Page 36 of Flight Risk

“Can you believe we made them? These are our babies, Kier.”

“They are. And they are so perfect.”

We both held them for a long time. The two of us climbed into the nest, pushing aside the broken shells. Eventually we would gather those shells and save the pieces. For now, we cuddled together as a family.

My father came in quietly. He settled next to the nest. Our three dragons asleep in our arms.

“I sensed they had come. I was right,” he said, his voice choked with emotion.

“Aren’t they beautiful?” Kier asked. “Your first grand-dragons.”

“They are. Have you named them?”

I looked to Kier, and he nodded. We had discussed names already and had tried them out while our babies were in their shells. We had made our decision.

“This is Opaline,” I said, gently lifting the dragonet in my arms and placing it in my father’s.

“Beautiful name,” he said.

“And I have Flint. Our lone boy.”

“And what about her?” My father indicated the strawberry-colored one.

“Ruby.”

She let out a pleased chirp, sounding nearly like a whistle.

“I think she likes it,” Kier said.

“Indeed.”

With my hands free, I took the opportunity to put my arm around my mate and pull him into my lap. He still held our other two children.

I kissed his lips softly. “They are amazing, love. Just like you.”

“Hmm. I was thinking they took after their alpha father.”

“A perfect mix of both of us.”