Chapter 18

18

Danon

A kai thinks I'm beautiful.

"So do I. I always have."

I was about to close my laptop and head home.

You never said you thought I was beautiful before. What took you so long?

"I don't know. I was locked away in my own pride maybe. I was a mean, old dragon."

Playful laughter echoed in my mind, then went silent.

I know I'm not like the others. Sometimes I would be sad. You deserved better than me. You're a powerful, strong alpha.

"Akai is magical, don't you think? He came into our lives and look. We have a baby on the way. We have a real mate. And now you and I can be ourselves with someone we love. I don't deserve better, Dani. Because I already have the best. In you and in him."

He taught us with magic of his own. Magic he doesn't know he possesses. Great love.

"He doesn't deserve to be a slave."

No one does.

"I think you should be flight master, Dani."

Me, too!

I drove home with a smile on my face.

A light snow had frosted the lawns and the side of the road during the night. It was almost Christmas. And Akai was nesting.

I couldn't wait to get home. This had been my last day at the office. We were closing down for two weeks for the holidays.

I skipped the Christmas party even though I was the boss. Everyone understood I had a pregnant, nesting omega at home. Many were even jealous.

When I walked through the front door, I smelled something delicious.

Akai came out of the kitchen to greet me, big spoon in hand. I went quickly to him. We hugged and kissed, as we always did. His baby egg bump pressed against my hip.

"What are you cooking?"

"Well, it's only chicken soup from a can, but I used three cans and I've been adding stuff like you taught me."

"It smells great."

"I've seasoned it how you like it, too. And I'm making rolls." He scowled. "From a package. I'll heat them up right before we eat."

"I love it. It's a soup kind of night. My first night home on a two-week vacation. Soup and my favorite packaged rolls are exactly what I wanted."

"I'm so happy. I get you all to myself for two weeks. And the egg is due any day."

I hung my coat on a hook by the back door. "How's the nest?"

"I added more ribbon today."

"Can you show me?"

He nodded, setting down the spoon. "The soup is on simmer. I can leave it."

Wiping his hands on his apron—one I'd bought for myself that said World's Worst Alpha Cook —he led me into the living room to our Christmas tree.

Our tree was festive with lights and gilt ornaments. But beneath it there were no presents. At least, not in the traditional sense. Under the decorated branches lay the best present ever. Akai's nest.

He had carefully laid out pillows and blankets, making the sides and base soft. He had ordered a hatching basket online. That was in the middle. All around the basket he had tied ribbons, cutting them to make them into a sort of fringe. I saw he had also twisted some of the blankets and tied bows around them. It puffed them up, making the nest look even softer.

I knelt beside it, running my hand over the ribbons. Pink and purple. The colors of Dani.

"It's beautiful."

"So far. I'm going to add a few toys. Stuffies are on order." He puffed up a bit,

"Perfect." I ran my hand over a blanket, hearing something rustle beneath. "What's that crackling under the blanket."

"Bubble wrap. It came with today's delivery. I lined the basket with it, too."

"In case the egg ever fell, it would always be cushioned," I said.

He nodded.

"Smart thinking. But dragon eggs are tough."

"I don't care. One can never be too careful."

We both sat by the nest holding hands, softly talking about our day. It was a serene setting with the majesty of winter surrounding us.

I made a fire, and we ate in front of it. Every sense in my body was alive. The fire was brighter. The taste of the soup and rolls exploded.

I was more attuned than ever to Akai. He looked surrounded by light, happy, so lively. I couldn't wait to free him from the slave label and legally marry him. No one deserved to be a slave. Not ever. Akai deserved dignity and respect. He was a highly intelligent, sweet soul. I vowed to do my best to provide, protect and love him forever.

Before bed, Akai fiddled more with the nest, as if he didn't want to leave it.

"Do you want to sleep out here tonight?" I asked. "I can bring out blankets and pillows. And the air mattress."

"You'd sleep out here, too?" he asked.

"Of course I would."

"I know it would be more convenient to have made the nest in our bedroom. But under the tree seemed just right."

"Nothing is inconvenient where our baby is concerned. Let's have a sleepover out here."

"Okay. You know when the egg is laid I'll be sleeping out here until it hatches."

"That's fine." I nodded. "Then I will, too."

That was how our living room became our temporary bedroom. It was perfect. Warm and toasty with a fireplace and all the pretty holiday decorations.