Tropical Dragons Series Box Set - Naomi Lucas Page 0,145

that is hers. This is Milaye’s home as much as it is ours.”

“Come, Haime, let’s head home,” Ola says and takes Haime’s hand. Aida, my sisters, and Haime start for the tribe. Zaeyr lingers.

I don’t know how I feel anymore. I press my brow to Drazak’s chest. There are claw marks all over it, and some of his glittering scales are broken. I’m pained all over at seeing him hurt.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“We will not live together,” he says. I know he speaks of Zaeyr. “You should have told me.”

“It did not cross my mind until right before. Please believe me.”

“I believe you.”

“Do you want to find a place to camp for the night? There’s a cave nearby that is stocked—”

Zaeyr rumbles. “My mate has opened up the tribe’s borders to both of you tonight—to him.” He snarls again. “You will honor her wishes. It is the least you can do. I sense, Milaye, that you are with child. His, I presume?”

He holds up his wounded hand and begins to lick the blood from it, watching us, waiting for my reply.

Drazak growls.

Ignoring Zaeyr, I continue, “We can stay in the cave tonight, and then I will visit the tribe come morning to collect my things, say my goodbyes.” What Drazak wants is all that matters to me now. Not what Aida or Zaeyr wants. Not even what the elders want.

Haime is safe.

She is safe.

From this day forward, protecting Drazak and our family is my purpose.

This revelation lifts a burden from my soul. But it is replaced by another. Though at least it’s not as heavy nor as frightening as the last. It’s inspiring and hot. Like there’s a fire in me that was never there before. It bursts and flows, remedying my worries.

“Milaye,” he says, “I will not let you face tomorrow’s sunlight alone. As long as the wretch does not come near us, we will go to your tribe together.” Drazak’s voice is cool and surprisingly calm. “She is pregnant,” he growls to Zaeyr. “My human has strained herself much these last few days. We will accept your mate’s offering of food and rest, as I find is the human’s way.”

Zaeyr drops his hand and strides away, following after the others. It’s decided. My eyes grow heavy.

Drazak lifts me in his arms and follows after him. For the first time, I have no idea what my future will bring, only that good things await us. Sand’s Hunters or not.

I rest my arm on my belly.

Tonight, I can sleep with Drazak in the safest place I know: my hut. Where there are no bugs. My male will be with me in the home I built for myself, for the family I only daydreamed would come. Now that I am here, I can finally, finally rest. I have never been so tired.

It seems like I’ve been keeping myself going, and passing my limit, for days. Abruptly. Oddly, my stress vanishes. It’s strange but I don’t dwell on it. The fire in my chest expands, filling my limbs. Goosebumps rise from my skin. The last rays of the setting sun infuse me.

The fire wants to fill me up like Drazak has filled me. I let it, allowing it to soothe my soul.

I press my lips softly to Drazak’s skin.

He grips me a little tighter, and I let myself feel… good.

18

Drazak’s Nightmare

I cannot sleep.

I pretended for Milaye’s sake, but she fell into a slumber once the other humans started the fire. She dozed in my arms on the walk to her tribe, only rousing long enough to eat. I have never seen her relax so willingly but take it as a good sign, she trusts me.

Though I find it odd that she does not want to show me her home, or speak more than a few words to the other humans. Not even the little girl, Haime, can wake her enough to answer her tirade of questions.

Guilt nips at me. Is it me who she trusts… or is it the other humans?

I am taking her away from them.

I shake my head. It is for the best. I will ensure our nest is near enough that she can visit. Milaye was right about having younglings… I do not know how a human gestates, and if it is beyond my ability to help, I want her close to those who have done it before. Seeing Haime, and the other half-dragon children convinced me.

Do human females lay eggs like femdragons? I stare at the crux of