“’Cause I think he’s got the hots for you, and he’ll listen to you.” Jim flashed the First Dragon a cocky grin, but before the latter could do so much as set the demon’s head on fire, it was off, tail whipping around the corner as the dog fled, leaving behind it, “Think I’ll go help May and Soldy. Later taters!”

Drake sighed. “I would apologize to you for the demon, but I’m sure you are well aware that it has a favored status in our home. Aisling and the children are very fond of it, so I ask that you not destroy it.”

“I wouldn’t dream of doing so,” the First Dragon said, and gestured toward the door.

The guard looked to his wyvern.

“We’re taking the woman out.” Drake answered the question in the guard’s eyes with what the First Dragon felt was too judgmental a tone.

“But, you said—”

“The First Dragon has offered to be her captor, and of course, we must comply with his wishes.”

“What’s going on out there? Why is the blasted First Dragon not getting me out? He said he was!” The siren’s voice was muffled, but perfectly audible.

Drake unlocked the door, and the woman staggered forward. The First Dragon caught her before she could fall, holding her hips while she regained her balance.

“You will go with the First Dragon,” Drake told her.

“You will not use your voice around any dragons,” Gabriel added, coming up behind them, clearly in the capacity of a guard.

Baltic sighed, and slowly followed suit. “You will not attempt to escape. Doing so will anger me.”

The woman looked at Baltic. “And just who are you?”

“I am the dread wyvern Baltic,” he answered, looking down his nose at her.

She looked utterly unimpressed, much to the First Dragon’s amusement.

Baltic pointed at him. “I’m also one of the firstborn, a first-generation dragon. That is my father. Much though you might be tempted, as I have no doubt you will be, do not harm him.”

She gave him a smile that was shy and yet warmed him to his toenails. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Did Aisling mention ... er ...”

“She said you have your woman’s time, and are uncomfortable,” the First Dragon finished for her, and, taking her by the arm, led her toward the stairs. “You will have a bath at the house put at my use, after which you will dine with me. I feel a need for food, and you appear to me to be hungry.”

“Really?” she said, her voice rich with amusement as he escorted her up the stairs, and through the hall to the double doors. “How on earth did you come by that deduction?”

“You are too thin. You don’t eat enough,” he told her, his fingers tightening slightly on her arm. “You need more flesh.”

“Dear goddess, could you please clone yourself so that I can give one of you away to every woman in the world?”

He tucked away the word “clone” to be asked about later, not recognizing the term.

They reached the guesthouse, a pleasant building with two floors and a small walled garden. Beyond it stood the heavy black wrought iron gate that allowed visitors to pass onto the grounds.

“I’m going to want extra patrols guarding the fence and gate,” he heard Drake say as they entered the house. “We’ll have to use closed-circuit video to watch, since any of us would be vulnerable.”

The First Dragon entered the small house absently musing on the fact that for the first time in several centuries, he was looking forward to having intercourse with a mortal.

Social intercourse, he mentally corrected himself, then indulged in another rare smile.

Chapter Five

I won’t say that I didn’t feel guilty when, as I was delivered to a bedroom in the gatehouse, I found May and Ysolde puttering around, unloading a stash of feminine hygiene products, body shampoos, and an assortment of garments.

I paused in the middle of the room, feeling all shades of awkward.

“Did you remember the chocolate?” Jim asked, pushing past me to nose around the garments laid out on the bed. “Aisling sent Istvan off to buy some salt and vinegar chips. She swears they work miracles for the men from Planet Abdo.”

I stopped feeling guilty and stared at the demon dog. “The who from what?”

“You know, men from Planet Abdo. Abdomen. Get it? Heh heh.”

“Ignore Jim,” May said, giving the demon a tolerant look. “Its nose got out of joint with the arrival of baby Ava. We brought some of Aisling’s clothes for you in case you didn’t bring anything with you. And also some pads and tampons.”

“We weren’t sure which you preferred. I, myself, used to use a cup, but then I discovered this wonderful shot that takes care of everything,” Ysolde said.

“Really?” Jim plopped its big butt down and looked interested. “They got a shot now? Will modern miracles of medicine never cease!”

“Out,” Ysolde said, grabbing the dog by its collar, and hauling it to the door. “Go blight the First Dragon. Or better yet, go home.”

“Gonna have some girl time, huh?” Jim said, nodding knowingly. “Can I stay if I’m quiet? ’Cause I’ve always wanted to hear what goes on in a dish session.”

“No. Go away,” said Ysolde.

“Aw, come on, Soldy. You know how I love to get in touch with my inner woman.”

May gathered up an armload of feminine hygiene products and took them to the small attached bathroom.

“You going to talk about the divine feminine? Empowering your womb space? Dumping emotional sludge?”

“Jim, go away. Now, let’s see. ... Oh yes, I did bring some chocolate, but that’s just because there’s nothing that chocolate can’t make better.” Ysolde turned to a bag and pulled out a handful of candy bars. She grinned. “These are from Aisling’s personal stash. There’s both dark and milk chocolate.”

“I know what’s going on here,” Jim said, wandering back into the room. “You’re gonna talk about how to have vibrant orgasms, and that’s why you don’t want me around. But you’re not thinking about the benefits I bring! Not only am I male, but I can take notes if you guys get too caught up in making Big O faces and stuff—”

Ysolde turned to the demon, shoved it out of the room, and set its tail on fire.