Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Dragon business,” Aurora whispered loudly.
The three women looked over at the clump of dragons, talking a short distance away, and laughed. They looked super serious as they discussed something important.
“Do you think they ever have a spa day?” Ciel asked.
Lalani turned her gaze back to the woman and shook her head. “I doubt that very seriously. But they seem to enjoy doing what they’re doing.”
“I’d guess collecting treasure would get old after a while. I mean, how many riches does one dragon need?” Aurora asked.
She gasped when all three dragons turned to glance her way.
Aurora quickly whispered to the others, “They couldn’t have heard me, right?”
“Oh, they could have,” Ciel decided as the men came toward them.
“Lalani, we’re going to look at something to the south of Wyvern. Will you be alright? Ask the staff for anything you need—snacks, drinks. Contact me if you need me.”
“We’ll be okay. We’re going to have fun,” Lalani assured him before rushing forward to give him a hug and a goodbye kiss.
When Lalani turned, she discovered the other women wrapped in their mate’s arms. Smiling at the similarity between the three of them, she grabbed her basket and asked, “Could you bring a chair out here for me to cut hair before you go?”
“Of course. Want a stool or a kitchen chair?” Khadar asked.
“Oh, a high stool would be easier on my back.”
He nodded and waved a hand at the others to let them know he’d be right back. When he returned, Khadar set the stool under a tree and spread a blanket for them to sit on a short distance away.
“No pink hair when I get back,” Khadar growled at her.
“Really? You don’t like colored hair?”
“Green’s okay,” he allowed.
“You. Go check out whatever has attracted your attention,” Lalani said, grinning at his joke.
“Be good, Princess.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
They watched the men change and launch themselves into the air. When the three dragons had disappeared from view, Lalani asked, “Who’s first?”
“Me!” Ciel said, claiming the chair. “While you work, tell us all about you.”
“And then, I have questions for you,” Lalani confessed.
“Bring them on,” Aurora encouraged her.
Later with trimmed hair and fancy fingernails, the trio lounged on the blanket, enjoying each other’s company.
“I can’t believe neither of you knew about the dragons. Didn’t you see them flying around?” Lalani asked.
“Not that I remember, but their eyes are so good, they could have been way up in the air,” Ciel said. “Besides, who’s looking for dragons?”
“Good point.”
“It makes Wyvern seem like such an important city. Do you think we’re the only ones with dragon protectors?” Lalani asked.
“Oh, no. Argenis helped a group connect with the dragons in their area. Their forefathers had refused the pact. Argenis called the dragons, and one found his mate. It was magical to see her walk so confidently out of the trees to him,” Ciel said.
“I’ve never been anything special. You know—I don’t drive men wild. I sometimes wonder how I got chosen to be a mate,” Lalani confessed.
“Me, too,” Aurora said, and Ciel echoed her.
“I’ve seen pictures of Argenis’s former mates. There really isn’t a type he goes for,” Ciel shared.
“That’s interesting. I haven’t even asked Khadar about his other mates. How old are they?” Lalani asked.
“You know that expression, older than dirt?” Aurora asked. When Lalani nodded, she continued, “They’re not that old but according to Drake, they watched the mountain erupt from the ground.”
“That’s pretty old,” Lalani acknowledged.
“Do you all know how the horde came together?” Ciel asked.
Lalani shook her head.
“Not me,” Aurora answered.
“Ladies? Would you like to have a picnic?” Louise, Khadar’s housekeeper, appeared with a tray bearing glasses and a pitcher of tea. She was followed by her husband, who carried a much larger display of yummy treats.
“Louise, I’m so sorry. I stole your picnic basket, didn’t I?” Lalani said.
“I never could get all the goodies, plates, and glasses in there. This works so much better.” Louise dismissed her concern.
“Thank you, Louise,” Ciel said, leaning forward to look at the trays as they set them on the blanket.
“Yes, thank you,” Aurora echoed.
When they were alone again, Lalani tried a cracker. “These are good. I know Louise is experimenting with all sorts of things. Khadar prefers to leave the supplies in the stores for those in the city.”
“Do you think technology will ever work again?” Ciel asked.
“Life is so different now that you can’t drive somewhere or have someone bring you stuff,” Aurora pointed out.
“I seem to have more time on my hands without a phone constantly demanding my attention. I don’t think I realized what an addiction it was,” Lalani confessed.
“Neither did I. I still panic and think, ‘Where’s my phone?’ It’s so silly,” Ciel shared.
“Everyone was addicted,” Aurora said. “What’s the one thing you wished worked?”
“Oh, I’d have to think about that. The internet or TV, maybe?” Lalani suggested.