Chromium Dragon

by Terry Bolryder

  Things couldn’t possibly go wrong.

  Chapter 17

  A few days later, Chromium felt like he had basically entered what humans called heaven.

  He no longer had to hide what he was doing from his friends and the oracle, and he got to work in the restaurant every day and spend every night and morning with his gorgeous mate.

  She hadn’t quite agreed to make things official, but he could tell she was close, and he was ready to propose in the way humans expected and at least get things moving that way.

  He’d hoped fate had something in mind for him so that he wouldn’t be alone forever, but he had never expected someone like Helen, someone so perfect that he couldn’t have designed her better if he’d been given a choice of every aspect of her body and personality.

  She just fit with him, more than anyone he’d ever known, and he wanted to be her best friend and lover forever.

  He’d never felt so at home on Earth. As he used the break between lunch and dinner to do some shopping (he’d told Helen he had things to do), he couldn’t help remembering the hot sex they’d had that morning.

  She’d ridden him, looking so gorgeous with her hair flying, her breasts bouncing, her tight warmth holding all of him…

  Sometimes she was so wonderful he felt he couldn’t breathe.

  He turned down a street and sighed in relief when he finally saw the jewelry store he and Helen had passed on their trip to the movies.

  When he went inside, he noticed there were cases upon cases of beautiful, sparkling jewelry, and they seemed to be somewhat separated in the store by more sparkly on one side and less sparkly on the other.

  He walked to a case with the biggest sparkles and looked down, wondering which one Helen would like, and a woman with long blond hair bound back in a ponytail came over to him.

  She smiled and cocked her head. “Hey, haven’t I see you at Helen’s restaurant?”

  He stared at her and then nodded. What was her point?

  “I thought so. Here, let me show you some things in this other case. They might be more in your budget.”

  He shook his head resolutely. The rings in this case seemed to be the best, at least by price tag, and he wanted Helen to have the best.

  He knew not everyone would want something sparkly. His friend’s mates didn’t even all have rings, didn’t care much about them.

  But Helen already had trouble believing she was beautiful and worth being loved. He wanted huge, undeniable evidence to be sitting on her finger at any moment so every time she looked down, she saw how beautiful he knew she was.

  He wanted something that sparkled like she did.

  “That one,” he said, pointing to a large diamond surrounded by a small halo of diamonds that were arranged to look like flower petals.

  That’s what she was him. A beautiful diamond flower blooming in his heart and lighting everything up with sparks the way this ring did as the light in the jewelry store hit it.

  The saleswoman looked somewhat hesitant, but she took the ring out and handed it to him. He studied it, realizing he didn’t know Helen’s ring size.

  “I don’t know her size,” he said glumly.

  “That’s not a problem,” the saleswoman said. “You can propose with the ring and come in to have it sized afterward. We can even do it same day.” She looked to the back of the store where there was a door that presumably led to some kind of workroom.

  He nodded. “I’ll take this one.”

  Her eyes widened, but she took it from him and began to box it up, wrapping it politely.

  When she gave him the price, he pulled out the stack of bills he’d withdrawn using the magic card he’d gotten from Cadmium and handed them over.

  She counted them, wide-eyed, took what she needed, and handed the rest back, along with some change. “I’ve never seen someone buy a ring like that in cash.”

  She’d never seen a dragon absolutely smitten with his mate.

  “Thank you,” he said, taking the little blue bag from her, already fantasizing about the look on Helen’s face when she saw what he had to offer.

  He already knew he wanted to spend his life with her, and they didn’t even need to change anything. He loved things just as they were.

  Now he would see if she was ready to spend her life with him when he gave her this ring and asked for her promise.

  He said good-bye to the saleswoman, tucked the little bag inside his jacket, and pulled out his phone to call his friends.

  Helen was just about to head back down to the restaurant when Chromium knocked on the door of her apartment.

  He looked handsome today in a blue button-up she’d bought him and fitted jeans.

  His white hair curled slightly around his ears, and there was an excited look on his face that told her he was up to something.

  Knowing him, it was something sweet, though.

  “Hey,” she said, opening the door. “I was just about to head downstairs. Want to join me?”

  He blocked her way. “Sure, but one second.”

  “Okay.” She folded her arms. “But make it quick because we need to get down there.”

  “I… want my friends to come meet you tonight. Do you think we could do that?”

  “I could book out a section of the restaurant for them, like a private party.”

  “That works.”

  She felt a blush work its way over her ears. “Are they all dragons?”

  “Dragons and their mates,” he said. “But they’ll like you. I promise. They’re dying to meet you and get out of the mansion and—”

  “Mansion?”

  “That’s where we were staying during missions. But I was sneaking out. That’s how I met you.”

  “That’s right. I think you mentioned that.” She put her hand on his arm and walked with him out of the apartment, pausing to lock it behind her. “I guess I’m looking forward to it, if a bit nervous. Do they all look like you?”

  Chromium let out a laugh. “No, not at all.” He put a hand to his chin as they walked down the stairs. “I guess my cousin looks a bit like me, more than the others. But I have heard that we all look very different.”

  “Okay,” Helen said. “I’ll see for myself soon, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  And now he was the one who looked nervous as they approached the restaurant and he opened the door for her to go inside.

  It was just a normal dinner rush. Just like every other day for them, except his friends would be coming, and that would be fun. It wouldn’t be a very busy shift, given that it was a Sunday night, and she was glad she would have time to chat with his friends, maybe even extra after closing.

  She really was getting closer to him, and now that they’d been together for a few days, she couldn’t imagine life without him. She wanted to keep waking up to him, working alongside him, watching movies and cuddling or spending long moments making love to each other in bed.

  She’d never imagined life could be this perfect.

  “Chromium?” She looked up at him as they were about to reach the kitchen, wanting to use their last available moment of privacy.

  “Yes?” He looked down at her curiously.

  “I… Thanks so much for everything. This has been the happiest week of my life. I’m really glad you stopped in front of my alley that day.”

  He nodded. “Me, too.” He gave her hand a squeeze and then reluctantly released her as they reached the kitchen, where he would go inside and work while she headed back out to the dining room. “I’ll work hard on prep to get ahead of things so we can visit later. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  And then he was gone, and she had to stifle a sense of disappointment and remind herself she’d be seeing him later, along with the rest of his friends.

  Tonight, she’d be dining with dragons.

  She felt goose bumps on her arms at the mere thought of it.

  Chromium tried to gauge if Steve’s reaction was positive or negative as the young m
an gaped at the open ring box.

  “That’s… that’s really something,” Steve said, stepping forward and letting out a low whistle as he looked at the ring. “I mean, damn, is it real?”

  “What do you mean real?”

  “I mean, that thing is the size of Texas,” Steve said. “I bet you could see it from Mars.”

  “I doubt it,” Chromium said calmly. The more he saw the ring, the more he liked it. It reminded him of a sparkling star, which was appropriate since he’d had to cross the stars to find her.

  “It’s not the size of the ring; it’s the man giving it,” Mario said, setting down his towel so he could walk over to them. His eyes widened when he saw the ring. “Unless it’s a damn chunk of block ice.”

  Chromium raised an eyebrow. “A what?”

  Mario put out a hand to take the box, and Chromium handed it to him. Luckily, it had been a slow night, which was good, because there shouldn’t be any problem when Chromium’s friends showed up.

  He’d told them to come in around closing, and he planned on them being the only ones in the restaurant for the rest of the night.

  That worked best for his plans.

  Mario let out a whistle somewhat like Steve’s as he studied the ring closely. “It’s real, and it probably cost a fortune. You been holding out on us?”

  Chromium shrugged. “I don’t think so.”

  “Boy, what are you doing working in a restaurant when you have that kind of money?” Steve asked, putting his hands on his hips.

  Chromium looked out at the dining room to Helen. “I just want to be close to her.”

  She was walking between the few tables that were currently occupied. There was a couple seated in the corner, a single guy at a booth, and a family that was getting ready to take off.

  “I think it’s incredibly romantic,” Jenny said, coming forward to look at the ring. She looked up at Chromium with happy eyes. “I think it’s beautiful.”

  Mario folded his arms and gave the ring back as he returned to cooking. “All I care about is that you make her happy. Which I think you will.” The surly chef gave Chromium a smile. “Go get her.”

  “Right, what’s the plan?” Steve asked, leaning on the counter. “You want to do champagne? Have us surprise her?”

  “I have friends coming in for a private party,” Chromium said. “I was thinking of doing it then.”

  “Hm,” Mario said. “Still, you should let us help you. We want to see as well.”

  Chromium nodded. He knew that her restaurant friends would want to be involved. “Okay then, here’s the plan.” He motioned for them all to huddle up, and he discussed every aspect of what he wanted to do for Helen.

  When he pulled back, everyone was smiling knowingly at one another.

  “You’re a smart man, C,” Mario said. “You’re going to make Helen one lucky woman.”

  “You aren’t going to sweep her away from us, though, are you?” Jenny asked quietly.

  Chromium shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that. She’s happier here. I just want to continue to make her happy every day of my life. Do I have everyone’s approval?” He looked to the wall at the picture of her parents. “I know it would have been more proper for me to ask her family, but I think you are her family now.”

  Everyone in the circle nodded, and Chromium tucked the ring box into his jacket once again and then hung it up so he could put on his apron.

  He would need to work hard, get ahead of prep, and even do some cleaning so everyone in the kitchen could go home after the proposal so he and his “friends” could talk to Helen alone.

  Since this would be the first night out in the human world for the entire Drakkaris Dragon Guard, he had no idea of the things that might happen.

  One thing he knew for sure. His friends would like his mate, and he could hardly wait to get down on one knee and show her how much of her world he wanted to become.

  Chapter 18

  Helen checked her watch, wondering what time Chromium’s friends were going to show up.

  She was glad the restaurant was mostly empty, with just a single guy finishing his meal and a drink at a booth in the corner.

  But as she watched, he opened the check, slipped cash in quietly, and headed out the door into the night, pulling the collar of his long coat up around his neck to block out the cold.

  There was something familiar about the guy, but she couldn’t put a finger on it, and Serena had been his waitress.

  “I’m ready to clock out,” Serena said, coming up to Helen as she took off her apron. “I’ve got a date tonight.”

  “Not with a patron, I hope.”

  “No,” Serena said. “Though, Nathan was in again tonight. He wanted to stay undercover, though, so I didn’t mention it.” She shrugged. “He said he didn’t want to bother you, and he deserves a good meal as much as anyone else.”

  Helen looked at the door. So that’s who had just left. She’d been too caught up in thinking about Chromium’s friends to even notice.

  “Wait,” Serena said, looking at the doorway. “Maybe I won’t leave yet after all.”

  Helen gaped at the huge men trailing through the door of her restaurant in a group, knowing these must be Chromium’s friends.

  He was wrong. They did look like him.

  Not in hair color or features, but in the way they were all huge, utterly handsome, warrior-looking beings who didn’t quite seem to belong on this planet.

  “Holy shit, so much hotness,” Serena said, fanning her face.

  Helen tsked. “Go on your date, silly. Those are Chromium’s friends, and I hear they’re all taken.”

  Serena sighed, heading back toward the kitchen where she could clock out. “The good ones always are.”

  Helen smiled, thinking of Chromium. “Not always.” Sometimes, the good ones were out there waiting for the right person at the right time.

  She calmed her nerves and stepped forward, not wanting to make a bad first impression by not even greeting her customers. “Hello, welcome to Three Breadsticks. I’m Helen, and I’ll be helping you out today.”

  The man in front, a tall man with black hair and dazzling green eyes, looked at her appraisingly. “Where’s Chromium?”

  A blond man with a much friendlier face moved around him. “Sorry for his rudeness. It’s nice to meet you, Helen. If you want to show us where to sit, we can make introductions.” He looked around the restaurant. “Unless this isn’t a good time.”

  A group of smiling women was walking in behind the men, and Helen realized she would have to seat about ten people.

  She rushed to the private dining area she’d set up and pushed a few more chairs over to the long table. “You can sit here and get a good look at the menu, and I’ll go get Chromium.”

  They nodded, and she was utterly overwhelmed by the sea of unfamiliar faces as they began to chat at the table. She wandered back to the kitchen and opened the door to see Chromium’s back to her as he talked to Steve, both of them looking deep in thought.

  “Hello?” she called out. “Chromium, your friends are here.”

  He jumped slightly. “Oh. Good.” He looked at the kitchen staff. “Are you all good here if I go see them?”

  “Sure,” Mario said. “I’ve already prepped the private party menu, and you can come get it when you’re ready.”

  “I’ll make sure and help him finish the prep,” Steve said.

  “You two get out there with your friends,” Jenny added.

  Helen felt an odd, prickly feeling about the way everyone was acting. “Okay,” she said hesitantly.

  Chromium took her by the hand and pulled her out into the restaurant with him.

  “Your friends are all huge, like you.”

  He nodded. “Dragons.”

  “Are their mates?”

  “No,” he said. “All humans. That works well for us.”

  When he reached the table, he pulled out a chair for her, and instead of sitting down, he started making i
ntroductions. He introduced every dragon and their respective mate, and Helen did her best to remember each name as they walked around.

  “It’s okay if you don’t remember all of our names,” Arsenic said. “We’ll keep reminding you.” He put his arm around his mate, Farrah.

  Helen looked around the table at all of them as Chromium sat down beside her, scooting in close. The women were kind and inquisitive, asking about her time with Chromium and the restaurant, and by the time the lasagna and salad came, she was already feeling more at home with the giant group.

  “So tell us what it’s like working with Chromium,” Zinc, the gray-haired man Chromium had introduced as their king, interjected.

  “It’s wonderful,” Helen said. “He’s a great worker and friend.” She blushed. “And so much more.”

  “Does he light things on fire with his dragon breath?” Cadmium asked.

  “No,” Helen said. “He cooks like the others.”

  “We’ve missed his cooking,” Casey, Cadmium’s mate, piped up. “He was always super thoughtful. I’m guessing he’s that way with you as well.”

  Helen nodded.

  “Will you two be coming back to the mansion?” Brittany, Lead’s mate, piped up. “We’d all love that.”

  Helen looked nervously at Chromium. “I don’t know.”

  Chromium shook his head. “I think we’ll stay here and run the restaurant. We can still visit or go back if we’re needed for a mission, but for now, this is my home.”

  Helen was a bit worried about his friends’ reaction to that, but they all just nodded in agreement.

  Chromium smiled down at her. “A mate is where the home is.”

  She put her hand in his and squeezed it as the others finished their dinner. She had quickly eaten something earlier and wasn’t hungry for anything but a bit of relaxation next to her man.

  When everyone was wrapping things up, Chromium told them they had to try dessert, and they put in an order.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said, heading to the kitchen. “Chocolate cake for you?”

  She was about to say she shouldn’t but saw the warning in Chromium’s eyes. “Of course. I’d love that.”