Page 32 of The Dragon's Stormwoven Bond

“Yeah, when you’re a fan. Not when you’re the coach.” Well, they were still fun, but it was also work. Right now, lots of work as I adjusted to the new position.

“I’m sure it’s still fun.” Rhythe was beaming. I half wondered why he never competed, or maybe he had and it hadn’t come up in conversation yet. I’d ask my mate later, when it wouldn’t embarrass him. “But sure, we can talk about it later.”

“Perfect. In the meantime… Commander Emmen is right behind you.”

Rhythe jumped up from his seat and looked behind him. I laughed.

Pep smacked my shoulder. “That was a cruel joke. Besides, he’s over there.”

I meant it as lighthearted fun, but before I could apologize, Rhythe was in his own world. His head whipped around, his gaze finding Emmen in the crowd. He was talking with Lord Malric and his mate, Ollie.

“I’m going to see if I can get close to him.”

Pep rolled his eyes at his twin’s antics as his brother propelled himself in the direction of the unsuspecting dragon but then got nervous and hid behind a family chatting, peeking out from behind them every few seconds.

“I had no idea he was such a fan.” Or that anyone was anymore. Emmen’s glory days were behind him, possibly in front of him too, but he hadn’t been front and center in my mate’s lifetime.

“He always has been. We used to watch the games together. We still do sometimes. But it’s just not my thing.”

“And yet you are mated to a flight leader.”

“Well, computers aren’t your thing. Yet you’re mated to a media specialist.” He winked.

“Indeed I am.”

Pep’s parents came by and sat with us, most of the awkwardness having gone away since we came clean about being mated, but not 100%. It was nice that they didn’t hesitate to join us. That was a huge step forward. Katrina kept the conversation flowing, but not once did I smell any smoke coming from Eryx, which was a huge step from the first time he discovered our mating, that was for sure.

After we finished our meal, my mate and I linked hands and walked around socializing with some of our co-workers. It was nice enough, but my mate was at the exhausted part of his pregnancy, so we excused ourselves from a lively conversation about one of the new meals in rotation at the cafeteria and found a place to sit on the lawn.

The two of us watched the kids play. A few dragonets took to the skies to fly around, having a good time. It was like watching a glimpse of our future, and by doing so, it made five seem a tad less scary to me.

“I think Rhythe’s going to get brave enough to say hi to Commander Emmen,” I said, pointing across the courtyard.

I hadn’t realized he was still playing the game of hide-and-peek. Poor Rhythe. In hindsight, I should’ve offered to introduce them. At the time, he seemed like he was good to go. He wasn’t. Now Rhythe stood ten feet away from Commander Emmen, his face a mix of admiration, excitement, and fear.

“Oh, he might actually start a conversation with him.” And if he didn’t, I’d offer. It was the brotherly thing to do, and he was my brother-in-law, so close enough.

He took one step forward, then two, then three. He stopped suddenly, his nostrils flaring. Then his eyes went wide.

“What’s going on?” I was at the ready to rescue Rhythe if need be. He might not have been my mate, but my dragon was very protective of him.

“I don’t know.” Pep put his hand on my arm, probably sensing my dragon getting close to the surface.

Then Rhythe turned around and ran. Actually ran away.

“What just happened?” I was so confused. Emmen hadn’t done a thing to him. I wasn’t even sure he noticed he was there.

“I don’t know. Maybe I should call him.” Pep went to pull out his phone when Lord Malric came forward, extending a hand.

“Pep, good to see you again.”

“Lord Malric, it’s great to see you too. And you, Ollie.” He clutched the phone in his hand. I got it. Lord Malric wasn’t someone you could ignore, but also, he was worried for his brother.

“I hear congratulations are in order.” Ollie sat beside my mate. “Many congratulations.”

I leaned in and whispered so low only my mate could here, “You’ll know if he needs you.” And he would. Those twins were scary in sync with each other.

Chapter 19

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