CHAPTER TEN: KIT

BABY DRAGON! Ohhhhhmmmmygodddd!

“I want to see the baby dragon,” Kit demanded, nearly beside himself because… baby dragon!

Connie curled around Kit again.

“Connie, come on already. Uncurl. There is no danger here.”

Well, that was not entirely true. There was danger here. Any time dragons were involved, there was always danger. Then throw a baby into the mix, and the danger multiplied. Kit wasn’t stupid. He understood that.

But something had happened, and he wasn’t sure if either Connie or Hudson had realized it yet—whooo boy, wait until they did—but Kit was immune to dragon fire.

It bared repeating—he was immune to a red dragon’s fire. Holy shit, wasn’t that a kick in the head? Beckett had said that according to the scroll he’d found, once Kit took his mates’ blood and they had completed the bond, Kit would be immune to a red dragon’s fire.

They had joked around about there being no way to test that, of course, butthen this little baby had come along and forced the issue. It scared the hell out of all of them—the bond was still quivering with leftover adrenaline—but honestly, look at what they’d found out.

“You are wrong, actually.” Hudson huffed. “When dragons are involved—case in point—there is always a danger. Maybe even more so since the dragon in question is a youngling.”

“Okay, yeah, I was just thinking that. But I am okay, Hudson. I know it probably terrified the hell out of you both, but I really am okay.”

“Terrified me is putting it simply,” Hudson said.

Kit took a moment to really look at his other mate. Hudson was pale, and his eyes still had that slightly manic look. This… this would take some time to get over. Kit could see that.

“I understand. But I am your mate. I am Connie’s mate. I am part of this court. I’m going to live the rest of my life surrounded by dragons. Love, it makes sense that Gaura would give me some sort of protection, right? I am immune to a red dragon’s fire.”

Hudson sucked in a sharp breath. “I know, but—”

Connie rumbled.

“But no one wanted to find out this way. Yeah. I got that,” Kit said. “And while none of us enjoyed finding out like this, isn’t it better to know than not to?”

Hudson leaned his head back, then stared up at the sky. Taking a deep breath, he looked back at Kit, and then at the youngling he still held. “My mate wants to meet you. Can you behave yourself? No sparks. At all. Understand? Just look cute.”

The little dragon rolled his eyes but nodded enthusiastically.

“You might be young, but you are definitely old enough to know how to act.”

Kit didn’t point out that just because the youngling knew how didn’t mean he necessarily would, but Hudson’s patience was already thin, and Connie had already had one freak-out for the day. Why push their luck?

Hudson lowered the little dragon to the ground. “Again, this is my and Connie’s mate, who is not a dragon, which I know perfectly well you can tell.”

The youngling nodded, then lowered his muzzle in deference.

Kit pursed his lips. Now, he knew absolutely nothing about dragon babies, but to be fair, the sparks the little dragon had shot off were probably because Hudson had startled him. Everybody in his court knew who Kit was, including the youngest of them.

“Okay, Connie, let Kit go.”

Connie grumbled but uncurled from around Kit.

Kit popped up immediately, rubbing his hands together. “Where’s the baby dragon? And geez, shouldn’t you get dressed? He’s a baby, after all. Oh. Is he a he or a she?”

Hudson picked up his swimming trunks and slipped them on. “He is a male, and we call them younglings. Connie? If you want to switch back, that’s fine.”

Within seconds, Connie changed and pulled on his swim trunks. He glared at the little male. “Do we know who he is?”

“No. I also wonder where his caretaker is.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s definitely something that should be addressed as soon as possible. But in the meantime, can I pet that baby dragon? Pleaseeeeeee?” Kit whined.

The baby dragon in question started doing tippy taps, his tail wagging behind him.

“Oh my Goddddddd, that’s the cutest thing ever!” Kit dropped down in front of the little male. “Is that a dragon thing? The tippy taps? You are the cutest thing ever. Yes, you are. Yes, you totally are.”

The youngling chirped happily as he climbed into Kit’s lap. He stretched his neck, preening, as Kit slowly stroked him from tip to tail, just like he would a cat.

Everyone could hear the youngling’s purrs.

“You’re absolutely adorable,” Kit whispered.

The youngling plopped down, gently kneading Kit’s leg as his tail swished. Loud, rumbling purrs drifted from him as Kit rubbed one of his ears. The young male turned his head and rubbed his jaw along Kit’s wrist.

Connie edged closer to Hudson. “Did he just scent mark our mate?”

“He’s a youngling, Connie,” Hudson said.

“I know that, but that doesn’t mean he’s unaware of what he’s doing .” Connie sighed heavily at Hudson’s look. “Okay, fine, I’m sorry. I sound like a jerk, don’t I?”

The little shit in Kit’s lap licked Kit’s wrist.

“You are the cutest thing ever !” Kit exclaimed, burying his face into the little male’s neck and kissing him.

The little male turned smugly toward Connie and winked. Then he hopped off Kit’s lap and ran toward the ice chest, which he flung himself into.

Laughing, Kit hurried after him. He was already halfway in love.

“Did he just…?” Hands on his hips, Connie glared at the little male.

“Oh yes, definitely trouble,” Hudson said quietly.

A few minutes later, there were hurried footsteps running through the woods toward them. A young female dragon appeared, looking around frantically.

She spotted them, and her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, thank the Flames!”

“Hello, Liz,” Hudson said.

The youngling looked up, saw Liz, launched himself out of the basket, and then tried to bury himself in Kit’s arms.

“Sire.” Liz nodded to Hudson. Then she glared at the youngling. “And you!”

Surprised, Kit looked down at the bundle he suddenly was holding.

“You are in such big trouble, mister.” Liz stomped toward them as the youngling let out a distressed yip.

Connie smirked.

“I don’t know who to reprimand first—you, Connie, for acting like a youngling, or the youngling for acting like a youngling,” Hudson said.

Kit wrapped his arms around the baby dragon protectively and glared at Liz.

“Or Kit,” Hudson added.

Liz stopped in front of Kit and the youngling, staring down at them. “Hi, Kit. My name is Liz Prosser. Miles, your mother is going to kill you and me both. You are in so much trouble.”

Kit suddenly realized he was glaring at the baby dragon’s babysitter. It dawned on him that the little guy must’ve ditched her and went exploring.

Slowly, he turned Miles so he could make eye contact with him. “You are adorable, but I don’t think that’ll get you out of trouble. You should not have done that.”

“Exactly,” Liz said. “You scared me.”

“You’re not the only one who got the life scared out of them,” Connie muttered.

Kit flashed Connie a look.

Connie rolled his eyes.

Liz scolded Miles some more before finally talking him into letting go of Kit. Kit’s heart dropped when the little guy whined.

Kit squatted down next to the little dragon. “None of that, now. And no more ditching your babysitter, okay? Maybe if you’re really good, I can visit you, if that’s okay with your mother.”

“I’m sure Joni would love that. She’s his mother,” Liz said, then looked at Hudson. “But only if you don’t mind, Your Majesty.”

“It’s fine,” Hudson said.

“Sounds like we have a deal.” Kit scratched the little dragon behind his ears one last time. “I need to talk to my mates now, but I’ll try to stop by and see you in a few days.”

Miles snorted out a smoke ring, then nodded his head.

“Heh, that’s cute. Okay, great. See you later.”

Liz waved goodbye as she herded Miles back through the woods. As soon as they were out of sight, Connie flung himself at Kit, wrapping him up in his arms.

Kit calmly patted Connie on the back. “I’m okay.”

“I was so scared,” Connie choked out. “For a few moments there, I completely lost control.”

“You thought I was hurt, so it was understandable. We get it, Connie. I also don’t know what I’d do if one of you got hurt, so believe me when I tell you, I totally get it.”

Connie buried his head against Kit’s neck.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but something good came out of that. We found out that I am indeed immune to a red dragon’s fire.”

“Fucking hell, I know, and I’m so thankful, but I could have fucking well done without that,” Connie muttered.

Hudson wrapped his arms around both of them. “We’re all okay. Just keep telling yourself that, Connie.”

Kit had also felt a moment of fear—something so terrifying and dark, Kit didn’t want to examine it too closely—from Hudson too, even though Hudson hadn’t said much.

“Should we go back to the house?” Kit asked.

“No, no, we were having such a good time, and I don’t want to ruin it. I’m okay.” Connie leaned back and kissed Kit on the cheek. Then he kissed Hudson on the lips. “Why don’t we see what Miles did not manage to eat in the ice chest?”

Laughing, Kit grabbed both their hands and led them to the wrecked ice chest.

THE SUN rose early on Monday morning, casting a warm glow over the horizon. The scent of fresh brewing coffee filled the air. The three of them sat around, still in their pajamas and nursing cups of coffee.

They had spent the previous night wrestling with a decision, then soaking in the luxurious hot tub and having some fun.

Kit had responsibilities that needed his attention, but he wasn’t going to put his life in danger for them. If his mates wanted him to stay home, then home he would stay. He wouldn’t like it, but he’d do it.

Even though Connie was on board with their plans, Hudson brought up a valid point: They were attacked while on their own territory. Staying at home didn’t guarantee safety from Lennox if he came after them again.

But after the freak-out Connie had about the sparks of dragon fire—and even though Hudson hadn’t said anything, he was a bit more intense than usual—it had been agreed that Connie would stay with Kit at the bookstore for now. Beckett, along with two other dragons currently employed by Kit, were also there.

Hudson had an appointment with his lawyer that morning, then he planned to meet Kage at the Dominion to see the damage. After that, he would swing by Kit’s bookstore. While the three of them were gone, Kayden and his construction crew would be at the compound working. Once they were all dressed, they met Beckett outside. After al long goodbye, Beckett, Connie, and Kit left.

BECKETT WAS driving, while Connie was sitting shotgun. Kit was in the back, looking over the calendar on his phone.

“This Saturday is the book signing for Austin,” Kit said. “I guess I need to check with him and see if that’s still on.”

“Probably smart. I heard there was significant damage done to Embers,” Connie said.

“What about the rest of the building?” Kit asked.

“There’s an inspector coming out today. They cleared it after the attack last night as a safety precaution.” Connie turned around slightly so he could answer Kit.

“So, Hudson won’t be alone for long. By the way, how many are in Kage’s clan?” Kit asked. “Just curious.”

“I’m not entirely sure, but I think somewhere around fiftyish,” Connie answered. “We have forty members.”

“And Raven?” Beckett asked.

“Not sure how many members he has. But fortunately for the vampires, the attack happened at night,” Connie said. “There was some scrambling, but Raven managed to get his coven to another property before daylight.”

“Oh, yeah.” Kit frowned at Connie. “Daylight.”

“Exactly. All of the leaders are trying to assess the damage and the needs of their people,” Connie said. “There was one death of a leader, and that’s Alpha Li Li.”

“She was a great Alpha.” Beckett clenched the steering wheel. “Shit. She was mated.”

“And her mate is now at risk,” Connie added.

Kit frowned. “What do you mean he’s at risk?”

“When a new alpha comes in, they could either forcibly mate Jerome—he’s the surviving mate—kill him, or banish him. It’s highly unlikely a new alpha will allow him to remain without a bond in place,” Connie said.

“It’s kind of the same situation Queen Abigail’s mates have found themselves in with her death, right?” Kit asked.

Beckett’s head immediately snapped toward Connie. “ What ?”

Kit threw his hands up in front of his mouth. “Oh shit, was I not supposed to say anything?”

“Connie!” Beckett demanded, glancing at the other dragon.

“Aw jeez,” Kit groaned. “I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay,” Connie said. “It’s only Beckett, and he won’t say anything. Right?”

Beckett nodded his head frantically. “Not saying a word.”

“But, yes, we need to keep that under wraps until Hudson makes an announcement, which he probably will this evening,” Connie said.

“And you!” Kit demanded of Beckett. “You’re not allowed to leave us so you can become their new king. You’re a friend.”

Beckett grinned into the rearview mirror, meeting Kit’s eyes. “Not a royal, remember? Only a royal dragon can take over a court. I have the age, but I don’t have the bloodline. And thank you. I consider you a friend too.”

Kit blew out a breath. “Oh, that’s right, I panicked and kinda forgot. I’m sorry you’re not a royal, but I’m not sorry you’re not a royal.”

Beckett chuckled. “The fact that I understood what that meant means I’ve been spending too much time around you.”

Connie was still laughing when his cell phone went off. Dragging it out of his pocket, he smiled in surprise when he saw who was calling him. “Hey, Mom.”

Kit quickly slipped his cell phone back into his pocket as he listened to Connie’s conversation. Okay, yes, he shouldn’t be eavesdropping even though he had the ability, but he hadn’t quite figured out how to turn off his enhanced hearing.

Connie ended the conversation, then twisted to look at Kit. “Guess who’s coming for a visit?”