Chapter 17

MADELINE

We’re all gathered in a secluded cave, the fire casting a warm glow on everyone. I embrace Thea and Darshan, tears streaming down my face as I dance with him around the bonfire.

Hael and Lochness are lounging on plush rugs and pillows with Adara, while Darren and Mason engage in a friendly game of chess in a corner. Layla stands guard at the entrance, the fire’s heat radiating throughout the space, making our mountain picnic feel cozy and inviting.

But it’s fleeting. Sadly.

“Did you win by chance?” Darshan whispers to me.

“No, I won fair and square,” I reply, swaying with him. He holds my waist and I hold his hand. My Twin Dragons aren’t as possessive tonight.

Hael, who has been resting with his eyes closed, now opens one eye to watch us. During training, he tried to ‘attack’ again, but I managed to press the wooden sword to his neck after he slipped in a patch of mud and ended up on his backside. He admitted defeat, but when I asked to return to the mountain immediately, he had one condition: it was only for dinner.

I reluctantly agreed, and training was put on hold. I spent the afternoon getting ready, donning pretty gold earrings, a green dress with a black cape, and a real sword tucked into the sheath on my back. I leave my hair in the braid Hael has made.

He is surprisingly good with hair, and I like it too much to undo it.

“You’ve gone quiet. Do you think they’re planning to punish me for this dance?” Darshan interrupts, looking uncomfortable.

“No,” I assure him, pulling him closer. “They seem content… um…” I shoot a glare at Hael, who looks quite pleased with himself.

~What are you so happy about?~ I ask him.

~You won fair and square, mouse. I definitely didn’t let you win out of pity,~ Hael responds in my mind, his tone suggesting he might be telling the truth.

He doesn’t want to embarrass me in front of everyone else. Interesting. So, he probably faked the slip in the mud?

If that’s the case, I’m both pleased ~and~ irritated.

~That’s sweet if it’s true,~ I retort, ~but it’s not fair if you’re going easy on me.~

~Be thankful I care at all, slave,~ Hael teases, reaching over to steal a dessert from Adara’s plate.

She doesn’t seem to mind. Even she appears emotional about having her brothers back. Adara looks soft and feminine in her violet dress, her hair gently blowing behind her.

Suddenly, Lochness stands up and exits the cave without a word, looking determined. Layla steps aside to let him pass. I pull Darshan over to Layla—their relationship is still a secret.

He continues to play the role of personal slave.

“Where’s he going?” I whisper to Layla.

“I can’t tell you,” she responds simply.

“Can I take Madeline for a walk? Everyone in the mountain misses her,” Thea asks Hael from across the fire.

“Madeline is staying here,” Hael responds firmly. “Don’t ask again.”

“Wait. The Horde misses me?” I ask, surprised. I return to sit next to Thea. “I thought they hated me.”

Thea leans in to whisper, “They think you’ve softened up their Dragon Lord.”

“Really?”

“Remember all those punishments? They don’t happen anymore. He’s calmed down with you. We all think you’ve tamed Hael’s temper,” Thea whispers even more quietly.

I avoid Hael’s gaze so he can’t read my thoughts.

“Interesting,” I respond, nodding.

“We could probably get your Lords drunk enough when the liquor arrives,” Thea whispers quickly, “And get your stay extended till dawn.”

“Really?” I repeat, my third response making Thea stifle a laugh.

“Stop it, you sound suspicious,” Thea leans back, wearing elbow pads, a leather skirt, and bra with added armor. She’s clearly rising in the ranks.

“Madeline,” Adara calls out, looking unusually mellow. “What’s it like? Can you feel them kick yet?”

Thea tilts her head, and I notice Mason and Darren’s ears perk up as they pretend to focus on their chess game.

“Not yet,” I respond, rubbing my belly.

“May I help you, mind them—when they’re small?” Adara asks, her eyes welling up with tears.

“Of course, you’re their only aunty!” I reply, but she wipes away a tear.

“W-what’s wrong, Adara?”

“I… uh,” Adara stammers, looking around the room.

Even Hael looks concerned. Everyone waits for her answer.

“I’ve been trying to conceive. I had doctors check and they say I can’t. So I’m hoping maybe I can help at least, to experience your journey… mouse.”

She’s asking tentatively, and I don’t want to make a big deal out of it and make her feel any worse, so I keep it simple. “Of course you can.”

Hael gives me a warm smile. I meet his gaze—he appreciates my response to his sister, but I also feel him checking my other thoughts. The ones about getting him drunk enough to sneak off.

Hael’s expression suddenly changes to a sneer as he glares at Thea.

“Come here, Madeline,” Hael growls low.

“Thea?”

“Yes, my Lord?” Thea squeaks out.

“You’re dismissed,” Hael says curtly.

She jumps up and runs for the exit. Losing a friend is tough, but being dismissed is better than punishment.

“Madeline,” Hael calls my name again, beckoning me with a curl of his finger. “Now, please.” He even adds a ~please~, trying to keep the peace for once!

I stubbornly stay put, picking up an olive from the platter in front of me and eating it.

Thea is a problem, but she is my friend—and I’d see him every second of every day. She ~is~ bratty, but who else do I have to relate to so much? I can’t help but sneak a peek at Hael after I’ve just brushed him off in front of everyone.

Hael’s growl is loud and clear, his patience on the brink of breaking.

“Same old Maddie,” Mason teases, trying to lighten the mood, “Save some olives for me, will you?”

“Sure thing, big bro,” I reply to Mason, my gaze locked on Hael, fearing his next move. He’s getting up, not wasting any time. Adara barely conceals her amusement, stifling a laugh as Hael strides over to me.

I tense up as Hael settles down next to me—he grabs my waist and flips me over his lap, my face towards the ground. With ease, he lifts my dress and spanks me three times! ~Smack!~

Even though it’s done in such a way that only the cave wall can see my bare butt, it’s still mortifying!

“Respect me,” Hael commands, gripping the back of my neck to keep me from squirming away. “~Brat~,” he growls into my ear, nipping the top with a sharp tooth.

When I look up, Adara is clearly enjoying the spectacle, Mason is blushing furiously—and Darren finally acknowledges me.

“You had it coming, sis,” Darren smirks. “You really did.”

“Shut up, jerk!” I snap at Darren, but Hael uses his mind control to silence me, my tongue immobilized, his hand now soothingly rubbing my sore, tingling butt. At least he’s easing the sting. Hmpfh.

“Quiet now, sweetheart.” Hael’s growl is softer now, but he spanks me one more time, the sound echoing off the cave walls to emphasize his point. I squirm as he whispers in my ear, “When I give you an order, you follow it. Every slave in my Horde does, and you’re no exception, Madeline.”

~Can you let me up now, you big oaf?~ I mentally snap at him.

~Quiet,~ Hael warns me again, ~you don’t get to call the shots this time. I love you, but you’re too mischievous.~

I just take deep breaths and wait for him to release me—but he doesn’t! Hael continues to knead my butt for another minute. All I can do is stare at the rug, waiting for it to be over.

Layla clears her throat and Hael finally lifts me up by my braid, letting me sit next to him, my dress falling back into place. At last! I kneel next to him and shoot him a glare, but he just smirks back, clearly pleased with his victory.

~I’ll behave now, okay?~ I try to placate him a bit.

~You better. If you don’t, we’ll end up in my Pleasure room for your punishment,~ ~mouse.~ Hael places his hand on the small of my back. ~My brother has a surprise for you, look darling.~

His threat, for some inexplicable reason, sends a warm rush to my lower body, and I squeeze my thighs together, trying to alleviate the sensation. It only intensifies. I hate when my body betrays me.

I might enjoy being humiliated for sexual punishment—but ~only~ if no one can see!

My thoughts are abruptly interrupted when I hear a baby’s cry and I turn away from Hael’s smug grin—to the cave entrance. Faustina walks in carrying my bag, filled with baby items! She’s dressed in a simple linen dress, her baby handed off to a flustered Nessy.

He holds the baby at arm’s length, as it wails for its mother.

“Madeline,” Faustina starts to approach me, but then turns to see Nessy holding the baby so far away from him.

“How do I make it stop crying?” Nessy whispers to Faustina, seeking advice.

Darshan gets a whisper from Layla and suddenly he’s doubled over, trying to suppress his laughter. Clearly, Layla just explained why Nessy is so flustered, but Darshan’s over-the-top reaction has me biting my lip, trying not to join in as he turns away, gasping for breath. Layla just rolls her eyes and crosses her arms… but even her lips are twitching.

“Hold him close, in the crook of your arm,” Faustina instructs slowly, and with emphasis. Nessy pulls the baby into one arm, holding it closer.

“Like this?” he asks for confirmation, genuinely worried about the baby.

And just like that, the baby quiets down.

“Yes, that’s it.” Faustina now turns to me, walking over with the bag. “I’ve been keeping this safe for you, Princess Madeline.”

I take it from her, tears welling up in my eyes.

“Thank you so much.” I jump up and hug her tightly. “It’s heavier—did you add more?”

“I did, some other mothers wanted to contribute, they’re second-hand items, but… they wanted to give something,” Faustina explains.

“That’s so kind.” I drop the bag and turn to Hael, while Nessy approaches Faustina’s shoulder, looking eager to hand the baby back to her as it squirms. “See? They weren’t thieves,” I scold Hael, who for once, actually listens to me. “They were the opposite, she kept it safe. Humans can be good people!”

“You’ll be rewarded,” Hael tells Faustina. “Lochness will take you to the treasure now so you can choose something valuable.”

“I – do ~I~…?” Lochness hisses at Hael and the baby lets out a terrified scream as he growls uncontrollably.

Faustina clucks her tongue and takes the baby back. Lochness steps back towards the entrance.

“Fine, this way.”

Faustina shakes her head and gives me a knowing look. “Please come back to my shop anytime,” Faustina bids me farewell. “Have a lovely night, princess.”

As Lochness escorts Faustina out, Adara asks across the fire, “Since when are you a princess?” She sounds smug, while I sit back down next to Hael with the bag in front of us. I blush as I look at her.

“I’m not t-trying to take your title or anything, I just… I guess some people just see me that way.”

“For one, you’re not a princess, that’s not the right title,” Adara snaps but then smiles, glancing at her brother. “…don’t Kings dance with their ~Queens~, brother?”

Hael doesn’t miss a beat when I glance his way. He snorts. “You think I won’t dance with her?”

He’s on his feet in an instant, pulling me up so quickly that I crash into his chest. He takes my hand in his, then places his other hand on my waist, guiding me around the silent fire. There’s no music, but the sound of rain outside fills the silence, occasionally dripping through the cracks or sizzling as it hits the flames.

Hael spins me around, and I stumble over his feet because he’s moving so fast.

“Woah,” I laugh, breathless, as he dances like he’s been doing it his whole life.

“Didn’t know you could be like this,” I say, loud enough for Darren and Mason to hear and join in the laughter.

“He’s a man of many talents,” Adara sighs. “Hael doesn’t show brats this side of him—you should act more like a grown-up rather than a ~spoilt~ ~child~, and you’ll find out how talented he can be,” she says, as she now comes for ~my~ throat.

I shoot her a glare, her eyes smoky—she loves to pick a fight.

“The mouse is doing just fine,” Hael drawls, his voice deep, his eyes only on me. “She’s learning quickly to be a good mate.”

“Oh, hmm?” Adara sing-songs. “~Fetch more wine~,” she orders Darshan and Layla.

They scurry off, their movements so quick it almost seems rehearsed. Hael narrows his eyes slightly, his curiosity piqued. Darren and Mason are still engrossed in their chess game.

Hael slows our dance as he hears something in the distance. “What’s that noise?” he murmurs.

“Oh, nothing of concern.” Adara flicks her hair over her shoulder and stands, straightening her dress. “As my job as aunt is quite specific, and Madeline is your little pet more than a mate most of the time… I will force your hand, brother,” she says, moving toward the entry.

“I’ve organized a lesson. You will watch and learn—you will not complain.”

“Someone’s taking her leadership of the Horde a little too seriously,” Hael growls at Adara, but there’s a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Lochness emerges from the shadows, now at Adara’s side, looking quite scared. “Sister, is this your doing?” he hisses, glancing over his shoulder before jumping back, retreating as if being chased.

From the shadows, a line of toddlers and crawling babies make their way forward, babbling incoherently as they chase him. Faustina leads the group, followed by five more mothers, each with three children. Fifteen tiny humans, in diapers and dirty bibs and mismatched socks, make up the majority.

Lochness circles the walls and stands behind us, still skittish. Adara is blocking the exit. She grins, raising her hand to lower the fire from a roaring blaze to safer embers.

Darren and Mason stand and shake the hands of the mothers, thanking them for coming.

“Sit,” Adara commands her brothers and me. “Be kind and don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything but watch and learn.”

“We’re to instruct the Lords on how to take care of little ones?” one mother asks Adara for confirmation.

“That’s right… our father was absent,” Adara says, her tone harsh and unarguable. Hael leads us to the rug, looking inconvenienced but eager to learn nonetheless.

“You will not be,” she says, her voice low and her glare intense. “Repeat after me. You will not be absent fathers.”

“We won’t,” Hael retorts. “What gave you the idea we’d mimic our own upbringing?”

“Oh, wise old women’s tales, the kind you don’t bother to listen to,” Adara counters. “It’s reality. You may mimic him without even knowing it consciously.

I’m educating you, brother. These are single mothers. Like ours was.”

“You’re enjoying this a little too much, Adara,” Lochness sneers at his sister. He reclines so close to me on the larger rug, it seems like he wants to pull me onto his lap, but Adara raises a hand.

“Sit apart, no distractions,” Adara says, lowering her hand. I shuffle to the middle, creating a small gap between me and Hael and Lochness.

“Now listen and learn. All of you. Don’t speak.”

Adara walks over and joins us, sitting next to Hael and crossing her legs. Mason and Darren sit at her sides.

“We’ll cover how much to feed them, how to change them, how to settle them—and, small know-hows which you should be aware of, such as how they love being spoken to, and sung to, often,” one mother says, sitting down as she speaks.

The rest follow suit, taking chairs that Layla and Darshan bring in at the last moment. The children are free to roam, and a few are crawling closer.

By the end of the lesson, we’ve had instruction in every aspect of raising a firstborn and how to juggle twins.

The children don’t torment my mates too badly, they just want to play, rolling small toys near us or tugging on my hair. It’s not too bad at all, it’s actually quite sweet.

The mothers end the session with a last bit of advice each. “The importance of you as fathers, being actively involved, is not just for the children, you need to help your mate be comfortable and you ~can’t treat her like a slave~,” one mother says, wagging her finger.

“Thank you, Marthia,” I say, grinning.

“No matter how great you think you are,” Marthia adds, “Dragon Lords.” She curtsies and gathers her children, leading them away. Layla and Darshan are ready to escort them out.

“Children love being with their fathers and mothers do suffer from exhaustion if they are left to juggle every responsibility alone, so don’t be afraid to take them on one-on-one playdates, give your sweet mate a break,” Lin says, gathering her kids.

“Being a father can be fun! Thank you for listening, Dragon Lords.”

“Make sure you take your mate on planned dates and remind her how beautiful she is, little endearments go a long way for our confidence as new mothers,” Patricia says, picking up a few lost socks before saying goodbye. “Good luck, Madeline!”

“Kalai and I are sisters,” Faustina’s voice fills the room, speaking for both of them as the last mothers to share their stories. “Our children’s fathers were brothers, twins, who died as mercenaries,” she confesses, her voice heavy with sorrow.

“Please, stay safe. Our husbands’ reckless thirst for adventure cost them their lives. They weren’t rogues, but they might as well have been,” she directs her words mostly at Lochness.

“Don’t abandon your family,” she pleads, and Nessy gives a half-hearted nod.

“Madeline, you’re always welcome to visit me in town,” she offers, and I can only whisper a sad, “Thank you… goodbye,” as they start to leave, their children tired and cranky.

Adara shoots a pointed look at her brothers as the mothers and children depart.

Hael and Lochness rise, dusting off their pants. “Yeah, thanks, it was good,” Hael mumbles quickly.

“Mmhmm.” Adara glares at Lochness. “~Brother~?”

“Enlightening,” Lochness responds curtly.

I move closer to Adara, wrapping her in a tight hug. “Thank you, we need all the help we can get!”

“I know, mouse.” Adara pinches my cheek as I pull away. Her eyes still flash a warning even as she offers a small smile.

~We’re not completely useless, you know,~ Hael’s voice echoes in my head, meant for Adara’s ears. ~I plan on being present with my children.~

~Likewise,~ Lochness sounds bitter.

“Oh, go on, whine about it back at the nest you made for her,” Adara dismisses them. “Brothers,” she scoffs. “And just so you know, I run this Horde better than you, Hael.”

“Is it a nest?” I ask Hael as he guides me away.

So much for a sweet goodbye.

We all leave in a hurry. Hael and Lochness walk with me, ignoring Adara.

“What a pain,” Hael grumbles under his breath at Lochness. “She really doubts us.”

“Even so, it was relaxing,” Lochness counters, sounding calm. “It lessened some of my worries. They’re very easy to mind.”

“Oh, that’s great to hear.” I pat his sexy abs and Lochness gives me a sharp smile.

“Still, my pride is bruised,” Hael murmurs.

“Didn’t you enjoy it at least a little bit, when Fin the newborn held your finger?” I ask.

“Fin is a sweet rat,” Hael admits while sneering, refusing to smile. “I’ll still prefer to learn with our own.” He is so stubborn!

With their quick strides, we’ve reached a ledge to fly from.

I find the lessons quite helpful and I also feel so much better!

I stand ahead of my mates on the ledge and put my hands on my hips as the wind with a sprinkle of rain blows back on me, blowing my cape out.

“Behold—Madeline, the Queen of Requiem!” I yell out and cackle, hearing two Dragons growling so loud behind me, the ledge begins to shake.

~In your dreams, rat.~ I look back to see huge teeth opening above! I scream out as Lochness snatches me up in his mouth—and I land back on his wet stinky tongue, trapped between his sword fangs.

“Augh, ew, I hate it here!” I sit on his tongue as he dives off the ledge, flying me back to the chamber—back to the nest! Armed with knowledge.

Lochness isn’t the only one feeling more relaxed about becoming a parent.

I have my own fears—and the mothers helped me understand a lot more about the whole ordeal too.

~Thank you again, Adara,~ I call out to her. ~That was well thought out, I really loved it.~

~I heard your proclamation. I rule this mountain, rat, proclaim yourself queen again and I’ll kill you, damn the consequences, you should know your place, you brat,~ Adara snarls in my head.

~But you—!~

~Don’t say it publicly, you ignorant mortal! I was being sarcastic before.~

~Oh, sorry,~ I grumble back. ~But, you want to know something? You’re a fucking bitch, Adara!~

She is no better than her brothers! Adara laughs manically through my head. ~Say that to my face, little mortal… I dare you.~

I gulp. She is right.

I probably wouldn’t.

She is scary.

A little more than her older brothers.

~Fucking bitch, leave our mouse be,~ Hael and Lochness snarl back at Adara. For me. It’s not a joke either, it’s loud and reverbs through my head.

Dragon egos are sure hard to navigate and understand! I don’t think I ever will! I hold onto one fang in Nessy’s mouth, feeling the fire roll on his tongue, burning the edges of my cape.

Well… I’m kind of speechless from all that. But now so is she.

“I need another bath!” I call out, looking down at Lochness’s tongue and screwing up my nose. “It’s so nasty in here.”

~You’ll get one~,~ Lochness purrs.

Now he sounds happy. Which means… bad things. Eek. But… I remember something—too late.

~Hael?~ ~I call out.

~Mm?~

~I had a good day today. But I forgot the bag again.~

~Fuck,~ Hael spits fire and banks back around, flying back. ~I’ll retrieve it.~

Lochness lands and I roll onto the rock above the nest, covered in his saliva.

The smug rogue snorts at me, and fire blows my hair back. ~Always so forgetful, rat. Why am I not surprised?~

I reach up and press my hand to his slightly wet nose. He has to lower his head against the rock for me to do it, and now he stares at me with his large green eyes, narrowing and darkening at the same time.

~I want to fly above the rain clouds,~ I whisper into his mind. ~And fall through them. I think that would be fun.~

Lochness rolls his head to the side, growling in annoyance as he lowers his wing.

~Get on, before Hael comes back.~ Nessy smiles with all his teeth as I run up his wing, no longer worried about being covered in Dragon saliva!

~It’s not so different from being covered in our—~ Nessy jokes, his growl turning to a disgusting laugh so robust he can’t even finish the dumb joke.

~Don’t put that thought into my head!~ I yell out. ~Augh… boys.~

~Hold tightly.~

But then again—he can also do this. The second I grip his glossy, jet-black scales, his massive wings spread wide and we’re off, shooting into the sky at a dizzying speed. I let the silly joke slip from my mind.

We’re now in a race with the rain, the gray clouds parting to reveal a clear, deep blue sky. Above me, stars twinkle brightly and below, soft gray clouds form a cushion. It feels like we’re on top of the world.

I glance down as Lochness gently veers to the left, circling around, giving me the power to decide when. I rise to my feet on his back, and he glances back at me with a single emerald eye, waiting for the perfect moment.

“Now!” I shout, a wide grin spreading across my face as I slide off, waving up at him as I plunge into a freefall. Lochness hovers above, our eyes locked, he calmly circles… waits… waits—then he dives too.

A scream rips from my throat, a mix of adrenaline from his pursuit and the sheer thrill of ‘flying’ as I plunge into the gray clouds, tumbling through. Lochness zips past me and exits the clouds at a breakneck speed. In a flash, he scoops me up in his mouth.

He catches me flawlessly—a little too flawlessly! He also has a natural instinct to swallow! Before I know it, I can feel his tongue pushing me towards his throat.

~Mouse!~ Lochness chokes out in panic, landing roughly and hacking me back out onto the rock.

I land on my side, having just narrowly escaped being swallowed by a dragon! Nessy spews fire and saliva over me and growls at the emerald green dragon perched on the rock next to us, watching us with a look of annoyance—the bag dangling from a claw.

~You’re welcome, brat,~ Hael snarls at me.

~Tell me… whose bright idea was that stupid stunt?~

~His!~

~Hers.~

Lochness grins guiltily while simultaneously wrapping me in his tail and quickly depositing me back in the hole.

~It was my idea,~ Lochness changes his tune, taking the blame.

~Leave the rat alone.~

~You almost ate our mate!~

~She is tasty, I can’t help it,~ Lochness confesses in a sultry drawl.

Hael’s stern expression morphs into laughter, and the entire ceiling vibrates with the sound of their deep, growling dragon chuckles.

~I’ll have to try her sometime,~ Hael teases, poking his head into the hole, keeping a watchful eye on me—as if I’d be up to mischief.

I simply stare back at him, my heart pounding, still waiting for the adrenaline to subside.

I have to admit something.

After nearly being eaten alive? I’m done being a brat for tonight.