by Katie Reus
Victoria giggled. “I so don’t even care. This can go into his college fund.”
“Sounds good to me. Look who’s awake again.” Drake’s tone changed to a soft one she barely recognized as he reached for Phoenix. “Oh, I have another present for you once everyone has cleared out,” he said, settling their son into his arms.
“Seriously? You’re not tired after this morning?” she asked, grinning. After her year-plus-long pregnancy she was so glad that she had shifter healing abilities and didn’t have to wait like humans did to bounce back and have sex. Because she had a hell of a lot of respect for human females right now.
He snorted. “Not that kind of present. Something special.”
“More special than your dick?” she whispered, making Drake laugh in that deep, sexy way that made her crazy.
Phoenix made a gurgling sound and waved his tiny fist at them. She was so glad he couldn’t understand a word they were saying.
“Does this have anything to do with what you’ve been sneaking away to do the last couple months?” He hadn’t outright admitted that he’d been up to something, but she knew he had. Now she wanted to know where he’d been going off to.
“You’ll see.” The grin he gave her was neutral enough, but that alone told her everything she needed to know. Her sneaky mate had definitely been up to something.
Now that she was sane and not filled with pregnancy hormones, she knew that whatever Drake had been up to, she would like. Because if there was one thing in the world she knew to be true, it was that her mate loved her and would never hurt her.
“It’s baby time,” Arya said, appearing out of nowhere, the stealthy dragon wearing a ridiculously ugly Christmas sweater that Victoria couldn’t believe she had on. But Keelin had given it to her and Arya would do anything for her children.
And right now, she was making a beeline for them, no doubt ready to hold Phoenix again.
Laughing under her breath, Victoria said, “You deal with her right now. I’m actually going to get some food. I’m starving.” She wasn’t sure if Drake would actually give his mother a chance to hold Phoenix now or not. Drake had been incredibly territorial where their baby was concerned. She knew it would wear off a little bit in the coming weeks. Not the protectiveness part, but that primal need to keep him close would ease up some.
Right now, for the first time in over a year she felt like herself. And she was going to eat, drink, be merry and enjoy her new baby, mate and clanmates on Christmas Day.
Chapter 16
Arya stretched out flat on her back against the hard slab of the mountainside and slid her hands behind her head as her mate stretched out next to her. Tonight was beautiful, the stars a brilliant, bright blanket across the sky that never got old. It didn’t matter how many years passed—this was one of her favorite things, to lie naked under the stars. Of course, it was much better with her mate by her side. If she’d been human, she’d be freezing her ass off up here, but as a very old dragon her blood ran hot. And she loved the feel of stone beneath her back. Not some cushy blanket of grass—though she enjoyed that too. Everything about the earth called to her, but especially stone and the mountains. Always had.
“Have your dreams stopped?” Dragos asked.
“Yes. Ever since Phoenix was born. I think it was just my mind conjuring up old fears.” Shifter minds were much different than human ones. They had far too many memories and normally they could compartmentalize things. Or just went into Hibernation if they needed a break.
“Good,” her mate said, shifting even closer, his glorious naked body and scent intoxicating her. Like usual. “All of our children are happy and mated,” he said a few minutes later in that deep, growly voice that had lured her in from the start.
She’d never had a chance where Dragos was concerned. She’d seen him and known he would be hers. Of course, she hadn’t let him know that. He’d had to work for it, had chased her until she relented and became his.
“I know. It is more than I could have ever hoped for.” Shifter births were a rare and beautiful thing. They’d been blessed with three children and she was grateful every day for them.
“Agreed. If anything were to happen to us, I’d die happy knowing our children have mates there for them.” He sidled even closer, his bare hip pressing against hers and his spicy scent growing stronger. She knew what he wanted. She wanted the same thing too.
But… “I think my sister might be considering mating soon.”
“Really?” True surprise rolled off Dragos.
Alma had never been in a hurry to mate. She’d never seemed to have a desire to find one. She lived her life and took care of her clan, doing what she wanted when she wanted. She was loved and adored by all and had said more than once that males were too much trouble. “Yes. And she’s had an offer from two Alphas. They want a triad.”
Dragos barked out a laugh. “Why am I not surprised? That fits your sister perfectly. Though two dragons want a triad?”
“No, wolves.”
“Ah, that makes more sense.”
It did, because most dragons did not share.
“Everyone always says you’re the wild one, but she needs someone to take care of her.”
“Take care of her?” Arya moved lightning fast, straddling her mate, her knees resting on the hard stone as she flattened her palms against his muscular chest. She knew he was just messing with her, but she was going to let him push her buttons. Arya loved it when Dragos riled her up. Then she loved fucking her mate until they were both panting and exhausted, barely able to remember their own names.
“Oh, yes.” His grin was even more wicked now, his silvery-gray eyes sparking with mischief. “Take care of her, tame her…keep her under control.” He whispered the last part, clearly trying not to laugh.
“Did you tame me? Keep little ol’ me under control?”
He grinned, all raw, wicked dragon peering back at her. “Not yet. But I keep trying. Maybe one of these days you’ll actually listen to me.” Moving unexpectedly, he had her on her back and was inside her in seconds, hard and thrusting.
She arched up into her mate, meeting him stroke for stroke. This was her mate, her equal, her everything.
Chapter 17
Victoria slid down the side of Drake’s body over soft, glittery scales, her boots thumping against the stone of their landing place. He’d flown them to one of the uninhabited mountains behind their compound. In this spot there was almost no wind so it was eerily quiet up here.
She clutched their son close to her chest, surprised he hadn’t made a sound during the entire flight to wherever they were. If anything, he’d seemed almost happy to be in the air. Definitely his dragon nature.
She’d learned quickly in the last couple days that Phoenix mainly ate, slept, and pooped. Considering he’d decided to stay in her belly for thirteen months, she’d expected a lot more when he finally emerged into the world. Like a walking, talking hybrid who could already shift and breathe fire. Turned out he was just like every other shifter baby. Sometimes his wolf peered back at her and sometimes his dragon did. But usually, it was just his beautiful silvery-gray eyes looking at her.
And she loved him more than anything in the world.
“How was the flight?” Drake asked as he started pulling clothes from the pack she’d set down beside her.
“Perfect. He didn’t even stir.”
Drake grinned widely as if she’d just told him their son was a genius. He’d been like that ever since she’d woken from her coma a week ago, proud of everything the little guy did. Her big, tough mate had even been proud after Phoenix’s first poop. It was adorable and ridiculous and made her love for Drake grow even more.
Something she hadn’t thought was actually possible.
Taking Phoenix from her arms, Drake held him close and wrapped his other arm around her shoulders as he started walking along a well-worn stone path. There shouldn’t be such a smooth walking path this high up on the mountain…but
he’d probably created it himself, she realized.
“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing?” Other than revealing his gift to her, because he hadn’t given her any hints.
“You have about twenty more seconds. Be patient.” He kissed the top of her head, laughing lightly.
They walked along the wide path until they stopped in front of a large cave opening.
“I found this and decided to get it ready for our son. I’ve been using my fire to make it large enough to accommodate his dragon once he’s grown. I also carved out shelves for his treasure and smoothed out certain areas so he wouldn’t hurt himself while he’s young.” He stepped inside, linking his fingers in hers, his excitement barely contained.
Victoria’s eyes widened as Drake let loose a stream of fire, lighting a huge, circular stone fire pit in the middle, filling the cavern with light.
“You did all this?” She dropped his hand, moving over to one of the rows of shelves Drake had created with his fire. Running her finger against the smoothness of it, she smiled when she saw a green gem the size of her fist already on one of the shelves.
“I gave him some of my own treasures to start his collection.”
She laughed, the sound ricocheting off the walls—and waking up Phoenix. His eyes popped open and he immediately reached for her, making fussy little sounds as he waved his hands around. Oh, someone was hungry.
“I guess I didn’t really think about that part of his nature,” she said as she helped Phoenix get positioned for feeding. “Which feels pretty crappy.” She’d been so focused on her long pregnancy and getting their home ready, she hadn’t thought about what his dragon side would need. She had been assuming that he’d be able to shift into both wolf and dragon because every hybrid she knew of could shift into both of whatever they were.
“You’re not a dragon,” Drake said. “It’s not second nature to you. My own father created a cave for me so very long ago.”
“He did?” He’d never told her that and she loved learning new things about her mate.
Drake nodded once, his mouth curving up into a small smile as he watched their son cuddled against her. “Yes. And he gave me my first jewel. A sapphire. I still have it.”
She smiled at her mate, leaning up to give him a brief kiss. “I’m sure our son will love this place.”
Drake glanced around the cave, his expression serious. “It will be a good place for him when he needs space from the clan. Or if he needs to practice breathing fire or even flying when he’s first starting out.”
“It’s perfect.”
“He’s perfect.”
“No argument from me there,” she said, looking down at the greedy little guy. He dozed off mid-feeding, then jerked himself awake and started up again, making them both laugh.
“I never thought I’d be here. That I’d have a mate, much less a child.” Drake’s voice was quiet, intense. “I’m so glad you are mine.”
“And I’m glad you’re mine.” She couldn’t imagine a life without her wonderful, sweet dragon.
Luckily, she would never have to.
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading A Very Dragon Christmas. It’s always fun to revisit characters and Drake and Victoria (and Arya!) are favorites of mine. I hope you enjoyed this extra little peek into everyone’s lives.
If you’d like to stay in touch with me and be the first to learn about new releases you can:
• Sign up for my monthly newsletter at: www.katiereus.com
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Also, please consider leaving a review at one of your favorite online retailers. It’s a great way to help other readers discover new books and I appreciate all reviews.
Happy reading,
Katie
Acknowledgments
In no particular order, thank you to Kari, Sarah, Joan, Julia and Jaycee for helping me get this novella together! For my readers, thank you for reading another Darkness story. This series is still going strong because of you and I hope you enjoyed this little slice of life story. As always, I owe thanks to my family! And last but not least, I’m grateful to God.
About the Author
Katie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Darkness series and the Redemption Harbor series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.
However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. For more information on Katie find her on twitter @katiereus or visit her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/katiereusauthor. If you would like to be notified of future releases, please visit her website: www.katiereus.com and join her newsletter.
Complete Booklist
Red Stone Security Series
No One to Trust
Danger Next Door
Fatal Deception
Miami, Mistletoe & Murder
His to Protect
Breaking Her Rules
Protecting His Witness
Sinful Seduction
Under His Protection
Deadly Fallout
Sworn to Protect
Secret Obsession
Love Thy Enemy
Dangerous Protector
Lethal Game
Redemption Harbor Series
Resurrection
Savage Rising
Dangerous Witness
Innocent Target
Hunting Danger
Covert Games
Deadly Ops Series
Targeted
Bound to Danger
Chasing Danger (novella)
Shattered Duty
Edge of Danger
A Covert Affair
The Serafina: Sin City Series
First Surrender
Sensual Surrender
Sweetest Surrender
Dangerous Surrender
O’Connor Family Series
Merry Christmas, Baby
Tease Me, Baby
It’s Me Again, Baby
Mistletoe Me, Baby
Non-series Romantic Suspense
Running From the Past
Dangerous Secrets
Killer Secrets
Deadly Obsession
Danger in Paradise
His Secret Past
Linked Books
Retribution
Tempting Danger
Paranormal Romance
Destined Mate
Protector’s Mate
A Jaguar’s Kiss
Tempting the Jaguar
Enemy Mine
Heart of the Jaguar
Moon Shifter Series
Alpha Instinct
Lover’s Instinct
Primal Possession
Mating Instinct
His Untamed Desire
Avenger’s Heat
Hunter Reborn
Protective Instinct
Dark Protector
A Mate for Christmas
Darkness Series
Darkness Awakened
Taste of Darkness
Beyond the Darkness
Hunted by Darkness
Into the Darkness
Saved by Darkness
Guardian of Darkness
Sentinel of Darkness
A Very Dragon Christmas
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