Page 39 of Drakken Star
Bjorn stood stock still, only his gaze flitting back and forth between Tyr and Nykos. Meanwhile, Nykos’ wavered between Tyr and Bjorn.
Finally, Nykos cleared his throat, drawing both of their gazes. “Fenrir don’t have two mates.”
“Drakken do, and though Bjorn iz mostly human, he hailss from the line of one of the four Drakken Kingss. As do I.” Tyr raised Bjorn’s hand and kissed the back of it.
Nykos growled, but cut himself off quickly with Tyr’s piercing glance. He hung his head. “I’m sorry.”
“We all have our prejudissess. Even as a half-Drakken, I am ssure your hisstory tellss a different sstory than ourss.” Tyr, possibly attempting to soften the blow to his mate’s pride, duplicated his motions of prior by raising Nykos’ hand and lightly kissing it.
The gesture was so sweet that Brandt had to imitate it, bringing Manning’s hand to his lips. The loving expression on Manning’s face melted Brandt’s heart, and he sighed. “There has never been anyone but you.”
Manning twisted to cup Brandt’s cheek. His mouth parted, but whatever he’d been about to reply was interrupted by Kayluth’s warm grumble.
Brandt huffed as he peered up at Kay. “And you, you big softie.” He didn’t bother to stifle his burst of laughter when Kayluth smirked.
Manning
Manning joined in on teasing their Drakken mate. “I think it’s time I took you both home. Our children are waiting, and then,” —he lowered his voice— “I want to strip you both down and inspect you for any injuries.”
Brandt’s eyes widened. “Why do I suspect there’s an ulterior motive behind the stripping and inspecting?”
Manning shot him a cheesy grin and followed it with a saucy wink.
“I am for thiss plan,” Kayluth agreed with a decisive nod, already pulling them in the direction of the transport. “Babess than bed.”
Brandt rolled his eyes. “I’ve no other choice than to comply, I suppose.”
“None,” Manning and Kay said simultaneously.
Sekvyn hustled past them and slid into the driver’s seat.
“Tak-kou,” Manning said to Sekvyn as he less than gracefully crawled inside and sat behind the lieutenant. He patted Sekvyn’s shoulder. “You and Orm worked well together, and I’m thrilled you’ll be taking over for Ivar when Lian lays their egg.”
Sekvyn’s face flushed with the praise. “Tak-kou, Vidar. I’m…” Manning heard the catch in Sekvyn’s throat, and he smiled gently as he again patted the lieutenant’s shoulder. “Suffice it to say that I’m proud to be in your service. Whatever you need, you’ve only to ask.”
“Take us home,” Brandt said, wrapping an arm around Manning.
Manning gaped at his husband who rarely used his position to give orders. “Oh hush.” Brandt pecked Manning’s cheek then leaned over the seat and hugged Sekvyn. “Tak-kou, sir. You helped keep me sane today.”
Sekvyn patted Brandt’s arm. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat, though preferably without the nail-biting anxiety. Though, with you three, it seems to come with the territory.”
Manning laughed along with his mates while silently agreeing. Kayluth’s grip on Manning’s thigh seemed to pulse a similar desire, but he’d had enough. They’d all had enough. It was time to go home, be with his true family, and let others deal with Tore, Dagr, and the rest of the traitors. Did he think it would really happen that way? Not a chance in Hel, but he felt they’d have the rest of the day and night for themselves. Punishing those who went against Bjorn and the Drakken could wait until the dawn of a new day.
Chapter 12
Kayluth
Kayluth tugged Sundrake to sit on his lap, keeping his sobroke in a tight embrace as Sekvyn returned them to the castle. With both Sundrake and Moondrake snuggled against him, Kayluth relaxed for the first time since Moondrake’s party. Before they’d learned of the Fenrir’s appearance and Tore’s association with them.
Other than the emergency transports zipping by them, heading to the landing dock, the streets remained clear, cutting the usual time it would take to reach the castle in half. Most of their family waited outside the front doors. His fathers, Moondrake’s mother and her sobroke, their babes, Reykos and Raisa. Lian, unfortunately stuck in her drakken form just like he had been, loomed over all of them.
Reykos and Raisa ran to the transport as soon as Sekvyn stopped. Ignoring everyone’s pleas for them to wait, they pulled open the door and scrambled inside to cuddle their parents. For a tarran, Kayluth wondered why his vision was blurred until Raisa wiped his cheeks dry with her tiny fingers.
“Don’t cry, Father. You’re home.” She threw her arms around his neck and wiped her own damp cheeks dry on his shirt. “I misssed you. Pleasse don’t go away again.”
He wished he could promise her what she wanted, but there would always be times they needed to be apart. Eventually, his babes would grow up. They wouldn’t need his guidance anymore. They’d push him away, wanting their independence, but he silently swore that until that day happened, he’d be there for them. Kayluth hugged her again and kissed her temple.
Moondrake’s door opened and he was helped out as he held Reykos, who was wrapped like one of those strange monkeys clinging to his Papa’s chest. Sundrake followed, but then turned back and held out his hand to their daughter.
