Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Daddy! I missed you. Is everything okay in Wyvern?”
“It is. The crops are coming in to give us fresh vegetables.” He gestured to the large bag he’d carried in his claw. “I think there might be a festival to celebrate the harvest.”
“That sounds like fun. Can we go?”
“Of course. I brought some early tomatoes home so everyone could have some. Would you like to walk with me?” he invited, loving her eager cheerfulness.
After dropping several off at the kitchen and getting a promise of BLTs for the evening meal, Khadar steered Lalani back out on the lawn. He lifted the laden bag onto his back, using the handles like shoulder straps. “Let’s go visiting.”
She slipped her hand in his and they set off on the path. There had always been workers living on his mountain. Many generations of treasured employees had passed along positions at his estate. After the change, a few more families had moved to be closer to work. Khadar had assisted them with the construction of new homes. Having trusted workers close by was easier for them.
At each house, Lalani assisted him by retrieving tomatoes from the pack on his back and filling the arms of whoever opened the door. Everyone celebrated the early harvest and thanked them for the gift. As doors closed, they heard other members of the family celebrating.
“You’re good to your people,” Lalani observed. “They enjoy working here.”
“Their world just turned upside down. It’s important that they feel fulfilled and essential. I rely on my people. Some have been with me for generations.”
“Is it hard being old?” she asked before turning a delightful shade of pink. He guessed when she heard it aloud, she realized what that sounded like.
Khadar laughed heartily. “It’s okay, Princess. I know I’ve been around for a while.”
“Sorry!”
“You are right. There are good and bad things about living for a long time. The dragon horde has all survived thanks to the pact with Wyvern. With a mate, a dragon can withstand monumental challenges. Without a mate, it is easy to be lost. Look! Here comes our housekeeper’s husband.”
As they left that conversation, Khadar shifted the bag to hang from one shoulder. “We’re almost out of tomatoes, Princess. One more stop.”
“Do you all have babies?”
“Are you thinking you want to lay an egg?” he teased.
“Dragon eggs are real?” she asked.
“Yes, Little one. Male dragons usually look for a female dragon to sire a replacement for themselves when they are near the end of their lives.”
“Is it easy to find a female dragon?”
“No. They are very elusive. Very rarely a female egg will be created as well as a male. Oldrik has a sister. They have not seen each other in centuries. If he knows where she is, he would take that information to his death.”
“So, they’re like a unicorn dragon,” she observed with a bright smile as she skipped along with him.
“The most special of all dragons, definitely.”
Her positive outlook delighted him. He squeezed her hand a bit, celebrating having her in his life. “I’m glad I found you, mate.”
“I never would have considered having a dragon that shifts into a man as my love interest, but you’re pretty special,” she shared with a laugh. “I do have something I want to talk to you about. I’m totally and completely bored while you’re off saving the world. Is there something I could do around here?”
“What would you like to do?” he asked.
“I worked as a hair stylist before. Do you think the people that live here on the grounds would be interested in me cutting their hair? For free, of course.”
“People will line up to get your services. What supplies do you need?”
“Some good scissors would be a great start. Clippers and those things wouldn’t work any longer. Do you know if there’s a beauty supply place in town?” Lalani asked.
“Totally not one of the things I focus on. Let’s ask one of the staff people. There’s one more house up here,” Khadar told her.
A bright blue cheerful home stood surrounded by flowers. He watched her smile at the quaint scene it presented. “Who lives here?” she asked.
“Robbie!” Khadar greeted the large man who walked around the corner of the house as they approached.
“Khadar, what brings you on a walkabout? The last time you were here, you trampled my petunias,” the man said with a friendly expression that took any possible sting from his words. He was dressed in full sleeves and pants with hair that stuck out in all directions.
“I told you to leave a dragon landing zone,” Khadar joked with him before turning to Lalani.
“Robbie, this is my mate, Lalani. She is new here to Wyvern.”
“Hi, Lalani. I’m glad to meet you. I’m Khadar’s beekeeper.”
“Really? That’s why we always have fresh honey on the table,” Lalani said, and Khadar watched her mentally connect the dots. “I’m glad to meet you. I have to admit, I have a sweet tooth.”