Viol’s dark gaze slid towards me. When I nodded, he blew out a puff of smoke. “Fine. Good luck,” he added genuinely.

  Then he unfurled his wings with a crack and took to the sky, disappearing into the island mountains.

  Thystle returned to my side, curling around me and my nest. “Sorry about the family drama,” he mumbled. “I know they can be a lot sometimes.”

  I stroked his side. “Don’t worry about it. I like having a big, new family. And I don’t know why you were so nervous about Viol. He’s not that bad.”

  Thystle snorted. “Saying Viol isn’t that bad is like comparing a puppy to a tarantula. Enough about him. How are you?”

  I wiped the sweat off my brow. “Fine. Definitely about to lay an egg.”

  “I’m here,” Thystle murmured, rubbing his face against my neck. I could tell he wanted to be as close as possible to soothe me, which was sweet. Plus, the coolness of his scales was a welcome distraction.

  A throb of pain coursed through my lower body. I was glad to be sitting already, otherwise my knees would’ve failed me. I hissed and curled my fingers against Thystle’s side. I appreciated his support—both emotional and physical.

  “Clothes,” I managed through my teeth.

  The agony robbed me of the ability to string more than two words together, but thankfully, Thystle understood. He craned his neck so his maw was above my pants. There was no way he could tug them off without shredding them, but that was fine with me. Pants were replaceable.

  Thystle’s fangs made quick work of the obstructing clothes. Once my pants transformed into a pile of fabric scraps, I sighed in relief. With my lower body free, I could finally put in the real work of birthing my egg. I knew it wouldn’t be long now.

  My eagle instincts took over. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the sensation of the egg, how desperately it wanted to be free. Sweat prickled my skin as I focused. I threw my weight into Thystle, bracing myself against him as I pushed harder.

  “You’re doing great, Matteo,” Thystle purr-growled in my ear.

  That little encouragement gave me the final burst of strength I needed. With a gasp, I felt a weight literally lifted from my body.

  But there was no time for relief. I bolted upright, staring into the nest, eager to see my egg.

  And when I did, my eyes widened.

  What I’d birthed was no regular bird egg. For one thing, it radiated a purple shine like a glow stick. I expected a creamy-white shell—instead, the egg looked like it was carved from a chunk of amethyst. I laid my hands on it, surprised at its smoothness and warmth. I couldn’t help but smile in disbelief at the way the glow disappeared beneath my hands, then shone through my fingers as I parted them.

  “Thystle, this is incredible,” I murmured. “Are all dragon eggs like this?”

  “I’ve only seen two,” Thystle answered. “Ours, plus Taylor and Crimson’s egg. Theirs glowed red. So far, it’s two for two lava lamp babies.”

  I snorted at the term, then pulled the egg into my lap. “Lava lamps aren’t the first thing I think of. It reminds me more of those glowing Himalayan salt lamps.”

  “Himalayan, what now?”

  I grinned. “How do you know what a lava lamp is and not a salt lamp?”

  “Sorry I can’t keep up with every human contraption,” Thystle mumbled. “It’s not my fault they think of new crap every day.”

  I chuckled and patted his neck. “You’re right. It’s a lot to keep up with. Never mind that. Look at our egg.”

  “I haven’t stopped staring since you laid it,” Thystle replied, arching his neck so he could be closer. “How can I when it’s so beautiful?”

  He was right. I’d never laid eyes on anything as gorgeous as our egg. It literally looked like a piece of art. But more than its physical beauty, my heart brimmed with happiness knowing our baby grew inside that glittering purple shell.

  “How long will it take to hatch?” I asked my mate, eager to meet our child.

  “Ruby took about a month,” he said warmly. Nuzzling my cheek, he added, “It won’t take long, Matteo. So, let’s enjoy our egg while we can before it hatches into a crawling bitey gremlin.”

  I grinned. “I’m looking forward to that.”

  Twenty-Four

  Thystle

  Holding a sushi tray in one hand, I huffed and puffed up the stairs. I wasn't out of shape by any means, but climbing the stairs to the roof while carrying a huge tray of sashimi and maki rolls was enough exercise to break a sweat.

  Matteo told me half an hour ago he'd craved sushi, so I had the chefs whip it up for him. I genuinely loved catering to his every whim. It satisfied my alpha instincts to nurture and protect him, even if it meant running to the kitchen every thirty minutes to sate his cravings, although he'd laid his egg and wasn't pregnant anymore. He was now in the brooding stage. Not brooding as in me when I got moody, but literally bird-sitting-on-an-egg brooding.

  Since he built his nest on the rooftop, he wasn’t eager to move it. That was fine by me. We set up a temporary office for him on the roof, complete with a wide weatherproof canopy, cozy pillows, and a microphone and laptop to work. I offered more, like a stereo system and TV, but Matteo was a simple man who didn’t ask for much.

  Well, except sushi trays. I was more than happy to arrange those.

  I grunted as I finally lugged over the last step. I wiped the sweat from my brow and called, “Hey, Matteo.”

  He didn’t respond. He sat with his back to me, typing frantically on his keyboard. I couldn’t see it from my angle, but I knew our egg was curled up safe and warm in his lap.

  But it worried me when Matteo didn’t respond. He was usually ecstatic to receive his treats, greeting me with a kiss and a smile. This time, he didn’t even acknowledge me. I wanted my kiss and smile, dammit.

  “Matteo, are you okay?” I asked, walking closer.

  He perked up visibly at the sound of my voice, but still sounded distracted when he called back, “Yeah, one sec.”

  I raised a brow. What could possibly be more interesting than his alpha mate arriving with a tray of sushi?

  “You’d better not be chatting with alpha dragon singles in your area,” I teased as I stood behind him.

  I was obviously joking, but the way he slammed his laptop shut made me raise a brow.

  Matteo huffed. “I was doing something private,” he said mildly.

  “You’re on an open rooftop,” I reminded him. “So, were you chatting with hot dragon singles in your area?”

  Matteo rolled his eyes as he stood up. Our egg glowed brightly, painting his arms and chest in a diffused purple light. He smiled as he leaned in and captured my lips in a long, passionate kiss. The sizzling make-out stomped out my tiny worm of jealousy.

  “You think that little of me?” Matteo murmured with a grin. “I have you, Thystle. You’re my alpha, the father of my baby, and my number one fan. Nobody else could ever compare.”

  Warm happiness bubbled in my chest. I leaned over the sushi tray to kiss him again. When I pulled back, I asked, “What’s with the secrecy, then? I feel left out. And I even brought you sushi,” I added, pouting for good measure.

  Matteo grinned sympathetically. “I know dragons are impatient, but just wait a little bit, okay? I promise, it’ll be worth it.”

  “Fine,” I said. “But in exchange for being patient, you’ll let me feed you sushi.”

  “How is that a trade? Those are both wins for me.”

  I scoffed. “Are you kidding? Feeding our mates is a hardwired sexy activity for us dragons. It’s basically foreplay.”

  Matteo arched a brow. “Is that a promise?”

  “Obviously. Now, sit.”

  Matteo sat, keeping our egg huddled in his lap. His weird quilt-and-rock nest was odd, but if he was comfortable, that was all that mattered. I took a careful seat beside Cobalt’s rock so it didn’t jab into me, then pulled the lid off the tray and pulled out the ceramic chopsticks.

  I picked up a piece of tuna maki and offered it to Matteo. “Say ahh.”

  “Are you practising for when the egg hatches?” he teased.

  “I might be. Hurry up and eat it so I can feed you another one.”

  Grinning, Matteo ate the roll and let out a satisfied sigh. “Mm, that’s good. Give that chef a raise.”

  “Done,” I promised, then picked up a thick slice of salmon sashimi. “I bet the sushi wasn’t this good when you lived in human society, huh?”

  “Nope.” As he swallowed the sashimi, I watched it slide down his throat like a pervert. The visual filled my mind with dirty ideas. I picked up a second slice and thrust it at him.

  Matteo chuckled. “At the rate you’re feeding me, I’m going to gain thirty pounds.”

  “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

  He rolled his eyes, not believing me. “I’d lose my rockstar bod.” He glanced down at himself. “Although now that I’m over thirty, I’m already getting there.”

  I scowled. No way in hell was I going to let my mate feel self-conscious over his body.

  “I don’t give a fuck if your body changes, Matteo,” I growled. “You’re hot, and you’re mine, no matter what you look like.”

  He blushed, his mouth curving into a smile. “Thank you, Thystle.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, eat.”

  After we polished off the tray together, Matteo leaned against my shoulder. Our egg glowed like a purple nightlight. I stroked its smooth shell, feeling paternal instincts flare up within me.

  “It’s been a whole month since you laid it,” I murmured, running my thumb along the faceted shell.

  “Any day now, huh?” Matteo suddenly sat up and opened his laptop. “Oh, that reminds me. I’ve talked to Vani and Keaux since they sent me that letter.”

  Curious about his screen, I leaned over, but Matteo turned it away. I frowned like a grump.

  “Patience,” Matteo chided.

  “I hate patience,” I mumbled.

  “I’m aware.”

  I dutifully kept my eyes averted from the screen. “I’m glad you guys reconnected, but what does the day have anything to do with them?”

  He tapped away on the keyboards. “Back during our TalonStorm days, we’d give each other deadlines. You know, shared responsibility type of thing. It was easier to keep each other in check than have the label breathing down our necks.”

  “Still not following,” I said.

  “V and K are hounding me, since today’s my deadline for...something.”

  I pursed my lips like I’d sucked a lemon. “I hate patience and secrets.”

  Matteo sighed. He purposely pulled away from the laptop and smiled as he put his hand on top of mine. “There’s no secrets between us. Think of it more as a surprise. But if you really want me to tell you, I will.”

  My curiosity smothered my impatience. “A surprise? For who?” I asked.

  “For you. Who else?” Matteo said, like it was obvious.

  I blushed, embarrassed I’d made such a big deal about it. “Oh. I can wait.”

  He looked pleased as he returned to his laptop. “Great. It’ll be worth it. I hope.”

  “Well, are you done whatever it is?” I asked, still moping. I selfishly wanted Matteo’s undivided attention, which I couldn’t get if he was chatting with his friends.

  His hands flew over the keys, then he hit a button with gusto, blowing out a loud exhale. “There. Done.” He shut the laptop and turned to me with a grin. “Now, I’m all yours.”

  I angled my mouth against his and gently nipped his lower lip. “You’re always all mine,” I reminded him.

  He made a soft pleasured sound. “Mm. About that foreplay you mentioned...”

  I licked my lips, instantly aroused. I put my hands on his shoulders, ready to push him to the ground and straddle him when I heard a small crack.

  “What was that?” Matteo asked.

  When I glanced down at the egg, my eyes went wide as plates. A tiny hole appeared at the top of the shell.

  “It’s hatching,” I blurted out. “Holy shit, Matteo, our egg is hatching!”

  He grabbed my arm, digging his fingers into my skin hard with excitement. He went quiet as his instincts took hold of him. His sole focus was on our egg, making sure it hatched properly.

  The egg wriggled, then lurched sideways. If it wasn’t safely nestled in Matteo’s lap, it would’ve rolled across the rooftop. A second later, a second hole pipped in the shell. It was followed by a distinctive dragonet squeak. The sound of it made my heart soar. Our baby fought hard to escape its eggy prison, and knowing its parents, it was stubborn as hell.

  There was a second of silence before a huge chunk went flying out of the nest. It left a big hole behind, accompanied by a baby dragon foot. It was literally kicking its way out of the egg.

  “It’s coming,” Matteo breathed, still grasping my arm for dear life.

  I nodded. “Any second now...”

  Another big crack. The remaining shell walls crumpled as the baby dragon’s head jutted out of its egg, letting out a triumphant squeak of freedom.

  The dragonet had pale purple scales, like lilac blossoms in spring, and they had Matteo’s gorgeous deep brown eyes. Their short limbs were chubby and adorable.

  Matteo pulled the baby loose from the egg, then his animal side overwhelmed him. He shifted to eagle form and settled his soft feathers on top of the baby to keep them warm.

  Unfortunately for my poor mate, our baby wasn’t having it. I laughed as the dragonet chirped and thrashed, tossing Matteo aside like he was an annoying hat instead of his dad.

  “Sorry, Matteo,” I said. “Dragonets don’t like being sat on.”

  My mate’s chest feathers puffed up. “I wasn’t sitting, I was brooding...”

  I grinned at the irony of that particular word. But despite being scorned a second earlier, the baby dragon crawled towards Matteo, pressing close to his downy feathers. Matteo settled contentedly. He sank into the nest and draped his wing over the baby’s side.

  My heart squeezed with affection. I sat next to Matteo, stroking his back. Even as a bird, it wasn’t hard to tell he radiated joy.

  He chirped, gently nuzzling our baby with his beak. The dragonet responded with a growly chirp of their own. I could’ve died of cuteness overload.

  “You’re perfect,” I said. “You and Heather both.”

  We’d chosen the name together, inspired by the rustic purple flowers. We figured our baby would have purple scales like me, and the wildflowers also reflected Matteo’s down-to-earth nature. Although humans used it as a feminine name, we both thought of flowers as being gender neutral, and since our child would be raised away from human society, there was no risk of being teased no matter what gender they ended up being.

  Matteo beamed at me proudly. “You’re pretty perfect, too.”

  I grinned before planting a kiss on his feathery head. “Then we’re a perfect little family.”

  Heather yawned, then pawed at Matteo’s side demandingly. They clearly thought it was feeding time.

  “Dragonets can eat solid food right away, right? Too bad we just finished off the sushi tray,” Matteo mused.

  “Hey, it’s never too late for more sushi.” I scooped up Heather in my arms. “Are you ready for your first ever sashimi dinner, little one?”

  Heather yowled in agreement, their sharp rows of tiny teeth demanding flesh.

  I laughed. “Then off to the kitchen we go.”

  Twenty-Five

  Matteo

  As I checked my watch, my heart thumped with nervous excitement. It was almost time for the big surprise I’d planned for weeks now. Gaius waited for me on the beach, and we still needed to go over a couple logistics before the whole thing unfolded.

  But to do that, I had to sneak away from Thystle, and that was a big problem. He preferred to be glued together for all time.

  “Hey, Thystle,” I said, slipping off the bed. “Do you mind watching Heather for a while?”

  He nodded, taking the plump infant without question. He grinned as our dragonet wriggled like an overgrown lizard in his lap, flailing their tiny claws until Thystle produced their chewed-up teething ring. Heather clamped on the soother like a crocodile chomping its prey.

  “Where are you going?” Thystle asked casually.

  I was already in the doorway when I answered, “Somewhere.”

  He raised a brow. “Very descriptive. Are you escaping from me, or from Heather?”

  Heather spat out the teething ring on cue. Thystle pulled out a second chew toy from his fanny pack. He normally wouldn’t be caught dead wearing one, but for Heather, he made every exception in the book. Heather happily went back to gnawing on the soft plastic.

  I chuckled. “I’m not escaping from either of you. You know I always want to be with you two.”

  Thystle snorted, still sounding playful. “Apparently not.”

  I doubled back to where Thystle sat on the bed and gave him a long, reassuring kiss.

  “If you really must know, it’s part of your surprise,” I murmured. “So, can you be a good little fanboy and sit here patiently for an hour?”

  He blushed at being called a good little fanboy, then nodded.

  “I’ll send someone to get you in an hour,” I promised. “Oh, and keep those blinds closed. No peeking through the window.”

  Thystle slowly turned towards the window, like he hadn’t realized that was an option.

  I clicked my tongue. “Ah, ah.”

  Thystle groaned. “Fine.”

  He slumped into bed, pulling Heather along with him. They giggled and started using Thystle’s body as a playground. I laughed at the sight of an oblivious bubbly Heather clambering over Thystle’s pouty face.

  “It won’t be long,” I promised. “And you’ll love it. I hope.”

  The corner of his mouth pulled into a wry smile. “I will. Don’t worry. Get out of here already, before I get impatient and break the rules.”