Ember (The Dragao 1)

She’d gone with him willingly.

And although that should’ve terrified me, I felt relief, because deep down I knew she’d be okay. I’d seen her face. I’d seen the relief as Ryezan cradled her in his forelegs, mindful of her leg wound, and took flight.

I didn’t know how I was so sure, but I knew Ryezan would protect her with his life. I knew he’d make sure she was okay.

And I also knew I’d see her again. I’d make damn sure of it.

Epilogue

Emma

Several months later

I knew the truth without having a healer look at me.

I was pregnant with Azar’s baby. I’d have a half-human, half-Dragao baby in the coming months, and I was terrified… and so happy I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading over my face.

My fear wasn’t from anything but the knowledge that I had no idea what I was doing, that I’d have someone vulnerable and small to care for. Is this how Azar feels where I’m concerned?

Of course the pregnancy wasn’t a shock, seeing as Azar was insatiable with me and we were together at least once, sometimes twice a day. But it wasn’t just his need for me… but mine for him. I’d sought him out plenty of times. That thought and the images it conjured had my face heating.

At first he’d been mindful of my soreness because of his size and my inexperience, and even though there was always a shock when he entered me, the pleasure and ecstasy overshadowed anything else.

My neck tingled as if my very thoughts brought about the remembrance of the dragon mark he’d given me. Although my flesh was healed, I felt the twin marks on my neck that would forever say I was his. They would forever let anyone know I was the mate of a fearsome Dragao dragon shifter.

I looked back down at my belly. My once too-flat stomach because I hadn’t eaten enough was now filled out and slightly rounded. I hadn’t thought about pregnancy until I realized I hadn’t started my monthly cycle. My breasts were ultrasensitive, and then there was the sickness and throwing up… and of course my belly growing.

I smiled again and pulled my tunic up enough that I could see my bare skin. I rested my palm over my flesh and ran my hand over the tiny bump. I felt this swelling of happiness consume me.

I was going to be a mother.

I wished I could tell Tilly, but after she’d clearly gone willingly with that Draco male, I hadn’t heard from her. We didn’t know where she was or how she was doing, but in my heart I knew she was safe. During that one time I’d spoken with Ryezan all those months ago, I’d been able to tell a mate was the most precious thing to him, like it was for Azar.

Like I was for Azar.

And that knowledge that Ryezan would cherish Tilly was what kept my worry and fear of the unknown at bay. I also knew I’d see her again. I didn’t know when or how, but I had no doubt about that. Yet trying to search her out could cause more issues with encroaching on other Dragao and Draco territories.

And as I kept looking at and rubbing my belly, I knew it was now far too dangerous with a little one on the way, not just for me to travel, but with Azar too. I didn’t want him possibly getting hurt looking for Tilly when we had to assume Ryezan was hidden away.

I thought about the last few months, how things had been going so well that I was worried something bad would eventually happen. Because my life couldn’t be this wonderful after it had been filled with so much despair. So much loneliness. So much emptiness.

But I didn’t feel any of those things anymore. I hadn’t ever since Azar had come into my life.

We lived a simple life, one where Azar hunted for us, and I was learning how to cook for him—without burning half the meat. We just enjoyed each other's company. And it was perfect.

He’d taken me in the air to see the world I’d only been able to see from the ground level of the fields. I’d seen massive bodies of water, greens and blues, and trees that were rich and lush with orange and yellow foliage. The world past the Pit was rich and not as desolate as I’d always thought.

Or maybe it just seemed like things were more beautiful because I was in love.

I was close enough to the entrance of the tunnel that led outside that I heard Azar land on the outcropping of the cliff, the pebbles being scattered away from his massive dragon claws and falling down the side of the mountain.

My mind was so muddled with thoughts that by the time he shifted into his human form and made his way down the tunnel to where I stood in our den, I was still standing there with my tunic up and my hand on my belly.