Thirty-Six

Ember

After watching Kai swim around in the pond for a few minutes, I returned to the kitchen. Cleaning the counter and throwing all the dirty utensils in the sink, I picked out the shells—the only step of the scrambled eggs recipe Cam had reached—as I tried and failed to figure out just how Cam had created so much mess without accomplishing anything. There had to be a method to this madness, right?

Shaking my head, I decided not to drive myself crazy and focused on rescuing the eggs and frying some bacon.

Once I'd finished breakfast, Kai changed back into his human form, his wet coat hung on a drying rack just inside the house so he could keep an eye on it as we ate.

Afterward, Cam and Micah's parents wanted to meet so we could tell them what happened last night in more detail, and Cam said yes since he also wanted Raiden's opinion on his magic. Kai locked his coat back up before returning downstairs just as the doorbell rang, and Cam hurried over to open the door for his dads, Micah's dads...and Micah's brothers.

"What the hell, guys? Why weren't we invited to this super-secret midnight mission of yours?" Mateo demanded, eyes flicking from Cam to Micah.

"Because we didn't need any more help. I didn't even have to do anything. You would've gotten bored just standing there," Micah said, and Mateo smirked.

"I'm sure we'd have found something to entertain ourselves with."

"And you wonder why we didn't invite you," Micah muttered, making his brother's grin widen.

After Cam and Micah had given everyone a full recap of last night's events, Raiden smiled at his son. "I'm glad you were able to get things done with minimal damage." The fact that Raiden considered the mage's destroyed home 'minimal damage' made me wonder just what actual damage looked like to him.

Micah snickered, and even I struggled to hide my smile. Cam shrugged, owning his chaotic nature, which was just one of the many reasons why I adored him. There was never a dull moment with Cam around.

"Tell him about your magic," I prompted when it looked like he'd forgotten all about it, and his eyes brightened.

"Oh! Right, I totally forgot. DD, I think I found my power type, but I'm not quite sure what it is."

I had an idea, but I'd only ever heard whispers of dragon magic like his, rumors and stories of a time long past, which was why I hadn't said anything. Raiden would know if I was right, and I'd rather he be the one to decide.

"What happened?"

"Well, I intercepted the mages' magic before they could hit the others and instead of getting hit, I kind of... absorbed their magic? And then I was able to shoot it back at them with my own power added to the spell."

Raiden's brows went up, his eyes widening. "That's...I didn't think that was possible."

"Do you think so too? I had a suspicion but I didn't want to say anything until we talked to you," I said, and Cam's eyes slid between us.

"What? What's going on?"

"There's a type of dragon that is more powerful than even other dragons. I didn't think any of those existed anymore, or could exist again. But if what you're saying is right..."

Cam's brows shot up. "I'm stronger than all the other dragons? Than you ?" The disbelief in his voice was thick, and Raiden smiled, shaking his head.

"You're too young right now, but someday, yes. You'll be more powerful than me, than any other dragon, and most supes. You're what we call a void dragon. You have the ability to eat magic, so to speak. You can absorb anyone's magic and use it yourself. It gives you a few extra... abilities that most dragons don't have."

"Wow," Micah murmured, and Cam's gaze slid to him.

"You don't think that's scary?"

Micah snorted. "I could never find anything about you scary, Cam."

The answer obviously pleased Cam, and he grinned as he turned back to Raiden. "So what are the other perks? Anything useful?"

Raiden had a thoughtful look on his face, and his eyes flickered from Cam to the rest of us.

"There is one thing. Because of your powers, unlike other dragons, you don't need another dragon to... procreate."

We all stared at him as my mind went blank. Procreate? Was he serious?

"I'm not saying you have to make use of that now. Or ever. It's just the biggest benefit. It's why all the dragons mourned when the last void dragon died. They can take anyone's magic to create eggs with, unlike other dragons who can only use a dragon's magic or their mate's, if their mate is also a dragon."

"So you and Dad were only able to create the eggs because Dad's a dragon now?"

Raiden nodded, then shared a glance with William.

"I don't even want to imagine what Cam's kids would be like," Miles said, and Mateo snickered.

"They'd be a riot."

"Uh..." Cam trailed off. He'd told me about his struggle with the realization that he was going to be a big brother, and I had a feeling he wasn't even ready to entertain the idea of himself as a dad. Not that he needed to. He was still so very young, and he had all the time in the world.

"All right, we'll leave you to it, then. Text me if you need anything, any of you. Kai, I'm glad you have your coat back."

"Thank you for your help," Kai said with a smile that Raiden returned as he stood up.

I waited until they were at the door to join them and ask them about staying with them when my cycle restarted. They didn't hesitate before saying yes, even though there was a possibility they'd have their own kids to deal with by then. They really were amazing people.

I'd asked Raiden before if he'd met any other phoenix, and he'd told me stories of the few he'd met, promising to tell me everything he knew about my kind whenever I wanted. He'd also theorized that the reason I hatched alone could be that my mother reached the end of her cycle at just the wrong moment, and she must've left in her confused or childlike state if she didn't have a support system either.

We'd had that conversation right before Kai had shown up, so I hadn't had a chance to think much about it or take Raiden up on his offer, but we had all the time in the world for that, and I was content to leave it at that for now. I'd lived a long life without knowing much about where I came from, and my present and future were much more important to me than a past I could never change.

Once the dads had left, taking a reluctant Miles and Mateo with them, I returned to the living room to find my mates still on the couch, Kai and Micah leaning against Cam.

"I...I wanted to talk to all of you about something," Kai said as I joined them, and I froze before settling on the couch. What did Kai want to say? Now that he had his coat, had he changed his mind about us?

That couldn't be right. I could feel our bonds getting stronger. There was no way he'd want to leave now. Not when he could feel them too. Right?

Kai

Three sets of eyes watched me expectantly, and I realized I should've just said it instead of making a big deal.

I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn't come, so I switched to the mental link, the fact that I was a part of it still sending a spark of happiness through me.

As I'd swum around the pond earlier, I'd realized something; I wanted to be all-in with my mates. They'd proven to me that they would do anything for me, including risk their lives.

I want to be with you. In every sense , I said, holding my breath as I waited for their reaction.

Unsurprisingly, Cam was the first to react. He took my hand in his, his green eyes sparkling as he watched me.

"Are you sure? We don't mind taking it slow," Micah said a second later, and Cam grunted.

"Speak for yourself. I'm done waiting."

"Cam!" Micah exclaimed, making him roll his eyes, though no one could mistake the fondness of the gesture.

"Fine, fine. Are you sure, Kai?"

I nodded quickly, then forced myself to say the words so there was no doubt. "I'm sure. I want this. I want you."

Cam grinned, and Ember made a happy, rumbling sound that made me think of a bear shifter.

Shooting to his feet, Cam tugged at my hand, pulling me after him. "Come on. Let's go upstairs."

He patted Jodi on the head as we went, and she gave a soft woof before clambering onto the just-vacated couch.

Nerves and excitement skittered around my insides as we went up the stairs. The chaste kisses they'd given me before bed the last few days were the extent of our intimacy, but I wanted more. I wanted everything with them now that I didn't have to worry about my coat.

Ever since the day I met them, they'd been nothing but kind and good to me, and even when I hadn't been sure if I could truly trust them, they'd wriggled their way into my heart.

I didn't think I could live without Cam's mischief, Micah's concern, or Ember's care now, and I didn't even want to try.

While I'd slept here the last few nights, I still felt strange stepping into the master bedroom, like I never wanted to leave.

"If you're up for it, we can move your stuff here later," Cam said as if he could read my mind too.

"I'd like that."

With a grin, Cam settled on the edge of the bed, then pulled me close, spreading his legs so I stood between them.

"May I kiss you, Kai?"

"Yes, please."

The moment Cam's lips brushed against mine, I knew this would be nothing like the chaste goodnights I'd gotten so far.

His hand slid around my waist as he deepened the kiss, his lips caressing mine as his fingers slid under the back of my shirt. He pressed firmly against the small of my back, pushing me closer to him as his tongue licked at my bottom lip.

I moaned softly, and he didn't waste the opportunity to slide his hot, wet tongue into my mouth.

My hands clutched at his arms as I kissed him back, his firm muscles flexing under my touch as he moved. I wished I could touch his bare skin instead of the cotton of his shirt.

"Cam, take off your shirt," Micah said in a husky voice, and I groaned when Cam complied instantly.

Micah was the bossy one. Who would've guessed? That was fucking hot.

The moment Cam pulled back to remove his shirt, Micah cupped my face, turning my head toward him as he claimed my lips.

While Cam's kiss had been explorative and soft, Micah's was... intense and full of impatience. This role-reversal was fucking with me in the best of ways, and I moaned into Micah's mouth, clutching at Cam's shoulder with one hand to keep my balance while my other hand cupped Micah's bare waist, the bottom of his crop top brushing against my hand as he moved.

When Micah pulled back, he was panting, his eyes darker than I'd ever seen before.

"Ember," he murmured softly, and Ember gripped my waist, pulling me from between Cam's legs and onto his lap, my legs thrown on either side of his and my knees digging into the mattress as he cupped my cheeks.

I could hear Cam and Micah kissing as Ember peered into my eyes before claiming my lips, his big hands holding onto me as he kissed me.

His erection pressed against my ass, our chests rubbing together as I moved just a little, unable to stop myself from rocking over him.

Ember groaned into my mouth, his tongue dancing against mine, and I wondered why I'd waited so long for this.

In the grand scheme of things, it hadn't been all that long since I met these three, but they were my mates, and that made all the difference.

Every moment I'd spent with them had shown me again and again why Fate had picked them for me. They were perfect for me, each one of them in their own unique way. Now that I knew them, I couldn't imagine my life without any of them, and I didn't want to.

I wanted to be with my mates for the rest of our long lives. I might not have been in love with them just yet, but I was falling fast, and I wasn't the least bit afraid.