Chapter 14

Her stomach growling woke them both up. Laughing, Argenis threw her back over his shoulder and toted her to the bathroom as they replayed how their day had started initially. This time, however, he steered her into the shower after she pottied to freshen up.

With a quick smoothing hand to her braids, Argenis led her into the closet.

"Clothes and then food. Pink, blue or purple today?"

"Purple," she answered without hesitating.

"Daddy's choice or Ciel's choice."

"Daddy's." It was always so much easier if she let him select something. He had the best taste anyway.

In a few minutes, she wore a pair of flowered leggings in a beautiful pattern with a solid T-shirt of the exact same color of dark purple. She watched him cover up his chiseled body with trousers and a silky crewneck shirt both enjoying the look of him in fashionable clothing and missing the view.

Thank goodness he can't still hear all my thoughts.

His slow wink as he pressed a hand to her lower back to guide her to the kitchen made her wonder. He couldn't, could he? Her stomach grumbled again, making them both laugh as she pressed a hand to her abdomen.

"Come on, Little Sky. If we wait much longer, you're going to be ready for a roasted rack of dragon."

"Never!" she promised, appalled by that thought.

"I'll hold you to that."

Entering the kitchen, they discovered waffles were still available if they wanted them. The cook suggested a southern delight of fried chicken and waffles.

"I've heard of that but never tried it," she said with a smile.

In a few minutes, they had freshly crafted waffles piled with battered chicken strips. Served with hot maple syrup and butter, the combination tasted better than Ciel had expected. She ate more than she'd ever thought possible.

"I can't put another bite in my mouth," she confessed, tossing her napkin on to the table as she leaned back in her chair with a groan.

Seeing Argenis's empty plate, she lifted hers and offered it to him. "Can you finish this? I hate to see that deliciousness going to waste."

It was gone in a flash.

"So what would you like to do for your birthday, Little Sky?" he asked.

"Could I see my present?"

"You think I got you a present?" he teased.

"Daddy!"

"You've waited long enough, I suppose. Come with me."

Standing, Argenis held out his hand for hers and led her to the library. Ciel felt her cheeks blush at the sight of the desk with papers pushed off onto the floor. He dealt with those quickly before leaning under the desk to pull out a gift wrapped in shiny silver wrapping paper.

"That was there yesterday?"

"It was. We never got under the desk. Perhaps next time," he suggested with a knowing smile.

She didn't know what to say to that, so she focused on the gift. "Can I open it now?"

"Please do." He set it on his desk, and she rushed to the other side to tear open the package.

"Oh!" The air caught in her throat as she revealed an ornate silver box. The size of four shoe box stacked together, the silver gleamed with an almost blinding gleam. A finely detailed dragon wrapped around the box as decoration with his head and gleaming ice-blue eyes on top to guard the treasure inside. She was almost afraid to touch it in fear of damaging it.

"It's beautiful. But it's too much. I can't accept this."

"You can. Do you not want it?"

"It's gorgeous. I don't know what it is?" she admitted.

"Open it." When she hesitated a few centimeters from touching it, he assured her, "You will not hurt it. It's hardier than you think."

Cautiously, she lifted the lid, finding that it tilted back. The inside was lined with the lightest blue velvet. Unable to resist, she ran her finger over the soft fabric. "Nice. It's a jewelry box?" she asked, seeing the divisions for rings and other fancy adornments.

"It is. I think it shined up very nicely, don't you? It took a couple hours of dragon sweat and tears to take the tarnish off. The finest silversmith in the colonies made that jewelry box."

"Like the US colonies?" she questioned, unable to believe it could be that old. She carefully pulled her fingers from the box.

"Yes."

While she digested that, he added, "Empty jewelry boxes are incredibly sad. Let's go find something to make it happy."

He lifted the box from the desk and placed it on his shoulder. As Argenis reached for her hand, a memory flashed into her mind at the similar sight.

"That was what you got after we went swimming!"

"You are correct. The jewelry box was a new find for me. I took it to an expert to have it relined and then everything happened. As it was, I rescued it before they could melt it down for the precious metal."

"Do you think they are doing better?" she asked.

"I know so. I had Keres scare the hell out of them."

"That made them feel better?" she asked, studying his face.

"No. The water sterilization supplies he delivered to them did that." Argenis tugged her hand gently to get her to walk with him.

"You're a nice guy," she said as they left the library and went down the hall. He stopped at that massive metal door with all the locks. "Let's check in here to see if there is anything for your jewelry box."

"I already have my locket," she reminded him.

"Yes. But that doesn't come off your neck, Little Sky. We need other things for your jewelry collection."

She watched him open the lock with keys from a huge keyring he produced from somewhere. When he pushed open the door, she peeked into the area behind it and walked inside, mesmerized.

"I don't even know what to say," she whispered.

Ciel couldn't even see the far end of the room. Here and there were collections of precious items. A pile of silver coins competed with an equally high jumble of gold ones.

"Welcome to my lair. I'm going to set your jewelry box here and we'll find a few favorites to fill it. First, I have a tradition. Scoot over there and then come join me."

Baffled and curious, Ciel followed his directions. She turned back around to see the immense silver dragon walk into the middle of the coins and drop to his belly. The floor shook from the impact. Her jaw dropped open as he rolled on the coins, scattering them in a delightful tinkling sound.

Come, Little Sky. Have fun on your birthday.

A giggle burst from her lips and Ciel ran forward to climb up to the top of the silver coins. She sat down, feeling like the queen of the hill. Giving into an impulse, she pushed off and slid on her bottom, riding a cascade of money. She couldn't contain her laughter at the crazy way to enjoy his money. Finally at the bottom, she stretched out on her back. Ciel grabbed handfuls of coins next to her and let them cascade to the ground.

Argenis nudged a small pile her way before resting his head on his horde and inhaling deeply as he watched her. His shiny silver scales reflected the glow from the lights. He actually blended in with the treasure in a few places.

Sitting up, Ciel scooted over to sit next to his head. The coins below her were cold for an instant or so and then warmed. Ciel reached out a hand to slide over his scales on his head. His eyes closed partially, and that deep rumble escaped once again. She didn't comment on it. Ciel had already discovered that Argenis only made that sound when he enjoyed life. It made her smile. She loved that he shared this private joy with him.

An image flashed into her brain of Argenis in human form, poised between her thighs with his cock pressed against her needy core. Heat burst inside her at the erotic sight. She squeezed her legs together as she felt her juices drench the purple panties she wore.

His massive head rose slightly. She felt her face flame hot as he inhaled the scent of her desire. A quick snort produced another smoke heart. Pressing her hands against her thudding heart, she blew him a kiss.

In a shimmer, he reverted to his human form. Argenis reached forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling Ciel onto his lap. He cupped her face and kissed her deeply.

When he lifted his head, Ciel blinked a few times before asking, "Do you want to make love here?" she said, waving a hand over the pile they sat on.

"No way. The coins are fine on dragon scales but tough on the skin. I'll get a blow-up mattress to cushion my old bones."

"Good idea. You are ancient."

"Your bottom is begging for that birthday spanking, isn't it?"

She shook her head rapidly, reassured only by his smile that she hadn't hurt his feelings.

"Come on, birthday girl. Let's go see what you'd like to put in your jewelry chest."

It had to take her an hour to look through the earrings alone. She tried not to take too many, but there were five pairs she couldn't live without. Ciel had to admit that the jewelry box looked happier with some sparkles in it.

"Tiara?" he tempted her with?

"Maybe someday? Right now, could you take me on a ride?"

"Dragon flight?" he asked.

"Yes, please. Just up in the clouds." She didn't know why but up in the air all the worries and difficulties disappeared.

"I would enjoy that, too. Let's put this in our room."

He closed the top of her jewelry chest and hoisted it back onto his shoulder. Taking her hand, he led her to the thick door.

"Hmm," he hummed as he looked back at the treasure horde.

"Something wrong?"

"Just deciding on the size of that air mattress," he said and winked at her as he ushered her through the door.

"You!" she said, laughing.

"You love me," he told her with a fond look as he relocked the door with one hand.

"I do," she answered quietly.

Immediately, he turned to look at her.

"I do love you," she repeated.

Discarding the jewelry case on the floor, he wrapped his arms around Ciel. Argenis lifted her off her feet and whirled Ciel around in a circle before kissing her hard.

"Say it again," he demanded.

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you, Ciel. Fair warning, you'll have to tell me that at least once a day or I'll get grumpy."

"Heavens forbid. A grumpy dragon? I'll make sure to avoid that. I could make a sign?" she teased.

"Or just tell me frequently," he suggested.

"Yes, Daddy."

"Good girl. Let's go for a flight."