I was away from Bastian and in the presence of another woman. It was difficult not to jump up and down with excitement but I acted reserved so I wouldn't scare Nikka away. Brunya had spoken aloud, and Bastian told me they could so I knew earth humans spoke. Another female named Mandy joined us. She was as excited to meet me as I was to meet her. She explained that she was a wolf and human mix and that Nikka was mountain lion and human. Since I now knew dragons shifted, I had no trouble accepting what she told me. I had so many questions about their realm, and Mandy patiently answered for about three minutes.
She finally broke in when I asked about what Bastian called a cell phone. "So tell us about yourself. We've only just learned of your race and we've been dying to meet you. Honey, my mate, thought he could keep me away today. The man is seriously messed up in the head sometimes." She stopped talking and looked at Nikka before turning back to me. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'll let you answer my question. Nikka's right, I talk too much."
I wasn't sure what to say and didn't remember her question. "Umm, I, umm."
This didn't stop Mandy. "Nikka says you're not a shifter or a vampire. Is there another species we're not familiar with?"
I was shocked. I'd heard of vampires and knew they were sent up from Hades to plague the world. "No, I'm sure Bastian would kill any vampire he saw."
Mandy laughed, covering her mouth while looking at Nikka. Nikka smiled and shook her head at Mandy.
"What did I say?" It was obvious I'd messed up.
"Dmitri is a vampire and I doubt Bastian could kill him."
Oh great, I'd spoken out against Nikka's mate. "I'm sorry. Things are very different in my realm. I meant no offense."
Nikka only smiled, taking my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. I liked her, and the curiosity was killing me. "Does your vampire drink your blood?"
Now both women laughed. "I'm sorry; that was very rude of me."
By the tone of Mandy's voice, she wasn't insulted in the least. "Not at all; he's the reason we live forever. Vampires give us healing enzymes from their blood. Vampires co-exist with beastkind because we make each other stronger. Dmitri leads our clan." Mandy took barely a breath. "We're also interested in your mate. Dragons are outside of our knowledge."
"He is not my mate. I'm his bride. It's a barbaric practice within our realms, but I have discovered it's hard on the dragons too. I will gladly answer all your questions if you will answer mine without taking offense at my ignorance."
I continued pressing them about their customs, beastkind, and vampires. Technology was the thing I liked least about their world. Mine was simpler and more comfortable.
Strong arms wrapped around my shoulders. "I have business to attend elsewhere. Would you like to go to our hotel room or stay here?"
Mandy spoke before I could. "What if we take her to your hotel so we can keep talking and all be more comfortable?"
I twisted around a little to look at him. "I would like them to take me if you don't mind."
A slight smile played on Bastian's lips. "I don't mind at all. I'll be there in about two hours. Order dinner and enjoy their company." He gave me a quick kiss and walked away.
A driver took us to the inn, or what my new friends referred to as a hotel. The rooms assigned to us were on the top floor and looked out over the city.
After our small bags were placed in the bedroom, we ordered food on a phone, which they showed me how to use. Wine arrived first and we all got comfortable. Mandy told me of her mating with Honey-kidnapping him and making his life miserable until he gave in. She spoke of their child and her hope for another one.
I looked to Nikka when Mandy finished her story; Nikka spoke into Mandy's mind and Mandy relayed her thoughts. She told me about Nikka's mating with Dmitri. I was fascinated with vampires and asked questions for an hour. Mandy told me of the war between beastkind species and how much better things were now that it was over. I was enthralled with their entire realm, and Mandy happily answered even the most probing questions.
When I took a long breath, Mandy spoke, "Now it's your turn to spill. Tell us if your man breathes fire in bed, out of bed, or both."
Two sets of eyes waited for my response, and I could feel heat traveling to my face. "He, ah, I'm not sure how to answer that."
Nikka smiled in a mischievous way while Mandy laughed loudly. "Well, the man is gorgeous and now that we've spilled our secrets we want to know all about him. Have some more wine and start with the easy stuff."
"Okay." I gladly had another sip. "He breathes fire when he laughs in dragon form. I've never seen him do it as a human, but I haven't asked if he can. He also does it most often when he's in a temper."
"Typical man. How did you meet?"
I told them what I knew of the curse and then of the claiming. They were both outraged. Dinner arrived and I was given a short reprieve from their questions.
Mandy looked at Nikka and shared the other woman's thoughts when we finished the meal. "Nikka says your lack of choice is similar to ours when our beasts lock onto a mate. He's chosen for us and we have no say in the matter. It's the same for our mates so in this, both male and females are equal. I, on the other hand, think the women in your town need to rise up, overthrow the men, and demand a say in this claiming. I'm sure if there were female dragons and the men had to register, it would be an entirely different story."
I know she didn't mean to make me sad, but I couldn't help it. "I need to explain what I've discovered since living with Bastian."
I told them of the love the dragons had for their brides and how the loss affected them. By the time I finished, both women were in tears and hugging me. After our dinner and more wine, we talked about odds and ends until there was a loud, insistent knock at the door. I managed to wobble my way to the door. A strange, huge, scary-looking man stood with his hand up to pound the door again when I opened it.
"I've come for my mate," he demanded.
So this was Honey, the cantankerous bear. I smiled. "She's trying to get up from the couch. We've had a bit of wine."
He peered over my shoulder, and if Mandy hadn't told me what a big teddy bear he was on the inside, I'd have been worried. I followed his gaze.
Mandy managed to stand, but when she tried to take a step in our direction, she put her hand out to catch the couch and missed completely. Honey was around me and at her side in an instant. I pretended not to see the slight lift at the corner of his mouth, and just listened to him grumble.
"Our daughter is waiting for you at home. What am I supposed to say, 'Mommy can't read to you tonight, she fell on the floor and damaged her brain?'"
"I didn't damage my brain on the floor. I did it on the wine."
He raised his eyebrows.
"Acasia, meet Honey, my mate, the father of my son, and the keeper of my..." she stumbled again, but this time Honey picked her up over his shoulder and looked at me.
"She meant to say balance. I keep her balance."
"Heart, you dumbass. Let me down."
He ignored her and turned to Nikka. "I have two shoulders for situations such as this. Your mate wants you home. Do I need to carry you, or can you walk?"
Nikka put her hand out and rested it on his arm. He turned slowly walking to the door.
Mandy lifted her head and smiled. "Nice tomecha, Acasia." Keeping her head up was obviously too much trouble, so she mumbled the rest against Honey's back. "Sheeyanexttime."
Honey turned at the door. "Your mate is on his way."
I didn't have time to correct him before he was gone with both my new friends, and I was left alone. I sat down on the couch, grabbed the half-filled bottle of wine, and took a swig.
I needed my dragon.