Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry!
Ardon gathered himself and answered without allowing the torment to affect his voice. “Thank you, Skye. You did well. The pain should be better now. Keep your eyes closed, Little One,” he reminded her when her eyelids blinked. Slowly, the tsunami of agony receded from his mind. How had she held all that inside?
“Let me guess what happened. You wandered down the hallway and ignored a few tingles warning you not to go too far from your mates. You did not heed that signal and continued to walk. That was very naughty.” Oldrik met Ardon’s gaze and shook his head, signaling his relief.
I was hungry and decided to get a snack. I tripped over something in the passage and catapulted forward.
“And you hit a wall of pain. Why did you try to lock us out?” Ardon asked.
I didn’t want you to hurt. It was just automatic.
“Is that key still in your hand?” Oldrik ran his fingers over hers.
Yes.
“Throw it as far away as you can. Then that lock can never reseal, and bottle everything inside you. Things that should be—no, have to be—shared with your mates. Toss it away now, Skye.”
Her hand lifted, and she heaved the key away. Her chest rose as she breathed deep and then exhaled strongly. The last of the lingering pain faded away.
“Well done, Skye. Put your hand in front of the empty keyhole. What do you feel?” Ardon waited for her to answer.
“All of us!” she whispered, speaking aloud for the first time since they’d found her on the carpet before reverting to a mental message. I love it!
Ardon’s shoulders settled back into place as the last of his tension dissipated. “We do too.”
Can I open the second one?
“Yes, Skye. But before you do, press your palm against the metal door and hold it there for a moment.” He waited until she flattened her hand in the air between them. Ardon imagined sending a wave of fire through her. Their connection sizzled hotter as Oldrik joined in, lending his dragon’s breath.
“Good job. Pull your hand away and you’ll see your handprint with a scorched mark around it. If you ever need to come back here, you can make sure you’re at the right door. Never touch any other door. Promise me,” Ardon demanded.
Never, Daddy. What happens when I touch another?
“It could take your mind away from us,” Oldrik told her. The tone in his voice sounded so sad she felt tears gathering.
That will never happen then. Skye reached out and tried to turn the lock on the marked door. Frustration showed on her face. It’s stuck.
“You have the key, My Treasure. It is stiff from lack of use. Wiggle it a bit. Oldrik and I will help you.”
Placing his hand over hers, Ardon waited for Oldrik to wrap his fingers around theirs. “Now, Little One. On the count of three. One. Two. Three!” He turned her hand to the right. Nothing happened, so he tried it again. This time, he shimmied it back and forth a bit. Together, they urged the key to the side.
“Daddies!” Skye’s bright blue eyes opened and fixed on them. She rocketed up to catapult herself into their arms.
It’s incredible! Her hand stroked over Ardon’s arm before repeating the action on Oldrik’s skin. She shivered. It’s like I feel what you do. How is that possible?
Our minds are linked because of the release of the second lock. I would hazard a guess that you can sense more than most mates since your mental ability exceeds most humans. There are different levels of connections. You have control over that, Oldrik shared.
There’s a third lock. Is that more? Even she could hear both awe and concern in her voice.
Yes, Blueberry. Only open that in an emergency. It removes all shielding between our minds. In a dire situation, we could find you immediately but at a cost. We would also be able to read everything in your mind—even those things you choose to have shielded from us, Oldrik explained.
That’s… That’s a huge step.
It is, Skye. We will always try to respect your privacy. Unlocking that third connection would make that impossible. Ardon pressed a kiss to her temple.
Oh! That’s amazing.
Skye lifted her lips to request a kiss. Ardon was glad to indulge her. Oldrik groaned, and he realized the other dragon could also feel that exchange. His shaft twitched in response. Making love together would result in everyone sharing each sensation.
When Skye leaned back to look between them, Ardon knew that she’d figured out that tantalizing bit of information as well. Ardon reached a hand to squeeze Oldrik’s shoulder. Instantly, the sensation echoed in his brain. Damn. This was going to be interesting. Meeting Oldrik’s gaze, he noted the sexy grin that curled the other dragon’s lips.
At their core, Dragons were sensual beings. They lived hard and played even harder. When Oldrik leaned forward to offer his mouth to him, Ardon realized he was allowing Ardon to make the decision about how far this would go. Moving so quickly that Skye gasped in reaction, Ardon wrapped his hand around Oldrik’s head and slammed his lips on the other dragon’s. Heat exploded inside him. The echoes of that passion filled each of the triad’s minds. Using all his willpower, Ardon pulled back. He’d had male mates, but intimacy with another dragon was new and enticing.