Light Dragons 02 - The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons

shortly. Do you need money?”
    Brom wasn’t at all a mercenary sort of child, but he did have eclectic—and very expensive—tastes, and despite the fact that he received a generous allowance, his eyes lit up with hope.
    “I’ve already given him money to see the museum and buy a few mementos.” I shooed Brom toward the house. “He doesn’t need any more.”
    “Aw, Sullivan!”
    “Your mother has spoken,” Baltic told him, then pulled out a money clip.
    “Baltic!” I protested when Brom quite happily took the bills he offered. I took the money from Brom and gave it back to Baltic. “He’ll just spend that on things he doesn’t need.”
    Baltic handed it back to Brom. “He is a boy. Boys need spending money.”
    Brom nodded rapidly.
    “And you’re trying to raise funds to restore Dauva,” I pointed out, retrieving the money and stuffing it into Baltic’s pocket. “That’s not going to happen if you don’t stop slipping him money every time he leaves the house.”
    Brom’s face fell.
    “No pouting, buster,” I told him. “Go get your things packed.”
    “My son does not pout,” Baltic said with a stern look bent on Brom, interrupting him as he was about to protest. “Ysolde does not wish for me to give you cash. I will not go against her desires. We will both do as she bids.”
    “Thank you. I know you just want Brom to be happy, but I appreciate your upholding my authority despite that.”
    “You are my mate and his mother. I could not do anything else,” Baltic answered, watching as Brom, with dragging steps, slowly made his way to the house before yelling after him, “Tell Pavel to give you one of my credit cards.”
    Brom cheered and raced off.
    I put my hands on my hips and glared.
    “You did not wish for me to give him cash. A credit card is not cash,” he pointed out, blithely ignoring the obvious.
    “You are incorrigible. You’re just lucky that you’re so incredibly handsome, I’m willing to overlook that fact now and again.”
    “I know what it’s like to not have money,” Baltic said with a half shrug.
    That stopped me in my tracks. “You do? I thought all dragons were rich as sin. When were you poor?”
    “When I was resurrected. There was only a handful of black dragons, most of whom were in hiding, so none of them could help me. Then I located Pavel, but he had taken to robbery to survive.” Baltic made a face. “He wasn’t very good at it. He was in a mortal prison when I found him.”
    I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed the corner of his mouth. “I had no idea. So you and he got together and started raising money?”
    “Yes. Our first concern was our safety, then Dauva. Now that has changed.”
    “Changed how? You still want Dauva back.”
    “Yes, but now my first concern is you and Brom. Dauva will wait until I know you are safe and content.”
    I looked up at him, this man who for centuries was reviled by other dragons as a murderous madman, my heart full to overflowing with admiration and love. “Without a doubt, that is the loveliest thing anyone has ever said to me. Kiss me.”
    “Gladly, but I will point out first that you said the very same thing last week when I told you that the sight of you makes my stones tighten.”
    “Putting aside your own desires so that Brom and I will be happy definitely trumps your testicles,” I answered, licking his lower lip. “Fire?”
    “You have your own fire,” he murmured, interest lighting the dark depths of his black eyes as I wiggled against him, reveling in the way my body fit against all of his hard planes. “You should give me your fire, mate.”
    “All right, but it’s your turn next time.” I bit his lip gently, my fingers working free the leather thong that held back his shoulder-length brown hair, concentrating as I did so on rousing the dragon that lived deep within my psyche. I had yet to master the skill that came so naturally to all dragons—harnessing their fire—but Baltic insisted that I practice it every day in hopes that one day I would return to being the dragon I once was.
    I focused on the moment, allowing the scent of him to sink into me. The feel of his body moving restlessly against mine did much to stir the embers, but it wasn’t until he took charge of the kiss, possessing my mouth in a way that left my toenails steaming, that I felt able to pull on my dragon fire.
    Baltic gently bit my neck, knowing how much I loved that, and, sure enough, the dragon fire