Page 233 of The Spider Queen
Home.
I looked at Thane. His smile was soft, but his eyes were dark with sensual promise. My heartbeat pumped in my chest like I’d been running for miles. I wanted to reach for him, even now, even after the lust-filled night we’d had together.
“I have no idea how long it will take me to have a meeting with Lux, not to mention bringing the first wave of souls to you. Should we say three hours? Will that give you enough time to get back to your domain?” Gabriel asked.
“That’s entirely up to Auri,” Thane said.
She tossed glossy gold hair over her shoulder. “It won’t take that long to get back.”
Gabriel arched an eyebrow. “Someone is a bit arrogant.”
Auri flashed a grin, her eyes lit with humor and pride. “I’ve got the goods to back it up.”
Gabriel’s eyes dipped down her body. “That you do.”
“For the love of—” Argentum growled. “Is everyone in the throes of heat?”
Auri pressed her fingers to her wrist. “Nope. Not fertile yet. Few more months, it seems.” She looked at me. “Dragons have a cycle once a year.”
“Fascinating,” I said. I wanted to ask a million questions about dragons and how they came into creation.
Thane’s arm came around me. “You both can talk about your cycles later. Once we get back to my fortress.”
I wrinkled my nose. I hadn’t had a period since I’d changed. I wasn’t sure what that meant.
How does immortal fertility work?
For you? Or for others?
For me.
Thane didn’t answer. Instead, he gestured with his chin. Auri and Argentum moved back, away from camp to shift. A cloud of gold, shimmery air circled Auri, hiding her body from view. When the cloud disappeared, her dragon form appeared, all gold scales, sharp claws, and humorous eyes.
Her brother’s cloud was silver, and his dragon form was a little bit larger and silver-scaled. He nipped at her shoulder in brotherly affection. She nipped back, and then Argentum took off into the sky.
“Where’s he going?” I asked.
“To their family lair, I imagine,” Gabriel said. “I wish he would come with me to Heaven to transport souls.”
“I’m sure if you asked nicely, Argentum and his family would lend a helping hand—er claw.” Thane grinned.
I shot him a look. His sense of humor still surprised me.
Gabriel rolled his eyes. With a wave of his hand goodbye, his wings unfurled, fluttered, and then he was sky born.
“I wonder if I’ll ever get used to seeing stuff like this,” I said with a shake of my head.
“Sure. After a while, you’ll be desensitized.” He took my hand and led me toward Auri.
“I hope not,” I said. “That would mean I was taking it for granted. And this—all of this—is pretty marvelous.”
Thane grinned. “As are you, my love.”
Chapter 51
“This is the coolest thing ever!” I yelled. My hair was whipping behind me, no doubt lashing Thane in the face as we soared high in the clouds over Purgatory.
Auri let out a huff and smoke shot out of her nostrils.
