Page 78 of Smoke and Moon

“Let’s go.Let’s go home, little bunny.”

~YH~

Little flame.

Her growling stomach pulled her out of her deep sleep and the salacious dream she was having about Aodh and the hot, sensuous way he whispered her name.She stretched and attempted to pull herself out of the Sandman’s clutches.Struggling to drag her body into a seated position on the bed, she yawned and wondered how long she’d been out and if she had missed Aodh coming home.He said he wanted to show her something, and she was excited to discover what it could be.As she glanced toward the stairs from the bedroom down to the lower level of the spacious suite, she noticed the light of day had faded, and more shadows were flickering along the wall.

She frowned.That’s when she noticed the glow of the flames in the fireplace in the room.Kai glanced around to see what else had changed while she rested and spotted the items on the table beside the chair.

Tana.The older woman’s care made her smile.

Kai placed a hand on her stomach and thought about the fear seated like a dense, heavy, coal block in her core.It would be different for her to have her mother’s support, but that wasn’t the case.However, with all the wisdom and quiet strength in her tone, Tana, their attendant, comforted Kai.She would need all the support she could get.This wasn’t only a baby she cared for, but a dragon or half-dragon...she didn’t know.

Did any of them?

She scooted over the big bed with her butt and heels until she got to the edge.Once there, she rose and sat beside the table to take in the dried meat, nuts, and sliced peaches.Before she was pregnant, the items would have been considered more than enough for a complete meal.But now, and how much the baby demanded of her, could only be described as a snack.She and Aodh would eat later.

Reaching for a strip of meat, she dug in.

Mate, I’ll be with you soon.

Kai turned and glanced toward the front room.When she didn’t see Aodh, she realized the voice was inside her.She didn’t know they could communicate over distance.

She responded as she swallowed the sweet, juicy piece of fruit.Are you here?

No.

Then how can I hear you?She scooped nuts from the bowl and ate them while waiting for his response.

You can always hear me through the link.But when there is a great distance, it is a faint hum.The closer we get to each other, the sharper the line becomes.

How close are you?

A few miles as the dragon flies.

Good.I want to see you.Kai wasn’t only talking about Aodh, but she also missed his dragon.Now that she had seen it and knew he wasn’t threatening her, she yearned to connect with Aodh’s beast.

A growl filled her mind.

A fire built from her core and licked along her spine and infused her body with desire that quickened her pulse.She felt how her acceptance of Aodh’s beast affected him.Her cheeks heated, and her lips curled into a smile.Anxious, she rose and padded barefoot toward the sliding glass door.

She wanted to go out and stand on the ledge and watch her mate fly in.But Aodh’s dragon was massive, and he didn’t need to worry about maneuvering around her to land.

Her heartbeat kicked up with her excitement at seeing such a sight.

Bang.Bang.

The firm pounding on the front door startled Kai.

Her brow tightened as she walked away from the big sliding door and started across the room.

Bang.Bang.Bang.

She wondered who knocked on the door.Who could it be?

Answer the door, mate, and share with me what’s happening.

Okay.Kai continued around the furniture and went to the door.

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