Chapter 1 The Perfect Life
I look down at the little dragon baby in my arms. For the last several hours the new family has been bonding. Which is as it should be. They need time alone to experience the wonder of bringing a new life into the world... One they created out of love. Not only that, but little Levi needs time to memorize his parents scents. It's very important for the new infant to know who he belongs to.
We gave them their space. I could practically see the pride beaming off Jericho as he looked at his new born son with such wonder. He placed loving kisses on his sweet mate. I have never seen him happier. I raised him as my son, but knowing I could never replace his father, he would never be able to replace what had been stolen from me. But we did the best we could. I love them all like my own family, and now I feel a strong connection to the baby... I've always wanted to be a grandfather, and thought I'd miss the chance.
It's funny what Fate has in store. I could never have predicted this, thinking back all those years ago to when it first began. It was the worst day of my entire life. I push the memory away, not wanting to dwell on it on such a happy occasion.
But I really wanted to see the young one. Something about little Levi brings out all my protective instincts. I will guard him just as I guarded his father and grandfather. And of course our sweet new queen.
Tinsley offers me a chair to sit as I enter the room. The cats had been working non-stop since the baby had been born. They had been busy cleaning and serving the royal family... Mostly Heidi because she was the one who just gave birth to the first dragon in the last 19 years. She purrs as she takes the squirming baby from his mother and gently places the baby in my arms.
Jericho and Heidi are still cuddled up on the bed. Poor Heidi looks exhausted, but she did a good job. She's stronger than any of us knew. It has to do with the blood transfer from Levi when he healed her, which also sealed their mate bond. Funny how things like that work. The only way she is alive now is because Fate saw fit for her to be mated with the Dragon Prince, and he survived due to her love. And now they brought this beautiful little one into the world. They should both be proud.
Levi Shadow.
He's perfect. I run my finger gently along his chubby little red face and he leans into my touch. He's warm and content at the moment, but knowing baby dragons like I do, it won't be long until his hunger takes over. I chuckle remembering Jericho nursing on his mother's breast before I had to take him from her. A hollow ache pierces my heart. I miss my friends dearly. And yet, somehow this little one seems to fill the empty space. He's the perfect blend of his parents. But it's his grandfather that I'm thinking of now.
The man the baby was named after. He would be so proud of his son at this moment, and I try to blink back my tears. It's a shame he was unable to watch his son grow into the man he's become. I know Destiny would've loved Heidi and she would absolutely adore her grand-baby.
Sadness fills me, once again, knowing he will never know the man he was named after. And I so want to share that part of his history with him. He's only a few hours old, but I think it's time for him to know he descended from a great king.
"I'm going to tell you a story, Little Levi, of the man you are named after," I whisper into his ear. "I wish you could've known him the way I do. I wish your father had the chance to know his father and mother. They loved him so much... And I know they are watching over you right now. The proudest grandparents on the other side, watching the next dragon prince," I chuckle a little, imagining them standing beside me with their bright smiles and fierce loyalty.
I notice others are paying attention now. None of the others know why I was so loyal to a king I had no idea existed. I'm just a human after all. But how could I not be?
"Once upon a time, not too long ago, I had a wife and son, not much older than you," I chuckle, as the little one squirms closer in my hold. I smooth my hand over his little belly and he calms down instantly. His breathing is strong and steady and I pull him closer to keep him warm in my arms.
"My wife, Elanor had just given birth to my son, Benjamin. We had been trying for years and thought we would never be blessed with a child of our own. But Fate stepped in and we were given the gift of our first and only child. We were so happy. I was so proud of my wife for giving me such a blessing. We lived in a town not far from here," I reminisce.
Little Levi coos as he nuzzles into my chest. It almost sounds like a sleepy kitten. He is adorable, and whether or not he hears and understands my words, I know deep down he can feel them and the emotions tied to them. It's not the same type of bond I had with my family, mine is forged in loyalty and love.
My family bond had been forged in home and compassion. Need and love. A bloodline going back through the ages and ending with my sweet son.
I can picture it now. We lived in a little blue house in the mountains. At the time I had no idea about dragons or any other type of shifters. I certainly had no clue what a hunter was. I was completely happy in my ignorance, thinking my family was safe. I don't know if I would regret that or not. If I had known ahead of time I might have been prepared, but then it would have caused me pain knowing we were being targeted. I still don't know why.
"I spent my days like most fathers, spending my time between work and home life. It was so peaceful. So normal. We had a little garden that Ben loved to sit in. We even had a little stream running through our back yard. But I will tell you a secret Little Levi, if I had any inkling of how things would've turned out, I would've never gone in to work that day and would have stayed with my wife and son," I sigh in my deepest regret. I had been too late to save them. And I've been living with the guilt since then.
I pat the baby's face with gentle fingers as I rock the infant in my arms. He reminds me so much of my little Ben when he was born. So tiny and helpless. And yet, surrounded by love.
"One day, I came home from work to find a group of hunters in my home. I didn't know who they were, or what they thought they were doing in my home. Hell knows why they were there, after all we were a human family, and had no clue what they wanted," I choke out. "Hunters are humans, sent to eradicate all dragons. I don't know if it extends to all shifters. I believe they were just after your hearts and the power it gives them."
I hear a gasp from Heidi. I've never told her this story. Jericho knows it, of course and he nuzzles his mate, comforting her for what he knows happens next. My queen looks more than a little distressed due to the nature of my story. I don't blame her, I lived through it after all. But I also know how it turns out.
"I stormed into my home, ready to defend my family," I whisper. "'What are you doing in my home?' I demanded. But the hunters just laughed at me. 'We can do whatever the hell we want!' snarled one of the men. He held a funny looking stun-gun and jabbed me with it. It sent shocks through my body and I fell to the floor. But they took my Elanor and Ben..." I swallow hard. "I watched as the put the divices up to their hearts... I watched as my wife and son convulsed until they were nothing more than phantom spasms."
I hear my queen once again gasp in outrage for something that happened long before she was even born. "How could they do that?" Heidi demanded. She looked like she was ready to jump out of the bed and find a time-machine and destroy the bastards for taking my family from me.
The fact that she is outraged on my behalf warms my heart to her even more. I remember the day Jericho spoke to me about her. I was shocked, actually. I had no clue that he would even have a mate!
I started asking him questions to confirm my suspicions... They were questions I wish Levi has been able to answer instead of me. I didn't know the full extent of the mate bond, only the very basics.
“How did it feel when you kissed Heidi?” I asked, trying to remind myself I was not his father but his caretaker.
“Uh... like magic? If felt… I don’t know! It felt like my body woke up… I can’t even explain what I felt,” he'd rushed out. I could see the embarrassment creeping in.
“Huh… And have you ever felt this with anyone else?” I needed to make sure this wasn't how he felt around his girlfriend.
“No? What are you getting at?” I knew he was getting frustrated, but I kept going.
“Okay, what do you feel when Nichole threatens her?” I continued.
“I want to rip her apart with my teeth!” He roared in anger.
“One more question… Do you feel a pull to this girl?” I needed this to answer his questions. To be absolutely sure.
“Yes! It’s like my whole world revolves around her, and if she isn’t with me I’m completely lost!” That was all I needed to hear.
“Heidi must be your mate,” I said thoughtfully. “I didn’t even know dragons could have a human mate…”
And when he brought her home, I could see why he was so protective of the poor thing. She looked like she'd been through hell. From my understanding she had been kidnapped and he want to go bring her back.
“My Prince. My Princess, I am so pleased you are safe,” I smiled at them. “Your mate has been going crazy without you.” I'd made them some soup and left them to their evening.
Since that day, I've come to think of her as a granddaughter that I never had. I've been fiercely protective over her and her baby ever since.
I'm brought back to the present with a start as she growls, and Jericho nuzzles her neck, placing soft kisses along her skin, and slowly she takes deep breaths and cuddles back into his arms.
"Not to worry my queen. This happened long before you were even born," I smile gently. I didn't tell her this story to get her upset, I just wanted the baby to know his origins, and perhaps a little of mine as well.
"That doesn't make it any better, Erik! If I could, I'd go back in time and..." My sweet queen snarls. Poor thing is getting all worked up again. Maybe I should quit for a while and let her settle. After all, she's had a hard day!
"Baby, calm down. Besides, they had been handled, I promise," Jericho insists, nuzzling his mate to calm her down. I watch as he gently places her on his lap and cuddles her closer and she takes comfort from his touch.
She really is a magnificent queen. And yet, she's not much younger than Destiny was when she had Jericho. I believe there was only a two year age difference. Hopefully this story will turn out better than the last and history will not repeat itself.
"Really?" Heidi pouted up at Jericho. My queen does not look convinced they got what was coming to them.
"Really. Isn't that right, Erik?" He sends me a smile.
"He is quite right, my queen. This is where King Levi enters the picture," I send a reassuring smile.
Heidi gasps again and looks at me in wonder. Yes, my old friend, I remember it like it was yesterday...
