Chapter 5

Aidan

He bit into the slow-roasted meat, savoring the flavor. Midnight meal always proved to be the most bountiful feast with the highest attendance from his toriq. Also, the cooks had outdone themselves this time. After a long day of having little time to eat, he’d finally filled his stomach.

The great hall was crowded with shifters and humans who’d come to enjoy the food. From what he’d heard, eating at the castle during Nanoq’s reign had become less popularas the former pendragon looked for any reason to punish his people if they behaved in a manner he didn’t like. They preferred not to risk his wrath by going near him.

All that had changed in the last two months. The mood had shifted to contentment and productivity, with families coming together like never before. Even with war looming, his people showed great optimism that he would lead them to victory.

He hoped he could live up to their expectations.

Aidan stood from the table, his mate and son rising with him. They’d enjoyed their meals as much as he had. There was something truly satisfying about consuming appetizing food with his family after years of hunting for his sustenance and eating alone in dragon form.

As they departed the dining hall, Paul—Bailey’s youngest brother—approached them. He appeared anxious, with his hands stuffed in his pockets and his eyes darting toward his sister for reassurance. She gave him an encouraging nod. The young man always seemed intimidated by Aidan, though he shouldn’t have felt that way. He did his best to make the human feel welcome, but as the pendragon, he recognized that he might not appear as friendly in public, where he had to curtail his emotions.

“Come with us,” Aidan said, gesturing him forward. “We will speak in private.”

Perhaps that would make the man feel better.

Paul’s throat bobbed. “Thanks.”

Two guards fell into step behind their group, silent yet watchful.

They headed toward his quarters at the top of the castle, taking two flights of stairs to reach it. Shifters and servants passed by them, nodding their heads in respect to Aidan and his mate. Bailey and Orion knew to keep their heads up and appear kindly to everyone they saw. He did not want his family to appear too “above” everyone else. There had been too much of that with past pendragons, and he wanted to rule differently.

At last, they reached the chamber doors and entered the room. The slayer was the last to enter, shutting the door and then leaning against it. A loud sigh sounded from her as she slumped her shoulders. She always did a remarkable job of appearing friendly and pleasant while among their people, but as an introvert, keeping up the facade wore on her. He appreciated that she didn’t complain.

No, his mate had done her best to support him in every way that she could.

Aidan lifted a hand and caressed her cheek. “Thank you.”

“For what?” she asked, brows knitting.

He leaned down and whispered low in her ear, so their son and her brother couldn’t hear him. “For making sacrifices for me and giving your best to our people.”

Since her return, he’d insisted on including her as part of the Taugud and no longer saying “his” toriq. She was his mate, and she would be seen as one of them. Their people—or at least most of them—had grown used to the idea, but he saw Bailey still struggled with her position.

She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “You can thank me later.”

The best part of their day was when they were finally alone together and could relax for a brief time before bed. Despite his responsibilities and the stress they both faced with their roles, they each felt happier than ever since their reunion. They truly completed each other.

After one final longing look, he turned to Paul. “What is it you wished to speak to me about?”

“I was wondering…” He paused and shifted from foot to foot. “…if, um, Candace and I could move into a house in the outer village? We’d be happy to help with any refugees who come.”

The request came as a surprise to him. Aidan had scented the woman on Paul a few times, but he hadn’t realized they were very far along in their relationship. They certainly hadn’t made any appearances together near the fortress to lead to that conclusion. On the other hand, Bailey’s brother had been spending a lot of time in Norman lately.

“It is serious between you and the female?” he asked.

“Yes. We love each other.”

Aidan scrutinized him for a moment. With such an important subject, his pendragon side took over, even in the privacy of his chambers, where he preferred to relax. He mulled it over, weighing the pros and cons. Paul looked like he was about to flee in fear for his life, but Aidan tried to think through every decision he made. He could not rush his response. Was it right for the young man, Bailey, and his toriq? It didn’t take long for him to come to a conclusion.

He reached out and put a hand on Paul’s shoulder, grasping his green camrium shirt and ignoring the young man’s flinch. “I think that is an excellent idea. It will help me and the Taugud if you can shoulder some of the responsibility for organizing the refugees. Of course, others will assist you, but I’d like it if you took the lead since you are human like them.”

During times like this, he was short-handed for so many tasks. Many of his people pulled double or triple duties as they prepared for the war. He hoped Paul could live up to Aidan’s expectations and reduce the burden on others.

“Organizing is one thing I’m good at,” Bailey’s brother said, lifting his chin.

Now that he’d gotten approval from Aidan, confidence entered his gaze.

“I’d suggest you choose your dwelling first thing tomorrow. After that, see Falcon about obtaining rations for yourself and the refugees. My scouts tell me they will arrive in two to three days. There is a lot to be done in little time. Servants have already cleaned the village homes recently and ensured they are stocked with basic furniture, so you will not need to worry about that.”

Relief filled Paul’s eyes. “We can handle it, no problem. Do you know how many will be arriving?”

“I was told approximately forty humans, along with horses, cows, and other animals they have brought with them. Falcon knows the rest of the details and can tell you more,” Aidan said, stepping away from the door.

He was ready for the young man to go so that he could focus on his mate and son for the rest of the evening. If it had been anyone other than Bailey’s brother, he might have put them off until another time. No doubt the slayer told him to approach at this hour while he was in his best mood, but he’d had an arduous day and wanted to be alone with his family.

“Okay, I can do that.” Paul headed for the door, pausing before opening it. “Thanks, uh, milord.”

“Aidan is fine when we’re in my chambers. You know that.” He’d certainly made it clear during family meals. “And be certain to bring Candace next time we have dinner here.”

Paul brightened. “I’d meant to ask about that. I appreciate everything, Aidan.”

He hurried out the door, closing it carefully behind him.

Bailey set the lock in place. When she turned back, she grinned at him and Orion. “So, what game are we playing tonight?”

They always spent an hour after themidnight meal doing an activity together. Sometimes, they played games, others they read or sat outside to watch the keep below and point out stars in the night sky. The entire fortress—linked to him and his family—felt their bonding time, lightening everyone’s moods. Why the pendragons before him, or at least the ones he remembered, hadn’t done the same, he couldn’t imagine.

“How about a competition between you and your mother on who can translate the most dragon words?” Aidan asked.

Orion had already proven to have a competitive streak. They tried to practice the language at least a few times a week to prepare him for school starting after the war. Occasionally, Aidan made it into a contest to help keep him and Bailey engaged and willing to study independently.

“Yeah!” His son jumped up and down. “Kade’s been helping me, so I know I can win.”

Bailey put her hands on her hips. “Was it Kade or your inner dragon?”

Orion shifted fromfoot to foot. “Um, both?”

“No cheating,” she said, wagging a finger at him.

She was competitive as well, and he suspected she went over words whenever she could find the time. The slayer was making an honest effort to fit in with his people, and he loved her even more for it. He’d never dreamed she’d try as hard as she did.

Aidan got out a jar of flame-forged marbles. Each time one of them translated the word correctly, they would get one. Whoever had the most at the end would win.

He waited until they settled into chairs in the sitting area. “What is the word tibaya ?”

“Sky!” Orion shouted quickly.

“Excellent job.” Aidan handed him a red marble, and the boy gave his mother a triumphant grin.

Bailey straightened her shoulders, ready for the next one.

He wouldn’t make it easy for her. “What does Nataka mean?”

“Duty,” she said without hesitation.

Aidan lifted a brow. “How did you learn that one?”

“Orion isn’t the only one who asks for help around here,” she replied, giving him a coy look.

It was the kind of expression that made him want to grab her and take her to bed, but this was their special time with their son. He’d have his mate to himself later.

“Next one,” he began, settling in for an enjoyable evening.

***

Aidan lay naked on the bed, entwined with Bailey in his arms. They’d kicked the sheets away from them after a most pleasurable encounter that left them hot and sweaty. Nothing relaxed him more than time with his mate. The hardships and stressors of the day melted away, leaving him feeling content and fulfilled. How had he gone years without her?

She angled her head to look up at him with a question in her deep brown eyes.

They’d become intimate once more soon, but he recognized his mate had something she wanted to speak about with him. He traced his finger down her arm and along her side, unwilling to stop touching her. Aidan still couldn’t believe she belonged to him—body and soul. He kept expecting to wake up and find it was all a dream. Would that ever end?

“Ask me your question,” he said, admiring the curve of her hips. They’d widened since she’d left years ago, likely from carrying their son in her womb. It enhanced her form, making her more beautiful than ever.

She shivered as his finger continued along her stomach and around her belly button. “Where are you sending Ozara?”

Aidan paused. “How did you hear about that?”

“I saw her today, and she mentioned a trip but wouldn’t say anything more.”

He supposed it was unavoidable that his mate would find out the spy would be gone for a while, but it still aggravated him. “That is a secret, slayer. One I cannot reveal—even to you. Especially not here.”

She gave him a coy look. “We could go to your office so you can tell me.”

“No. The less who know, the better. I will not risk Ozara’s safety any more than necessary, and you don’t have a legitimate reason to learn such information.”

He pressed kisses to her neck and shoulders to soften the sternness of his words.

“I…know you…trust me.” Her voice came out between pants. “There’s no reason…not to tell me.”

He nibbled at her skin. “Even as my mate, there are some things I must keep from you for safety reasons. It is a duty I take seriously.”

She cupped his cheek and stared into his eyes, seeing his resolve. “Fine. I’ll let you keep your secrets this time, but only because I trust you.”

“And I will allow you to keep using Freya for your investigation in Norman,” Aidan said, pulling her body against his chest so that he could feel more of her. “I had intended to give her a different mission, but I see you need her more now. I also appreciate that she can help keep you safe when you’re away from the fortress.”

While he recognized Bailey did a reasonable job protecting herself, he didn’t like her out alone with the Kandoran plotting against them while aware of her existence. Aidan could have easily lost her six weeks ago when she attempted to retrieve her father. Ruari’s mate was the perfect shifter to work alongside the slayer and a skillful warrior.

With luck, they would resolve this newest trouble quickly, and then he could assign them other tasks for war preparations. New pressing jobs revealed themselves almost every day, yet he fell short of finding the right people to handle them. Attempting to organize them all gave him a headache, even with assistance from Falcon and Ruari.

Aidan needed to let those troubles go for now, or he’d waste his precious free time worrying instead of taking advantage of his mate while he had her alone. He captured her lips, melding their mouths together. They both needed these moments.

She groaned as his hands began roaming over her once more and broke their kiss to smile at him. “I think I’m ready to change the subject now.”

“Hmmm, are you certain?” he asked, giving her a knowing look.

Some nights, he liked to drag their intimacy out until she was mindless with need. No other dragon in the world could imagine the experience of having a slayer begging for them to take them. It made him feel like a conqueror. For all those years apart, he’d lived on the memories of having her in his bed. It had driven him to survive despite his despair and motivated him to find a way for them to be together again without persecution.

Bailey was worth every sacrifice. He couldn’t even begin to describe what he felt about her giving him a son. He had everything a male shifter could ever want in life, but he’d have to fight with all his being to keep it.

She gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his skin.

“Fire,” she said, panting. “Give me fire.”

Aidan knew what she meant because she asked for it whenever she truly wanted to lose herself and forget everything. He leaned down and blew his red-orange flames across the most sensitive parts of her body. The heat was so strong it would have turned a human into ash in an instant, but for those who couldn’t burn, it sent shock waves of bliss when applied just right.

She screamed in pleasure, and her body shook. The first time he’d done it years ago, she’d passed out from the intensity of it. Only mates performed such intimate gestures for each other, and he doubted any other slayer had ever known they were missing out on such enjoyment.

When Aidan ran out of breath, he stopped and rose to study her face. Bailey’s dark hair fanned across her cheeks, sticky with sweat, and her eyes had a languid look to them. He’d have given her the world if he could have.

“Are you ready for more?” he asked.

She swallowed, completely at his mercy in that moment. “Yes, please.”

Aidan drew away, allowing cool air between them.

“Dammit, Aidan. No more games!” she said, attempting to wiggle beneath him.

He gripped her hips so she couldn’t move them anymore. “You will be careful on your mission? No unnecessary risks?”

“Whatever you want,” she said through gritted teeth.

He hoped she wasn’t only giving in to the moment and spoke the truth. She couldn’t possibly comprehend how much she meant to him, though he tried to express the words as best he could. Aidan needed her safe more than he needed air.

“You are everything to me, Bailey. I cannot afford to lose you—now or ever. Do you understand that?”

His mate peered up at him. “That goes both ways, pendragon. I love you.”

She understood Aidan needed to hear those words often, especially since her return.

“I love you too, slayer,” he said, and he held back no more.