Page 129 of Dragon Me Through Space

“Here, you can share mine,” Vaelor offered and held out half of the cookie he was eating.

“We better eat these quick before Daddy P comes to get us for dinner,” Zeke said conspiratorially as he popped the half cookie in his mouth. I’d sensed Preston’s approach, which meant Zeke likely had too, which was why he was setting up the scene about to play out.

“What’s going on in here?” Preston asked sternly and marched towards Zeke and me.

“Ah! We’ve been caught! Hurry and escape, Vae! Go with Nanny while you can!”

Vaelor squealed and laughed as he and Troya ran around the counter towards the door.

I stepped between Preston and the door and said, “Hurry! I’ll sacrifice myself! Run to the dining room!”

Vaelor’s laughter could be heard all the way down the hall as he ran to the dining room.

Preston pinned me between Zeke and him and licked the side of my mouth. “You had cookies without me!”

“Zeke had four and a half,” I said quickly.

Zeke swatted my butt. “Tattletale.”

Preston pulled me into a hug and kissed me. “Come on, let’s go eat. You’ve successfully saved our son from getting in trouble for eating sweets before dinner. You can be the hero again.”

I linked my arm with his and said, “I’m sure you’ll find some way to regain his favor tomorrow.”

The dining room was packed with our family, Troya, Elira, Vexa, Lyra, Lyra’s mates Tomlin, Burtan, and Josef, and Lyra’s three children Samson, Delilah, and Waverly.

“Auntie!” Samson yelled as he saw me enter. “I want cookies, too!”

“Cookies are for dessert,” I reminded him. “Only the bakers get to taste them before dinner.”

“I want to be a baker!” he shouted.

“Tomorrow, you can be a baker,” Lyra promised. “Tonight, you have to eat your dinner first.”

Samson pouted, but when I started tickling him, he laughed and forgot about the disappointment.

Wayne pulled out my chair for me and dropped a kiss on my cheek before he took his seat on the opposite side.

Looking around the table, I felt so full of joy and happiness. I’d gone from being an only child to an orphan on the run to the High Queen of Drakorantia. It was hard to believe that so much had happened in my thirty-ish years of life, and yet it was true.

Scout walked into the room in her feline form and curled up at my feet. Reaching down, I patted her metal head and released a sigh of contentment.

I had a home, mates who loved me, a family, and a life I would do anything to protect.

Finally, I was happy.

Finally, I was where I belonged.