Page 89 of Legends and Longing

It was my turn to laugh but I let it spill down our bond. “He was trying to be polite, but yes, reality did not match his expectation of what the food should look like.”

And that was somehow very important.

“I think it must be what Agent Murphy called a little thing.” Zorin was still confused about dinner but there would always be issues that surprised us. “I will have to watch him closely to see which meals he truly enjoys.”

And I would have to make sure Zorin did not go overboard, as Shiloh’s people said.

“You are a wonderful cook and make very good meals.” I kissed his head, trying to shift the mood again. “I, for one, am very glad to have a mate who takes such good care of me.”

Eating regular meals again was wonderful.

“What did you just think?” Pulling back, Zorin aimed angry eyes at me. “Regular meals?”

Oops.

Doing my best to look innocent as Shiloh had shown, I widened my eyes and tried to project confusion. “I was thinking about how wonderfully you take care of me, and I was wondering what you thought about the muffins Wren of Earth described.”

Blinking, Zorin paused for a moment. “He also talks about something called pancakes. They sound like dessert but are for breakfast.”

That did not surprise me.

“Half of everything the Americans of Earth eat seems to be dessert with a different name.” I shrugged when Zorin let out a frustrated huff. “From what I was told in a meeting, their world has more fruit-based plants than ours and the main sweetener they use is grown in large quantities.”

Shifting to show me a thoughtful expression, Zorin was the one practicing looking cute that time. “Do you think it has something to do with a world with so many submissives? Our emotional differences might have something to do with it.”

“That is a good point.” I hadn’t really thought about it in detail, but I would if it kept him from asking me about my meals. “They are also very creative. Another council member was in that meeting…the older dragon that is always complaining…I do not remember his name, but he thought it might be related to how creative they seem to be.”

Their creativity seemed to flow through the people of Earth on a much larger scale. Ours felt smaller and more individually focused. If someone made a new dessert or developed new customs, it could be years before they shared it with anyone outside their family.

Spells would be shared quicker but that was because there were rules and a structured system to keep them safe. Otherwise those would probably be hidden as well.

“Do you think that is an emotion we are lacking or some kind of skill they are pushed to excel at?” Zorin’s hands came up to stroke my chest, but it seemed to be an almost absent-minded behavior. “Their children are given many specific learning toys and they do what Shiloh called crafts on a regular basis.”

“There are definitely differences in our child-rearing behaviors that need to be studied.” I knew just the scholar to do that as well. “Should we purchase books on academic thoughts about child rearing?”

It would keep my wonderfully curious mate from focusing too much on Shiloh’s brain and mental well-being.

“Yes. I think that is a good plan.” Barely caressing me, his mind whirled faster as it sounded like he was making lists and sorting his thoughts on how the topic should be studied. “We…we should also get information on human mating practices. I would like to see how they can differ from us since they do not have the fates to give them mates.”

That sounded stressful.

“I think I am going to need to expand our house when we get back.” I made sure to sigh and sound dramatic, and I was rewarded with a laugh. “I’m going to end up with a house that is bigger than my workshop.”

That got more laughter from Zorin. “I’ve seen your workshop and I can guarantee our house will never get to that size.”

He had?

“When did you see it?” Taking his hand, I led him out of the kitchen and over to the couch. As we sat, Zorin looked down at the floor like it was fascinating.

“Were you spying on me?” Pretending to be a shocked human, I sucked in a breath and shook my head. “Naughty mate.”

That got another laugh from him and he finally looked up at me. “I have a colleague who lives close to you and I…I would sometimes fly over your home.”

Fly?

Technically I knew he was part dragon in a small way, but I couldn’t remember ever having heard him talk about it. His shyness said there was something I was missing, so I pulled him into my arms and lay back until he was stretched out over me. “Tell me about flying over my house.”

When he could rest his head on my chest and hide his face from mine, he relaxed and went back to petting me. “I don’t…I don’t feel the need to shift. I can but…but that was the only area I ever felt the push to fly. So…so after my meetings, I would take an hour and make a wide circle that usually ended up going over your house.”