The Dragon King’s Baby

Seathan roared with laughter at her answer. “I made an assumption. We’re so used to being nude in front of each other in this kingdom that I forget humans don’t do that.”

“No, no we don’t,” Addie replied as he took her hand and pulled her along to meet his parents.

“My apologies again, sweetheart. But I do have to tell you, you and Jeanne will have to adjust to the nakedness.”

Addie laughed at his tone, which was semi-serious, semi-joking. “Does this mean I can walk around naked too? Whenever I feel like?”

Seathan’s eyes narrowed. “Of course you can. In our rooms.” She nudged him playfully as she looked back to make sure Jeanne and Poppy were right behind her.

They stepped up to the door of the castle. A man and a woman, obviously Seathan’s parents, stepped forward to greet her and her friends. A third person, a woman older than Seathan, stood in the doorway with a smile on her face. Addie assumed this was his sister; she looked so much like Seathan it was hard not to.

“Welcome, Princess Adelaide,” the woman gushed, her hands out to take both of Addie’s. “I’m Vada, Seathan’s mother, and this is Malik, his father.”

“Welcome to Wyvern,” Malik said, bending at the waist to kiss her knuckles.

“Please call me Addie,” she said with a smile. She gestured to her friends. “These are my closest friends, Jeanne and Poppy.”

“And our daughter, Romy,” Vada said.

The lovely, raven-haired woman stepped forward and shook hands all around. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.”

“Come inside, come inside,” Vada encouraged. She took Addie’s hand and headed inside. Addie looked at Seathan, who winked at her and followed closely, chatting with his father. “I remembered how your mother reacted the first time one of us shifted back into human form.” Vada laughed and shook her head. “That’s why I had robes waiting for Seathan and Conall.”

Addie laughed. “Thank you. I’m sure I’ll adjust to it, but it was a bit shocking for Jeanne and me.”

“Not so much for your fairy friend,” Vada teased, causing Addie to laugh.

“She doesn’t embarrass easily, that’s for sure,” Addie claimed.

Poppy slipped between them. “Who doesn’t like a little show every now and then?”

Vada laughed. “I think we’re all going to get along very well.” She led them into the dining room, where a lovely early dinner was set up. “We thought you might be hungry after your travels. I know Seathan and Conall will be. Shifting burns a lot of calories, you know.”

Addie did know that, but only because she’d read it years ago. She had a lot to learn about dragon shifters; questions popped into her mind as she walked to the table and took the seat next to Seathan. He took her hand.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern in his eyes.

“I’m good, but I have a ton of questions. I would kill for a notebook and pen to carry around so I can write them down.”

Seathan smiled at her organized mind. “I’ll see what I can do.” He kissed her cheek and turned to answer a question posed by his sister.

*****

After a lengthy dinner where Addie was introduced to people continuously, with not a single name remaining in her head for more than a few seconds, Seathan leaned close to her and asked if she was ready to go upstairs.

“Yes, please,” she murmured. “Can we show Poppy and Jeanne where they’ll be staying so I know?”

“Of course.” He rose, took her hand as she followed him, and turned to address his parents. “Mom, Dad, Addie and I are tired, as I’m sure Poppy and Jeanne are.” He looked at the two, who nodded, Poppy covering her mouth as a yawn escaped her.

“Good night,” Vada said as she rose. “I didn’t realize how much time had passed.” She looked at Addie and smiled. “Tomorrow, you and I will spend some time together.”

“I want in on that,” Romy called. “I’d really like to introduce you to my husband and daughter. My daughter wasn’t feeling well this evening, so she and Kirk stayed upstairs.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Addie said. “I look forward to getting to know you both better.”

Everyone said their good nights and Seathan led the trio of women to the elevator. “Jeanne and Poppy, the two of you have rooms connected to each other on the second floor of the same tower as our rooms. My mother wanted the three of you to be close.”

“That is so kind of her,” Jeanne commented.

“She seems like such a nice person,” Poppy said.

Seathan smiled. “You’ll love her as you get to know her, I promise.”

“I already do,” Addie told him, gripping his arm. “Your father and sister seem pretty great too.”

“I’m very lucky to have my family,” Seathan said, smiling. “Here we are, ladies.” He opened a door that led into the suite of rooms Jeanne and Poppy would be sharing. “Your bags have already been brought up.”

Jeanne stopped at the door. “You don’t have to show us around. We can manage. Go to bed.” Jeanne winked and Poppy giggled.

Addie rolled her eyes. “Good night, friends.”

“Good night,” they said together as they shut the door behind them.