Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Alick crashed into my chest, taking a deep breath. “When he was younger, Kenzie’s mother seems to have told him that Santa’s sleigh was pulled by dragons because he knew reindeer didn’t fly and he was confused.”
Oh.
Had no one told him about Santa yet?
Before I could ask, Alick waved his arms and continued the rambling story. “He looked up Whitehorse on the map and then realized where it was. He’s convinced the dragons in town work for Santa. Just the self-employed ones, though? Honestly, I’m confused about that part, but I’m not sure it matters.”
No, it didn’t.
But that wasn’t what a good mate would say.
“It might not but it’s good to make sure I have as many details as possible so I can stick to the story.” Alick seemed to realize I wouldn’t have pulled Santa’s sleigh, so for the moment, I wasn’t going to ask him what he’d thought of that idea. “Was that a conversation you had on the drive home?”
Shaking his head, Alick didn’t move away. “No, Kenzie, Lorne, and Stefan met me after work. They were kind of worried.”
“About Santa?” I was really going to have to figure out a way to ask about Alick’s Santa-related beliefs because it was clear I shouldn’t make assumptions about any of it.
“Um, yeah, and the fact that you don’t have enough friends, so you might move me back to Canada where you at least have family?” Alick’s tone sounded like he thought that was ridiculous, but I waited for the other shoe to drop.
Yep, there was another.
“But I just reminded them that you’re part mage and so that makes you naturally grumpy and so you won’t like people.” Patting my chest before my brain could sort that logic out, Alick actually straightened and kissed my cheek before hiding again. “Don’t worry. They know mages love their mates just like dragons.”
Well, at least they knew Alick was special to me?
“I’m glad they understand that.” I was not as grumpy as they made me out, though. They were just all insane. “But you reminded them that I didn’t mind Talon, right? The deputy guy? I’m pretty sure I texted you that.”
Alick giggled for some reason. “Kenzie thought it was hot that Talon threatened you. I think they went home and played pretend.”
Good grief.
My groan got another giggle from Alick. “And I did point out that you thought Talon was nice or he threatened you really well…something like that.”
Insane.
“I’m glad you made it out of the conversation alive, baby boy.” My ridiculous response got another silly laugh from him.
“Thank you for defending the castle today, Daddy, and I’m glad you survived too.” Snuggling closer instead of hiding, Alick straightened just enough to lay his head on my shoulder. “Were they nice to you? Did you play?”
And we were rapidly descending.
“It depends on your definition, but they didn’t threaten to kill me. I can now see all the roads. Oh, and Lorne’s Daddy, the dragon with tools, he seems to like me but no one told me his name.” I wasn’t sure that mattered, though, because I was pretty sure all I had to do was call him Lorne’s Daddy and everyone would know who I meant.
And I’d thought Whitehorse was too small.
That was nothing.
“That’s wonderful, Daddy.” Alick gave me another cheek kiss instead of telling me the name of the Daddy in question. “He’s nice and he thinks shenanigans are funny but he doesn’t do them. He’s a good grown-up.”
He liked the chaos but he wouldn’t participate?
I could live with that.
“I’ll have to work on getting to know him more.” Tools meant he worked with his hands too, so that might be something we could connect with. “Was that all they were worried about?”
Alick’s shrug didn’t give me a lot to work with, but thankfully more words followed. “Kinda. They had worry-thinks about leaving and friends and your art, but I told them that you’re my mate and you like me and you like me happy, so we’re going to stay since they make me happy, and then we talked about Santa, and oh, we talked about how I don’t know about your art but you’re a good dragon and you know how to be a mate.”
That sounded exhausting…and confusing.
Grabbing the ones I could sort through first, I nodded and kissed his head. “Yes, I’m a good dragon and I know how to treat my mate. We do need to talk about our work stuff but we were discussing other important things, and I really like making you happy.”
The giggle that escaped said I was going to be making little Alick happy for a while.
“And I think I can hear a rumbly tummy, so we need to work on feeding you to keep you happy.” My silly tone got more laughter but he also nodded, so I knew food had to be top of the list. “How about we pick out dinner and get you cleaned up a bit? You worked hard today.”