Page 59 of Dragon Keeper
“They have a lovely brown bread, a sweet bread, and a rustic loaf. You should get one of each.”
“I will. And the butter with the herbs and the sweet one with the spices, please. And what could you need by way of trade today?”
“What do I need?” She chewed her lower lip. “I need you to talk to Harden about getting me more milk from some of his animals.”
“He’s coming to supper tonight. I’ll persuade him.”
“Ah, then that will be trade enough.” She winked at him before gathering all of the things he’d asked for and putting them in a rough cloth bag.
“Thank you, lady.” He held out the crate of pickles, and she plonked the bag down on top.
“Tell your sweet mate we miss him. Please come to the feast?”
“You have my word. Tyr is already making honey cakes to bring.” These people adored his mate, and it made him feel so good inside.
“Oh, good. He’s such a love, and we all want to see how he’s getting on.”
Sloan laughed. “He’s getting bigger, is how.”
“Oh, and you still have so long to go!” She cheered for him. “Enjoy this. There is only ever one first pregnancy.”
“I am. I think Tyr is waiting for the storm of emotions to ease.” He chuckled, because now that he understood the tears, they didn’t bother him much.
“Oh dear. My mate? She sobbed over everything—good and bad. I can tell so many stories…”
See, this was what Tyr needed—other dragons supporting him and telling him tales.
“I would love that.” Impulsively, he asked, “Will you and your wife come to supper tonight?”
“Well, I would love that. You said Harden was coming as well? What should I bring?”
“Oh, we’ll have lots of nibbles, which is what Tyr wants right now. So if you want to bring whatever your favorite is…”
“Of course! I will bring some meatballs with dipping sauces. Everyone loves those.” She seemed so pleased to be asked.
“Oh, that sounds amazing.” He freaking loved meatballs. And he thought Tyr would adore that. “Then I will see you around dusk.”
“I look very much forward to it.” She beamed at him, fluttering her scales a bit and making a lovely song.
He nodded, because his hands were full, and he headed out. Brayden fell into step with him outside, surprising the hell out of him. “Hey. What are you up to?”
“Tyr sent me with the cart. He said you walked, and that you would end up with too much to carry.”
“He’s a smart dragon.” He unloaded his arms into the wagon, and they walked on. “I wasn’t expecting you home.”
Brayden shrugged. “I needed to come home. Also, I figured I had a brother who needed me possibly, too.” Brayden bumped shoulders with him.
Sloan nodded to him. “I think Tyr needs family around him. I believe it’s important.”
“Yeah, I think so too. His sister and I were talking, and she’s coming to visit, along with the baby. Her mate has to go on some kind of fishing expedition, I guess.”
He looked at Brayden sideways. “You guess?”
“The culture of the water dragons is fascinating. There’s an entire universe underneath the ocean. An entire world of mer-dragons, some in their human form still have tails. They have an entire life down there under the sea.”
Sloan chuckled and kind of gave Brayden a half smile. “What does that have to do with fishing?”
“Apparently, there are groups of dragons who go out for extended periods of time. And they fish. I guess down in theocean the winter isn’t the winter. It’s just a thing. I don’t know, but Aleana wants to bring the little one to come and see everyone.” He sniffed at a cart that held meat pies.
