Page 73 of Dragon Keeper
Tyr knew that wouldn’t be the end of it, but in case someone was trying to listen in on their conversation, they needed to end it now.
Tor pulled in a deep breath. “I’m sorry, brother, I didn’t not mean to make you feel as though I was up to something,” he said aloud. He smiled a placating smile. “Now tell me about spring festival. What is the plan?”
“This season, we’ll all be going to Cadeyrn and Poe’s home,” Tyr said. “They have a big open meadow beside their home, and much of the food preparation will be done outside. There the meat cooks on open fires. Everyone will bring a dish or two, and Cadeyrn will set up tents in case of spring storms. We have our Spring Feast there, so we are creating a lovely meeting space halfway in between our families.”
In his head, he told Tor,I am thankful for you, brother, even if the necessity of you being here makes me unhappy.
I understand. I will do my best to keep everyone safe here. You must believe me. Aloud, Tor continued, “Ah, I shall have to make cnoi nut bread to take and share.”
“Even better, I will show you how to make what they call nut rolls out of them. They take bread and cover it with sticky glaze and put nuts in and bake them.”
Tor lowered his voice, his actual love for Tyr ringing in it. “I would appreciate that, my brother. I am grateful that you’re willing to show me anything after me being gone for so many years.”
He understood those words were probably an act by Tor to make sure that anybody watching would feel as though they were reconciling slightly, but no matter how many years they’d been apart, he still knew his brother so well. Tor had meant the words.
“As long as you’re here with no intention of causing harm, you know I am happy to see you, brother.” He held out an arm, and Tor walked to him, coming to give him an embrace. “Now will you have a snack with me?”
“Of course I would. Your mate won’t mind?”
“Sloan is very tired. I would like for him to be allowed to rest for a while. He watches over me well.”
“He truly does. I’m so glad that you have such a guardian as your mate.”
“So am I, and his brothers are also well versed in protecting dragons from any outside threats.” He had always hated this sort of conversation within a conversation, but it was necessary.
There were things he knew. Things he had not told Sloan about those who dwelled in the cities, and about the legends that came from them. He hadn’t wanted to need to, but now he must find a way to sit down with his mate and have this discussion.
For right now, though, he was starving, and he pulled out a loaf of bread and a jar of honey, some of Tor’s favorite nuts, andsome apples. It would be a fine snack for him and the little one inside him.
Tor smiled and started slicing bread while Tyr cut up some of the fruit. They worked quietly together, easily reading each other’s thoughts as they always had, moving about one another with no trouble.
Just as they sat down to eat their snack, a scratching at the kitchen door made him jump, the sound like an animal trying to get in. His gaze flew to Tor’s in a panic.What do you think it is?
I don’t know, brother, but I will check. You stay behind me.
Let me call to Sloan.
Tor raised his hands in front of himself, and they began to glow with golden light.I don’t need your mate to protect me.
Perhaps not, but maybe Tyr needed Sloan to protecthim.
He stepped forward. “This is my house.”
And he was going to do whatever it took to protect his bees. They were his wards, his responsibility.
So it was going to be him.
Tyr put his hand over his belly, the baby inside rolling violently, and he opened the door and gasped. An orblok stood there, filling the doorway, white feathers bedraggled and skinny, a baby clinging to its belly fur.
He blinked. “Uh, can I help you?”
She walked in and sat, relaxing down with a sigh.
“Is that an orblok?” Tor blinked at it. “She looks hungry.”
“She is hungry. She needs to be able to feed her baby. I’ll be right back.” He went and gathered up a bowl of seeds and nuts, along with some fruit, and then another bowl of rich, good buttermilk.
He took it back and sat it down in front of her. The little one made a wild screeching noise, and the mother used her winged claw to grab a handful of food and bring it to her mouth, munching happily.
