Chapter 18

Chapter

Eighteen

Triton was out in the frigid early morning, running along the trail that twined around the lake near the keep when he heard the alarm from the heights.

Any human hearing it would probably think it was the screech of an avalanche, or of metal on metal, like a train.

But he knew it was the shout of the sentry, a dragon sending out a warning to those in the bowl below.

He shifted without a thought, pushing up into the air, wings flattened on his back. He spread his wings once he was high enough, working up toward where the call had come from. Two others joined him, and he recognized Reno and the member of Reno's team who usually drove. Dammit, what was his name?

Where?

Where?

Where?

The call came from everywhere, echoing through the keep.

He arrowed toward the spot he knew the call had originated. The pass where the highway snaked through.

Triton? Cerran called, and he roared.

No, they needed to protect their child. Their mate. Their pregnant mate…

Reno was as fast as he was, nearly as large, and they crested the rise together to see the older dragon on guard duty fall out of the sky, his wings catching just enough air to keep him from crashing down so hard he shattered.

Triton screamed, and he and Reno went on the offensive, lightning crackling through the air, fire shooting out.

There was a green and blue dragon who wheeled away from them. Small, light, and fast, it winged away toward the east, going low over mountain peaks.

Reno's roar shook the keep, and it was as if someone stirred an ant nest. The access to the road was blocked, and the air was filled with flight.

Their people were on the defense, and some on the offense, ready to drive away the fleeing dragon.

Go to your family. Defend them, brothers. That was Reno, and it was directed toward Boone and Durango and…him.

Triton agonized over leaving the others to deal with the threat, but Reno was right. So he turned, diving down into the bowl between the mountains that housed the keep. Reno would keep him apprised of the situation. He and Cerran needed to work together to keep their hailee and their children safe.

Cerran had the curtains drawn, the apartment seeming silent and empty.

Mate? Where are you? He wouldn't panic. Not one bit.

Here in the media room, Triton. Keeping the baby happy and quiet.

Ah, a room with no windows.

I'm coming in. He didn't have his keycard, but he did have the emergency code to type in, so no one needed to come meet him.

Elowyn's worry was evident, a quiet thing at the back of his mind, even though it was Cerran he saw first.

Cerran's eyes were like lasers. What was it?

A guard was attacked.

Do we know by who?

No. Reno sent me back to protect you.

We were fine, but I'm glad not to have to worry about you.

I love you all so much. If he lost them, it would kill him.

Cerran went to him, kissed him hard. As we love you.

Elowyn is well? He couldn't see their hailee.

Asleep.

Good. Good deal. No reason to frighten him.

The alarm did that well enough. He was calm only for Leilani.

Ah. Dammit. He took Cerran's hand and returned with him to the interior of the media room. There, Elowyn was cuddled into a heavy blanket with Leilani, holding her close.

Leilani had one little hand fisted in Elowyn's clothes, keeping him right where he was. They were such a comfort to each other.

Can we join them? Cerran asked. Do we need to be on guard?

I think there was just one intruder. A scout. Regardless, he wanted to be with them, holding onto them tight.

Then let's get all cozy. Cerran pulled him down and they covered up with more blankets. They could keep their mate safe from right here.

Triton blinked as Elowyn met his eyes. Are we safe, braaken?

We are. He meant it. He would challenge the gods to keep Elowyn and Leilani safe.

Good. That was scary. I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you're both here.

So am I, hailee. So am I. He leaned in and took a soft kiss from Elowyn. I have you.

"Promise me you won't let them take her," Elowyn murmured.

He jerked, the words bringing back a flood of memories. "Never."

"You have my word as well. I will never let our babies be taken from us."

It was a pact between the three of them, and he tried to breathe easier, but he knew he wouldn't until the situation was well under control and whatever was happening was stopped. There was any number of reasons why other dragons would come after Cain's keep, but Triton knew they had to be vigilant. Leilani's stone would be enough to draw vicious, greedy dragons from all over.

She should have been chosen by a piece of quartz.

He sighed, stroking Elowyn's hair, Cerran's shoulder.

"We're all right. We came in here, where it was safe and defendable."

"Yes." He nodded. "It's good to stay vigilant, though." And he would speak to Cain in the morning. The seers should have had an inkling about this.

"Yes, my love." Elowyn nodded and smiled, even if the expression was…worried.

He didn't want Elowyn stressed or unhappy, but he wasn't going to lie. He was also very concerned. There would be attacks. It was inevitable, after the rescue mission—and the explosion he'd caused. No one could let that go unanswered and hold power within a keep.

So he would increase his patrols, share them with Cerran, and let Cain and Reno know of his concerns. He imagined Reno would feel the same.

They were brothers in arms.

"Shhh." Cerran touched his arm, fingers lingering. "Both of you rest now. I'll keep watch for a bit."

"It's just the morning." Triton didn't know if he needed to rest.

"I think we should make waffles. I want waffles."

"Waffles it is!" Cerran rolled out of the covers and sprang to his feet, making them all laugh.

They all three cracked up, and that had Leilani laughing harder, just going with her whole soul. She was so joyful, and he expected her to start spouting words any day. Honestly, she needed to communicate. He could feel it.

"She's not ready to talk, love." Elowyn scooped her up and nuzzled her belly. "But you're going to sing one day, aren't you?"

Lei stared at Elowyn, her little face so serious, as if she was trying to tell him something. She just concentrated so well.

Then again, perhaps she was pooping. One never knew with babies until there was an odor.

Cerran chuckled softly. "Waffles. I bet everything will feel better with waffles."

"We will." He would heat syrup and whip some butter. That would make things very nice for Elowyn. Maybe whipped cream and strawberries.

"I love waffles. I'll help." Elowyn held out one hand to be helped up.

He eased Elowyn and Leilani up, then lifted them into the air so they could parade to the kitchen. They were going to believe that the intruder had been driven away.

They had to trust in that or they'd all lose their minds.