Chapter 29

Aidan

Despite castle occupants being the only ones to attend, the main table in the great hall was filled for the midday meal. It didn’t only include Taugud, but also the Straegud and Craegud pendragons with several of their toriq members. They sat with Aidan and Bailey. He felt sympathy for his mate, who barely managed a tight smile while in a room full of shifters. With their son eating a meal with Phoebe, Ozara, and Leilany in their chambers upstairs, she didn’t have Orion as a buffer.

Bailey hadn’t hunted since her battle at Ft. Sill, and her compulsion to attack dragons appeared to grow by the hour as she struggled against it. She only had to wait one more day. The good thing about her restlessness was it would make her extra vicious once she faced the Kandoran.

It would also make her especially demanding in his bed later. Aidan loved it when she was on the edge because their lovemaking surged to a higher level of hot and consuming. If the servants minded the ruined sheets and blankets afterward, they’d never mentioned it. They did cast looks at their pendragon and his mate later as if wondering how they could walk so normally from their chambers the next day.

“I must say I envy the design of your fortress,” Wren said. The pendragon from the West Coast had been more than happy to stay at the castle to get a closer look at the architecture.

Aidan pulled his thoughts from his mate. “I can’t take credit for it myself since it was designed several millennia ago, but we’ve worked hard to maintain and improve it.”

“I can imagine,” he said, studying the stone around them. “You must be blessed with many who have the second flame.”

Bailey, who had been nursing her goblet of wine, set it down. “Aidan actually has the gift and helps the masons when he can spare the time.”

Wren lifted a brow. “Really? It runs in your family line?”

“It does.”

“Do you think your son will inherit it?” the Craegud pendragon asked speculatively.

Aidan drew his brows together, having never considered it before. “I do not know. My other three siblings didn’t inherit it, but you know how those things tend to be unpredictable.”

“True,” Wren agreed. “Will you have more children with your mate?”

He had an idea of where this conversation was headed, but it was perfectly normal when toriqan got together. Now that Aidan was a pendragon, he had to accept playing the political game. He set his hand on Bailey’s where it rested on her lap.

“If my mate wishes it.”

She cleared her throat. “Our first child wasn’t planned, but I wouldn’t mind more when there is peace.”

Aidan had recently told her he would love to give her a dozen children if the dragon goddess allowed it. She’d looked ready to run. Of course, he’d reassured her that it was highly unlikely to happen since their longevity tended to make them less fertile. The only caveat was that slayers fell under different rules. They might not age, but most died young, so their ability to procreate fell under similar patterns as humans. He didn’t know how that would work with him being a shifter, but the males tended to have fewer limits, as Lorcan had already proven.

For now, one of the healers had given her special herbs to drink in her tea each day to prevent another pregnancy. He agreed with her that it was not the right time. He’d made certain she would have access to them during the war as well to be safe. They were stocked in each of the bunkers for any female fighters who wanted them.

“I have two boys and a girl, ranging in ages from five to one-hundred and forty. When your own are older, perhaps we could see if any are compatible for mating,” he suggested, appearing hopeful.

The distance between their territories was such that their toriqan hadn’t attempted an arrangement since long before Aidan was born. It wasn’t a terrible idea, as shifters needed to expand their mating pool to keep their bloodline fresh. Perhaps it also appealed to Wren that Orion did not trigger a slayer's killing instincts, and he had a unique coloring. There was a reasonable chance he could pass those traits on to his offspring.

Still, it was hard to imagine his and Bailey’s son or any of their future children mating with a shifter that far away. He hated to consider it right now, but it was expected among his kind to begin planning early, especially for the highborn.

While nothing would be settled without the consent of the prospective mates, he would be promising the other toriqan a first opportunity at courtships. At least he’d warned Bailey that the topic might come up before the other pendragons arrived. Hildegard had already been eyeing their son as if he were a future prize, which was what prompted him to discuss it with her.

“After the war, we should arrange to visit each other’s lands periodically to maintain our ties. I’m certain many in my toriq would be interested in potential matches,” Aidan said diplomatically.

Wren gave him a pleased smile. “That would be agreeable.”

“We would like that as well,” Syrus said, leaning over to look at him from the other side of Bailey. Since the slayer knew him, Aidan had thought she’d appreciate a chance to talk while they ate and had him seated there.

He nodded at the pendragon. “I would like nothing more than to see how other shifter toriqan live and build stronger relations with each of you. There are too few of our kind to continue the separation we’ve had in recent centuries.”

Of course, since Aidan’s territory was almost equal distance between the other two, the Craegud and Straegud likely preferred to build relations with his toriq rather than each other. It was a long distance to travel from coast to coast through pure dragon territories. The Taugud provided a central point they could all use, including the Faegud.

Bailey picked at her food, and he had no doubt she didn’t care for the subject matter but understood they couldn’t avoid it. She took a deep breath and forced a smile onto her face. “I know I would love to visit your jakhals. It would also allow me to hunt along the way since it has become more difficult here.”

“I imagine so,” Syrus said with a grin. “Aidan has mentioned some of our pure dragon allies don’t like that you and your friends continue to kill their members during our truce.”

“It’s their fault for straying too close to our borders,” she replied, picking up her goblet of wine.

Wren leaned past Aidan to look at her. “Perhaps your mate could keep you pregnant often enough to avoid antagonizing your neighbors as much. I heard slayers lose their urge to attack dragons during that time and for a period afterward.”

Bailey choked on her wine.

Aidan held back a grin, not daring to reveal the thought had crossed his mind, but he’d always follow Bailey’s preferences. Her body would do most of the work, after all. Having said that, one couldn’t help but think that nine months of pregnancy and six months afterward was a nice break that his mate wouldn’t feel the urge to hunt.

“Are you okay, misanna?”

“I think I need some fresh air,” she said.

The lines of strain across her forehead told him all he needed to know. She couldn’t handle being in a crowded hall with so many dragons for much longer, or she’d lose control. Their conversation had not helped matters.

Aidan stood. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to escort my mate outside.”

“But…” Wren began.

Syrus shook his head at him. “Trust me. You want him to take her out.”

It was clear the Straegud pendragon had enough experience with slayers to understand the problem. Aidan was glad he had an ally on the matter.

Bailey’s back was ramrod straight as they made their way around the table and weaved past other diners on their way to the doors. She drew in ragged breaths as he kept a calming hand on her shoulder. Thanks to his growing pendragon powers, his enhanced senses told him she was at the edge of her control and close to exploding.

Aidan guided her outside, down the steps, and toward the side of the castle. Through their walk, he rubbed soothingly at the back of her neck. They eventually reached a small garden with high hedges concealing everything except the entrance.

“Thank you,” she said after they entered.

No one was there—only the two of them.

Her hand trembled as she reached up to move a strand of black hair from her face. “I couldn’t take another minute in there, but I was trying.”

“I know.” He cupped her cheek. “You did well.”

Bailey shook her head. “I hate that I can’t be a better mate for you. God, I can’t even sit at your side without thinking about killing your allies, especially as they eye our son like some prize—and the children we haven’t had yet.”

He’d assumed her minimal contribution to the discussion was due to that.

“It’s okay, misanna.” Aidan pulled her into his chest. “I couldn’t have asked for more from you.”

“I just need…”

To kill, but he stopped her with a kiss before she could say it. There were ways to distract a slayer’s urges temporarily. She opened her mouth to him, and his tongue tangled with hers. In seconds, it became hot and fierce.

Bailey clawed at his bare arms. He didn’t mind the pain or the blood she drew. Her heartbeat thundered in his ears as her need grew and her violent instincts took an intimate turn. In no time, he had her pressed against the castle’s stone wall. They were wild for each other, only removing enough clothing to join together. Neither of them cared about the outside world. His fierce mate needed him, and he would do anything for her.

They exploded, Aidan smothering her screams and his growls with a heavy kiss. Both could hardly catch their breath afterward as they righted their clothing. He’d known their lust was too great to last for long, but this was only meant to calm the slayer until later tonight when they could be alone to do much more.

Bailey pulled up her pants. “That was…hmm, effective. I feel much better.”

She looked so tempting with her long, black hair in disarray that he had to fight the urge to take her again. Instead, he smoothed it back down for her.

“We need to go on a walk and visit our people,” he said, hating that they still had more duties to fulfill before returning to their chambers and spending time with their son.

Bailey’s cheeks pinkened. “They’re going to smell what we just did.”

She wasn’t wrong. Any shifter who got within a dozen feet of them would know.

“Good.” Aidan grinned. “I want them to know I claim my mate regularly.”

“We can’t go wash up first?” she asked, panic in her expression.

He pulled her into his arms, enjoying her embarrassment. “No, but later, I promise to wash you myself—thoroughly.”

She glared at him. “You’re an ass.”

“But you love me anyway.”

She huffed. “And you take complete advantage of it.”

While her gaze showed a hint of annoyance, there was also amusement there. He couldn’t catch any sign of her killing urges left. Aidan had pacified that side of her for now, and the discomfort she’d feel at shifters scenting her would only keep those instincts at bay for even longer. He had succeeded at what he set out to do and enjoyed himself in the process.

“Come,” he said, pulling back and taking her hand. “We’ll meet with my people, bathe, and then spend time with our son. It will be fine. Your scent will make them happier that you keep their pendragon sated, and they’ll love you more for it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, you win—this time.”

Aidan led her out of the garden toward the nearest section of shifter homes close to the market quarter. He had never been prouder of having his mate by his side, and he wanted his whole toriq to see that they were united. It would only instill more confidence in them on the eve of war. That was their job for the next few hours, after all. They would speak with anyone they saw to calm and allay fears, inspire them, and prepare them for the battles ahead.