Page 5 of Dragon Keeper
“I guess I can’t shake your hand?” The huge alpha standing closest to the window smiled at Myk.
“Technically? No. But man, it’s good to see you.”
“You too.” The man looked at him, his eyes mismatched. One was blue, one was green. His hair was dark auburn, and he was lovely to look at. Then he glanced back at Myk. “Where are Luuk and Jon?”
Myk grimaced, his expression going from smiling to sorrowful. “The vamps got them, man.”
“When?”
Myk sighed. “Not long after you left. It was a new cell moving in to take over the territory of the ones you cleaned out.”
“Oh, fuck.” That was the youngest of the three brother dragons, he thought. He certainly looked like the youngest, and he looked angry.
“Yeah. It’s just—” Myk swallowed hard, and Tyr moved to put a hand on his shoulder. He had a large, boisterous, happy family now, but Tyr knew it had to have hurt Myk to lose his brothers. They had been young, for dragons.
“The kids?” That was the one who had not spoken yet.
“Safe. It was bad.” Myk swallowed hard. “But they saved us. Me and the kids.”
“I’m so glad.” The big one smiled. “Cosmo says we can kind of sit together and have some food. I’m Sloan, by the way.” Sloan smiled at him, and Tyr forgot how to talk.
He just blinked. Because that smile was like a sunrise on his beehives.
“Tyr.” Myk nudged him.
“I am Beekeeper Tyr of the Galinea clutch.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Tyr.” Those oddly colored eyes studied him.
“Thank you.”
“These are my brothers, Brayden and Riley.”
“What strong names you all have.” He liked them a lot. The names. Of the dragons, only Sloan appealed to him.
“Thanks. Beekeeper, huh?” That was the one called Brayden.
“Yes.” He thrust the honey at Cosmo. “I brought you honey.”
“I’ll take it in and make a couple of trays of goodies. Here.” Cosmo ducked into the house, then handed the honey to Sloan.
Sloan looked down at it, then at him, which made his scales rattle.
“Tell me about the honey,” Sloan said.
“This one came from my best hives. The queen there, her name is Isabel. She’s one of the older queens. She’s getting ready to pass her crown on.” He would cry for her and mourn when she passed, but it was the way of things, and she would return in some form or another to become queen again. But still, this was one of his most precious pots of honey.
“I’m honored. And curious.” Sloan grinned at him. “The view from here is fascinating. It looks as if the snows are almost melted. Are you from where this house is in your world?”
“No, I am from the village. Down in the valley where I live, spring is well started. The snows are gone for the most part and new things are beginning to grow. The bees are coming out to have a visit. I missed them.”
Myk nodded. “We’re going to have to go plant. As a matter-of-fact, after I visit with you, I have a new bush to put in before the rains come tonight.”
Sloan chuckled. “Always the farmer.”
“I am! Nevvy helps a lot. You would be so proud of Nevvy. She’s at school right now. But she’s getting big. The twins will start school in the next cycle, I believe. I think they’re ready. I know Leo is ready, but Syd might need a couple more cycles to be in a good space.” Myk puffed up a bit with pride.
“So they don’t just go to school when they’re a certain age?” the brother called Brayden asked.
