Page 74 of Hoarded By the Dragon

“Yes, sir,” he mutters. We don’t say anything as we trek back across the house. As soon as I close the door behind him, I break the silence.

“You told her.”

Gage nods. He doesn’t ask what I’m talking about. He knows that as big of a revelation as finding out my child is a girl, that isn’t what caused the flash of emotion on Katarina’s face.

“You should have been the one to tell her,” he says.

He’s right. Ben suggested the same thing.

“I know,” I say and pause before continuing. The relationship between Gage and I has always been difficult to navigate. When he was young, I tried to keep him from knowing how much his presence affected me. It hadn’t been fair to him. Which resulted in my appearance of cool control. Our relationship improved as he became an adult, and I finally accepted that I needed to show him my true emotions. I endeavor to only be honest now. “It’s difficult to confess my shortcomings.”

He scoffs. “Kalos, you lost your family, that’s trauma, not a shortcoming.”

I squint at him. “My inability to bond is a shortcoming.”

I cannot bond with a mate or a hatchling. I will forever be separate from Katarina and the baby, unable to feel them in my soul how I crave to. Because I do crave that. Even with the tidal wave of unease and fear that comes with it.

I will try my best to work around the lack of a bond for Katarina and the baby, but my best may not be good enough.

Which is why I haven’t made any promises.

“There are people you can talk to about that,” Gage offers. “Those who specialize in bonds.”

I compress my lips in instant denial. That kind of magic is very dangerous and requires a large amount of trust.

“The world is different, Kalos.” Gage shakes his head. “We don’t need to seclude ourselves and hide secrets the way we used to. There are people who can help.”

There’s a crack in my resolve at that. Is it possible? Is it worth the risk?

I clear my throat as if my godson hasn’t upset everything I thought to be fact. “If there is someone you trust, I will take that under advisement.”

Gage blinks in surprise before hiding the expression. “Alright. I know one off the bat that I’d trust with all my crews’ lives. The matchmaker at the bathhouse sees soul threads. She might be able to help.”

“The bathhouse that your succubus frequents?” I ask. There are other bathhouses in our world, but that one has a renowned matchmaker.

Gage blushes. “She’s not my succubus—”

I snort. It’s not my place to judge the relationships that Gage keeps.

Gage rolls his eyes at me. “But yes, that’s the one.” He looks thoughtful. “You should take Katarina there anyway. She’d probably enjoy some time away from this place.”

My nostrils flare, “It’s not safe—”

“It’s heavily warded, and there are private rooms,” Gage interrupts me, and I narrow my eyes at him. He continues, “You’d enjoy it too. It’s to your tastes.”

I consider his words before shrugging. The bathhouse is not a bad idea. I doubt that Katarina has noticed herself feeling more closed in, but with the mood swings, it would only do her good to get out of the house.

And this matchmaker may be able to change… everything. “Okay.”

Gage is surprised by my answer, but he’s quicker to wipe away the expression this time.

Have I really been such a domineering dragon that he’s so surprised that I’d take his advice? Yes, I have been. The hollow pain that I’ve kept alive in my soul hasn’t left much room to be flexible with those around me. I’m excellent at pushing people away.

Which brings me to my next words. Words I’ve said before, but they bear repeating.

“I am sorry,” I say. “For not being what you needed as a child.”

Having a youngling on the way reminds me of all the ways I’ve failed him. It keeps the feelings fresh.

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