Chapter 4
Dragonlets Everywhere
Dori gave birth without trouble and soon she and the baby were resting easily. It wasn’t long before Betty and Niku with their daughter Selia, Bree, and Tomi and their mates came by to visit. Cretia stayed for a few days since she didn’t have a regular job. The baby boy, Roger, named after Dori’s father, was hale and hearty. He had a set of lungs that could be heard on the other side of the house.
Dori had a contraption Cretia had never seen the like of. Dori or Garulto could wear it with the baby pressed to their back or their stomach in order to carry him anywhere they went. The child enjoyed it and cried only when he was hungry or soiled. Over all, he was a happy boy and Cretia stayed only a few days.
Four days later, Cretia was called to Betty’s house where Niku paced the floor while Dori filled her in. Betty was in labor. Excitement and worry was in the air as the labor pains got closer and closer together. Finally, the first head crowned. Cretia was thrilled Dori was there to catch the baby.
Once the little girl was delivered, she took her and cleaned her up. By the time she got back, the next baby was well on her way. Another little girl was delivered with the same dark curly hair on her head. Niku and Betty were beside themselves as Dori and Cretia stepped to the other room to enjoy a hot cup of tea and some cookies.
“This is amazing. All these babies.” Cretia observed.
“They are so precious. Bree’s will come soon then Davy’s.”
“How are Tomi and Erak doing?”
“They get close then argue. They fight then make up.” Dori observed.
“Those two are worse than Toreen and I.”
“Are you sure?”
“We are bad, but yes, they are worse.” Cretia decided. “They’ve known each other longer too. Maybe her working in the castle will bring them together.”
“How does it go with you and Toreen? You two seem fated.”
“It’s true and yet it doesn’t seem to work. When I was at the manor house, he avoided me. Now I’m busy and can’t see him often. If someone didn’t know better, it would look like we play a game to avoid one another.”
“I believe it will all work out. Has he tried to claim you?”
Cretia turned red and looked at the floor. “Yes, but it is too soon. He took the time to get his head straight and now I need the time.” She admitted.
“The time will come when neither of you have an excuse.”
“It’s not an excuse.” Cretia denied hotly. Dori raised a brow and she looked at the floor. Okay, it was not an excuse she was willing to admit.
They finished eating their cookies and drinking their tea. Now it was time to return to the babies and their parents. Since everyone was fine, Cretia had no reason to stay. It was time to return to her daily life. Would Toreen come to see her now? It was really hard to say.
She was at the point where she could see her and Toreen mated someday. Her mind could even imagine babies and pets. Was that crazy? Dannia was still a real concern until she was caught, but would that ever happen? All her life, she’d been overshadowed by Dannia. Her dream was to break free and live a peaceful life of her own. Cretia had never had big dreams, she just wanted a safe home and a family.
Cretia took her leave after lunch. She begged off Niku flying her and just walked through the woods. It was a short walk or they never would have allowed her to go. There were plants of all kinds and she picked some she thought Betty might have an interest in. The walk was calming and she made it home quickly with a bag of unusual plants.
Once she locked her door, a new habit Niku had encouraged, she laid down for a nap. That was unusual for her, but delivering babies was tiring work. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out.
The next few days took on a pattern and Toreen visited each day once he was aware she was at the hut. Of course in this air of growth, it wasn’t long before Bree called her. Romo was nervous, but that wasn’t unusual for a first time father. Bree went into labor, but she wasn’t in it long. Her labor was the shortest of all the recent ones. A lovely baby boy came into the world screaming his lungs out. The child calmed easily and the next day Cretia left as the parents had everything in hand with family members giving out a helping hand.
Davy had her child a few weeks later, she needed no extra help. Cretia went to see her anyway and brought a small baby gift. With her mind on babies, it was easy so see why she caught her own condition. She’d been so careless, but her tiredness and queasy feelings the last few days had given her a hint. Now she went to see Martz who took care of the property for Niku. He could scent pregnancies.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” He asked as she drew nearer. “Ah, I see. There’s an outbreak of pregnancies, it would seem. Is this good news or bad?”
“A child is always good news.” Cretia said.
“I’ve been told this before by the father of your child’s cousin. Does Toreen suspect?”
“No, he’s not come around as much as before. Of course I’ve been helping deliver the babies of others.”
“A worthwhile activity. You’ll tell him?” Martz asked.
“Of course. It’s his child.” Cretia planned to tell him soon, but he didn’t come around for almost a week. Had he lost interest?
A few more days passed before Toreen finally came to visit. “It’s nice to see you.” Cretia said. Her attitude was formal as she waited to see what Toreen had to say.
“I know you’ve been busy and I was tied up too.” He replied. “Would you take a flight with me?”
“Where to?”
“To the manor house. I’ve something to show you.”
Curiosity rushed through Cretia. What could possibly be at the house? She nodded as she followed him to the table in her back yard.
Toreen changed then sat down next to the table where she could climb on. It was easy to slide on his back although it wasn’t something she did often. She was nervous when he stood and a bit scared when he lifted into the air. The wind rushed into her face as her thighs pressed against his sides hard to stay onboard and her arms wrapped around his neck as best she could. Thankfully, it was a short ride.
The manor house was in sight growing closer by the second. It had grown familiar while she’d lived here. Possibly it was the closest to a home she had ever come. Toreen circled dropping lower and lower until he was in the yard. Once he set down, he moved to a table in the yard and settled down next to it so she could dismount.
A feeling of homecoming settled on her, but she told herself not to get too comfortable. There were things to work out still. Dannia was like a curse that hung over her head and she couldn’t make Toreen deal with it. There was no doubt in Cretia’s mind that Dannia wasn’t through with her yet. As long as they both lived and were free, Dannia considered Cretia hers to use at will or punish if that wasn’t possible.
Toreen changed back to his human form and as much as Cretia admired his dragon, it was the man she dreamed of. It was the man that set her body on fire no matter how much she tried to keep the feeling at bay.
“Come with me.” Toreen held out his hand. She took it and allowed him to lead her into the manor house.
Little had changed as she looked around where they entered. Few people were near, but those who were looked at them and acknowledged her. Cretia realized he was leading her toward his private wing of the house. Excitement and fear fought for the upper hand as she tried to figure out what he might have planned.
She’d been in his suite before, she’d collected his dirty clothes, cleaned up, or delivered supper to him. Never had she gone here for a personal reason. They stepped into his rooms and she caught her breath at the changes he’d wrought. The suite was completely different and modernized.
“It’s beautiful. Why did you do this now?” Cretia wondered.
“For my mate.”
Cretia’s heart hurt. She’d held off his suit so he’d found another. “I’m sure she’ll like it.”
Toreen chuckled and grabbed her shoulders turning her to him. “I’ve told you already, female, you’re mine. If you make me wait, then I will. But I will not replace you. Your place is here by my side when you are ready. Meanwhile,” He paused because there was a knock on the door. He went to it opening it and several workers came in setting food up on the table in the sitting room.
Once they were done he turned back. “Please join me for supper.” He lit the candle and pulled out a chair for her sliding it in once she was in it. “I hope you like spaghetti. I hear it is a romantic meal. I was also told dogs like it, but I’m not sure why that matters.”
Cretia couldn’t hold her smile. “On Earth they have something called cartoons where animals are given human behavior. There is a cartoon where a male and female dog share a plate of spaghetti. I’ve not seen it, but I’ve heard it’s cute.”
“Have you seen any of these cartoons?”
“Davy had a device brought in from Earth that plays movies and cartoons. She had some that were interesting. Of course she claimed they were for the baby. I don’t believe the baby is old enough to understand them.”
“I agree with you. It’s possible she likes to watch them herself.”
“She admitted as much, but claimed she would not have sent for them anyway, but for the baby. Davy also let me watch a movie and I swear they blew up half their world during it.”
“I’ve heard their world is in rough shape. Looks like you saw why.”
They began to eat, the food was simply too good. “Did Dori help with this?”
Toreen flushed. “She might have supervised the kitchen. The female believes we belong together. I believe she is right.”
Cretia let out a long sigh. “I have something to tell you that I found out recently.”
“Does it stop us from being together?” Toreen demanded.
“No. We are expecting a dragonlet.”
“What?” Toreen looked stunned. “Us? Our first? Are you certain?”
“Martz has a nose for babies. He’s not been wrong yet. Are you unhappy about it?”
“No, I’m just stunned. I was already planning to have the nursery redone and hoping we’d fill it. A baby! You’re moving in with me, yes?”
“I wasn’t ready.”
“Babies don’t care. You must realize that you’ll be safer here? It’s not just you anymore.” Toreen observed.
“I know, but I’m not even showing yet.”
“You can do many of the things you do from here. In the afternoons, when I’m off work, I can take you to the woods to hunt what you wish. I even have a guy willing to live in your hut so the land is watched over.”
“I feel like I stepped into a trap.”
“No, I’ve just been making plans to help you ease into life as my lady easier. Is there something wrong with that?” Toreen inquired.
“Of course not. I just don’t want to bring Dannia to your door. That’s understandable, isn’t it?”
“Sadly enough, it is, but I can protect you.”
“I believe you. I just didn’t want my mate to have to take on guarding duties from the start.” Cretia admitted.
“You don’t understand me. I want to protect and take care of you.” Toreen stood and walked over to her chair dropping to one knee next to her.
Grabbing one of her hands, he held it in one of his. “The second I saw you, I knew. I wanted to make this perfect place, this dragon’s nest for you and our dragonlets. There I could keep you happy and safe from anything. But I had troubles I couldn’t overcome. At the end of the day where was little left for anyone and I wanted more, so much more for you. Still I’m not where I want to be, but I can’t do without you any longer. Do you understand?”
Cretia looked at him her eyes bright with tears she refused to cry from the joy of hearing he truly wanted her. She nodded her head and Toreen leaned in and kissed her. It was gently at first, but it built passion until it washed over them.
Taking her into his arms, he carried her to his bed which was in his bedroom, before sliding her down his body until she stood on the floor. He began remove her clothes as he kissed her while she attempted to disrobe him. Once she was bare, her breasts made a tempting distraction as he squeezed one in his hand then his mouth moved to the other sucking it in until the nipple was pebbled and drove her crazy. The other breast needed the same attention so he gave it. Cretia’s soft sounds made his shaft which she slid her hand over even stiffer. She pressed her body against him needing more and he began to give her everything.
Lifting her, he set her down on the bed as she was, naked and needy. That’s when he turned his attention back to her wonderful body. His hand moved sliding between her thighs and his mouth continued the work he’d began on her aching nipples. She squirmed and whimpered with desire. Cretia was near to the point of going wild with need. He slid his mouth from her breast while he kissed her as his fingers pumped into her slick wet folds.
“Clothes?” Cretia tugged on his pants hoping she could remove them.
Standing up, he began to strip quickly as his eyes continued to look at her naked body. She flushed, but she enjoyed his heated looks and was ready for her mate to take her once again. Once he rejoined her on the bed, fire ran through her veins just from staring at him. This male turned her into a raging fire before they even touched and now she was almost ready to explode. She knew he would make her burn and that they would set these sheets on fire. Right now she sensed he was holding back. Maybe Toreen had doubts about them mating?
Finally, he pulled her into his embrace giving her the kiss she had been waiting for and he seemed to enjoy giving it as much as she did receiving it. As his hands slid over her, she started to whimper with need. Now he kissed her mouth and began to seduce her completely. His tongue explored her mouth and moved against her tongue. She felt her channel getting wetter until the fluid flowed down wetting the insides of her thighs.
This man was meant to be hers and though she’d already accepted it, she knew it would be life changing. He began cup her breasts causing all thoughts to flee. These feelings he was giving her made her body burn and ache for more. Now the tip of his cockhead nestled at her entrance ready to make its way inside her. Entering so slowly she almost screamed in frustration, he finally sunk balls deep inside her.
“You are so unbelievably tight. I wish to lose myself inside you and fill you with a baby, but there’s already one growing inside.” Toreen chuckled.
Her body instantly reacted to his words and her channel became a vise around his large cock. Groaning, she pushed up against him as he filled her to near bursting. Toreen pulled out and plunged back in all the way. Her legs wrapped around his hips and pressed into his soft ass cheeks. He was moving so quickly, all she could do was hang on tight for the ride. Cretia was loving it as he hit every sensitive spot and he moved his hips from side to side.
Pounding into her, he drilled in as deep as he could go. It felt like he was making contact with her tonsils from below as he bottomed out, but surprisingly it felt great. Hard and fast, Toreen took her to new heights until her climax took her away. Her neck felt a sting as he made their mating formal and a second orgasm rocked her. She heard him yell her name as he too found his release. Toreen banged against her over and over even after she suspected his seed had all been spent.
Now he rolled the two of them over leaving her halfway across his chest while they both fought to gain control of their runaway breathing and their hearts that tried to pound right out of their chests. Was that even possible? Right now it felt like it was. Everything slowed to normal until their exhausted bodies eased into sleep. Now they would dream and their bodies would recover until they were ready to be active again.
Cretia felt warm and satisfied, or she did until her stomach growled with hunger. “Was that you?” Toreen asked. “You sounded like a hungry dragon about to go on a rampage.
She blushed with embarrassment. “Our meal got interrupted.”
“In a pleasurable way. Do you want to see if anything worth eating is left?”
“Easy for you to say. Dragons can eat anything with no worries.” Cretia observed.
“True, what if I rummage through the leftovers and order you a fresh meal?”
“It would be unfair to make you eat what has been left out for hours.”
“No worries. It will still be good for me.” Toreen grabbed his com and ordered a meal for Cretia. “You are after all feeding two.” He grinned.
She threw a pillow at him, but he ducked. “Maybe you should ask a mated male with a dragonlet how to act when you are with your expecting mate?”
“They would take all the fun out of it.” Toreen observed.
“For you or for me?”
“Maybe both. When I am bad I will always make it up to you.”
Just thinking about what he’d just said made her breathe heavier. Toreen picked through the food eating what he wanted, but it wasn’t long before there was a knock on the door. Her mate dismissed them then he wheeled in the cart. There was a lot of food on it for one person.
“Is this all for me?”
“Yes, you need to eat better.”
“If I eat half of this I won’t be able to walk.” She teased. Leftover spaghetti was on the tray as well as cheesy bread. A salad was there too with a creamy dressing. “Did you lure Dori here and lock her in the kitchen?”
“No, she taught some of my helpers how to make a few meals. She didn’t want you to starve. Did she know about the dragonlet?”
“Not from me. I told no one and I don’t believe Martz said anything either. Dori has expressed concern about my weight loss. She invited me to supper often. The female is a wonderful mother even to those not her own.”
“She claims you as one of hers. Believe me, she told me how things had better be.” Toreen said then he chuckled. “Dori is tough. No one would find a better mother.”
“Truth. I wish I’d grown up with her. My parents favored Dannia, always.”
“They were blind. When she’s in jail will they favor her still?”
“I have no doubt. She got in trouble, but it was never her fault. There was a girl in school that some thought was prettier. Dannia had two males hold her down while she cut her face. On our planet it wouldn’t heal without a scar. My sister was the beauty queen once more. My parents didn’t believe she did it. Even the school administrator blamed the boys. They were kicked out of school and ended up on the mining meteor. One of them is the manager.”
“Sounds like he didn’t let her ruin his life. What about the girl?”
“She killed herself. Dannia laughed. That’s when she told me I was lucky I wasn’t pretty or I’d be dead.”
“Your sister lied. You are pretty and you have more going for you than just looks. You’ll be a perfect mate even when we’re grandparents.” Toreen admitted. “That female is as black as sludge on the inside. Be glad you’re not like her at all.”
Cretia had to admit that once she was grown, she’d never wanted to be like Dannia. At that point, all she’d wanted to do was get as far away from her as possible. Unfortunately, Dannia’s goal had been keeping as close to her as possible. Dannia had met her goals better, but could she even hope to be free of her older sister? That was her prayer to her gods and the goddess most dragons prayed to the most.
She was now a mated female, her mate was a lord. It didn’t go to her head, it went to her hands. Even though he was a lord, they didn’t have the resources his lordship, the official name for Toreen’s land, should have. They’d finally stopped the money leaking from his accounts, but there was still much work to do.
On top of everything else, the king wanted Toreen to help him trap his stepmother. Toreen didn’t want to be around the female, but his king had asked it of him so he agreed. Now they had to get the manor house ready for an uppity bitch, that’s what Dori said she’d be called on Earth. The female might not be as deadly as Dannia, but she was dangerous too.
Cretia worked on the manor making sure the curtains, towels, sheets and other items were clean and in the best repair. She, with the help of those available, cleaned the dirt out of every corner making surfaces shine. Even the windows had to not only be clean, but sparkle. In the evening, she dropped in their bed exhausted until her mate came to bed later and woke her up.
Her desire for him was so strong, she never told him she was tired. They had less than a month to prepare and that month was their honeymoon period. Toreen had invited his father and his stepmother here to stay before a ball the king was throwing. Since the money no longer went to Toreen’s father’s account, everyone was certain the female would visit to see what was going on.
She hoped the female would come, but only because she wanted this done. It was killing Toreen from the inside out. He needed this resolved and peace in their life so he could find some happiness. It was finally down to a week and the work was done. Now everyone just had to keep the high standards expected until the visitors left. Now they were riding out the last week, deciding how to entertain this bad female so she would stay long enough for them to discover if she was another Dannia.
This was what the king and the emperor feared. “Tell me more about your parents.” Cretia asked.
Toreen had a look on his face as if his mind was back years ago. He’d told her much about when he and Niku had been small. Their parents had been in love with each other and they both loved their sons. “My parents took time for each other, but my mother always said Niku and I were their love come to life. I always thought my father agreed until mother died.”
“I’m so sorry, Toreen.”
“It was awful and took months as she slowly faded away. At first she was tired, her appetite went away so she lost weight. Father fussed, but she said she’d finally lost those last few pounds no diet got rid of. She said they should celebrate, but it wasn’t long before she looked too thin. A few weeks and she looked haggard. Soon she couldn’t run or jump. Later, even walking was a chore, food made her want to gag, and she had to be helped to the bathroom or to bathe.”
“They never found out what it was?”
“The young assistant healer said it acted like poison, but the master healer said that was ridiculous. The problem was he had no ideas at all. Eventually, she was bed ridden and even talking was too much. Four months, that’s what it was to go from a healthy happy female to the cold of death.”
“It sounds like poison to me too. There are many poisons on my planet assassins use.”
“Truth?” Toreen asked.
“Yes, and I’ve heard there are some here too. When I began to harvest mushrooms they described the kind I’d best not pick.”
“I know of those, but everyone knows better than to eat them. Never that I remember have I heard what they do to a female.”
“A female? Don’t they hurt males too?” Cretia asked.
“Only human kind, male or female. Few potions or poisons work on dragons. Yet my mother was a dragon and she died.”
“When did your father meet this female?”
“A year later they mated. I’m not sure when they met. She never stayed here, my father supported her elsewhere until I came of age. Niku and I dislike her intensely. Sometimes I’m not sure how my father feels about her, but he’s been with her a long time. He must feel something for her.”
“He never speaks sweetly of her?”
“No, he might as well be a servant the way he speaks of the missus. He never uses her name.”
“I’m sure you realize that’s weird?”
“I don’t know that. Some of the lords call their mates lady. Some king’s call their mates queen. I’ll admit most everyday folk use names. That one doesn’t consider herself an everyday person. Ma, Romo’s mother, says she takes on airs. She thinks she’s special and deserving of respect for no particular reason.”
“Ma is a down to earth female. I bet that one drove her crazy.”
“It’s true. She disliked her intensely, but she might have anyway. Our mother and Ma were best friends.”
“I can see that it would make it hard, but Ma is fair.”
“I see she’s taken to you.”
“She’s been good to me, but had she not been fair, she’d have never given me a chance.”
“Regardless of what happens, Niku and I will soon know what happened to our father when our mother died. It always seemed strange the way everything happened back then. He cut himself off from us and we didn’t know what to do. That still doesn’t seem right. It’s more like a nightmare.”
The days passed until it was the night before their company would arrive. The employees and boarders had no idea what this visit was for. Few actually knew and Cretia wasn’t sure who those people were besides her mate, Niku, the king, and the emperor. Everyone had worked hard preparing for the guests and she hoped they would be able to uphold the standards Toreen’s stepmother expected.
As they turned in for the night, they both knew tomorrow would bring answers and some might be things Toreen didn’t want to face. It looked like he intended to think about something else before they went to sleep. He started to stroke, kiss, and press against her thighs. It was clear he wanted her now. She hoped tonight they could forget, but tomorrow it would all come back to them.
Standing up, he stripped his clothing off fast. Damn the man looked gorgeous. Her eyes traced down over his full lips, the strong column of his throat, to his broad shoulders, and rock hard chest. His abs were muscled as hell and his waist nipped in tiny for such a big man. It was when her eyes reached his cock that she thought they would pop out, but they only widened as she stared in amazement at the size of her mate. Her mouth watered and her fingers wanted to touch it.
“Maybe you should take your clothes off too?” he asked with a half-smile on his face.
She stood up close to her naked mate and began to take her clothes off. He stared at her breasts as if they were snacks he could have to feast on. She just stared back as she slid her panties down her legs kicking them away. Undressed, she felt shy, but forced herself to stand proud like he was.
“You’re unbelievably lovely and I just want to touch you,” he whispered.
She felt better once he said that. His body was magnificent, manly, and she fought the need to reach out and touch him. Desire ran through her just from looking at him. Her face heated as her eyes followed a path down to his engorged cock and she swallowed. Her imagination told her he probably tasted wonderful.