Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“It is. It’s so funny. All the new mates have one. Hey, wait. Do you?”
“Rogue. He’s a red dragon. My folks bought him when I wouldn’t leave the store without him.”
Lalani nodded knowingly. “That fits with the stories I’ve heard from the other mates. I was adopted, but my birth mom sent Lettuce with me.”
Brooks turned to the stuffie and shook its paw. “Nice to meet you, Lettuce. I’ll bring Rogue next time and introduce the two of you.”
“We should have a tea party with our stuffies. We could invite everyone.” The excitement on Lalani’s face faded, and she quickly added, “Maybe boys don’t like tea parties.”
“Offer me cookies and I’ll put on a tiara,” Brooks assured her.
“Oh, fun. Sorry. We’ve been girls for so long…”
“Lalani, I understand it’s weird that Rogan’s mate is a guy. It’s outside my normal as well. I’d like to get to know the other mates better. From what I understand, we’re going to be around for a while. Friends are going to be important.”
“Exactly. Daddy and I started this puzzle. Want to work on it with me?”
“Will he mind?”
“Not at all. Khadar is really bad at puzzles,” Lalani shared.
“Really? You’d think he’d be used to looking down at things.”
Brooks and Lalani worked quietly on the puzzle for a few minutes. Finally, Brooks asked the question rolling around in his head. “Does everyone call their mate, Daddy?”
“Yes.” She was quiet as they worked on the puzzle for a few minutes before she met his gaze and asked, “Do you call Rogan, Daddy?”
He hadn’t blushed for years, but his face heated and he knew he was red. “Sometimes.”
“It gets easier. You know, the more time you’re together.”
Brooks nodded and focused on the puzzle for a few minutes before saying, “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, Brooks. You can ask me anything. I’ll probably answer,” she joked.
He smiled. Everything was going to be okay. He wasn’t alone. He had Rogan and the other mates. It seemed like they understood each other.
Chapter 9
Looking across the dinner table at Rogan, Brooks studied his handsome mate. “What’s the difference between dragons? I mean, is there a difference between a black dragon and a red one or is it like hair color for humans? Some of you have green scales and other blue ones?”
“It’s a bit more complicated than that, Adventurer. Each color denotes special talents. We do not share these facts with all humans, for all information contains power. As my mate, I will trust you not to share this insight with others,” Rogan told him solemnly.
“Of course. I wouldn’t share your secret powers,” Brooks promised.
“Thank you, Mate. While a dragon power ranges in strength, the colors tell certain facts. For example, a black dragon has the most fire resistance, while a bronze dragon can absorb more electricity.”
“And a red dragon?”
“Red dragons are the fastest.”
“Of course you are—like the best high-performance vehicles. Who wants a grey Corvette?” Brooks joked.
“Indeed. Red is a superior color.”
“Are you always the same color as your parents?” This conversation fascinated Brooks.
“Female dragons are very rare. They alone can create a new dragon. The hatchling’s color will reflect its talents,” Rogan explained.
“So a fast baby will be red?”
“Exactly.”
“What color were your parents?” Brooks asked.
“My sire is a blue dragon. He doesn’t answer questions about the female dragon who laid my egg. To do so would endanger her. Males raise the dragon unless they’re at the end of their lifespan. Then usually another male from the sire’s horde steps in to protect the deceased member’s replacement.”
“Your father is still alive?”
“I believe he is. The connection between us is still strong. When it disappears, I will know he is gone,” Rogan explained.
“And the connection with your mother?”
“There is no connection.”
“Because that would put her at peril?” Brooks guessed.
“Exactly. So would you like to go racing around today on your sports-dragon?” Rogan asked with a smile.
“Yes!” Brooks couldn’t ever imagine turning down the opportunity to ride on his mate’s back. He’d never considered skydiving or paragliding, but seeing everything from above while the wind whipped through his hair was exciting.
Setting his fork on his plate, Brooks suggested, “Let’s go.”
“Three more bites, Adventurer. Then I will take you.”
Rolling his eyes at the dragon shifter’s bossiness, Brooks wolfed down the rest of his breakfast. He didn’t want to get hungry as they zipped around. Somehow Rogan always knew how he felt. His mate would end their fun early if his stomach growled.
Twenty minutes later, he scrambled up Rogan’s scales to take a seat. It got easier each time.
Soon you’ll be a pro.
It’s weird to have you eavesdrop on my thoughts.
You can guard them from me if you would like, but I only pick up on those with high-emotion,
Like celebrations?
And if you are frightened or unhappy. Those things I wish to know.
Okay. Brooks could understand that. If he was scared of something, maybe he wanted a big, bad, super-fast dragon to know.