ll double check in the morning and reschedule if he is.” She turned to Gina. “You’re due in what? Three weeks?”

“Three and a half, but who’s counting?” Gina laughed. She squirmed in her chair, obviously uncomfortable. Teya glanced around for a more comfortable place for her to sit. There was nothing but the barely padded, dining style chairs they were all using. Jericho arrived beside her, setting a bottle of water on the table in front of her.

“Here you are.”

Can I get you to do me a big favor without saying anything out loud? She used their mental channel for a reason.

Of course. His mental voice was strong and filled with affection.

Will you go out into the hallway between here and the elevator and bring in one of those padded chairs? These are too hard and Gina is uncomfortable.

No problem. “Excuse me a moment, ladies,” he said aloud then turned and left.

“We need to make sure Mario’s not traveling for at least the next three months. If someone needs to see him, they can come here.” She turned back to Rachel.

“No problem.”

“You don’t need to do that.” Gina looked at them both.

“I do.” Teya met her gaze. “It’s part of my job to make sure we’re all taken care of. That means that you have a healthy little one. Rearranging Mario’s schedule to ensure you and the baby are taken care of is a small matter.”

“Here we are.” Jericho arrived beside their table with one of the armchairs from the walkway outside. He set it beside the table next to Gina’s chair.

“What’s this?” Gina asked.

“It’s for you.” Jericho didn’t mince words. Gina looked at him, confusion clear on his face.

“You can’t be comfortable in that hard chair. You shift every few minutes as if your back is bothering you. This will help.” He reached for her hand. When she gave it to him, he helped her out of the chair she was in and into the more comfortable one then set the old chair out of the way, depositing it at a nearby table where there was plenty of room for it. Once Gina was seated and comfortable, Jericho took his seat beside Teya. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

Thank you, she sent through their mental path.

Not necessary, he sent back.

“Are you excited?” Rachel asked Gina. “I would be excited. You’re so close!”

“I would be excited—” Gina rubbed her belly “—but I’m so tired I don’t have the energy right now.”

“Then why are you hanging around here?” Teya looked at her friend.

“Free food.” Gina glanced toward the dessert table.

“What do you want?” Rachel didn’t hesitate.

“I can’t decide.” Gina turned toward the desserts again. “That chocolate cake looks really good, but the cheesecake smells divine.”

Teya laughed.

“Not a problem.” Rachel went to the dessert table and brought back one of each and a fork. “There, have them both.”

“I don’t know if I should.” Gina looked at them both with hungry eyes.

“Why not?” Teya grinned. “It’s just one for you and one for the baby.”

“You’re right.” Gina glanced between the two for a moment then picked up the plate and took a bite of cake. She closed her eyes as she closed her mouth around the fork, obviously enjoying the treat. Teya was glad her friend was enjoying at least part of the evening.

Jericho squeezed her hand, getting her attention. “I have something I need to do for a few minutes. I’ll be back.” Jericho kept his voice low as he excused himself.

“All right.” She watched him go then turned back to the table. “Gina, I have a question, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“You and Mario are mated, right?”

“Yes.”

“Does your dragon ever talk to him without you knowing?” Teya made a face. She wasn’t sure how to put what she wanted to know into words.

“You mean when I shift?” Gina frowned.

“No, I’ve actually not shifted in front of Jericho yet. I mean any time. Like, right now. She could be talking to him telepathically and leaving me out so I have no clue.” Teya lifted her shoulders and let them fall. Gina’s eyes went wide and her hand froze with her fork poised over the nearly gone cake.

“Your dragon paths to him without your knowledge?” She kept her gaze on Teya a moment then glanced at Rachel. “Did you know about this?”

“No. She never said anything to me.”

“Why would I? You’re not mated. I assumed it was a mate thing.”

“It’s more than a mate thing.” Gina looked back and forth from Teya to Rachel and back again. “It’s a legend thing.”

“What do you mean?” Teya frowned. How could there be a Quetzalcoatl legend she had never heard of?

“My grandmother told me about it while I was growing up, so it was some time ago, but I’ll do my best to recount it as she told it. Just give me a minute to think about it.” Gina dug her fork into the cake and took another bite. When she’d finished the cake, she set the empty plate on the table and leaned back in her chair, her hands folded together on the mound of her belly. “It’s been a long time, so I don’t remember all the details or the story that led up to it, but what I remember was the basic message. Basically, there are mates and you can find your mate and live very happily for the rest of your life if they never speak to your other half. BUT...” Gina stopped and met Rachel’s gaze then Teya’s, holding each for several long seconds before continuing. “For the dragon who finds a non-dragon mate, which I know is not unheard of, that mating will be blessed with much power and happiness if the non-dragon mate can communicate with your other half. If they can do it without your knowledge, more power and blessings will befall the couple.” She leaned forward and picked up the plate with a slice of cheesecake. “I may not be remembering it all correctly, though, so you’ll want to check with someone else.”

Teya watched Gina then glanced at Rachel. “Why have I never heard this legend?”

“I’ve never heard of it, either.” Rachel shrugged.

Gina lifted one shoulder and took another bite of the cheesecake. “My grandmother was the lore-keeper for our clan when I was growing up,” Gina put in. “She told us stories all the time.”

“Who’s the current lore-keeper?” Rachel looked at Teya.

“Jason Murphy. I’ll need to talk to him soon.” She fell silent for a few seconds. “Remind me to schedule a meeting with him tomorrow.”

“Will do.” Rachel turned back to Gina, who was almost done with her cheesecake. “What’s your plan for the rest of the evening?”

“I’m going to finish this—” she pointed at her plate with her fork “—then I’m going to call it a night. I’ll head down to my apartment, put on my big T-shirt, and watch a little television while I unwind before bed.”

“Sounds like you have your night all planned out.” Teya gave her friend an indulgent smile. “And it sounds like a good plan to me.”

They talked about baby plans for the next little while until Gina had finished her dessert, said her goodbyes, and called it a night.

Unsure where Jericho was, one of Teya’s favorite songs came on and she turned to Rachel. “Come on.” Teya took her friend’s hand and stood. “Let’s go dance.”

“I don’t know.” Rachel was reluctant but stood and followed her out of the floor. The song was almost half over when Teya felt someone brushing against her back as she danced. Turning, she found Jericho behind her, dancing in much the same manner she and Rachel were, moving to the beat of the music. Rachel caught her eye, nodded in Jericho’s direction, and then backed away, making her way to the edge of the dance floor. Teya turned to face Jericho and continued dancing. When the song was over, she leaned against him, breathing heavy as they made their way back to their table.

“Where did you learn to dance like that?” Teya was still breathing hard when she sat down.

“I can’t reveal my secrets.” Jericho gave her a sly smile. He pulled his chair close and whispered in her ear. “I hope you like it.”

“I do.” Teya covered his hand on her arm with her own and leaned against him to enjoy just having him close. He reached one arm around her middle and held her there. She loved when he did that. It made her feel wanted and loved that he had made the effort to find out what pleased her and learned how to do it. It was obvious how much he cared for her. She already knew that just the sight of him filled her heart with a happiness she’d not had in more years than she cared to count. Could she put a value on what she felt for him? What she would be willing to give up for him?