by Minerva Howe
We’ll look at them, I promise. But no more wandering off.
No. No more of the two preggers guys getting lost. Although Arielle coming to the rescue was…something.
It was stunning. I love you. He just held on, his heartbeat finally starting to slow.
“How big is this place?” Devon asked, and Tyson shook his head.
“I’m not sure I know. I have maps for where I’ve explored, but there’s a vast system of caves—both down and back.”
Helena chuckled as she brought in another tray. “It’s enough for a dragon family.”
Brand snorted softly. “Helena, I’m not sure there’s enough room for our daughter.”
She laughed merrily.
I like her. Ollie’s mental voice was soft, sleepy.
She raised us. She and Henri. They’ll be a help. He needed to get his mate into their bed.
Eagan stood. “Ollie needs to rest. I’ll come back for some treats, Helena. You stay down here, hmm?” He would do the stairs for all of them.
“Of course, my dear. I’ll make tea.”
“Peppermint?” Ollie asked. “Please?”
“I have just the thing.” Helena patted Ollie’s shoulder.
“Thank you.” Ollie waved as they headed for the stairs. “Later, guys.”
“I can walk.”
“I know.” And he didn’t care. He didn’t need his lover wandering up and down these stone steps. Eagan could feel Ollie’s fatigue, his need to rest.
“I’m tired of being fat, E. I’m tired of being ugly.”
“You’re not. I swear to you, love.” He nuzzled Ollie’s cheek. “You’re so amazing. So lovely.”
“I’m the size of a semi-truck.”
“You’re pregnant with twins.” He took Ollie to their rooms, which were starting to really take shape. “I could touch you for hours.”
“I would let you. How’s the library? Do you think there is furniture down where they’re stored things?” Oliver cuddled into their bed.
“I imagine so. I know Ty had a good many of the moms’ treasures.” They had so many things to explore. He would talk to Henri and Helena about a nanny. How odd that he tended to forget they were about when he wasn’t at Ty’s.
Personally, he thought it was their magic, a protection.
But they were lovely helpers, and he had a feeling they would have a solution. Maybe not a dog.
Maybe something less…drooly.
“Come cuddle with me?”
“Oh, yes.” He could go get that tray from Helena later. He undressed and slipped into bed with his mate.
Ollie cuddled in with a happy little moan. I know I’m spoiled, but I’m in heaven here.
Good. He cradled Ollie against him, spooning nicely. I love being with you.
The babies rolled and kicked and bucked under his fingers, and for a second he could hear them, happy little coos and burbles that made him smile. His babies were going to be mischievous and loving and more even-tempered than their glorious niece. It would be a lovely contrast.
“You can hear them, can’t you?” Oliver whispered. “I do. I hear them all the time now.”
“I can. Brand told me about this.” Eagan felt it in his bones.
“They’re how much you love me, made flesh.”
“Oh, sweet love.” He kissed Ollie’s neck, overflowing with joy. “Rest now.”
“Yeah. Love you, dragon.” Oliver sighed softly, and Eagan held on, listening to his unborn dragons sing.
16
Oliver loved the castle.
He loved his family.
He loved his dragon.
He even loved the throwback demon dog.
He hated trying to navigate the stone steps with a belly the size of a hot air balloon. He held onto the wall, panting hard, sweat making him gleam. His babies seemed to know, because they danced and kicked and all, making his balance even worse.
“If I fall down these stairs, your father is going to be pissed.” His ankles were swollen, his belly itched, and his back…fuck him.
His foot slid, and he yelped, and he heard little cries in his head. “No. I am not going to fall. I. Am. Not,” he assured them. His babies. He loved them too much to put them in any danger.
A soft woof sounded, Tiny clacking up the stairs to prop up the side of him not on the bannister.
“Oh, you rock.”
He rested one hand on Tiny’s shoulder, and then he heard it—thundering feet from all directions, and three auburn-haired pissed off dragons appeared.
He stared at Ty, Eagan, and Brand, his eyes wide. Eagan got to him first, sweeping him up. “What are you doing?”
“I want a bacon sandwich and a Coke.” He held on tight. “I’m tired of being upstairs.”
“Oh, love, you should have called out to me.” Eagan kissed his cheek. “I don’t want you to feel isolated.”
“I didn’t want to bother you. You were exploring.” And he was so jealous. He just wasn’t able to make it down into the caves. It wasn’t safe.
“We were, but I always have time for you.” Eagan carried him down to the kitchen, where Helena’s husband, Henri, was frying bacon.
Those two were wicked amazing.
“Oh, Henri, thank you.” He loved them both already, so much. “You must have heard me.”
“Mmmm. A couple of little dragons told me someone needed bacon. Also, Tiny wanted some.” He winked, his bright eyes a lovely gold color.
“Thank you. So much.” He settled in Eagan’s lap, letting his lover support him. “Where’s Dev?”
“In the courtyard with Arielle. She’s enjoying the warmer weather and the flowers.” Brand smiled, and he looked so pleased. Dev was feeling better, was happy and settled, and Arielle loved being outside.
Tiny whined at the backdoor, and Henri let him out. “He’ll be back for bacon. Here, Ollie, have a sandwich.”
It was perfect—mayo and a tomato with salt and pepper. Absolutely what he craved. He did end up with milk instead of soda, but that was okay. He’d needed the bacon. Something about the salt and crunch was necessary, and Eagan fed him bites by hand.
Brand disappeared back to exploring, but Tyson sat with them. “How are you feeling?”
“Huge. Restless. I need to get up and do something, you know?” He felt it in his bones.
Tyson and Eagan shared a look.
“What?”
“Do you want to clean something?”
“Yes! But I can’t. I keep losing my balance.”
Eagan chuckled, one hand on his belly. “Soon, babies. Katrina and Kynan.”
“Yeah, yeah. They’re never coming. Ever.”
“I’m going to make sure the garden bath is set up—water, towels, candles.” Tyson beamed at him. “Music.”
“It’s not time yet,” Ollie said around the sandwich. It was sweet, though, that his brother-in-law cared so much.
“Mmm.”
Oh, they all did that when they wanted to disagree but didn’t want to argue. He would just eat and smile.
Eagan rubbed his belly, rumbling softly, and he felt his body tighten, his stomach going rock hard for a few bits.
He groaned. “Ow. Stop it.” He put his hand over Eagan’s. “That’s no fun.”
“Maybe you should do that now, brother,” Eagan told Ty. “You want to go walk outside in the sunshine, love?”
“Oh, that sounds good. Seriously. I could stroll.” Ollie needed to walk it off.
“Come on.” Eagan set him on his feet, then led him out the back, holding his hand. He waved at Devon and Arielle, and Tiny came over to nose his belly.
Arielle waved to him. “Baby, Ol? Baby?”
“Someday. I swear.”
“Walk with me, love.” Eagan started him on a slow tour around the yard.
Devon and Brand watched them for a minute, then went back to playing with Arielle. Tiny stayed with him, though, as they meandered. It felt good to be out in the sun, but he felt so heavy, so gravid.
Another hard cramp crossed his belly, and his brow furrowed. “Ugh. Hurts.”
“I’m sorry, love. We’ll go to the tub soon.”
No. No way. It was just mid-June. It wasn’t time. “I’m not ready, Eagan.”
“But I think they are, hmm?” Eagan hugged him close, helping him keep his balance.
“Maybe. Maybe it’s fake. Just keep walking.” He began to sweat, his belly tight as a drum.
“I hope not, for your sake, Oliver. That would mean more bed rest. I think it’s time.” But Eagan never stopped the slow, steady pacing. “Soon we’ll have our babies in our arms. Soon we’ll hold them.”
“Promise. You’ll stay with me?”
“I will never leave you. You’re giving me the greatest gift.”
“My everlasting love and devotion?” Another pain hit him, and he sagged a little.
“That as well. That means the world to me.” Eagan held him up effortlessly.
They circled around three more times before he gave up, shaking his head. “I want the water, E. I need to go in.”
He was ready to breathe.
“Off we go.” Eagan lifted him again, moving carefully, not rushing it.
“Good. Good deal.” He kissed Eagan’s throat, eyes closing as he breathed. He guessed in the next day or so, they were going to meet their babies.
“Breathe, love. Just breathe.” Ollie had been in labor for what seemed like forever, and Eagan was starting to get worried. Very worried.
The birthing pool was perfect, and Helena assured him all was fine, but he wanted Ollie out of pain and resting.
“I’m trying!” Oliver burst into tears, sobbing hard. “What am I doing wrong?”
“Shhh. Nothing, love. Nothing. You’re doing really great.” He shot Helena a panicky look.
“Eagan, dear boy. You must relax. If you relax, he will. This is work. Hard, good work.”
He caught her gaze which was utterly calm, and it allowed him to take a deep breath. Relax. Very well. He would try. He had to help.
Oliver needed him.
He slipped into the water, pulling Oliver into his lap, giving him support and care. Ollie pushed back against him, bringing his hands around to that hard belly. The birthing line was stretched to the sticking point, and soon they would have babies.
“So good, love. So fine. I’m so proud of you.” Eagan stroked, calling to Katrina and Kynan.
Tyson came in with warm oiled towels, draping them over Oliver’s stomach. “It’s happening, brother. It’s splitting.”
“It hurts!” Oliver curled up, roaring, and for a moment, there were wings.
Wings. “Ollie! They’re coming.” He couldn’t afford to faint.
“They are. Push, Oliver. Push!”
Oliver’s scream echoed inside him, in the room, the sound pained and wild.
Then another cry answered Ollie, a smaller sound.
“Ty?” he asked.
“Your son.”
His… “Ollie, look. Kynan is right there!”
“Fuck you!” Another push, and then there was another angry, frightened cry.
“That’s it, love. That’s it. Take it out on me.”
“Make it stop, E!”
“One more push,” Tyson encouraged. “One more, she’s coming.”
“Come on.” He put his hand right above the open pouch. “Ollie. Push.”
Oliver shook his head, but his amazing lover pushed, didn’t he? Ollie bore down, and he saw it, his daughter born into Tyson’s hands. “She’s here. She’s here, Oliver.”
“Katrina?” Ollie panted. “Someone let me see!”
Tyson brought her over, putting Katrina on Oliver’s chest, even as Eagan focused his own magic, encouraging the birth line to close so he could hold Kynan.
Then he took his son from Helena. “Turquoise. Oh, Ollie. He looks so much like both of us.”
Oliver cried softly, heavy and limp against him. “They’re beautiful.”
“They are.” He couldn’t breathe, they were so amazing. And his Ollie had done this. He’d been so brave. “I love you.”
Tyson and Helena bustled around, wrapping the babies up, cleaning up and giving them time.
“Eagan. Our babies.” Ollie was just sobbing, tears streaming down his face. “We did it. After everything. They’re here.”
“They are. The best gift ever.” Eagan let Oliver float as Tyson changed out the water. “You are my best gift ever.”
“Oh good. I worried for a long time.” Ollie hiccupped a little. “Do we need to feed them?”
“Not yet,” Helena said. “Rest. I’ll bring bottles when it’s time. Take a moment and enjoy each other.”
Enjoy. Oliver’s eyes closed.
Yes. Just rest. Let yourself float. No more heartburn.
Ollie’s eyes flew back open. “No. No heartburn.” Then he got a warm, exhausted grin. “We did it.”
“You did. I just sat here and watched.” He was in awe. Two perfect dragon babies were now in the world.
His children. His son and daughter.
Oliver hummed and, within seconds, was sound asleep.
Tears stung his eyes, and Eagan grinned at his brothers and Devon who were peering in at them, all soft smiles.
His whole family was together now. He couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
Epilogue
“Ollie? Babies?” Arielle appeared in their rooms, holding onto Tiny’s collar. It would be odd normally, but this was the twins’ two a.m. feeding…
“What are you doing up, Danger Mouse?”
“I see babies?”
He chuckled and nodded, patting the sofa. “Come on. Your pop-pop will be here soon, I’m sure.”
Brand was going to have to invest in better locks.
She came to climb up with him, Tiny lifting her with his muzzle until her stubby legs could settle.
Kynan waved and kicked as if saying hi to her.
“Ky,” she said happily. “Kat.”
“That’s right. Ky and Kat. Your cousins.”
“Babies.”
“Yes, honey.” Oliver couldn’t believe how Arielle was growing, was developing. It was as if her body knew she had little ones to protect.
“Hello, sweet girl. Tiny. Are we visiting?” Eagan came to them holding bottles, his gray eyes soft with emotion.
“She came to help, Eagan. Isn’t that cool?” He looked up, begging as kiss as Katrina cooed and tried to get Eagan’s attention.
“Mmmhmm.” Eagan gave him a lingering kiss, then sat and took Katrina in his arms so Oliver could feed Ky.
“Ollie. Help.”
He nodded to Arielle, and she climbed up with him, both of them “feeding” Ky.
She was going to be the best big sister-cousin ever, and she was biting things way less in the months since the twins were born.
Tyson was biting things more.
“You’re thinking hard,” Eagan murmured. The expression on Eagan’s face never ceased to give Ollie joy. He was so happy.
“Tyson is sad, love. I want him to be as happy as we are.”
“He’ll fly soon, hunting rocks for a few weeks. That always helps.” Eagan petted, watching Ky eat. “He keeps hearing that call. His mate is out there.”
“Ty go bye-bye?”
“Not for long, honey. And we’ll wait for him.” Where was Brand?
As if on cue, Brand padded into their rooms, shaking his head when he saw Arielle. “There you are, baby girl. You made your Da a little scared.”
“Babies, Pop-pop! Ty goes bye-bye!”
“Does he?” Brand sighed. “He’s stayed a long while. He’ll come back.” He carefully plucked Arielle off the couch.
“Pop-pop?”
“Come on, Tiny. We have to sleep, honey.” Brand beamed at his niece and nephew. “They’re beautiful.”
“Aren’t they?” Oliver grinned up. “So is she. My beautiful, Danger Mouse.”
“Ollie.” She blew a kiss at Oliver as Bra
nd waltzed her out of the room. “Ni-night!”
“Night, baby!” He turned his attention to his son, nuzzling his little boy’s white-blond hair.
The babies seemed to slide back and forth between dragon and human-looking so easily, which was very different than Arielle. They were learning so much about them every day.
Eagan snuggled up next to him, and Kat wiggled as he tickled her toes. “Happy, E?”
“I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.” Eagan gave him a searching look. “Are you? I know you never really believed this would happen.”
“How could I not be?” His entire soul was full, balls to bones.
“Good.” Eagan kissed him again, a slow touch of lips that almost made him forget how labor felt and want to try again.
Almost.
Really, Ty had to get with the program. They only had two more babies to go after Devon’s next one. According to the prophecy. Which had been wrong about a great deal.
He needed to get back to his books.
Oliver had a lot to learn about being a dragon.
End
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Coming Soon from Minerva Howe
Look for the next Dragon Hoard story featuring brother Tyson in March 2021.
Dragon shifter Tyson Drake has been waiting for his mate for what seems like forever. When he meets Myc while saving him from vampires, he knows he has to wait a little longer since Myc is fragile. Will Myc convince him otherwise?
Coming in February 2021
Alpha Triplets Series 3: Wolf Moon
Ryder Lowell has been looking for his mate Chris to bring back to his family. And to him. Chris thinks he's not good enough for Ryder or his brothers and sister. Ryder knows how special Chris is, but can he make Chris believe?
Afterword
Waves Madly!
Thanks so much for reading my book! I’m so glad you made it to The End. If you liked the story, I hope you’ll ponder leaving a rating at the retailer of your choice or adding a rec at Goodreads or Bookbub!
