Dragons in Council (Book 4 of the Northern Territories Series)

Chapter 5

Dragons in Council

Chapter 5

Carson’s POV

I wake in the morning to Oberon’s soft coos. He is awake and entertaining himself. I stand and conjure jeans and a t-shirt before walking out into the hall. Forsythe is still sleeping. I listen for Saura, she is asleep as well. I find Oberon laying on his belly, looking at me through the crib bars. “Good morning, Oberon. I trust you slept well.”, I talk to him as I lift him from the crib and take him to the changing table.

“Now that you don’t smell like a dumpster fire, are you ready to eat, sir?”, I ask him after getting him cleaned up and changed. He coos at me and buries his face in my chest. It makes me smile; I take that as a yes, and carry him with me to the kitchen. I put Saura’s breastmilk in freezer when I first came in yesterday. I pull a bag, then study Oberon for a second, and grab another. He can finish two easily, I believe.

After warming his milk and giving him a bottle, I carry him back down the hall to Forsythe’s room. He jumps when I turn on his bathroom light. “Carson, what are you doing?”, he calls as he rolls over into his pillow.

“Stealing your toothpaste. What else?”, I return as I conjure a toothbrush.

He rolls back over to study me. “Saura still asleep?”, he asks.

“Yes. I will let her rest as long as she needs to. She has plenty of breastmilk and he is wise beyond his years.”, I link him as I brush my teeth.

“What does that even mean, Carson?”, he asks me, sitting up.

“He thinks I’m amazing! He likes me.”, I link back as I chuckle aloud.

“Of course, he likes you. You’re loud and exciting.”, he replies dryly.

I smirk and finish brushing my teeth, I hear him moving around behind me; most likely getting dressed. Oberon starts holding milk in his mouth and slows feeding, so I put him against my forearm to burp him, tossing Forsythe the bottle. He catches it and sets it down on the nightstand. “You should make coffee, brother.”, I tell him as I step back into his room.

He smirks at me, “You should get out of my doorway so I can use the bathroom.”

I laugh and sit on his bed, taking the bottle to finish feeding Oberon. “I would never betray you, Carson. I hope you know that.”, he tells me, not wanting jealousy to make me push him away. I study him in the mirror while he brushes his teeth.

“I know you wouldn’t, Forsythe. I trust you. I stand by my initial decision to name you my Chosen and know you truly believe in my greatness.”, I smirk at him as he chuckles and rinses his toothbrush.

“One of these days, the wrong person is going to believe you’re truly full of yourself, Carson.”, he warns before rinsing his face. “I appreciate your acceptance. It means a lot.”, he turns and says sincerely. I know how he feels about Saura and how badly he wants her, he has told me. I also know Forsythe would never betray me or hurt her that way. He will find his own mate, Saura is not his.

“Yes, well… I figure I better suck up now because at the rate this is going, you’ll end up fated to a woman I’ve mated.”, I tease and dodge to cover Oberon when he raises a pillow at me.

“Baby! I have the baby!”, I warn playfully. He eyes Oberon and tosses the pillow back on the bed. I chuckle at my victory.

Saura’s POV

I wake up and roll over, the sun pours through my window. What time is it? I get out of bed and check my watch. 10:45? Oberon is probably starving, I wonder why Forsythe didn’t wake me. I hurry to get dressed and go check on him. He isn’t in his room. Forsythe must have him. I go back to my room and brush my teeth.

I walk into the living room and find Carson, laying on his side, in the middle of a large mat with his back to me. “That’s not what I said to do, sir. We need lift.”, he says, laying his face on the floor. I stand on my tiptoes to see over him and find Oberon, laying on his belly, pushing up with his arms and rocking side to side. He blows spit bubbles at Carson. I giggle at them and Carson rolls over to see me, he smiles. “He’s not quite there yet, mama, but he is working on it.”, he tells me as he looks back at Oberon.

I walk over to them and sit on the couch. “Where’s Forsythe?”, I ask and immediately regret it. I don’t want Carson to become jealous of him like Vritra was.

Carson answers simply, “At the store. He said to tell you he will look for the boxes you mentioned. How did you sleep?”

I’m relieved he didn’t react to it. I will have to be more careful mentioning him. “Very well. How long has he been awake?”

Carson continues moving conjured toys around the mat, trying to convince Oberon to go for them. “For a little while. He will be ready to nap again soon.”, he replies, sitting up. “If you want to play with him, I’ll make you some breakfast. Do you drink coffee or tea?”

“I can do it, I usually just carry him with me.”, I reply, standing as he does.

He strokes my jaw lightly with his fingertips and the sparks from our bond move through me before he drops his hand, “He won’t learn to crawl or walk that way, khajaana. I will make you breakfast, you can play with him. He will be ready to eat and nap by the time I’m done. I just changed him.” He puts his arm around my waist when he steps around me, then releases me as he walks into the kitchen. “Tea or coffee, khajaana.”, he calls.

“Coffee, please.”, I reply, sitting in the floor with Oberon. Carson was right, he doesn’t play for much longer before he is fussing to eat. I pick him up and sit on the couch to feed him. Carson waves away the mat and all the toys.

I watch Carson move around the kitchen as Oberon eats and slowly falls asleep.

“You’re coffee is ready, khajaana. I can bring it to you or you can lay him down. Which do you prefer?”, Carson asks softly.

“I will lay him down.”, I reply. I’ve made it to his room to lay him down and halfway back down the hall before I realize I just laid Oberon down and am going back into the kitchen with Carson alone. I search for that anxious feeling, but it isn’t there. Self doubt creeps in, am I really just going to trust again? Is my judgement so awful that I walk right back into the same trap I just escaped? I debate with myself for a full minute before I make my way, slowly, back to the kitchen. I study Carson, he doesn’t make me nervous or afraid.

“Come, khajaana. Your coffee will get cold.”, he says, gesturing to the stool across the bar. I take my seat, happy he placed some space between us.

“Saura, I do not ever intend to leave you for any period of time, but I expect you’ll wish me to return immediately.”, he says teasingly as he passes me a medallion, similar to Forsythe’s but it has a different dragon on the front. I accept it and attach it to the chain. Looking down at it. “What’s wrong, khajaana?”

“Sometimes, you remind me of him. He did that a lot too when we first met…”, I can’t make myself look at him. I focus on my lap. “Your attitude, the way you speak. It’s not the same, but similar. After he marked me and we came out of his shield, everything changed. He changed and he was someone I didn’t know.”

“Vritra and I knew each other well. I’m sorry he mimicked some of my traits to earn your trust. He changed because that is who he was pretending to be; this is who I AM, Saura. I’m comfortable waiting a hundred thousand years to mark you, if that’s what it takes for you to trust me. I know you’re not ready, I understand. I’m not trying to rush you; I just want to be in your presence.”

“I’m afraid of you, Carson.”, I admit.

He narrows his eyes briefly, the corner of his mouth twitches like he stopped his smile. “You’re not afraid of me, Saura.”, he states matter-of-factly.

“How would you know what I'm afraid of, Carson?”, I ask with a little more heat than I intended. Who is he to tell me what I am or am not afraid of? Telling someone they don’t feel the way they say they do is just a way to dismiss their feelings. He stands and leans over the counter making us eye-level and within inches of each other. His eyes glow softly, the dark reflective pools fixed on mine.

“You’re raising your voice and glaring at me, instead of cowering and accepting my words to avoid conflict. You’re well within my reach now, khajaana, yet you remain unafraid.” He searches my eyes before slowly leaning closer and brushing his soft full lips against mine. The electricity of the bond clouds my mind; I barely stop myself from opening my mouth to taste his as his finger tips travel lightly across my jaw. He pulls back, inhaling my scent deeply as he searches my eyes again. I internally scold myself for wanting his touch. “I can sense your fear, khajaana. It immediately follows the scent of your arousal. That’s how I know what you’re afraid of.” I’m afraid of being attracted to him and falling right back into the trap I’ve barely escaped.

Carson’s POV

I can sense her fear, it’s wanting me. Her body betrays her. Physically, she wants me to touch her, to taste her. She isn’t there mentally yet. I could probably get her in my bed if I took it slowly, but she’d close herself off once I satiated her need. She’s too uncertain of me. I want all of her, having only her body would frustrate me. Muddy water is best cleared by allowing it to settle. Slow, calm, intentional movements, I coach myself.

I move around the counter and sit beside her. Breakfast will finish itself now. She searches my eyes as she leans in to kiss me. My heart races and I open my mouth to her, letting her deepen the kiss as much as she’d like. She stands, pressing her perfect body into me as I taste her sweet mouth, running my fingers through her silky auburn curls. She pulls me to her and I stand, pinning her against the counter. It makes her a little nervous, so I lift her and seat her on the bar, her thighs around my waist. That seems to calm her some as she runs her hands down my chest and around my waist to pull me to her. Her arousal is intoxicating and it takes every bit of my self control not to rip her clothes from her body.

I feel Forsythe. A part of me wants him to catch us, then he will know she’s mine. I scold myself; he already knows she is mine. I pull back, having to release her. “Forsythe is about to come through that door, my love.”, I tell her, not wanting her to be embarrassed. She smiles sweetly, a hint of blush hidden as she tucks her face into my chest. I run my hands up her delicious thighs and lift her, pulling her off the counter to stand in front of me. She releases my shirt and I step back, moving back around the bar to check the biscuits.

Forsythe walks in and smiles at Saura, “They had it.”, he says, placing a bag in front of her. She returns his smile and it slightly annoys me.

Forsythe sets the rest of the bags on the bar and starts unloading things. I help him put it away. “I can scent both your arousal, brother. Don’t be annoyed. If I’ve interrupted something, I’ll find somewhere else to be.”, he offers through the link.

“No. That’s not necessary. She wants me, but she’s not ready. It’s best I not push too far. I’m not annoyed you’re here.”, I assure him.

“Brother… I can feel your annoyance. You don’t have to hide from me.”, he replies as he organizes items in the refrigerator.

“I’m just jealous, Forsythe. I’m glad you were there for her and I’d have you take none of it back. I’ll build a relationship with her and earn her trust. You’ve done nothing wrong.”, I tell him as I turn back and watch Saura open the package he brought her, organizing the vials on the counter as she pulls the book from the bottom.

She enthusiastically praises Forsythe for having found it. I turn, putting my back to her to focus on breakfast and hopefully not letting her see the jealousy consuming me. She will find it childish… it is somewhat childish, but my feelings do not have to be reasonable; my actions are what matter.

Saura’s POV

I feel the jealousy in Carson and it is scary. I hate seeing this repeat in him as it had in Vritra. I don’t want Forsythe. Why are they so jealous of him? Carson doesn’t get obnoxious and force Forsythe away. He turns his back and focuses on pulling the biscuits out of the oven.

Forsythe smiles, he doesn’t seem to notice Carson’s irritation. “I’m glad they had it, little one.”, he replies. “Is Oberon napping?”

“Yes, I laid him down a little while ago. Carson wore him out.”, I answer, flipping through the book. Saying his name shifts his mood, I feel it immediately. It gives me just enough courage to check on him.

“Are you okay?”, I link cautiously. I linked Vritra only once, he got so angry about it. Forsythe has told me that dragonian view linking as an invasion of their space. Carson has linked me before. I’m hoping Carson doesn’t get angry, but don’t want to draw attention to him. Forsythe hasn’t noticed he was upset.

“I’m fine, my love. You didn’t do anything to upset me.”, he replies, his voice in my mind feels like a caress, warm and loving.

His words are truth, but I know what I feel in him. I’ve learned to take notice and tread carefully in its presence. “You’re sure?”

“I’m fine, khajaana. I swear it.”, he replies, turning and smiling at me before taking plates out. I desperately want to question him further, but fear holds those questions prisoner. “I will answer anything you ask of me, khajaana.”

“You’re angry… I feel it.”, I reply, not wanting to insinuate jealousy and have him explode.

“I’m not angry. I’m just a little jealous. I’ll get over it. It’s okay, khajaana.”, he sets my plate in front of me at the bar and hands the other to Forsythe at the table.

“Jealous… because Forsythe got me the calming and sleep boxes in town?”

He grins and sits down beside me, “I don’t care that he brought you the vials, my love. Forsythe wants you. I know he would never betray me and the vials are innocent. You requested it and he brought it to you, there is nothing wrong with that. I’ll get over it.”

“Forsythe doesn’t want me, Carson. You’re jealous for nothing.”, I begin eating and reply cautiously.

He smirks as he takes a bite, “You’re partially correct. I know I have no reason to be jealous. Forsythe does want you though.” I don’t want to tell him he’s wrong and make him angry, but I really don’t want this to escalate with Carson the way it did with Vritra. “Why does that make you nervous, khajaana?”

“Vritra always said that Forsythe wanted me, but wouldn’t betray him. He accused me of wanting Forsythe.”, I answer, hoping having another dragon agree with him doesn’t lead him to believe he is correct. Carson studies me as he chews.

“Did he take that out on you, khajaana?”, he finally asks. He’s angry, but I can tell by his voice in my mind that it isn’t at me. I don’t want him to be angry with Forsythe, but he will know if I lie. I just don’t respond. I can feel Carson linking Forsythe again.

“Carson won’t get angry with me for something Vritra said or did, Saura. You don’t have to worry about me.”, Forsythe speaks aloud. Carson waits for my answer.

“He did. I don’t want to talk about it, Carson.”, I answer.

“Very well. Vritra never saw fault in anything he did and he would justify his actions by changing the narrative. Your relationship with Forsythe is platonic and entirely acceptable. My jealousy is about my own insecurities and has nothing to do with anything either of you have done.”

I search his eyes, he believes me? Why does it sound true? I feel his jealousy, how can he be jealous and also believe I don’t want Forsythe? Then I realize that he never said he believed me. He said he knows our relationship is platonic. “Do you believe I want Forsythe?”

He tilts his head, “I know you do not want Forsythe; Vritra would’ve known that as well.”, he grins at me, “He may have mimicked my charm, but my emotional maturity and intelligence cannot be imitated. I’m a superior being.” I laugh and look down at my plate. He said it in that very fake pompous tone he uses so often. The one Vritra used. “Hindsight is 20/20. Going back through it in your own mind, I think you’ll see how fake he was before he marked you.”

“I can’t, I don’t want to relive it all, Carson.”, I reply defeated. I’ve read that going back through it and talking about it helps, but I really cannot do it. I don’t want to unpack those feelings and face them. I’ve closed it off for what feels like eternity.

“Would it help if I did it with you? You can show me, we will go through it together. Once you allow me in, I can help control the speed it all moves through and stop it if it becomes more than you can handle.”

Forsythe’s POV

I know Carson is talking to Saura about Vritra. I can always tell when he is on her mind. Her anxiety worsens.

“Will you keep an eye on Oberon? I need to focus on Saura for just a little while.”, Carson interrupts my thoughts.

“Of course, brother. Take your time.”, I assure him. I’m lucky to still be Carson’s Chosen. I’ve confessed my feelings for his mate, even the desire to mate with her. If the roles were reversed, as much as I trust Carson, I’m not sure I could place my jealousy aside the way he does. He doesn’t let his jealousy consume him; he tames it somehow. I know he’d kill me if he truly believed I even considered touching her inappropriately, since she became his. I watch her follow Carson to the living room and sit alongside him on the couch. He is connecting to her. She leans into him when he rests his head against hers and places her small hand over his, against her temple. I can feel her anxiety, she is going to show him her life with Vritra. I suppose it’s now my turn to take a lesson from him and control my own jealousy.

Not long into her showing Carson, I feel her fear raging out of control. I stand, ready to stop her before it becomes more than she can handle. Carson pulls her into his lap and wraps his arm around her without breaking connection. He won’t leave her there alone. She clings tightly to his shirt, pressing into him as his forearm blocks my view of her face. She slowly begins to calm and relax against him. Is he shielding her in her own mind? It is incredibly difficult to absorb someone’s pain and fear, then bare it yourself without letting it spill back into them. It can’t be done for more than a minute or so. It is best she shows him. If he can take any at all and bare it for her, it would be an improvement.

I understand, Goddess. She is not for me. I cannot be what she needs. Carson is the right choice for her. I will wait. Please give him the strength to keep that pain when he releases her, leave it in him, Goddess, Please. I beg silently. If he can use his body to shield hers and continues to absorb, he can free her. She’ll remember it and the way it felt, but it will always be through his shield. She’ll be numb to it, only he will carry the hurt. Whether or not he can take it all is something else entirely. I prepare to step in and give Carson my power when he starts struggling. If he has a large enough power source, just maybe he can do it. I try to control my doubts.