6. Tarek

The little gasp that escaped her lips had the corner of my lip twitching. I was getting to her.

"I will never be subtle, mate. You are mine."

She still hadn't spoken. Her eyes darted around my face and her heart thundered away behind her breasts.

"But until you are ready, I will wait. However, I wouldn't keep me waiting long. My dragon is not patient."

My lips were mere inches from her ear. Every breath she took pressed her closer to me. Waiting seemed impossible at this rate.

I was not in the habit of second guessing.

As much as my dragon fought me, I chose to pull away. Let her have her time.

"Now, come and have some food."

I held my hand out to her, and she took it. With the way she watched me, it was probably not for the same reasons I wanted to hold her hand. Still, I pulled her in front of me and prodded her to move forward. The several steps back into the kitchen from the hall grew painful as her ass rubbed against my cock. If I had seen her response in the hall going differently, it was in contrast to how I knew having her this close would go.

I bit my tongue, willing the pain to keep my dragon under control.

She isn't running away, I told my dragon. That was better than some of the Pyrothian dragons had had over the years.

The kitchen was alive with laughter. Mates were something to celebrate, and the fact the goddess had smiled down on us, delivering her promise of our fated mates, had given us hope. Soon we would all be mated and our futures secure. We would not lose any more of our brothers to the dragon.

Pride filtered through me as I walked her into the brightly lit space. The suns were bright in the sky at this time of day, bringing in bright natural lighting. The cheerfulness of the weather mirrored the joy of the day. The kitchen had been decorated by our mothers, as had most of the house. Our mates would get the next chance, but for now, it incorporated each of the dragons' colors within the fabrics of the window coverings as well as the fabric of the chairs. The whites and tans of our natural minerals colored the walls.

"Zara, have you met my brothers, Ciro and Elio? Akio helped bring you here while I was unable. I'm sure you will meet the others while you are here."

She nodded and walked by them. I shrugged at my brothers as they watched her head straight to Aria. My mate appeared to be very attached to this other human, even if there was no resemblance. Perhaps humans had similar bonds to those my brothers and I had?

The third human had appeared to be much less apprehensive, but I didn't care. I only wanted mine. Even if they didn't know it, the three Earth females would be forever bound to each other, and I would do anything to ease the pain of my mate.

"Ladies, I've convinced your fearless rescuers to take us out and show you all the city," said Aurora.

I leaned against the counter. This kitchen was designed for our kind, and watching Aria and Zara at the table, they looked even more delicate and small.

I nodded when Aurora gestured toward each of us, but I wasn't listening to what she was saying.

"Thanks for the plate, brother."

Elio grinned and winked at me as I took the food to my future, even if she wasn't convinced yet. I smirked at him, knowing exactly what his game was down here in the kitchen. The goddess had certainly gifted us a miracle. Three women for three of us. Each of us would fight their own battles. Mine was to help my mate lose the sad look in her eyes and make her see that I would do anything for her. I would worship her.

As I got closer, I noticed the distant look in her eyes. Where was her mind?

"Yes, Aurora begged Ciro here to make sure that you will all get to attend the inauguration of one of the human lords," I announced louder than necessary, trying to pull her back to the now.

Zara looked up at me as I towered over her seated figure.

I crooked my finger at her, and she got up without argument. I took my free hand, wrapped it around her hip as I sat down behind her, and pulled her into me.

"Oh, what are you doing?"

The soft fabric that she wore wasn't anything like the breeches the men wore. They still flowed around her legs, and when she sat, the slits made easy access for me, had I wanted to take advantage. This style had been revolutionary for the females trying to move away from the style of dresses. I'd never understood the human fashion, but on my female? I was starting to find appeal.

She only fought for a moment before she froze. I smirked even if she couldn't see. I was certain she could feel the bulge in my pants. A reaction to her squirming.

"I am helping you eat. Perhaps we need some taller stools?"

She turned toward where I put the plate.

"Are those eggs?"

I looked at where she was pointing.

"Yes," I answered.

"Why is the egg white purple? Is it an egg purple? And the yolk? I don't even have a word for that color. Magenta?"

I held her tightly as I watched her explore.

"Egg white? I suppose you mean the outer part of the egg? This is a Feyther egg. I don't suppose we have a word for just this one part. You eat the whole egg."

She poked at what she called the yolk.

"The egg is the size of my plate. How big is the bird?"

My brother Elio flipped another in the metal pan humans called a skillet. The technology for stoves was easy, but I still preferred our open fires. They weren't practical for the domes though.

"About their size, pint-sized human. I wouldn't go hunting for them if I were you. They were meant for dragons," Elio said and reached around the other female that was rather confused. She seemed rather interested in everything Elio did.

My thumb found the soft skin of Zara's thigh, and I rubbed it in a calming rhythm that soothed the roaring of my soul.

"I'm still not sure I'm not dreaming. This egg is the best I have ever tried though."

She moaned with another bite, and fuck if my cock didn't jump to attention. There was no question as to when she noticed. Her entire body stilled, and she leaned back toward me as everyone went on talking about farms and if the females could see more of the animals on Pyroth.

"I- Is that all you or do you have some kind of weapon in your pocket?"

I couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the question.

"I have no need for weapons when I am a dragon, now do I?"

She gasped as I slid my hand higher against her pelvis and held her closer.

"I guess everything is dragon sized, isn't it?" she said.

I caught her grin as she ground her hips against me and then slid off me while stuffing the remaining egg into her mouth.

I grasped her chin before she walked away from me.

"You have a bit of egg white, as you called it."

No one was paying us any attention with the other females around. I brought her closer, my other hand around on the small of her back.

From this angle I was able to bring her face to mine, where I captured the corner of her mouth, licking the small speck of egg.

"There. All clean, my Zara."

I heard the hitch of her breath before I watched the flesh of her chest flush to a light pink that then traveled to her cheeks.

"Tell me. Am I getting to you yet?"

Her eyes narrowed, and she grabbed the hand that help her chin captive.

"No, dragon boy, you are not."

But the way she studied me and the way her heart beat against my touch told me she lied.

I sniffed the air ever so slightly.

"Your scent says that you are lying, my sweet little mate."

She growled at me and pulled away. I let her because I finally understand the fun of the chase.

Her eyes never left mine as she continued to back away from me, bumping into a counter and then one of my brothers.

"Perhaps, Zara, you would like to go explore?"

She stopped as she found the wall and nothing else to run into.

"Aria is going?"

I nodded.

"Of course. Aurora will also be accompanying us, as she knows the markets of Emberhaven much better."

For all that was being presented, my Zara was accepting it rather well. She seemed to still have this strange look on her face at times, though.

"Emberhaven? That's the name of the city? Aurora, you're from here?" Zara asked.

I sat back. If my mate craved knowledge, I would not step in her way. I always felt the deepest sympathy for creatures we rescued. This last illegal space fight didn't sit well with me. In all our years of policing the galaxy, never had we seen such a collection of species, and so many were primitive enough that this would cause some issues in their lives. We'd seen it in the humans. Over time, few ever believed the abducted humans. It was much easier to keep them here and allow them to live out their lives where they wouldn't be seen as insane.

"I am from here. Born and raised on Pyroth. You're going to love it. There will be the most beautiful lights tonight as the suns set opposite of each other. It happens so rarely, and what luck that you'll be here to see it with me."

My mate shook her head like she was desperately trying to wake up.

"Right. Suns. But you were born here? I just don't… I mean… But you're human?"

Aurora smiled. It wasn't escaping me just how helpful it was to have a human female here right now. Perhaps this was all the goddess's design. I would question less and just follow her lead, for now. Strange how seeing my mate in my grasp brought me more hope for our futures. More faith.

No one would take her from me.