Page 45 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

While I preferred the cozy intimacy of the breakfast nook in the kitchen, Riley had spoken about wanting to wear her gown tonight and there was nothing I’d deny her.

Besides, Malachy needed an excuse to shave and clean himself up. It was one step closer to getting him out of my house.

He hadn’t told me why he was still here, but I got the feeling that he needed more time to regain his strength. I’d worked out the details of the MacAlister attack—how they’d swooped in on him during an absorption and hit him in that weakened state—but it was only the two younger brothers, Shawn and Jeremey, who’d come.

I hadn’t thought them capable of making decisions without their older brother, Cain, but Malachy reasoned that Cain might be behind the attack anyway.

The part of me that wasn’t pissed at my brother’s cock-blocking ways, was glad that he stayed close enough to keep an eye on him.

Speak for yourself.

It’s easier to have him here when the MacAlisters attack in retaliation for the death of their youngest brother.

I’d assumed that would occur shortly after they realized Shawn wouldn’t be returning. Dragons moved slowly on most things, but they were known for their quick temper and bloodlust.

We were still waiting for their revenge weeks later.

Malachy had healed enough that I didn’t worry about him taking the two remaining brothers in a fight. That would change when Earth called, though. And the longer he was given to restore his strength, the better. Especially if, according to him, each time it took longer to get back up.

Kieran was also waiting to learn if I’d mated Riley and if she bore the mark. But he could keep waiting a moment longer.

Despite the chaos of Earth and the impending doom the prophecy foretold, I dug my talons in on this issue.

Riley could have as much time as she needed.

I finished laying sprigs of rosemary on the plates and capped them with the silver lids just as Malachy walked into the kitchen, adjusting the sleeves of one of my suits.

He dares to impress in my clothes.

Smoke billowed from my nostrils, but I held back the growl of my dragon. At least my brother wasn’t wearing sweats to dinner.

“You really believe Riley is your mate,” Malachy said, taking me by surprise. He’d danced around this topic for the past few weeks.

I looked beyond his shoulder, sensing that Riley was still in the bathroom getting ready. “She is.”

I untied my apron and hung it on the hook before pushing the bar cart toward the dining room.

“These too?” Malachy lifted the serving trays when I nodded.

“I’m surprised your pompous tail still knows how to perform manual labor,” I scoffed. It’d been a long time since our childhood and the training Malachy went through before becoming guardian.

I didn’t know if life was better or worse now, but as his only brother, I still got to tease him.

“I’m surprised you found someone who can tolerate your insufferable ass.” Malachy sneered as he placed the trays on the table. “One you’d even play dress up for.”

I buttoned my sleeves and then removed the jacket I’d left hanging on the back of the chair and put it on. The suit was stuffy and restricting, but Riley deserved to feel like a princess for the night.

“It’s only a suit,” I said, uncorking the wine. “I didn’t think I’d ever…”

My voice trailed off, leaving the thought unfinished.

It didn’t need an explanation.

None of us had hope of meeting our fated mates, not with the way things had been going for the past few hundred years. To watch your species age and retreat to loneliness around you with no hatchlings being born. The empty classrooms. The stories passed down becoming more and more far-fetched.

When we were young, we didn’t know the prophecy signaled our lifetime. But the signs foretold this long before we figured it out. As Earth’s activity increased, ours decreased.

It’d been a long time since we had any sort of hope for a brighter future.

---