Chapter 13

Istared hard at the hands of the clock, wondering if Dahlia would forgive me if I checked in a little early this afternoon. She was on the final day of her self-imposed deadline, and I certainly didn't want to earn her wrath by interrupting at a crucial moment, but the truth was, I missed her. Splitting these daily check-ins with her other mates meant I had a scant fifteen to twenty minutes to spend with her a day, and it simply wasn't enough.

Perhaps she'd welcome the intrusion today if I were to offer some inspiration in the form of an orgasm for her. My wee mate insisted she could do this with minimal breaks and that it wasn't going to negatively affect her health, but every time I saw her during a check in she appeared more and more frazzled. Her shoulders were tight and tense, eyes bloodshot, and we weren't going to mention the dark circles she wore like bruises. Dahlia needed me to care for her, whether she wanted to admit it or not. And at my core, I was a caretaker. Loving her was written in my bones, and I had to be able to do it or I'd go mad.

While she couldn't give me the hours I wanted, all I really required was thirty minutes so I could bring her off properly with my fingers and tongue. Relax her. Give her that boost of oxytocin she'd get from her release. She'd be a new woman when I was finished with her. And perhaps I would cease feeling like a useless lump of flesh. It was worth a shot.

Emboldened by my plan, I sprang to my feet and nearly sprinted to the door. If Hook or Hades were to see me right now, they'd poke fun at me for sure. Not that they were faring much better. We all seemed a bit lost without our mate to love. There was only so much we could do from a distance, and if they were anything like me, our souls were hardwired to care for and protect her. No one would expect it from the likes of us. We didn't exactly get placed here for being the lovestruck heroes.

Truth was, no one knew about pining and endless devotion like a man with few scruples around murder.

Chuckling to myself, I bounded down the hall, not caring who spotted me or what they thought. When I arrived at Dahlia's door, I forced myself to slow and knock.

"Are ye up for a break, gem? I know you said you were nearly fin—" As I pushed the door open, my words died on my tongue because she wasn't there. The chair at her desk was empty, laptop closed, a bright pink sticky note attached to the top.

I walked to her desk with a frown, wondering if she'd left the note for me or if it was one of her endless lists. She wrote and left them everywhere. The woman had lists for her lists. It was adorable, honestly. If not a little neurotic, just like her. Yet another thing I loved about her.

Yanking the paper off the computer, I held it up and grinned like an idiot because it was absolutely for me.

Finished! Huzzah!

Taking a walk to stretch my legs.

If I'm not back by the time you get here, come find me, dragon boy.

Smoochies! Love,

Your Dahlia

I smiled and pocketed the note—the first she'd written for me. She even dotted the Is and exclamation points with little hearts. I couldn't bear for it to be destroyed. If anything, it should be commemorated. And I knew just the spot to display the pink scrap of paper in my hoard. Actually, I think it deserved a frame. Or perhaps I could tattoo her words over my heart in her handwriting.

The absence of my mate didn't seem so unbearable now that I'd been issued a challenge. She wanted me to find her. I was very good at finding things. And she said it in her note: she was my Dahlia. Mine.

No one else got a note.

I'd have laughed at how smug I was feeling were it anyone else. Never did I think I'd get this twitterpated over a bit of paper, but here we were. I told you I'd been missing her.

If she wanted me to find her, I wasn't about to waste a second. Tugging off my shirt, I called on my wings. Might as well go to her in style. Dahlia loved my dragon and now that she was done with her book, she was going to get me every way she wanted me.

I tore open her window and leapt out, my leathery wings spreading and catching the wind as soon as I fell. I'd only just started practicing with them this past week while not in full dragon form, but flying came to me as naturally as walking. Dahlia had once told me how much romance readers loved a man with a big wingspan, and the sparkle in her eyes wasn't something I missed. I knew exactly what I was doing by hunting her down shirtless, flying, ready to make her mine.

Perhaps she'd wrap herself around me, and we could test out some other firsts. I didn't know if it was physically possible to fuck and fly at the same time, but it sure would be fun to try. We could start our very own mile-high club.

I caught sight of my girl walking away from the kirkyard with Hades hot on her heels. Something wasn't right. Not with the pensive expression on her face and the set of her shoulders. What had that arsehole done to upset her? It might be nearly impossible to take on a god, but I'd damn well give it a go if he hurt her.

Logically, part of me knew he was no more likely to do so than I was. But dragons were rarely logical when their mates were involved. I was acting on pure instinct, as I usually was when my Dahlia was concerned.

"Gem," I called, landing a little ahead and to the left of them.

Her head snapped in my direction, and for a moment, her face lit up with joy. "You found me," she said with a smile. It didn't quite reach her eyes, though, which told me something was truly weighing on her.

"Aye, I'll always find ye," I promised, opening my arms wide for her to walk into. Once she was pressed against me, I shot Hades a ‘what the fuck happened' look as I pulled my wings around her. The last thing I saw before she was fully ensconced was the slow shake of his head. A conversation for later, then.

Dahlia took a deep inhale as she buried her face against my bare chest, sighing happily like she'd just caught her favorite scent. "Mmm, I love the way you smell. I've missed you."

I was fucking right, and it took everything I had not to preen then and there. "I've missed you too, lass."

"I just had to clear my head. I wasn't planning on being gone this long." She tipped her face up, and I dropped mine so I could kiss her gently.

"It's all right. Gave me a chance to stretch my wings." I kissed her again, then murmured against her lips, "Congratulations on finishing. I'm so proud of you."

She melted into me. "You know... I'm not sure anyone other than Kiki has ever told me they were proud of me before."

"Is that so? I'll have to make a habit of it, then, to make up for the lack."

She giggled, but it was quick to fade.

"What's wrong, gem? Are you nae happy with the book?"

"It's not that," she said, moving to step away from me. As much as I didn't want to, I unwrapped my wings and sent them back where they hid when not in use. "I"d rather not get into it right now. In fact, I'd pay a king's ransom to be able to do anything other than think about it."

"Fair enough. How would you feel about a little distraction as we ring in the new year together?"

"Yes, please!" she chirped.

I chuckled, using my chin to gesture to the residence. "Go put on something warm and meet me up at my tower when you're ready."

"Is that offer open to the rest of us?" Hades asked.

Selfishly, I wanted to say no, but since this was about cheering up my mate, I nodded.

"I'll let the others know," he said, earning a grateful smile from Dahlia. "You get yourself all cleaned up, baby doll. We might want to get dirty again later."

Her cheeks went pink, and instead of arousal or envy, I felt unease in response. If they'd already been together, why was she still tense? Something wasn't right.

She left us, casting a few looks over her shoulder at Hades and me as she went. As soon as she was out of earshot, I rounded on him.

"What happened? Why isn't she sated and boneless with bliss right now? You clearly fucked her. I could smell you all over her."

Hades shrugged. "There's a lot going on."

"Such as?" I pressed when he didn't elaborate.

"I can't tell you. It's her story to share."

"That's ludicrous. How can we protect her if we don't know what's happening?"

"Sometimes we have to be patient, dragon. Let her come to us. She'll share when the time is right. The only reason I know is because I saw it go down. Trust her."

I gritted my teeth and grumbled. "I don't like it. I need to fix it for her. Crush any enemy. Defend her."

He chuckled darkly. "You'll get your chance. We all will."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

He shook his head. "Not my story, remember?"

Irritation shot through me, along with a bit of my dragon's heat. A curl of smoke escaped my nostril, clueing Hades in to my state of mind.

He clapped me on the shoulder. "No need to get pissy, dragon. Our girl doesn't keep secrets. She just wants to breathe for a minute before having to face it again. To that end, you promised her a distraction. Best you get on with it."

* * *

As I waitedfor my wee mate to arrive, I did one more cursory look about my tower. It was nearly perfect—music on the record player, food, and a cozy place to sit all set for her. I was just missing one small detail. Lifting the nearest candle from its stand, I blew a small stream of flame at it until the wick ignited, then I went from candle to candle until the entire room was aglow with flickering light. That done, I checked on the provisions I'd procured, pleased with the look of the decanted wine and spread of fruits, meats, and cheeses. I'd made a point to select all of Dahlia's favorite snacks, hoping to tempt her into eating a little something—or better yet, letting me hand feed her.

Just the thought of finally being able to care for her had my dragon perking up and reminding me that while he and I were more connected than ever, it was still his choice to stay quiet.

"I missed her too."

As if our thoughts summoned her, the sound of Dahlia's laughter floated up the spiral staircase, along with a stampede of footsteps. It sounded like a small army rushing up the steps, but I knew better. Dahlia and the other three were nearly here.

Out of nowhere, a wave of doubt crashed into me. Suddenly the spread and flickering candles seemed like too much. Had I gone overboard? Was this like that time Ren wrote a cheesy love song for Rebel and everyone else laughed at him?

Turning on my heel, I blew out a few candles and flicked the needle off the record to stop the romantic music just as they entered my tower.

I tried to adopt my most casual pose, but knew I was found out the second Hook's crooked smirk bloomed. Shockingly, he didn't say a word.

"I would have sworn I heard Hozier," Dahlia muttered, casting her eyes around the room. "Don't tell me this is a new form of haunting."

"That Irish fuck has a real hard-on for Greek mythology. But he sure can write a song," Hades murmured.

"Mmm, Forest Daddy."

Hades spanked her soundly. "Watch it."

"What? Everyone gets a hall pass, right? He's mine."

"That's your choice? A skinny Irish poet?" Tor asked, clearly offended.

She batted her eyelashes at him. "Have you seen how tall he is? Taller than all of you. I'm just saying. With that poet's soul, there's no telling what kind of damage he could do in the be?—"

Tor growled and grabbed her by the nape before crushing his lips to hers and kissing her so hard she swayed on her feet. When he released her, she was a little dazed.

"What were you saying, beauty?"

"W-was I saying something?"

"Do you want me to turn the music back on?" I offered, trying to contain my amusement.

"No," the others said at once, drawing a laugh from Dahlia.

Hook slunk up to her side, taking her by the chin and turning her face toward his. "Your three hall passes are in this room, love. You think any of us will allow you to so much as fantasize about another, you've got a very tiring lesson ahead of you."

"Tiring?"

His answering smile was absolutely wicked. "Positively exhausting. For you, that is. The four of us will be taking turns, allowing for much-needed rest."

"He's gotten a little too good at this taking charge thing," Hades grumbled.

"Agreed," I said, stepping forward and stealing her away from the pirate. "Happy New Year, lass. I hope this is satisfactory. I know it's not a big party with all your?—"

She stopped me with a hand in the air. "What about me makes you think a big crowd and lots of noise is my idea of a good time? My only friend is Kiki, and most of our New Years were spent on a video call with her toasting me from NYC while I tried to discreetly wipe away the drool and pretend I hadn't been asleep watching Dick Clark." She cupped my face. "And I don't know if you realize it, but my family is here now. All four of you. There's nothing that could make this better except Kiki being with us, but the things I want to do with all of you can't include her, anyway."

"Now that's my idea of a party," Hook cheered, angling for the wine and pouring each of us a healthy glass.

"You trying to liquor me up, pirate? Cause I should tell you, I'm a sure thing."

"Apparently not," he grunted, frowning at the already empty decanter. "Blimey, dragon, you really don't know how to throw a party. There should be at least a bottle a piece if we're going to loosen her up with wine." He set the decanter down and shook his head, muttering under his breath, "Amateurs, the lot of them."

"The idea was for all of us to relax, not get pissing drunk. If you think you can do it better, then why don't you leave us be and go get the supplies you think we need? Can't guarantee the door will be unlocked for you, though."

He tossed me a mulish glare over his shoulder before downing his glass.

Hades tried to cover his smile with his hand but couldn't resist goading him further. "Might have been wise to ration it out a bit, don't you think?"

"Fuck off, all of you."

"I mean..." Dahlia teased, cheeks pink and eyes twinkling with suppressed laughter.

Tor stalked farther into the room and glanced around, his brows pulling together as he clearly found something amiss.

"What, Viking? What could possibly be wrong?" I asked, frustration in every word.

"There isn't a proper-sized bed. How are we going to make our mate comfortable without that?"

"Well, if you insist on ruining the surprise, I'd planned for us to end the night upstairs under the stars."

Tor raised a brow. "Don't you think she'll get cold?"

"Not when she's pressed between us."

"Fair point," he mused, our gazes returning to where she was standing, as they so often did. She was the magnet leading us all on a merry chase back to her.

"Come, gem, let's make you a plate. If we don't, Hook's going to eat it all before we get a chance."

Caspian looked at us from where he'd filled his plate and had a cracker shoved in his mouth. "What? Are we not supposed to be eating? No one told me that." He loaded another cracker with cheese and prosciutto before cramming it into his mouth. "A little more communication would be appreciated."

"Or a little less," Hades deadpanned as crumbs sprayed everywhere.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's not polite to speak with your mouth full?" I asked.

Hook smirked. "Dahlia loves to moan with her mouth full."

Dahlia turned bright red while Hades sighed. "Not remotely the same thing."

The pirate lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "Not what Dahlia says. She also loves it when I eat and talk at the same time. Don't you, sweetheart?"

I could scent her arousal as she squirmed.

"Don't put me in the middle of this," she whispered, cheeks blazing.

"Darling, you're always in the middle. That's how this works."

"So... are we moving to phase two, then?" Tor asked, already stripping out of his shirt.

Dahlia's stomach growled, reminding all of us she hadn't eaten. Taking matters into my own hands, I stomped over and stole Hook's plate, handing it to Dahlia. He was about to protest, but as soon as he realized I was offering it to her, he wisely shut the fuck up.

Smart move. If he hadn't, he would have found himself flying off my tower without the aid of wings or a single damn happy thought to keep him afloat.

"That was exactly what I needed. Thank you, Kai," Dahlia said after we'd all eaten and finished our wine. "This is so—" A boom cracked in the air and the sky lit up outside, stopping her mid-sentence. "What was that?"

I gritted my teeth. "Something that wasn't supposed to start for another few hours."

But apparently people couldn't follow the simplest of directions. Start the fireworks at the stroke of midnight. Make sure they're within view of the tower, over the lake, so Dahlia sees the reflection. Don't forget the one we agreed upon shaped like the flower that is her namesake.

"Come on, gem. We don't want to miss the show," I grumbled, taking her by the wrist and pulling her up the short flight of stairs that opened up to what was essentially my rooftop garden. It was less garden and more nest at the moment, filled with furs and pillows as it was.

"Kai," Dahlia breathed. "You thought of everything."

At least someone appreciates an eye for detail around here.

The sky lit up again as booms echoed over and over. I sat with her in my arms, a heavy fur covering her as the other three joined us. She leaned into me, letting out soft noises of pleasure with each burst of light that appeared.

As the finale came to a close, Cas leaned over. "Well done, Kai. I have to say I'm impressed. But what do you think about the five of us making some fireworks of our own, eh?"

"I'm not opposed to the idea," I replied, shifting a little to look at Dahlia's face. "What do you say, gem?"

Before I finished speaking, we had our answer.

Hades chuckled, reaching over to wipe away a bit of drool off our sleeping beauty. "Looks like she's not gonna make it to midnight this New Year either."

"Shall we tuck her in downstairs?" Tor asked, reaching as if to take her from my arms.

"Perhaps it's best if we just let her sleep where she is," I countered, not ready to let her go just yet.

"Happy New Year, fellas," Hook said. "Let's hope it's not the last."