Legend of the Inero Dragon (15 page)

She forced a smile, though the last thing she
wanted to do was smile. Everything about Navi's marriage made her
scowl more often than not, but she wanted to be encouraging. "This
obviously means we need to do something tonight."

"I was thinking the same thing," Navi said, a
small smile tugging up the corners of her mouth.

Gwen put a hand on her friend's arm. "Good,
then you're coming over for dinner. Jason and I would love to have
you."

"You say that like a real married woman."
Navi laughed.

"I'm not sure I understand what you're
getting at. We would like it. He's missed you a lot."

"I know. My point is, you sound like a couple
when you talk like that. It's sweet."

Gwen shrugged then let go of her friend. "We
are a couple."

"For real Gwen, I'm not talking about the
charade."

"I know, but I think my answer still stands.
For real, we are a couple. An obscure one, and probably not what
you would consider traditional, but we function well together as a
unit. Plus, I enjoy his company."

Navi laughed. "You should try telling him how
you feel. I think he needs to know you don't see him as an
obligation."

"I've been trying, subtly of course, because
I don't want to overwhelm him," Gwen responded, nodding. "You know
how he is with relationships. I don't want him to feel like he has
to do anything more than he's comfortable with. Extra hugs, longer
touches, and taking extra time to be with him are a few things. I'm
not sure if he's noticed or not. You know Jason. He's always a
mystery with his feelings. I don't want to flash a neon sign,
though. He might not think I mean it, or feel the same way."

"You're right. He'll pick up on it when he's
ready to." Navi leaned in to hug her, which wasn't like her at all.
The two weren't touchy-feely by nature, so it startled Gwen at
first.

"I'm so happy for you," Navi whispered.

"Thank you," Gwen said, but she wasn't sure
if those were the right words. She held her friend for a moment
then pulled away. She decided to bring the conversation back to the
original topic, wanting the spotlight off of her love life. "So you
and Chris will come?"

"Yes, we'll both be there."

Gwen couldn't wait to tell Jason. She'd meant
it when she said he had missed Navi. He cared for the woman a lot.
At first it had left Gwen a little unsettled, unsure of what their
relationship was to begin with. Then she realized the two were
simply the best of friends. She felt awful for seeing her more
often than he got to. This would be good for them all. They needed
to catch up with one another as a group.

"Perfect, be at the house at around
five."

Chapter
Thirty

I'm coming home.

Three words Kat had been waiting to hear for
a week. Yes, Matt had checked in with her briefly every day he was
gone, but she wouldn't be satisfied until she could touch him
again.

How did it go?
she asked. Hopefully, he wouldn't think she was
prying too much. His success was important to her. She lived for
his happiness.

It's complete. That's all that matters.

She took that as a sign to
let it go.
I'll see you soon.
Not soon enough for her.

"I'm sorry, what was that, Lenora?" Kat
returned her attention to her friends. Matt had contacted her right
as they were finishing dinner together. From what she remembered,
he was ahead of her by a couple of hours. He probably hadn't meant
to interrupt.

"I asked if you had enough to eat," Lenora
said. She gestured at the fresh- cooked green beans and baked
chicken on the table before them.

"No, I'm fine," Kat replied. The truth was,
she did want to eat more, but not green beans or chicken. The baby
wanted to eat apples, more specifically, apple pie. The craving was
so strong it almost made her sick.

"Are you all right? You seem distracted."

"I'm fine, and I
am
distracted.
Matthias just told me his mission is complete and he's on his way
home."

"Wonderful." Lenora motioned for all four
women at the table to stand.

Kat did so slowly. While she didn't look
drastically different, she felt it. Her body ached in new ways, and
she did have a slight weight gain. Matt reassured her she wouldn't
get monstrously huge. Dragon eggs were only around four pounds at
the end of their six-month gestation. Most of the growth happened
during the three months spent in the incubator. It confused her,
but almost everything about Matt's dragon side did. More often than
not, she forgot he wasn't human.

"Are you sure everything is fine?" Lenora
asked. Kat had planned to tell her about the pregnancy, especially
if Matt hadn't gotten back soon. Being pregnant and on her own was
not easy. Lenora acted like she knew, though. She'd been extra
attentive to Kat's needs, making sure she took it easy and ate
well. Tiffy and Ariana were oblivious.

Kat laughed softly, her hands instinctively
folding in front of her stomach. She did this anytime she thought
about the baby. "I'm pregnant. Of course I'm fine."

Lenora drew her into an almost suffocating
hug. "I was wondering when you were going to say something."

"How did you know?"

"I've been around for a long time. It's like
I have a radar for this sort of thing. How are you feeling? How
long have you known?"

"A couple of weeks. It's been just over three
months. We were waiting to say something until after Matt came
home, but I'm having a hard time containing the excitement any
longer. I'm feeling okay. It's not as bad as I thought it would
be."

Lenora released her, brushing away a strand
of her hair. "I'm so happy for you. This must be like some kind of
a dream. We need to celebrate some time soon. If there is anything
you need, let me know and it's yours."

"Thank you. I'm so grateful to have such a
good friend," Kat said, now starting to get emotional
, her eyes tearing up
. Lenora meant the world to her.
She'd have been lost without her. "If I can be honest, you've been
more than just a friend. You're like the mother I've always
wanted."

She noticed tears pooling in Lenora's eyes as
well at that statement. She'd told her enough of about the life she
left back home. "I know you would never say something like that
lightly. It honors me to hear it. I have looked at you as a
daughter as well, all of you." Lenora glanced back briefly at Tiffy
and Ariana. "It's been a joy since I only have sons. Since we can
only have sons."

Kat frowned at this news. She'd been hoping
for a daughter. Something inside her gut told her she would have a
girl. Matt had never told her about that. It made sense. She'd
never seen any female children in the castle. Why wouldn't he have
told her? So much happened so quickly there were bound to be
details left out. Maybe someday she would have strong bonds with
her son's brides just like Lenora did.

The woman placed a kiss on her forehead. "I
have to go now. I'm sorry to cut the evening short. Important
business awaits me. Do not hesitate to call if you need
something."

"I promise," she said, wiping her eyes. She
counted the hours until her husband returned home.

Chapter
Thirty-One

Ever since their conversation on the park
bench, Gwen seemed different…more affectionate. It threw Jason for
a loop. He didn't know what to make of it. Part of him wondered if
she was trying to 'woo' him for the sake of fulfilling the one-year
requirement. But that didn't feel entirely right. Her actions came
across as genuine. It was just different than the norm.

Gwen walked by Jason to clear the table. Navi
and Chris had joined them for dinner, and there were a number of
messy dishes from their small feast. As she passed him, carrying a
few plates to the sink, her hand grazed across his shoulder blades.
What startled him more than the touch, however, was the fact that
he enjoyed it more than he expected to. He enjoyed her touch,
actually. It made him feel worthy, important, and warm.

The more he thought about it, the more he
realized those feelings would be mutual. Dare he think it…he might
even love her. He tried not to entertain the thought too much. He'd
come to enjoy her company—a lot—and looked forward to spending as
much time with her as he could. On top of that, she made him feel
calm, free, and like a man. Three things he couldn't find anywhere
else. Plus, she was beautiful and warm. He loved when he could
sneak a touch. If she didn't care for him in the same way he did
for her, then he'd only be setting himself up for a lot of pain. It
was better if he ignored them, for now. Easier said than done,
though. Especially with the way she watched him, something in her
eyes begging for him to come to her, but he didn't exactly
understand what it meant.

What's going on?
Matt popped in unexpectedly.

Jason had gotten so used to being blocked
from his brother's mind he'd completely forgotten they still shared
a connection.

Jason?

I'm here. Gwen is confusing
me. She's touching me more than usual and giving me strange
looks,
he explained as he helped clean up.
He missed his brother, so he didn't mind engaging in a brief
conversation. Any insight would be helpful, and Matt had always
been better with women than him.

Come hither stares?

I don't know what that means, but she smells
like cinnamon when she does it.

Lust. That's what you're smelling. Isn't it
wonderful?

Lust?
Jason raised an eyebrow.

The smell, but that too.

Yes, it is wonderful,
he agreed.

This is your signal. She's into you. I say
go for it,
Matt said.

Jason hadn't been expecting that advice. His
brother had made it pretty clear he didn't like Gwen. Why would he
want Jason to make her a permanent part of his life? He couldn't
tell if what Gwen felt was real.

Can you fake lust?
he asked after a moment of quiet.

I don't think so. Why would she fake it?

Because I told her about what might happen
if we don't consummate by the end of the year. She practically has
been all over me for the past week. I'm wondering if she's just
trying to take the easy way out. Not that I mind, but I think we
both deserve better than that.

Kiss her.

Jason almost dropped the
plates on the spot. He coughed, looking for a way to cover up his
reaction from the others in the room.
What?

Kiss. Her. It's the only way
you'll know for sure. I mean, you do like her right?
Matt asked.

I have for a while.

I mean as more than just a friend.

My statement still stands.

Then stop torturing yourself and do it.

Jason thought about it as
he
placed
his load
of dishes into the kitchen sink, then went back to collect
more.
I take it you're okay?

Yes, I'm on my way home now. I probably
shouldn't have intruded, but I'm bored.

I'm glad you did.
He didn't want to flat out say how much he missed
his brother. Matt might get defensive and the last thing Jason
wanted was a fight, especially through telepathy when he had
company over. The best thing he could do to repair their
relationship was lead through example.

I know our women don't get
along well, but I hope it goes well for you both,
Matt said.

Thank you.
It meant a lot to Jason to hear that.
We'll get together soon. I'll tell you more
then.

Go. I'll stop being a distraction.

Jason wanted to be distracted though. He'd
have to face her eventually and find out, one way or another, what
was going on. When he finished his conversation with his brother,
he went to the dining room to collect the serving plates. Gwen was
talking to Navi. All for the better. He needed a moment to process
this revelation. He returned to the kitchen and began soaking the
dishes.

I can't just kiss her, can
I? I don't even know how. Matt's right. I need to do something
soon, so I can know for sure. Why does this have to be
complicated?
He hated it, and this was one
of the reasons he wanted to avoid a relationship. But the feelings
she gave him when they were together were so nice. He loved her
companionship. They made a great team.

Just then, she walked into the kitchen,
carrying the last of the silverware. Slowly, she brushed the hair
from her face and gave him a smile. "I liked this a lot. I think
it's the most normal I've felt since coming here."

"We'll find a chance to do it again. I'm
surprised Father let her out for the night. Usually that's his
time." Jason paused, glancing at her, taking a moment to admire the
sight before him.

He shifted his weight, searching for
something to say. He decided to give her some good news. The idea
had been in his head for a few days. Now seemed like a good time to
bring it up. Hopefully, it would inspire her, and show her he was
serious about his feelings for her.

"How would you like to take a small trip
home? I think you've been here long enough and established yourself
well in our community. We could make a brief visit every so often.
Of course, when they start to age, and you don't, we'll have to
stop. But that shouldn't be for a number of years."

Gwen didn't say anything. Instead, she hugged
him close, wrapping her arms around him. He returned the gesture,
cradling her. He risked a glance into her eyes. In that one moment,
he was almost positive his heart would beat out of his chest.