Noxx nearly roared at the thought.
But Maple cradled the child close to her chest, and he was surprised to find peace at the thought of the babe being cherished and protected instead of brought back into the fray. His son would be a mighty warrior someday, but he would probably have to learn to walk first.
“We’ll be back soon,” Luna promised.
Noxx pushed off the ground and pumped his wings, rocketing them back into the sky.
Luna laughed.
The startled, happy sound filled the dragon with joy as they set off to rescue the rest of the people of the cave village.
24
Luna
After many trips, Luna clung to Noxx’s back as they landed on the rocky beach for the last time.
People piled off onto the ground, looking relieved and tired.
At last, Luna slid down after them.
The beach had been changing as they delivered more and more people. The town below had answered the call for help from the cave villagers above.
Instead of a desolate rocky beach, it was now studded with roaring fires. Tents were set up, and there were the smells of food and the sounds of celebration. Stars studded the velvet sky above.
Things might not be easy in the future, but for tonight, everyone was relieved to be alive and together.
She placed her palm against the dragon’s big shoulder and felt the scales sliding under her hand.
Stepping back, she watched the transformation from the cloud-sized dragon she had come to trust, back into the man she loved.
“Noxx,” she said happily when he had settled into himself again. “That was incredible.”
“You were incredible,” he said, embracing her. “You’re so brave, my Luna.”
His breath was warm in her hair and sent shivers down her spine. All she wanted was to melt into his arms.
But she needed to find Sol first.
“We need to find Maple and River, so we can get Sol back,” she whispered.
He nodded and reluctantly let her out of his embrace, holding her hand as they walked through the crowds.
“Has anyone seen Maple?” she asked a group of women.
The women turned and all stared at Noxx in open admiration.
Luna wasn’t sure whether to be jealous, annoyed, or smug. Mostly she just wanted her son.
“The people of the town gave her a room in the hotel,” one of the women replied bravely. “Because of the baby.”
“Thank you,” Luna replied. “Can you tell us where it is?”
“Just that way,” the woman said, pointing. “You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you,” another of the women said. “Thank you for saving us.”
Noxx nodded in acknowledgement and Luna smiled as they headed in the direction of the little town.
“I can’t believe you came back for us,” Luna said softly, once they were alone again.
“I couldn’t leave you,” he replied. “I could never do that.”
“But you sent a transmission,” she said. “You asked them to come get you.”
“No,” he said. “That request was made before I ever got here. I thought this assignment was a mistake. But that was before I met you.”
“I see,” she said.
“I was in a hurry to set up the transmitter so I could send a message telling them to call it off,” Noxx said. “But it didn’t go through. And the next thing I knew, they were coming for me, and I didn’t think I had a choice. But Luna, I never wanted to leave you.”
She let that sink in for a moment.
“You shifted to help those people,” she said.
“Yes,” he agreed.
“You said you would never do that,” she reminded him. “You said the Invicta would only use their dragons to protect the homeland.”
He stopped in his tracks and took her by the shoulders.
“You are my homeland, Luna,” he growled. “You are my everything - my mate, my friend, the mother to my child. I will never deny you anything again. I love you, Luna. I am a warrior, but you have conquered my heart.”
His words sank in slowly.
She opened her mouth to reply, but instead, tears began to flow from her eyes and she could only gasp and sob.
“Now what?” he demanded. “Why can I never get anything right? I was not made for domestic life. Tell me what I did immediately, so I can improve.”
“No, Noxx,” she sobbed. “No, I’m not unhappy.”
“You’re not?” His brow furrowed, and his handsome face looked genuinely confused.
“I’m crying because I’m happy,” she wailed.
“Is that a real thing?” he asked.
The uncertainty on the big warrior’s face was so endearing that Luna found herself laughing through the tears.
“It’s a real thing, Noxx,” she told him, reaching up to stroke his jaw. “And I love you, too.”
His eyes turned intense and she could feel waves of arousal pouring off of him.
It washed over her, unlike anything she had ever experienced before.
She half expected him to strip her down and claim her right there, just steps from the village.
“Noxx, we have to find Sol,” she whispered with the last of her willpower.
He closed his eyes, as if looking for strength.
“Yes,” he said at last, taking her hand. “But we must hurry.”
With that, he began walking with such determination she had to jog to avoid being dragged.
“Terran speed, please,” she said. “My hurrying is slower than yours.”
He growled and the next thing she knew he had scooped her up in his arms.
She laid her head against his chest, loving the warmth of him.
“I’m going to forget how to walk with you around,” she murmured.
“You’re not going to be able to walk, even if you remember how,” he told her darkly.
A sizzle of heat shot through her.
“The baby,” she said out loud, for her own good as much as for his.
“Yes, of course the baby,” he said. “We will find our son and go home.”
Our son. Home.
Luna wondered if he would ever know how much those words meant to her. She closed her eyes and soaked in the feelings of contentment as he carried her into the little town.
“Here’s the hotel,” he said at last, placing her down.
A helper droid rolled out to assist them.
“How may I serve you?” it asked, its yellow eyes flashing.
“We’re looking for a woman with a young boy and a baby,” Noxx said.
“Maple, River and Sol,” Luna added.
“They said they would have visitors,” the helper droid said politely. “Please follow me, but do not make loud noises. Small Terrans need their sleep.”
Noxx’s eyebrows went up, but Luna nodded in agreement.
The droid left them before a door hewn of blue wood, where Luna knocked softly.
Before she had time to react, the door flew open and River embraced her.
“Hi,” she said, hugging him back and smiling at his mom over his shoulder.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” Maple said, an unspoken question clear in her eyes.