Page 48 of Under the Dragon's Spell
After we'd gone to the doctor's to confirm my pregnancy, it only took Tyrel a few more days to get my permit sorted. It was temporary until the baby was born and they could test whether it really was Tyrel's, but for now, I was one of the few humans allowed onto the island of dragons.
The day before our departure, I had Tyrel drop me off at my brother's house so I could collect a few things and properly say goodbye.
"I'll pick you up later," Tyrel said, leaning in to press a quick kiss to my lips. "Be careful."
"I will be."
Even as he nodded, I could see in his eyes that he really would have rather hung around than leave. He'd become oddly protective of me over the last few days. It was sweet, but nothing was going to happen to me out here, so I merely waved and watched him go before entering the house.
"Hey, little brother," Jackson called out from the living room where he was sitting watching TV.
"Hey," I said, stepping into the room.
He looked up at me. "How did things go in the dragon's lair?"
Right, I hadn't actually kept him up to date. I'd been much too concerned with Tyrel and our baby to think much of him. He wasn't the best brother in the world, but then, neither was I. "Have you had lunch yet?" I asked. "I'll make ussomething." After all, the kitchen was my favorite room in this house, and I was starving. I was always starving lately, even though I was barely into this pregnancy. Tyrel hadn't been kidding about little Dragons being demanding, but that was okay; I'd give this little one whatever it needed. Right now, it seemed to really want some tuna salad.
"Forget about lunch." Jackson gestured with the remote control. "I want to know what you've been up to."
"We can talk while we eat. Not while the TV's running. You know, like civilized people."
I strode past him into the kitchen while he stared at me open-mouthed. He wasn't used to back-talk from me, but he'd better get used to it now. I was a dragon's mate and soon to be a parent, and I wasn't going to take shit from him anymore. Bet he didn't thinkthatwas going to happen when he pestered me about applying for this job.
He remained quiet until I had lunch ready and called him to the table. What a good boy he could be. I grinned.
"What's got you so happy?" he asked, taking his seat.
"Oh, nothing. Just looking forward to food. I am eating for two now, you know."
His eyes widened as he processed the words. "So it worked?" He smiled. "I'm going to be an uncle?"
My smile grew even wider than his. "Yeah, you will be."
"To a dragon? Man, that's so cool. I knew he was going to pick you, little brother.
I laughed. "Yeah, I remember what you said about my ass."
He groaned. "I was right, though, wasn't I?"
"I guess you were." I shoveled some food into my mouth, pleasing both me and the growing life in my belly.
"So what happens next?" he asked, completely ignoring his salad in favor of staring at me. It was a rare day that I was more interesting to my brother than whatever was on the plate in front of him.
"We're moving to the island tomorrow."
"The dragon island?" Jackson's mouth stuck open. I chuckled.
"That's the one."
"Can I visit?"
I shook my head. "Sadly no, but I'll visit here when the baby's born."
"I see. Okay." He nodded, and then he began to eat.
After I had eaten, I went to my room and gathered the rest of my things in a small suitcase, and then I said goodbye to Jackson.
"Take care," he said. "Greet that dragon for me."
