He and Rhi would get away again. That was something every couple needed as often as possible. Con would make sure that happened. As if reading his thoughts, Rhi turned her head and smiled at him. They shared a moment as the others greeted each other, everyone talking at once.
“That’s a sigh of relief I heard,” Rhi said with a wink.
Con chuckled and faced her, wrapping his arms around her. “Dreagan was built for the Kings to gather. As you said, it wasna meant for just one of us.”
“I can’t help but tease you. Yet, at the same time, I feel what you do. It’s like the manor itself is now breathing easier,” Rhi said.
Con realized then that the conversation had halted. He and Rhi looked over at the group and realized that more had returned earlier than expected. His gaze scanned the faces of Kings and mates alike. But they weren’t looking at him or Rhi. They were gazing in wonder at the decorations throughout the house.
The silence grew for another heartbeat before everyone began talking again, each pointing out something different they had spotted. And they hadn’t even seen half of it yet. Con stood with Rhi, smiling as the group split up and moved into different rooms on the main floor. There were many exclamations of shock, surprise, and joy.
It was Iona who finally glanced upstairs. She rushed up, pulling Laith with her. Rhi watched them go. Con’s gaze was on his mate and he saw the happiness that shone brightly in her eyes the moment Iona let out a shriek when she and Laith entered their chamber. That’s all it took for the others to make their way to their respective rooms, leaving Con alone with Rhi once more.
“I think they like it,” Rhi said as she faced him.
Con laughed and gave her a quick kiss. “They love it. You did good, my love.”
“We did good.”
“You’re the one who did the decorating.”
She wound her arms around his neck. “Hmm. You’re right.”
Con was lowering his head for a deeper kiss when the sound of footsteps approaching halted it. He glanced up to see Rhys and Lily making their way down the stairs.
“Rhi, the tree and decorations are incredible,” Lily said when she reached them.
Rhi preened at the compliment. “We wanted to do something special for each of you.”
“There was no need, but we appreciate it all the same,” Rhys said.
Their discussion was interrupted when Dorian and Alexandra returned with the others who had traveled to America. The previous conversation began all over again, but Con didn’t care. He was able to visit with each King for a moment. They would all get together later for a lengthy discussion about the future, but that would be after the celebration.
One by one, the Dragon Kings found their way back to Dreagan. Those with mates arrived earlier than those who had yet to find love. Con half-expected one of them to return with a mate. After all, it seemed the Kings were falling one after another. Rhi compared it to toppling dominoes, and she had a point.
“Oh, I see Keltan,” Rhi said. “I need to talk to him about food.”
Con watched her hurry to Keltan and Bernadette. Every King had a special gift along with their power. For Keltan, he could cook absolutely anything and make it taste divine. Con was about to turn away when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head and saw Vaughn walking into the manor.
Vaughn might be the King of Teals, but there wasn’t a smarter, more cunning attorney on the realm. Legal cases were what interested Vaughn, so it was natural that he handled all of Dreagan’s legal matters, as well as any for the Kings’ and their mates.
“Good to have you back,” Con said.
Vaughn shot him a crooked grin, his Persian-blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s good to be back. I knew you and Rhi would sort things out. Have you seen the twins?”
“No’ yet, but that’s going to change.”
Vaughn’s gaze intensified. “I wasna joking. I need to go to that realm.”
“So do all the Kings.”
“Nay, Con. It isna a want. It’s something I have to do. I feel it here,” he said and touched his chest.
Con still remembered the conversation he’d had with Ulrik so long ago about knowing without a shadow of a doubt that his mate wouldn’t be a dragon nor a human. He hadn’t been wrong. Who was he to question what another Dragon King felt? Whatever pulled Vaughn to that realm wouldn’t be denied.
“I’ll no’ stand in your way if you have to go,” Con told him.
Vaughn blew out a breath, his shoulders drooping. “Thank you.”
“We’ll talk later.”
After Vaughn walked away, Con thought about the other Kings who most likely felt the same need to see their dragons. It was simply another reason for him and Rhi to put a stop to whatever was going on with their twins. The Kings had a right to see their clans, and the dragons had a right to see their Kings.
“I don’t like the frown I’m seeing,” Rhi said when she returned.
Con glanced around to make sure that no one was near. “We’ve been so busy being twisted up in knots about our children that I’ve no’ thought about the dragons or the Kings.”
Rhi’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”
“It has been millions and millions of years since we sent the dragons away, love. While dragons live a verra long time, they doona live forever.”
Rhi’s face went slack. “The dragons had to have passed on that they followed the Kings. I’m certain the old traditions moved through the generations.”
“Are you sure?” Con asked skeptically. “Look at the Fae. Look at the mortals. How long do traditions last? Only until it stops mattering. For all we know, the dragons believed they would never see the Kings again.”
“And we can’t bring them back here.”
Con snorted, shaking his head ruefully. “Nay, we can no’.”
“What do you think we should do?”
“I wish I had an answer. I doona. The Kings’ existence has been for us to rule the dragons. I always expected the magic of this realm to take our gifts from us once the dragons were gone.”
Rhi smoothed away a blond lock that fell onto his forehead. “You and the other Kings are the only reason this realm remains as it is. Had you not fought against the Dark, the Fae would’ve taken over and wiped out the mortals.”
“And what happens when we send the Silvers to the other dragons so they can actually live?”
Rhi’s forehead furrowed. “Then the only dragons left will be the Kings.”
“And the Queen,” Con said, thinking about Melisse.
“There has to be a happy ending for this. You all deserve it. The dragons deserve it.”
Con ran a hand through his hair. “For all I know, none of the dragons will answer to us.”
“Oh, please,” Rhi said, irritation in her voice. “You’re the fekking King of Dragon Kings. The others are Dragon Kings, leaders of their clans. You were all chosen by the magic because of your strength and power.”
“And when we go see the dragons? Who’s to say we’re no’ challenged?”
Rhi’s eyes widened, and her face paled. “That wouldn’t happen. You’ve done so much for this realm.”