General of Draconis (Winged Beast Book 3)

by Crystal Dawn

  “Of course.” Actually it had completely slipped his mind. Dori shot him a disbelieving look. She always seemed to see right through him.

  “I need you to get a small fire going. We’re trying out some marshmallows. Silly loves to roast them.”

  “As soon as we are done with our snack, I will see to it. I look forward to trying these marshmallows.” He looked at his coffee cake disappointed there was so little left. “Tell me about your day.”

  Dori recounted an enormous amount of work that she had done and he sent a glare at Santie. “Now don’t get mad at Santie. She was an enormous help and she made me take a nap like I was a toddler.”

  That made him feel better. It showed him his niece was the right choice to watch over his mate. Now he sent her a smile. Luckily she hadn’t noticed the glare he’d sent earlier and she smiled back at him. Santie wanted to enter the military and he thought working would Dori would help her. The woman was incredibly organized and efficient. Both great skills for military officers.

  His snack was done so he excused himself and went out to the fire pit to start a small slow burning fire. That was accomplished quickly so he headed back in. “Done so soon?” Dori asked.

  “Yes, need any more help?”

  Dori always had work available and he found himself carrying items, cutting up things, and even cleaning dishes. He didn’t mind and he was able to spend most of that time conversing with his mate and his niece. Dori told him again what a treasure Sanite was and how much she appreciated him finding her. It didn’t seem like much time had passed, but Romo arrived with Bree and Tomi.

  He and Romo went to the living room with drinks while the ladies all gathered in the kitchen. Niku brought Betty and Selia and they headed to Dori while Niku stayed with the males. Toreen brought Cretia, they had become part of their extended group. Cretia headed to the kitchen too and she seemed excited to be going there.

  It made him happy that Cretia had bonded with Dori and her girls. He had to admit he respected Betty for overlooking Cretia’s attempts to take Niku from her. A lesser female would not have handled it so well. Dori had raised her girls to be the best possible females. Erak came last, but he was the busiest one of all of them.

  His relationship with Tomi was slowly heating up. Maybe it was better that he’d approached things as he had since he had so little time these days. Erak seemed to be in good spirits and that was always a good sign. Seeing who Dori’s girls had been matched with by fate, made him wonder if Kitty ever made it here, who would her mate be? There were a lot of good males still in need of females.

  That in itself would have made him happy that Ranger was staying on Earth to run the most important thing to Draconis. The fact that it also gave him an opportunity to move up was the cherry on top. Had the situation been reversed, he would have gone to Earth in Ranger’s place, but he preferred it this way for now. Later, if Ranger chose to come back home, he might still take the job on Earth if Dori wouldn’t mind a few years on Earth with her only unsettled daughter.

  All the females here were either mating or moving toward that end, and the one that concerned him the most was Cretia. While she had healed physically and she was making friends, her relationship with Toreen was missing something. Garulto couldn’t say exactly what, but they needed to find it soon. There future was at risk.

  Toreen was a lord, that was true, but his father had stripped the valuables from his holdings. The land was still there, but the savings was gone. The male had to work like a farmer just to pay his taxes and get by. Cretia was perfect for him. The female was a hard worker and was taking care of his household and cooking for him. While Toreen seemed to appreciate what she did for him, he didn’t seem to appreciate her.

  Garulto had thought about talking to the king about what Toreen and Niku’s father had done. He and that female he’d mated lived like nobles while Niku and Toreen had been cheated out of their inheritance. He’d known the male before when his fated mate had been alive, he’d changed since then and not for the better. Often he’d wondered why Niku hadn’t said anything about what was done to Toreen and sometimes he wondered if he even knew.

  Maybe he would bring it up sometime when they were alone. It wasn’t really his business, but it bothered him a great deal and it hurt the people on Toreen’s lands too. Without money, Toreen couldn’t do anything for them. If his people weren’t so loyal, they might have called for the king to remove him and replace him.

  It was almost time to eat and the males had discussed nothing of importance. It wasn’t really the time or place, although there were many things he was sure they were all itching to discuss. Except for the emperor, these were all his closest friends. Even though he worked for him, he still considered the emperor his friend.

  Niku and Romo worked for him and he considered them friends too. Jarel was also a friend as was Dirk, but they had to work so they couldn’t come. Dirk would be leaving soon and he was getting the last minute things lined up.

  “Would you cut the roast, Garulto?” Dori asked.

  “Certainly.” He quickly cut off chunks, most of them large for dragon sized appetites, but a few smaller for Selia, Tomi, and Cretia.

  “Now we can all fill our plates.” Dori observed.

  The food smelled so good everyone began immediately. The hot rolls were popular and he grabbed some as soon as he could. They wouldn’t last long. Roast with a generous amount of gravy and whipped potatoes went on his plate next. While it was true dragons didn’t eat a lot of vegetables, some of Dori’s were so delicious, they were eating more of them.

  He was certain Dori had noticed and approved. The counter was full of desserts, but after they ate, she wanted everyone to try these marshmallows that Selia loved so much before they ate dessert. Everyone would do as she asked. She had assured them if they didn’t like them, they could have their pick of the other desserts. He saw strawberry shortcake and Black Forest Cake, two if his favorites. He’d eat dirt to get a piece of each of those.

  Once the meal was done. The females started on the dishes and putting away the leftovers. The males retired to the yard and sat by the fire pit. “What are these marshmallows?” Toreen asked.

  “None of us know. They are sweet and Selia likes them.” Garulto admitted.

  “I’ve heard you burn them with fire before you eat them.” Niku added.

  “Are they alive?” Toreen asked with a horrified look.

  “No, they are a confection.” Romo replied.

  “What does that mean?” Toreen asked.

  “They are a lot like candy.” Romo answered.

  “Why burn candy?” Toreen wanted to know.

  “It looks like we’ll all find out soon.” Garulto observed as the females joined them.

  “Are you ready to try these?” Dori asked sounding excited.

  “Of course.” He offered.

  “Good, because you and Selia will go first.” She handed him a stick with some white balls on the end. Garulto raised a brow at her.” Just do what Silly does. She’s a marshmallow expert.”

  “Let’s do this, Selia.” Garulto took her hand and they approached the pit with balls on sticks.

  He watched as Selia stuck her stick near the fire and the ball on the end turned brown Garulto did the same and he turned it just like she did until it was brown all over. Selia blew on it to cool it off and then she nibbled on it. Dragons, especially fire dragons, could handle the heat so he just took a small bite. It was sticky and sweet. Another bite was called for to make a complete determination. All the males and Cretia seemed to be waiting for him to say something.

  He laughed. “They are good. Very sweet.”

  He and Selia went back to sit down and finish their marshmallows, while Romo and Bree stepped up to roast theirs. Romo got to close and his caught on fire. He blew it out and ate it anyway. Toreen and Cretia went up with Niku and Betty and they seemed to do fine. Tomi helped Erak and they both joked and laughed a great deal. Erak was making slow prog
ress, but progress never the less.

  After they all had tasted one, they decided they were good, but not substantial enough to count as their only dessert. Dori quickly went to get more desserts and the other ladies went with her.

  “We are lucky males.” Erak said. “Dori is an exceptional cook and all her girls can cook like she does. Even Cretia has been learning.”

  “Dori enjoys teaching.” Garulto said and he realized it was true. He saw her with her workers and she was always explaining things to them and helping them to understand the program and what it could do for each of them.

  Everyone would admit that Dori had done things with the program no one had anticipated. It was being used to give unskilled workers the training and references they needed to get jobs in the area they wanted to work. The rogues were benefitting in that way and the saving program she offered them allowed them to save to buy a home of their own.

  His female had so much love and caring in her for everyone that crossed her path. She had raised her four daughters to be exceptional people and she would raise the children she had with him the same way. He would be there with her every step of the way.

  It wasn’t long before the desserts were brought out to them and even less time before it was all eaten. Dori had told him she was good at making desserts because she loved them so much herself. He couldn’t deny her ability as every piece of pie and cake was consumed.

  “Is everyone full?” Dori asked as she patted her tummy.

  “I’ve eaten too much.” Betty confessed.

  “You’ll fly home and use it all up as energy?” Niku comforted her.

  Betty and Dori both changed into their dragons even though they were expecting, but Bree refused to. They all worried about the babies they carried, but they each had their individual concerns. Dori had raised her girls to be independent and make their own decisions. That was just the way he wanted the young they had together to be. Both had beautiful dragons that were large for females and beautifully colored. Would all Earth females have such awe inspiring dragons?

  It wasn’t long before their guests begin to say their goodbyes and leave two at a time. Soon, it was just the two of them and a pile of dirty plates. Garulto helped Dori clean up the last of the mess and they turned in for the night.

  Epilogue

  The next morning he headed back to the castle after a big breakfast with his mate. He had a stack of personnel files to go through and once they were done. He had a list of potential males to go through. It struck him that not one female had been included as a possibility, but that could be because many females worked support positions and less than ten percent of the military was female.

  Many changes had begun even before the Earth females had started arriving. Garulto had a feeling more change would be on its way and much would be in the military. He rather looked forward to seeing a female in a high command position someday. That would throw his males for a loop. Maybe it would be Davy, Dori’s niece.

  Eventually, he sorted out his options and moved through the work of the day. He was lucky to have several assistants, a secretary, and a second in this position, but he had a feeling he would need them all. It was still an honor he had a hard time believing he’d achieved. Garulto would work hard to be sure he continued to deserve it.

  His life had changed so much since he’d mated his fated mate. Dori was a treasure, but she was also giving him a baby. He’d just about given up on the hope of having family. Now not only did he have one, several of his friends did as well. His young would have several playmates to grow up with.

  His day was finally over and it had been busy and fulfilling. Now the best part was ahead of him and he went to the roof where he changed and jumped into the air in dragon form. Heading in the direction of home, his stomach growled as he thought of the succulent food his mate would have waiting on him.

  The goddess had truly blessed him in every part of his life. He had his perfect job, an amazing mate, a baby on the way, and a wonderful home. There was nothing lacking in his life and Dori made him happier than he had ever imagined being. His home came into view with well-tended grounds, and it hit him hard in his heart. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep what he had and he could never love anyone more then he loved Dori.

  His dragon coasted in on a breeze until he touched the ground. Drawing in a deep breath he could smell the scents of home and knew he was where he needed to be. Changing back to human form, he walked to the door and entered.

  Dori stood at the stove cooking. Walking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her. “I love you more than anything.” He whispered in her ear and he knew he would never let her go.

  Winged Beast series

  Book 4

  Dragon Lord

  Toreen looked for Cretia everywhere, but she wasn’t to be found. It reminded him of the advice he’d been given over and over. He knew he’d been pushing her away, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Now she was gone and his dragon was going crazy. It was time to find her and there weren’t many places she could go. She would be brought back kicking and screaming over his shoulder if necessary. That female was his!

  She’d had enough and she’d finally hit her limit. Her bag was packed and it held more than she’d ever had. The hut she’d lived in before was still hers to use and her pride wouldn’t allow her to stay here where she wasn’t truly wanted. All her life she’d dreamed of her fated mate only to find he was more flawed than she was. As she walked out of this life and back to her old one, she refused to look back. From now on it was all about the future.

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  If you want to read books by Crystal Dawn, check out:

  Blue Moon Pack Series

  Planet Amazon Series

  Cousins of the Moon Series (a completed trilogy)

  Legends of the White Werewolf Series (A free series)

  Keepers of the Land Series (A completed 6 book series.)

  Frozen Origin Series

  Frozen Origin Quickies

  The Southwest Illinois Pack Series (A ménage series)

  Loved by a God series

  The Wilde Pack series

  The Strong Pack

  The Red Wolf Series

  Lucifer Frozen Origin Demons

  Winged Beast Series

  Witches of Ulyss Series

  White Wolf Matriarchs (A complete Trilogy)

  Wolf investigations and Securities Inc.

  Serena’s Salvation (Part of The Fated & Forbidden Collection)

  Catty Diva

  The Mating Games Series

  Books 1-10

  Moon Hunter’s Inc.

  Phoenix In Flames series

  Phoenix Under Fire

  The Zodiac Shifters series

  There is a battle brewing and the witches are looking for allies. Annie's father plans to force her to mate a male of his choice. She wants her fated one and casts a spell to find him. Problem solved, right?

  Ramiros wakes up with sand up his nose. What happened to his nice comfortable bed? When he finds the person who dumped him on the beach thousands of miles from home, there will be hell to pay

  The Warriors of the Vinii by Corre Deepe

  Xanterie

  Can a bad day turn your life around?

  Crash landing on Earth seemed the worst thing
that could happen to Xan, his crew, and their battered ship. It was only the beginning. After nearly freezing to death, Xan’s savior, in the form of a little Earth female, is driving him crazy. He doesn’t want to want her, but he can’t seem to help it. Edie wonders if she’s gone crazy when she wakes up looking into the glowing red eyes of a naked, not quite human male. He seems determined to keep her with him, but she’s just as determined to go.

  Frozen Origin

  Book 1

  Zeus

  He is the leader of the gods. No, not the Greek gods of ancient times that they are named for, but the god line of genetically manipulated beings said to be so much more than men. They’ve been imprisoned by Origin, the company that created them, all their lives, but now they have a chance to be free.

  She leads the team that has come to free them. She and her team always come in first and leave first on every mission, which is a good thing because she is drawn to the gorgeous god. She needs to leave to get on with her life and the career she loves.

  She doesn’t want to settle down; he is unwilling to settle for anything less. When they are thrown together fighting Origin and secrets are revealed, will it bring them closer together or place insurmountable obstacles in their path?

  Note: graphic sex and is for adult readers only.

  The Mating Games

  By Catty Diva

  Book 1

  Razar

  Razar needs a mate, but on his planet there are nine males to one female. Humans look like they are compatible, but if they find out the secrets of his kind, they will refuse to send them mates.

  Lista needs money for her mother's operation or she will die. Her sister has volunteered her to be a bride for an alien. If she wins the mating game she will be free to keep the money and return home.

  Can she outwit him or will he claim her heart before it's game over?