Chashan drew Khaza from the room, careful to leave the door open once they left. He would thank his mate for her gift, but not at the risk of being delayed getting to Eric if he was in need. His dragon rumbled in approval. Before that moment, their sole purpose was to ensure Khaza’s happiness. Now they had a dragonlet. His wings trembled, emotion overtaking his control.

Excitement. Joy. Euphoria. As if Syh reached down and embraced his small family.

He led his mate into their sleeping chamber and then over to the sliding door that led to their private balcony. He released her long enough to open it and let the gift of Syh flow into the room. Even tinged with the stinging salt of the ocean, the brush of wind on his wings was a glorious blessing.

He breathed deeply, drawing air into his lungs and releasing it slowly before he turned to face his mate. She was as beautiful now as the day the Knowing drew them together. Long, shining hair, sparkling eyes, pouty lips, and a delicate nose with the smallest tilt upward at the tip.

“Khaza,” he said her name on a whisper. “Do you know how you draw me, shaa kouva?” He slowly stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “Do you know that I live and die by your smiles?” He continued, not stopping until less than an inch separated their bodies. “Do you know that without you I would have taken my final flight long before this day?”

Her soft fingers pressed to his lips. “Chashan, I…”

Chashan pursed his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers before pulling her hand from his mouth. He focused on his mate’s body, on thanking her—and Syh—for the gift he received.

He moved around her, circling his mate until he stood at her back, both facing the sea visible beyond their balcony. Wind rushed into their sleeping chamber, Syh’s natural embrace caressing them.

He molded his front to her back and Khaza leaned against him, resting her weight on him.

He remained silent as he reached for her clothing, fingers caressing and undoing each button of her dress. One slipped free and then another as the words of the Sael Ealaa passed through his lips.

Tobah douh kouva tai ryu gaora ot douha hadou.

Thank you, beloved, for the gift of your hope.

He parted the top of her dress, fabric sliding down her arms. He reached around her front once more. He toyed with her chest bindings until his palms were filled with her plump breasts.

Tobah douh kouva tai ryu gaora ot douha shour.

Thank you, beloved, for the gift of your strength.

He rubbed his thumbs on her nipples, teasing the hard nubs, and his mouth watered at the thought of tasting the buds. But not yet.

The wind gusted again and his mate arched into his hands, crying out for more.

Tobah douh kouva tai ryu gaora ot douha vai.

Thank you, beloved, for the gift of your heart.

He forced himself to leave her breasts and continue his exploration. He ventured south and nudged her dress. The cloth fell to the ground in a soft whisper to pool at her feet. Now his mate was all but nude, her sleek body exposed to Syh.

Only one thing remained.

He teased the soft edge of that final fabric barrier. Humans called them pant-eez and Chashan found he loved the bits of lace and elastic. He dipped beneath the cool cloth, the heat of her center calling to him.

Khaza’s soft curls beckoned him and the musky scent of her desire lured his dragon to the surface. The beast wished to give their mate thanks for her gift. A century of mating allowed him to know her body as well as he knew his own. He sifted through her curls, warmth increasing and the tiniest hint of moisture taunting his fingertips.

His cock throbbed and beast urged him to sink into their mate. Not yet. Soon, but not yet. He had replayed this scene in his mind so many times. Again and again each time his mate entered her fertile period. Now he would put his mental practice to good use.

Tobah douh kouva tai ryu gaora ot douha phaa.

Thank you, beloved, for the gift of your pain.

He thanked her for her sacrifice and offered his own gift in return. Pleasure. Pleasure gifted without any expectation of return.

With that last promise, Chashan slipped his finger between her moist folds. He dipped into her wetness and found her pleasure button with ease, the nub practically quivering for his touch. He teased that small bit of flesh, the piece that would make his mate call out to him—sob his name until she was exhausted.

“Chashan.” His name was a mixture of a whisper and shout as she dug her small nails into his arm.

He circled the bundle of nerves over and over, drawing her pleasure to the surface. He knew what his mate enjoyed most and he would give her all she desired.

He cupped one breast with his free hand, weighing the large mound and gently cradling it in his palm. He plucked her nipple, giving her the smallest bit of pain. She enjoyed his fangs on her skin, and he knew she reveled in the sting when he pinched the nubbin.

Her moan confirmed his thoughts, her deep groan vibrating through his body.

He focused on his finger, on tapping her clit while he listened to her breath and heartrate. With each circle, her heart raced. With each tap, her breath stuttered. So he continued with both.

He closed his eyes and welcomed the stinging wind that blew in from the sea. He kept his mind drawn away from his body and focused on what gave his mate the most pleasure.

“Shaa kouva…” He whispered the endearment, recalling the first time he’d uttered the words so long ago. “You are life,” he murmured.

A full body shudder racked his mate, her whole form trembling and twitching against his grip. He wouldn’t release her. Not yet.

He teased more of her pussy—curving his hand and toying with her center while he rubbed her clit with the heel of his hand. Khaza sobbed out his name, violently shuddering, and her opening kissed his fingers. She tightened as if she sought to milk his cock.

She would. Just not yet. The Sael Ealaa was for her.

The wind gusted over them once more, Syh impatient for him to finish this blessing while Chashan would have preferred to draw the teasing out for hours. Perhaps next time. They may never have dragonlets of their body, but Khaza had been right to claim Eric. He was the son of their soul.

Chashan… She whimpered, pleading with him.

She wanted and when they’d mated, he’d promised to always give her what she desired. He returned his touch to her clit, circling and tapping the small button of nerves. Her breathing increased, lungs heaving air in and out of her body. She jerked and twitched in his embrace, fighting to get away yet get closer at the same time.

She whined and begged, words tripping from her lips. And with each syllable, the wind increased, Syh joining them—approving of their actions.

Chashan knew she hovered at the brink, holding back as she waited for the last piece of the blessing. The last words that would bring a close to the Sael Ealaa.

Tobah douh kouva tai ryu gaora ot douha soubah.

Thank you, beloved, for the gift of your soul.

Khaza’s pleasure crested over her, the experience reaching into Chashan’s mind as well. Her release snatched at his own and threw him over the edge with her. His cock throbbed within his katoth pants. He came with a deep, heaving moan, cum erupting from the head of his shaft and staining his tanned hide clothing. His dragon roared with the completion of the ritual and pure bliss struck his every nerve.

They both lost control of their bodies, muscles jerking and twitching. Her cream coated his palm, her center slick and wet for his possession. And he would take her—soon. When he could stand and take more than a step perhaps.

Maybe…

Maybe when Syh decided he no longer wished to toy with them.

Chashan and Khaza had dreamt and prayed for a dragonlet with the passing of each of her heats. Now, Syh granted their wish by gifting them with a bay-bee who thought interrupting—at that very moment—was a good idea.