Chapter Forty

Sarah

"T his is crazy," I said, stepping out of the house and looking around. "You did not have to go to this length."

"My grandson is five today," Yolandi said rather matter of fact. "That is a big deal. It should be treated as such."

I licked my lips, staring at the assortment of playground equipment that had been set up right next to the maze, which was across the way from the swimming pool, which was conveniently separated from the giant sandbox by a water balloon station. Over to the left was an entire arena dedicated to foam swords and other weapons, where the kids could battle it out for the right to a giant chocolate trophy.

And that wasn't everything.

"How many people are you expecting?" I asked. "Did you invite the entire neighborhood?"

"Yes, plus some of our families' neighborhoods." Yolandi made it sound totally normal.

"Well, I can tell you Jakub is absolutely going to lose his mind with excitement when he gets here. That much is for sure." My gaze ran over the food station—one of three set up around the sprawling grounds of the country property Levi's parents lived in.

And it was only his fifth birthday. What would next year entail? I shuddered to think.

"Don't worry, daughter. You'll learn to be okay with it," Yolandi said with a twinkle in her eye. "They all do."

Over her shoulder, I watched her husband, Darhell, roll his eyes, though he wore a broad smile. Clearly, he loved his wife, even if he thought she went overboard.

"You know I can feel that, right?" Yolandi said primly.

Darhell stuck his tongue out at the back of her head. It was easy to see it wasn't the first time that sort of byplay had occurred. I smiled at them. Would that be Levi and me one day?

I welcomed that. The easy interaction between two people who knew each other so well they didn't have to say what they were thinking out loud. It wasn't built overnight, but rather over years. Levi and I were learning, but even just the other night we'd had a disagreement. Not an argument. It wasn't that severe. But it was over something as simple as a dish because we'd had different expectations.

Those would pass, of course. And other fights would come. But with the loving example set by Yolandi and Darhell, I could already see a path to a similar point in our relationship.

"You're much more at ease," Yolandi remarked.

"Pardon?"

"Then the first time you came."

"That's because you aren't strangers to me anymore. We've been here once a week for nearly two months."

"Not that," she said, shaking her head. "Well, that, too, yes. But I was referring to yourself. You're more comfortable in your own skin. With who you are. Perhaps even with how you see yourself in our society."

I smiled. "Well, I'm certainly being thrown into it headfirst. That's for sure. Lots of people to meet and plans to go over. Not a lot of dragons like or trust my kind. I'm lucky you and Darhell are more open-minded than most."

She laughed. "I would not say we are though I thank you for the compliment. But learning we had a grandson, that does many things to a person. Forces them to think."

"Just like learning you have a son," I put in, my eyes drawn upward as a particularly familiar red dragon approached from the direction of town. "It really shifts your perspectives and reveals what's important to you."

"Just so," Yolandi agreed demurely. "Just so, indeed. And I thank you for that. Although I'm sure it wasn't done on purpose, your bearing his son likely saved mine. Levi would have been killed trying to overthrow the sovereign. I just know it."

I nodded, fully agreeing with her observation.

"He sure has come around on that front," Darhell put in.

"It can't hurt that his mate is the one redesigning security for her. If he tried something so stupid again, he wouldn't make it half as far!"

I blushed. "Her security was pretty good, given you don't make as much use of electronic countermeasures as we do. The lack of cameras and such makes it difficult. I'm doing what I can, though."

"Still. Your closeness with her has exposed Levi to more of the inner workings of the palace and the sovereign. He's starting to realize she's doing her best to keep everyone happy—not an easy task."

"No, it's not," I agreed. "Certainly, given the number of differing viewpoints represented on the Council. Back where I'm from, we have two parties, and that's about it."

Yolandi made a face. "How does that even work?"

I raised a hand. "Honestly, that's a discussion for another day and not one I'm sure I have the energy for. Not today, at least." I walked forward as the dragon landed. "Jakub!"

"Hi, Mom! Look at all this stuff," my son yelled, dashing past me with a wave. "Is it all for me?"

"Yes, baby, it is. Your grandparents put it all together. Isn't it nice?"

Jakub paused, his eyes wide as he looked it all over, his little brain overloaded with options. Then he turned to me, put on his biggest grin, and shouted.

"Holy shit!"

" Levi!" I called, but it was useless. The dragon was on his side, rolling with laughter.

It didn't last long.

"Levi! Did your son just say what I think he did?"

A blur went past me, scooping up our son as his mother waded in about her grandson. "No, Mom. Definitely not!"

Levi's eyes met mine, pleading with me for help.

"You're in deep shit now," I whispered, making no movement to take Jakub from him.

Levi's face fell.

"Deep shit! Holy shit! Well, shit!"

Oh, no .

Levi's face reversed course as the high-pitched voice of our child continued his tirade, tracking upward into a massive grin.

"Oh, Sarah ," he sang. "Would you please deal with Jakub? After all, he's your son."

"You're going to pay for this," I mumbled, grabbing Jake from him.

Levi bounced his eyebrows. "I can't wait."

I rolled my eyes and tapped my stomach with one hand. "If this one comes out the same, we know it's your genes that caused it."

Levi just kissed me. "I wouldn't want it any other way, my love."

"Well, shit!"

In unison, we both turned to our son. " Jakub! "

***