Chapter 8
Living Life to the Fullest
Cretia walked beside Toreen with Pa behind them. They didn’t go inside first, they knew Betty and Niku often entertained outside completely. A lovely outdoor kitchen graced their backyard, and just as expected, everyone was out there talking as they prepared food.
Two berry pies were in Toreen’s hands and he set them on the table. They were wrapped and ready to eat so the only danger to them would be a hungry dragon. He set them on the table where most of the food was. Everything was covered except a warming platter which would hold the meat that Niku was about to place in it.
The variety of foods was astounding. Even the meats numbered nearly a dozen. Sausages were well known to dragons but only a couple kinds were made. Dori and her girls made hot dogs which were unheard of on Draconis and the bratwursts which the males loved. The buns they fashioned were popular too. Tomi served them one day a week at the castle and the café could barely keep up with the demand. Cretia sometimes went in to help her serve the food on that day.
All those things and hamburgers were there as well. Cretia enjoyed cooking with the hamburger because she could add things to it and make a meal in one pot. Toreen and Pa went to the pit to sit with the males. They all said they helped cook, but only Niku was doing anything.
Cretia went to the outdoor kitchen where all hands were helping. She sat at a work area and began to peel shallow roots which Dori had adapted to her potato salad. As she worked, she listened to see how everyone else was doing.
“Tomi and Erak are here, but they are keeping the little ones busy.” Dori explained. “We’ve been working for a while, but we will be cooking until we serve the food. That way Betty will have enough food for the coming week.”
That made sense since she had two little ones to care for and had just returned to work at the castle. Cretia felt for any mother that worked even if she chose to. It had to be difficult to be torn between your offspring and the need to help support them or as in Betty’s case, something you felt strongly about. Betty was an amazing healer and her being at the castle would very well save lives. She’d saved Cretia’s life when most likely not even the royal healer could have.
Food was done and they all gathered around the outdoor dining table, including Tomi, Erak and the little ones. It was good to feel part of a family. That’s exactly what this was. There was much talking and an air of easy joviality. She was glad to see Pa having a good time and fitting in. He’d been introduced to the twins and Selia. Selia was sitting on his lap feeding him off her plate. They were talking in between bites and he seemed to be completely wrapped around her little finger.
Maybe she would see if Dori could find a widow for him to spend time with. He’d been worse than alone since his mate had died. Her heart bled for him. It had only been a few days since his memories had fully returned. He was coping well, in her opinion. Pa had taken on duties that helped Toreen and allowed them some time together. As far as she could tell, he was a good dragon and had been victimized. Cretia was beginning to feel true hate for Mabest and her own sister Dannia.
Those two females were selfish beyond anything she could imagine. Their powers gave them the ability to hurt others and they used them to their fullest abilities. Dannia being loose worried Cretia and there was nothing she could do about it.
They’d eaten their meal and now they sat around with their desserts and drinks. Erak cleared his throat looking around nervously. It was an unusual look for him. “I need to pass on some information, mainly to Toreen and Cretia, and Niku and Betty. Dannia was spotted in this vicinity. It is confirmed that she left the planet, but it is upsetting that she managed to land and apparently complete whatever she came for. I’m very sorry that happened.” He nodded at Garulto.
“My people are investigating in an attempt to discover what she is planning. We are also considering hiring an assassin to take her out. The issue is that she is not in our territory and if our plan is discovered, it may be taken as an act of war. We need to proceed carefully.” Garulto explained.
Cretia felt sick. Perhaps she needed to hire an assassin, it would be self-defense, wouldn’t it? Those on Dannia’s side like those she had taken up with might not agree, but it was getting to the point she might not care.
“Where was she seen exactly?” Toreen asked.
“In your lordship just off your personal lands. It was near the hut Cretia once resided in.” Garulto informed. “The male staying there claims he never saw her.”
“You don’t believe him?” Toreen asked.
“I believe he believes it. The problem is the female has great powers to affect and influence males and even some females.” Garulto admitted.
“Females?” Cretia asked.
“I’m afraid so. Certain females that don’t have any mind shields can also be influenced.” Garulto explained.
“You mean the weak minded?” Niku asked.
“I suppose you could describe it that way, but some brilliant people have little shielding. It’s not something we think we need to work on. Dragons are actually empathic to various extents which means some of us can’t be influenced.” Garulto explained.
“Wouldn’t empathy make us easier to influence?” Erak asked clearly surprised by this little tidbit if information.
“No, those with great empathy sense the evil in her.” Garulto explained.
“So I’m a weak willed male?” Pa asked.
“No, the same thing can happen to someone who has a major life changing event, especially a bad one. Your mate dying opened you up to her influence. It’s unlikely she would have had a chance otherwise. She hoped to get to Toreen, that’s why you two never actually mated. It should have been obvious to us, but we didn’t like her so we all kept our distance and just assumed you’d mated.” Garulto observed.
“Won’t it be harder for her to influence people that are aware of what she is and what she does?” Erak asked.
“It will be for those that care. There are always some that barely get by and want to gain without work. Those will be open to her lies and influence. It is those we must watch out for.” Garulto explained.
The mood had gone from happy to a mix of sad and angry. Dannia could take the joy from anyone. Cretia knew she wasn’t the only one concerned about her appearing so close to where they all lived. Niku and Betty had been threatened too and Dannia never seemed to forget once she targeted someone. Erak had also been on her list. She’d thought to meet him and get him to want her. That would have been accomplished when Cretia mated Niku, because he would have introduced Dannia to Erak who would have been influenced to mate her.
A complicated plan? Yes, but she would have done it one step at a time. Look at what she’d already achieved. Dannia mated a rich male and killed him off. She’d had a plan that would have introduced her to lords and kings. Had Cretia not stood up to her, she might have managed to do it.
They finished their dessert and drinks and began to say their good byes and head home. It was early still, but Cretia felt tired. It could be a reaction to the news they’d gotten or from her body adjusting to the little dragon she carried.
“I think I need a nap.” Cretia said as they entered their house.
“A nap or a nap?” Toreen asked his eyes full of interest.
“A nap then a nap?” She said with a smile.
“I will escort you to our room.” Toreen promised. He did and he enjoyed the results as much as she did. Toreen shut the door and wasted no time pulling her into his arms and kissing her. Her mate was so hot he sizzled. She gave herself over to the kiss.
He pulled back as they both got carried away as they panted and their hearts pounded. Toreen began undressing so Cretia decided to strip too. “Lovely.” He whispered as she revealed her body to him.
Before long they stood naked, staring at each other. Toreen was magnificent from his dark hair, to his long and thick cock, and on down his muscular legs to feet. It made Cretia feel like licking him all over. Need washed over her and she felt weak with it.
“Let’s get on the bed.” Toreen decided.
Cretia did as he wanted like she usually did. She got in the middle so he do as he wanted. Toreen got on the bed then slid on top of her. Leaning on his forearms, he kept his weight off her but fenced her in so she couldn’t escape. As if she would.
“I’m never letting you go.” Toreen told her. His hot breath hit her causing goosebumps to rise and she writhed with need.
“Hurry, Toreen.”
Lowering himself to where his body touch hers, his mouth claimed hers in a deep and loving kiss where his tongue licked and tasted her mouth. Heat emanated from him, more than usual.
His chest rumbled with desire or maybe the needs of his beast. By the time he made it to the space between her thighs, Cretia going wild and feeling only the pleasure he gave her. The sounds she made were harsh whimpers as she spread her legs and arched up toward him. Her fingers were grabbed his hair holding him in place.
“I need more!” She screamed.
Toreen slid one large hand under her ass cupping her cheeks to tilt her up toward him slightly. A position that opened her up to him further. His other hand, he slid one finger into her hot wet pussy even as his tongue worried her clit. Adding a second finger and then finally a third, he stretched and prepared her.
Cretia was crazy with need and on the verge of a monster orgasm. Toreen was now no longer gentle with his fingers in her channel, he was pounding them in and it felt amazing. His tongue and occasionally his teeth were working her clit until she was ready to explode. That was when it suddenly hit. The climax rolled over her like a gigantic wave and she hollered out his name.
Once her clutching release began to ease, Toreen whispered in her ear. “I love you so much, Baby.”
Her mate slid up her body with blinding speed. His cock pressed against her slick channel then slid deep inside. First he waited so she could adjust, but then he began to slide in and out. Slowly at first, it wasn’t long before he was pounding into her building the need back to where an orgasm threatened to erupt. Friction built as tension increased. More tension and soon the tension had an explosion headed her way. Toreen’s magic fingers worked her clit as he hammered harder and harder into her. It wasn’t long before they came together and they were so exhausted, they fell asleep.
Life was falling into a routine that was enjoyable and easy. Cretia had never believed her life could be so fulfilling and satisfying. Just the other day, the little one had kicked. Toreen had not been around, but just now the little one kicked again and she grabbed Toreen’s hand placing it on her stomach hoping for another kick.
“Is something wrong?” He asked but then his eyes widened as the baby kicked again. “He kicked!” Her mate seemed so sure it would be a boy. A few months and they would know.
“Yes, this is the second time he has done this.” Cretia admitted.
“I praise the goddess that I was here to feel it.” Toreen said as a grin showed on his face.
Toreen had settled down and seemed joyful whenever around her especially when they spoke of their baby. Baby was an Earth term Cretia liked and she used often. Neither she nor Toreen had been prepared for a baby. Dori had helped them by letting them know what they needed before the baby came.
Dori had even taken them to the large sale below the castle and they had bought a crib that Toreen and Pa had fixed up and repainted for the baby. A changing table and a rocking chair had also been bought. A playpen and a baby carrier had been ordered from Earth since they weren’t available on Draconis. That was something that would change soon.
Cretia had bought a huge box of baby clothes and sorted through them repairing small tears. It had given her something to do in the evenings when she waited for Toreen to be finished for the day. This had become the life she had always hoped for.