Three days later…

The door opened. Jolene shrieked, clutching her dress to her front. Thankfully she wore underwear and thankfully the huge guy who walked through the door didn’t seem to care about her state of dress. Or in this instance, undress.

Her mouth fell open as he strode to her, eyes on hers. “Where is he?” The big guy growled at her. He was formidable, commanding and just plain scary. His muscles roped. His eyes bulged from their sockets. His hands were clenched into tight fists at his side. His chest was gold and gleaming. There were flecks of green in the gold, signifying that he was a water dragon.

Wait a minute…

Gold with the green! That meant…that had to mean…yes, he was a member of Storm's family. Now that she thought about it, there was a resemblance. This guy looked older, harder. Also, his hair was blond, but they had similar facial features. Their eyes too. "Who are you?" she finally blurted. "I mean, you must be family to Storm but…I'm sorry, we've never met. I would shake hands, but I'm trying to prevent us from becoming a little too well acquainted, if you know what I mean?" Stop blabbing, Jolene! She pressed her lips together.

He pushed out a heavy breath, his shoulders easing forward a little. “I’m sorry. I’m Torrent, Storm’s brother.”

Oh shit! “The king…you’re the king?”

She did a really bad curtsey since she had no idea how to do one and since she was practically naked.

His lip twitched. “Yes, that would be me. Do you know where he is?” The anxiety from before was back. There were worry lines on his brow and tension radiated from him.

“Storm said he needed to put in some work hours. He felt bad for his teammates because of the extra shifts caused by all of the extra patrols,” she went on. Blabbing again. Jolene cleared her throat. “He’ll be back in about an hour and a half.”

The king muttered a curse, looking both angry and frustrated.

“Is everything okay?”

“No…yes. It’s just that I needed him here. I should have told him not to go anywhere.” He shook his head, looking out the window.

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Have him come to my chamber as soon as he gets back. On second thought, I’ll have someone meet his team.”

“Okay.”

“I need to go.” Torrent turned and began to walk towards the exit. He stopped almost mid-step and looked back at her. “It was good meeting you. Again, sorry for just barging in.”

“I’m sure you have a good reason.”

The king smiled, it was tense. He swallowed thickly. “My female’s birthing pains have begun. It is our second child. It’s going more quickly this time.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, looking worried. “Storm was supposed to look after our daughter.”

“Oh! He would never have gone if he had known.”

“I know, I will have one of the she-dragon’s watch Rain. It’s just that she loves her uncle and was looking forward to spending time with him. She seems…apprehensive about having a sibling.”

“She doesn’t realize it yet but having a brother or a sister will be amazing. It isn’t fun being an only child. Playing on your own isn’t the same. Ask me, I know.”

“It was good meeting you, Jolene.”

“Oh, you know my name.” She smiled, feeling like an idiot. “I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself.”

“Storm has spoken of you. I feel I know you already.”

"Oh." She frowned. "Has he?" She wanted to ask what he had said about her, but that would be stupid given the circumstances. She could also see that he was still facing the door and pretty much on his way out. Still looking tense. Couldn't blame him with his wife in labor. "I'm sorry," she flapped a hand, "you get back to your mate."

His expression changed to one of relief. “Thank you.”

“Sorry, one more thing…”

He turned back to her, looking flustered.

“Maybe you can send the she-dragon here with Rain. I would be happy to help out until Storm gets here.”

His expression morphed to relief. “Are you sure? She’s only four and can be quite a handful.”

“I’m sure.” She nodded.

“I will send Crystal right over.”

Shoot! Why Crystal? “Perfect.” She plastered a smile on her face. Not wanting to worry Torrent with stupid things like Storm’s ex-partner and her jealousy over a man who wasn’t even hers. Not really. “You go and concentrate on your wife and on meeting your baby.”

Torrent’s eyes glinted and he smiled. “Thank you.” He still looked tense. She couldn’t blame him.

It didn’t take long for the knock to sound. Jolene opened the door. Crystal smiled; she held the most adorable little girl’s hand. She got down on her haunches. “You must be Rain?”

The little girl buried her face into Crystal’s dress, she had a doll clutched to her chest. “Don’t mind little Rain. She’s a bit shy.”

Jolene stood up, she moved to the side. “Come on in.” She worked hard at, at least trying to smile at Crystal. She really needed to get over herself. “Can I get you guys something to drink?” she asked.

Rain kept her face buried in Crystal’s thigh.

Crystal looked down. “Do you want something, Rain?”

The little girl shook her head and mumbled. “Na-ah.”

“You’re being rude, Rain,” Crystal said. “You should look at someone when you talk to them.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Jolene shook her head. “It’s a big day, she might be feeling a bit overwhelmed.”

“The day isn’t big!” Rain yelled, putting on a growly voice. “Mummy’s tummy is big.” She finally lifted her head from Crystal’s side. Her face was scrunched up in anger. Even her little fists were clenched tight. “But not for much longer.” She narrowed her eyes. “She’s having my baby brother today.”

“How lucky are you?” Crystal said in a sing-song voice.

Rain didn’t look like she was feeling lucky. “Don’t say that.” She put her tiny hands on her hips. “I don’t want a brother!” she exclaimed, eyes firmly on Crystal. It looked like the little girl was waiting for her to argue with her.

Crystal smiled. “Why don’t you go and play with your dolly while Jolene and I fix you a sandwich?”

Some of the fire left Rain’s eyes. She looked at the she-dragon for a few moments longer before nodding. “I like peanut butter and jelly. The bread must be cut like mommy does it.”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Crystal said. They watched as Rain sat down on the rug and began talking to her doll.

The she-dragon gestured to the kitchen with her eyes. Jolene nodded. “I don’t know if we have peanut butter,” she whispered.

Crystal widened her eyes. “We’d better pray you do. I’m sorry, she’s not normally like this.”

“It’s completely understandable.” Jolene herself had longed for a sibling her whole childhood ‒ what she wouldn’t have given to have had a brother or a sister ‒ she could see it from Rain’s perspective though. “Her whole life is about to change.”

“Yes, it certainly is.” Crystal turned to Jolene, locking eyes with her. She looked down at the ground before looking back at Jolene. “I need to apologize for the last time I saw you. I was worried about the prince. I…I shouldn’t have done what I did. It wasn’t right.” She sighed. “I guess I was feeling jealous.”

“Jealous?” This was the last thing she expected to hear. “Of me? You?” Jolene had to laugh. “You’re gorgeous. Tall, toned…” She shook her head, opening a cabinet, she began rummaging inside. “If you want, you can look in the pantry, it’s through that door.” She pointed.

“Don’t be silly.” The she-dragon snorted, walking to the door in question. “None of that matters. You have child-bearing hips. Dragon females can only long to have breasts like yours. No wonder Storm is so besotted with you.”

Jolene stopped what she was doing. “Child-bearing hips?” She choked out a laugh. Crystal had said it like it was a good thing. “He’s not besotted with me.” She shook her head.

"He is doing everything in his power to please you. From being polite ‒ or trying to be, at any rate," Crystal smiled, "to asking for advice on how to please you in other ways." The she-dragon winked.

Oh no, hell no!

“I can see from your face that you’re upset. Please don’t be. He wants you happy. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”

“I think it’s more about making himself happy,” she mumbled, rolling her eyes as she took another look in the cabinet for the peanut butter. “That and appeasing his humungous ego.” Storm couldn’t take it that he wasn’t the best at something.

Crystal chuckled. “He does have a big ego. Don’t be too hard on him though. I definitely shouldn’t have said anything.” She shook her head. “The only reason I did is because I think it’s sweet. I truly believe he is trying to please you and is ultimately doing it for the right reasons.”

“Which are?” Jolene was frowning. It couldn’t be what the she-dragon was hinting at.

"He has feelings for you. That's why. I saw it that day when I came here. That's why I was so jealous. It's why I acted the way I did. Like an idiot." Crystal stepped back into the pantry. "Got it." She re-emerged holding a large jar of peanut butter, grinning broadly.

Jolene wasn’t about to argue with the she-dragon. It wasn’t like that at all though. In a week’s time, she was leaving and she was okay with that. She reminded herself daily ‒ make that, several times a day ‒ that their fling was just that, a fling.

She wasn’t sure what the she-dragon saw, only that it wasn’t what she thought it was. Storm didn’t feel that way about her, and wanting to please her sexually, was just that, it was his ego talking and not his heart. In fact, she wasn’t going to even bring it up with him. She should, but what would be the point? Again, it wasn’t like they were in a real relationship or anything. She grabbed the jelly out of the fridge.

Crystal had already put two slices of bread on a plate. “Do you want some juice, honey?”

Rain looked up from what she was doing. Her eyes were huge. She looked so sad, poor kid. Rain nodded once. “Yes peez.”

“I’ll get it,” Jolene said, since Crystal was busy smearing peanut butter on the bread. They finished making lunch for the little girl. Crystal seemed to know what she was doing. She first checked with Rain before cutting the bread. Turned out her mom cut it into squares. Not triangles, or rectangles but squares.

Rain ate a few bites of one piece before moving to another. She drank some of the juice before announcing she was full.

“You sure?” Crystal asked. “You hardly touched your food.”

“My mom makes it better,” Rain said, shrugging a shoulder.

“Of course, she does, sweety. Do you want to watch a movie on my iPad?”

Rain smiled. It was a sad smile. She nodded. “The one about the shark.”

“Okay, honey. You sit on the sofa and we can choose something together.”

Rain nodded. She slid off the chair and headed for the sofa, her doll still clutched to her chest.

“Why didn’t I think of watching a movie online?” Jolene muttered to herself. Storm had an iPad as well as a desktop computer.

Crystal set up the movie while she cleaned up.

“How is she?” Jolene asked.

Crystal shrugged. “She’s happy now. I found that shark movie she wanted.” The she-dragon smiled. “I wonder how the queen is getting on. I must say, that’s one good thing about being infertile, I don’t have to worry about giving birth.” Although Crystal smiled, she could see a pinched look on her face and her eyes had clouded. Then she smiled and it was gone.

Jolene couldn't imagine what it must be like. To long for a child, a family and not be able to have one. It kind of put things into perspective. She'd been mad at Storm for choosing her with no intention of taking it further, but at least she could move on.

Storm was right. She did take things too seriously. She did push too hard. When she did meet someone one day ‒ hopefully in the not too distant future ‒ she was going to do things differently. It would be about getting to know one another and about fun. Like she and Storm were doing now, only…it would be more serious.

“I can’t imagine how it must be for you,” Jolene said.

Crystal shrugged. “It is what it is. I’ve resigned myself to it. I’ll never be a mom and that’s okay.”

“It must be hard on you…all of you she-dragons, watching your men mate human women.”

“Yes,” she nodded, “it is. I can only hope to mate one day. Most of our males want young and…” She shrugged.

“So, they hold out for a human.”

“Exactly and that does hurt. I’m not good enough.” She sighed. “Oh well. There is a new human doctor. She is working with Tide’s mate, Meghan. Doctor Sheila has offered to test us. She wants to try to get to the bottom of our fertility problems.”

“Oh, that’s great!”

“Yes, but at the same time I am worried it will just get my hopes up. I don’t think it is really possible for us to ever have young.”

“I think you should try though. You will regret it otherwise.”

“Maybe you are right.” Crystal smiled. “Doctor Sheila also wants to test why it is that only male children result from human and non-human pairings. It doesn’t matter what the species is whether vampire or shifter, so far, only male children have been born. It’s also a problem with the rare dragon shifter females who are fertile.”

“That’s interesting. Are you saying—”

The front door opened and Storm raced in, his chest heaving. The pants he was wearing were twisted slightly to the right, like he’d hurriedly pulled them on.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he growled. “I’m not sure why no-one sent for me.” He walked towards them, a frown creasing his brow.

“Calm down, my lord. Jolene and I have things under control. Is there news of the queen?”

He nodded. “Although the birthing process is progressing quickly, all is well. I should not have left the lair. I promised Torrent I would look after Rain.” He looked around the chamber. “Where is my niece?”

“What?” Jolene said.

Crystal frowned as her eyes landed on the now empty sofa. The iPad was lying on the chair, the movie still playing unwatched.

Storm glanced at the door behind him. It was still open.

“Maybe she left to try to find her parents,” Jolene said, feeling panic mount.

Storm muttered a curse. He walked back out, sniffing the air. “Her scent trail isn’t fresh. This doesn’t make sense. Rain,” he called out, closing the door.

Jolene walked over to him and whispered. “She’s upset about all of this. She says she doesn’t want a brother.”

Storm nodded, eyes filled with worry. “Rain, hun…it’s your favorite uncle.” He tried to make his voice upbeat. “I’m sorry I’m late, angel.” He swallowed thickly. “Where are you?”

Nothing.

Suddenly Storm visibly relaxed, he touched his ear and then pointed at the bed. Crystal nodded in what looked like agreement. The little girl was obviously under it. Hiding. The dragons had been able to hear her with their superior senses. Jolene felt for Rain. This had to be quite frightening for a child.

“I have strawberry ice-cream. I can make you a three-scoop cone.” Storm said, speaking up so Rain would hear him.

“My mommy never lets me have three scoops,” a little voice sounded from below the bed.

“Your mommy’s not here, sweetheart,” Storm said. “I am, and I say you can have three scoops if you want.”

There was a moment or two of silence, before Rain slid out from under the bed. Storm crouched down beside her. “Why were you hiding under there?”

She shrugged, big blue eyes filling with tears.

“What’s wrong, angel?” Storm wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here and I’m sorry I didn’t visit you this week.”

“Have you been busy?” she asked as Storm released her.

“Yeah.” He glanced at Jolene. “But I should still have gone to your house and seen you.”

“Is that lady pregnant too?” Her eyes welled. “Are you going to have a baby of your own and forget about me, like daddy?”

“Daddy hasn’t forgotten about you.”

“All he can talk about is my baby brother. He keeps telling me how happy I’m going to be and how I can help mom, but I don’t want to.” Her lip wobbled. “Daddy won’t want me anymore.”

“That’s not true, Rain,” Storm spoke softly. “Your daddy loves you with all his heart and I love you with all my heart. No-one can ever replace you or forget you. You are one in a million and a princess. The only girl princess in the whole Water territory.” Storm smiled at her, cupping her chubby cheek softly in his hand for a moment.

“That is true.” She was thoughtful for a moment. “A boy can’t be a princess, can he?”

“Nope. No chance of that.”

“What if she has a girl?” Rain pointed at Jolene.

Storm smiled. “That’s my friend, Jolene.”

"I'm not pregnant," Jolene said, her voice catching. All this talk of babies was making her feel emotional. Watching Storm with his niece wasn't helping things either. He was so gentle, so sweet. So good with the little girl. He would make a wonderful father someday. Pity, she wouldn't be around to see it.

“Oh!” Rain said. “Okay.” That seemed to appease her.

“What do you say to three scoops, princess?” Storm held his arms open.

Rain giggled. “Yay!!” she yelled, jumping into Storm’s arms.

“That’s what I thought.” Storm tickled Rain who shrieked and yelled. He picked her up and held her in his arms, walking towards the kitchen. He stopped as he passed them. “Would you like some ice-cream?” he asked her. “I have sorbet,” he added, looking at Crystal. Dragons didn’t eat milk products.

“Sounds great,” the she-dragon said.

“What about you?” He kissed her quickly on the lips.

“Yuk! You are just like daddy and mommy,” Rain squealed. “You sure you don’t have a baby in your tummy?”

Jolene made a face. “Out the mouths of babes. Maybe I should skip the ice-cream. I’m quite sure, honey,” she said to Rain.

“Nonsense.” Storm frowned. “You’re perfect.” He kissed her again.

“What did I tell you?” Crystal piped up.

“What did she tell you?” Storm frowned.

“Nothing,” both she and Crystal said at once. Jolene felt her cheeks heat. “Okay, but only one scoop,” she quickly changed the subject.

“Two,” Storm said.

“Three!” Rain yelled.

Crystal laughed. “What the hell. I’ll have three!”

Jolene rolled her eyes, laughing as well. "Three it is then." She watched as Storm put Rain on the countertop. The little girl kicked her legs happily. She only had eyes for her uncle and Jolene couldn't blame her.

She had this feeling inside. This pang. It was regret. It was longing. Jolene was falling for Storm. There were no two ways about it. When Rain had asked if she was pregnant, she found that she wished she was. She wished even harder that Storm was hers. That Crystal was right when she said that Storm was besotted with her, but it wasn’t like that. At least, it wasn’t like that for him.