I stood and watched Anton and Amika dress each other for a moment. Then headed out of the room, up the ramp, and up the stairs back into the central portion of the house. I could hear Akasha and Sydney talking in the bedroom.   

“I missed the orgy in the creek?” I heard Sydney say, her voice touched with disappointment. Sydney was sitting on the bed, already dressed. Sweatpants, t-shirt under a partially zipped sweatshirt. She glanced over as I came walking in. Her eyes drifted down, her grin widening. She closed her eyes, shook her head.  

“Dinner first,” Sydney said softly as she pointed to the dresser, “Get dressed, you magnificent, fucking beast.”  

Akasha laughed from the closet with that musical, amused voice of hers. I turned from them, pulled out a pair of boxers, and slipped them on. They did very little to hide my arousal. I walked past Sydney, who opened her eyes for a minute, scowled, and squeezed them shut tighter.  

“So not fair that you look that good, even dressed,” Sydney muttered. I stifled a laugh as I grabbed a pair of sweatpants and put them on. Then a t-shirt and my own sweatshirt. Akasha stood in the closet, wearing a pair of nearly transparent lace panties and a tiny bra that barely covered her chest. She grinned as she cupped her bosom and watched me. I gulped and turned from her laughter as I put on my clothes and walked back into the bedroom. Akasha came walking out a moment later in tight sweatpants and a sweatshirt zipped up just enough to cover her bra, but still show that she was wearing nothing else underneath.   

Sydney bounced up off the bed and went downstairs. Akasha and I followed.   

In the kitchen, we pulled some frozen vegetables out of the freezer and the defrosted  ground beef and some broccoli out of the fridge. I cut open the bags of ground meat and added them to the wok, while Sydney chopped the broccoli, and Akasha opened the bags of frozen vegetables. Anton and Amika joined us a couple of minutes later. Anton was wearing sweatpants, a t-shirt, and a half-zipper sweater. Amika was wearing the same shirt from earlier with a sweatshirt over the top, and shorts. Her long golden hair danced like a curtain against her back.   

Anton grabbed some potatoes and started chopping them. Amika stood back, unsure of what to do, and then started washing dishes as we finished with the tasks. The potatoes were placed in a pot to boil. The broccoli was placed in another pot to steam. The beef and frozen vegetables were added to the wok with oil and spices. Akasha and I minded the things on the stove while Sydney sat at the table with Anton and Amika. Their chairs were pulled close, Anton’s arm across the back of Amika’s chair. She leaned partially against him, her head on his shoulder.  

Sydney turned to Amika, “Were those Washington tags on your motorcycle?”  

Amika blinked at Sydney. “Yeah. I was up in Seattle when I heard their call.”  

“Seattle?” Sydney asked with surprise.  

“That’s what, sixteen hours? Almost a thousand miles?” Anton said. Amika nodded.   

“I tried to resist the call. I never liked being around the Court of the Red Sun.” Amika blushed as she looked over at Akasha and me. “But I couldn’t fight it. Every minute I resisted, my blood felt like it was boiling. I rode for eight hours. Took a break, then got back on the road.”  

“That’s rough,” I spoke.   

Amika shrugged. “I’m glad I came. Though I will say this. Do you have any idea how long it took to get this hair done in cornrows? Plus, having it come out that fast, that hurt.”  

“Sorry,” I offered with a shrug. “I didn’t know that would happen.”  

Amika snuggled closer to Anton. “It’s okay. It was worth it.” She laughed softly as Anton’s arm slipped off the back of the chair to rest on her shoulders.  

“For what it’s worth,” I said as I looked at them, “I’m glad you’re here.”  

“Me too,” Anton said softly as he nuzzled her cheek. Amika laughed softly, turned to Anton, and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.  

Anton turned to Akasha and me. “What did you two find when you went off to the south earlier?”  

“A grizzly in a bear trap, a poacher ready to kill him.” I shrugged as I pulled the potatoes off the stove, poured them into a strainer, then dumped them back into the pot, added butter and garlic salt, and started smashing them.  

“And?” Anton said in surprise.  

“We stopped the poacher and rescued the bear.” Akasha laughed softly. “Edgar was fearless.”  

“I wouldn’t phrase it that way,” I said with a shrug.  

“How would you phrase it?” Akasha asked as she walked around behind me, slid her arms around my waist, and pressed her body against my back.  

I shrugged. “Just did what needed doing.”  

Akasha laughed as she turned and spoke to the rest of the room. “He disarmed a man with a shotgun pointed at his chest, knocking him unconscious. Without anyone getting hurt. I’d call that brave.”  

I shrugged again. “He was very slow.”  

The color drained from Sydney’s face. She turned to Anton. “Would that have hurt him? If he had been shot?”  

Anton blinked for a moment. “Yes. Killed him. No. Hurt. Yes. Dragons are more durable than humans. But not invulnerable.”  

Sydney relaxed into the chair, then leaned towards Anton again. “Have Dragons fought in any of the human wars?”  

Anton sighed. “Dragons are territorial by nature. We do not travel to other people’s lands to make war. Sometimes humans bring their battles to our lands, and we defend them. This is uncommon, but it has happened.”  

Amika’s eyes sparkled with intensity. “The Court of the Red Sun defended much of Japan. My father was very proud of the many times he defended his lands. I tried to go back to Japan after the bombings in World War II. A member of the Court met me at the dock. Denied my entry. Sent me back.”  

There were tears in Amika’s eyes. She wiped them with the back of her hand.   

“Your father is a fool,” I said softly.  

Amika shot me a hard look, squaring her shoulders. “My father is a GREAT Dragon.” She paused, looked at Akasha, then me. She slumped her shoulders, a tear slipping down her cheek, “But yes. Sometimes he is a fool. Forgive me, my Lord.”  

I smiled. “Nothing to forgive, Amika. I can respect your father’s wishes and his priorities even though I disagree with them. But I cannot be mad at him for those decisions, even if I disagree with them.”  

Amika looked at me, confused. I smiled. “If he had accepted you, then you would not be here with us. And I’m glad you're here, Amika.”  

“Oh,” Amika said with a blush. Sydney reached across and squeezed her hand.   

Anton gave her a soft kiss on the cheek as he whispered, “Me too.”

I turned back to the stove. Moved the pot of mashed potatoes off the burner. Akasha and I pulled down plates and started putting generous helpings of the ground beef mixed with the steamed veggies on each, then carried them to the table. We served Sydney and Amika first. Then Anton. Then Akasha and I brought our plates to the table and sat to eat. We ate in silence. Enjoying the food and the company. Though no words were spoken.   

As people finished their food, Sydney stood and started collecting plates. She stacked them carefully and carried them to the sink. I followed her, stepping up behind her to push my body flush with hers. She laughed softly as she pushed her ass back into my groin with a soft moan.  

“I don’t think that’s going to help much,” Sydney said softly as she rolled her hips against me. I placed my hands on her hips, fingers gently sliding along her body. I leaned over her and pressed a soft kiss to her throat. She sighed and pushed back harder against me. “I’m not going to get anything done if you keep doing that.”  

I laughed and stepped back from her. Sydney pouted as she looked over her shoulder. Then started washing the dishes. I grabbed the drying towel and dried the dishes as she finished cleaning them. Akasha had stepped up behind me. She took the dry dishes and put them away.   

“Are they always this domestic?” I heard Amika ask Anton. Anton laughed softly.  

“I’ve only been here a day,” Anton said softly.  

Akasha stepped over to the island and looked at Anton and Amika. “Doing chores together helps remind us we are a family that helps each other. That we are in this house together, when you figure out how to use your legs again, I’ll expect your help around the house too, young Lady.”  

I turned to watch Amika’s reaction. Her eyes were a little wide, then she laughed and bowed her head. “Yes, my Lady. I will be happy to be part of a family.”  

I leaned against the counter, watching Amika. “Have you ever been part of a family? You grew up in the Court of the Red Sun. What was that like?”  

Amika turned those piercing green, almond-shaped eyes to me. “My father was too busy ruling his Court to spend much time with me. My mom was around, but life in Court was very different from what it is now. Five hundred years ago? We were Japanese royalty. We had servants, nursemaids, and instructors. Because of how I looked, I didn’t get to interact with anyone outside of Court.”  

Amika shrugged, her voice growing soft as she continued. “I miss the naiveté of it. The looking forward to the grand destiny of it all. Before I found out I wasn’t what they wanted. Before I became a plaything for every Dragon in Japan.”  

She turned those bitter eyes back to me. Tears glittering at the edges but not slipping free. “I had a family, but not like this. Not like you, my Lord and Lady.” Amika held up a strand of golden hair, looking at it in wonder. “I’ll repay this gift you’ve given me. Someday. Somehow.”  

I laughed softly. Amika shot a stern glare at me. I held up a hand, stopped laughing, but could not keep the smile off my face. “Amika, I did not give you this gift. The land did. The realm did. You heard our call. We welcomed you, but we did not choose your role here.”  

Amika stared at us, confused. Akasha leaned against my side, sliding an arm around my waist. Her head against my shoulder. She met Amika’s puzzled stare and nodded to her. She turned to Anton, eyebrows furrowed. He shrugged.  

“He speaks truth,” Anton said softly.  

“I know he does, but how can that be?” Amika said, “That contradicts the teachings of the Court.”  

I walked over and took the seat across from Amika. Akasha sank into the chair next to me, leaning her head on my shoulder. I put my hand on the table, palm up in front of Amika. She looked at my hand like it was a snake about to strike her. Slowly, she reached out and put her palm down on my hand. I slowly closed my hand around hers. A soft shudder ran through her body. She met my gaze.  

“I believe that a Lord can influence that decision, if they want to. I am too new at this. I was never taught what it was to be a Dragon Lord. I’m flying by the seat of my pants here.”   

Amika laughed softly at the phrase. Then her eyes filled with a soft wonder. “I saw you flying. You looked like you were doing fine to me.”  

I chuckled. “What I’m trying to say, Amika, is that I was never born to rule. Akasha taught me about Dragons, about what it means to be a Dragon. But not how to be this.”  

Akasha kissed my shoulder. She turned to face Amika. “I didn’t want another Dragon Lord. I brought him here as a boy. A Dragon to foster and teach. I was going to turn him loose. Let him be his own man. It wasn’t until he rescued me that I saw the strength of what he could be. The rest he just did on his own.”  

Amika looked at Akasha, furrowing her brows for a moment. “Akasha.” She said the name, and the light of recognition filled her eyes. “Akasha, the Dragon Lady who splintered the Court of Eternal Mourning? The Dragon Lady who tamed Caine? The Dragon who ruled her own realm with no Court, no Lord. Just her sheer force of will?”  

Akasha blushed at the last. Amika shook her head. She gestured to me. “This whelping of a Dragon rescued YOU?”  

I blinked, then laughed. Akasha blushed and nodded. Amika turned to me, started to pull her hand back, but I held it tight. She covered her mouth with her other hand. “Oh, God. Forgive me, my Lord.”  

I laughed again and shook my head. “No. Nothing to forgive. I was nothing but a whelp. Might still be just that.”  

“No.” Amika shook her head. She squeezed my hand. “You aren’t. I feel you. In my head. In my body.” She blushed, closed her eyes, and shook her head again. “I’ve never felt strength like this before. When I crossed into the park, I felt you, both of you. A presence in the back of my head. Weight against my skin. I wasn’t sure what it was until the ritual was completed. Then, it felt like sinking into a warm bath. I felt like I had finally arrived home.”  

I gave Amika’s hand a fond squeeze, my thumb sliding across her knuckles. I smiled. “Welcome home.”  

A tear slipped down Amika’s cheek. She looked at Akasha, then at me. She blinked and nodded. “Thanks.”  

Akasha patted my shoulder, then whispered against my cheek. “We have another long day tomorrow. Best call it a night.”  

I turned to her and raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”  

Akasha laughed. “Of course, we need to hike North Dome again tomorrow. Sydney needs to build her strength.”  

Sydney groaned loudly. Anton laughed. Amika looked confused for a moment, then looked at Sydney and nodded. Understanding dawned on her face. Sydney saw that look and groaned louder.  

“Not you too.” Sydney groaned. “Everyone thinks they know best.”  

“They might, actually,” I laughed as Sydney half-heartedly slapped my shoulder.  

“Fine.” Sydney stood up and stomped out of the room. Akasha followed close behind her, grabbing her ass, and getting a yelp of surprise. Amika shook her head, then stood, slowly. She held the table, her legs slightly wobbly. I stood and offered her my hand. Anton stood right behind her, moving to her shoulder to hold her. She waved both of us off.   

“I can walk, dammit.” Amika let go of the table and walked, her legs growing more stable with each step. Anton followed close behind her. They both went down the stairs into the basement. I watched for a minute, then headed upstairs. I could hear Akasha and Sydney laughing as I did.   

When I got to the doorway, I stopped and watched as Sydney and Akasha undressed each other. Akasha let Sydney pull off her top, then Akasha pulled off Sydney’s top. Then they pulled down each other’s pants. They kept stripping each other until their clothes were littered around the room, and they were hugging naked on the bed. Sydney slipped a hand between Akasha’s legs while Akasha returned the favor. They kissed, tongues slipping into each other’s mouths. I pulled off my clothes, walked into the closet, and put them away. Then, I went around the room picking up the discarded clothes, folding them, and putting them away. If Sydney or Akasha noticed me, they pretended not to.   

When I came back out into the bedroom, both Akasha and Sydney turned and looked at me. The hunger in their eyes sent a shiver down my spine. My arousal throbbed, hard and full under those eyes. I crawled onto the bed. Akasha crawled over Sydney and pushed her towards me. Sydney blushed and wrapped one arm around my shoulders to pull me into a kiss while her other hand wrapped around that swollen meat between my legs. I moaned into her mouth as we kissed.  

“I had to watch you fuck all of them,” Sydney whispered against my lips. “Then you went down and played with them in the stream while I showered. Can I have my turn now?”  

I laughed softly and nodded. I turned and looked at Akasha. She licked her lips and nodded her approval to me. I rolled over on top of Sydney, my knees slipping between her legs, spreading her thighs wide. Sydney bit her lip as she raised herself on her elbows to look down at me. She reached down with one hand and spread her lips for me.   

“I know you can’t go all the way in,” Sydney said breathily. “I just want to feel you inside me for a moment. Please.”  

I smiled at her and gently pushed into her. Her head rocked back, falling against the bed as she let herself fall against the bed. I rolled my hips, sliding in until I pressed against the back of her. A shiver ran down the length of Sydney’s body. She put one hand on top of her mound, gently parting her lips, circling her clitoris.  

“Don’t move,” Sydney whispered, her voice shaky, “Just stay for a moment. Please.”  

Her body clenched hard, squeezing me inside her. I leaned over her, kissed one nipple, and licked it softly...