The Cambion's Hoard

The latch clicked softly as I closed the door. Leaning against the door I pulled in a shaky breath. Exhaustion was weighing me down.

“Rose?” Thatcher’s voice was soft.

“Sorry, I needed a minute.” I turned and heat pooled in my belly.

Thatcher reclined in the middle of the bed in only a pair of briefs. His scales reflected the light from the nightstand. He looked unreal, and more comfortable than I’d ever seen Biggs in his partial shift. Even though Biggs’s shift was broken, that was probably why.

“Come here. Let me hold you.” He held his arms out to me.

He wasn’t trying to be seductive, but his genuine comfort made me want him. I loved how he wanted me to be safe. I needed his comfort more than I need his body at the moment.

I sat next to him and he patted his lap. “I want to talk and hold you. Sit in my lap, please.”

When I straddled his legs he pulled me closer to him. He wrapped his arms around my back, running his hands up and down.

“Are you doing ok?”

Shaking my head, I tried to stop the tears. “No. I’m scared for him. I want to be strong because I know he needs me. He’s so confused and frightened. I don’t know what to do for him.”

He took my face and wiped my tears away. “You are doing exactly what he needs. You are there for him. The first woman in his life was present for him. You’ve witnessed his fear, you’ve seen past it and seen him. You don’t berate him for having feelings seen as weak. You see my brother and you love him despite his flaws.”

I lay on his chest and cried. That wasn’t something that had occurred to me. His family would have caused him mental anguish outside of what he was already experiencing. They both experienced pain from their mother and any other female in their life. Save Patti.

“My sweet, sweet Rose. You’ve shown Biggs more love and attention than we’ve ever had. For both of us to be lucky enough to call you mate, I am grateful. You’re doing amazing for having so much thrown at you.” Thatcher stroked my hair, comforting me.

I took a deep breath and sat up. Touching Thatcher’s face let me have a moment more to settle. His beard was a different texture when he was partially shifted. Like tiny coils of scales, but still so so soft.

“Thank you.”

“Miss, you have nothing to thank me for.” He ran his arms up and down my back.

“You see me. I’ve never been seen before and that deserves a thank you.” I dropped my hands to my lap.

“It’s because you do so much to be seen. You deserve to be acknowledged. Fuck any man who made you feel unseen. Or hid you away from outside eyes. I’ll tell them thank you for letting me, have you. They don’t deserve you. I mean the three of us don’t deserve you either. I know that those two would call you a goddess, so they too are beneath you.” He butted my head and I let out a soft chuckle.

He leaned over and grabbed a little bag from the nightstand. “This is terrible timing, but I think you need a little spark of joy.”

Thatcher took my hand and dumped the contents of the bag into it. A ring tumbled into my hand. The band was a copper color and a foggy-colored stone sat on top of it. It looked almost like smoke.

“I own several jewelry stores outside of Denver. Kelley lives up there now, so I made my way to him. This ring is made from my scales and smoke. When a dragon gives their smoke to someone, it’s, it’s like a marriage proposal. I’m giving you a piece of me to be with you forever, something only I can give. MY smoke. Dragon smoke is like a fingerprint, unique even amongst identical twins.”

I slipped the ring and Thatcher vibrated beneath me. “I love it. I love you.”

“What?” He looked surprised.

I leaned forward and kissed him. “I love you.”

He kissed me roughly. “I love you so much.”

“I missed you.” I moaned when Thatch kneaded my ass.

“I missed you too, but are you sure you want to do this?” He cared how I felt.

I closed my eyes and opened myself up to him. He groaned when he felt my need through our bond. He flipped us quickly, and I gasped. He tugged my panties away before I could even help. Thatch shifted back to normal as he took his briefs off.

He lifted me up and helped me take my shirt off. “I want to love you gently Rosie.”

I leaned back down and Thatcher looked over my body. “Gods, I could watch your naked body all day.”

“Thatch, please.” I needed him.

He laid himself gently on top of me. Thatcher rolled his hips, slowly. He captured my lips and moved to savor the feeling. After a moment he pushed into my body and I moved to meet him more. He changed his angle ever so slightly to be able to prop himself up. Thatcher held my face as he rolled his hips into me. He moved his hand down my body, feeling every inch of skin he could.

I pulled Thatcher down to kiss me. Our lips molded together as we pressed closer. He hooked a hand behind my knee and lifted my leg. I squeezed his back as my climax began to build.

“Thatcher, you’re such a good boy. Don’t stop.” I was so close.

He groaned and moved his hips harder. His lips smashed into mine and he growled. It reverberated through my body, tipping me over the edge. I cried out, and Thatch slammed into my body one last time before stilling himself.

We both took deep gulps of air. He kissed me again and moved away carefully. He wiped my hair back from my face. “Im going to go get a rag. I’ll clean you up.”

I nodded and settled into the nest of pillows. Lifting my hand I stared at the ring Thatcher had made me. He’d given me his smoke, equivalent to a human marriage proposal. I’d never dreamed of being this lucky. I hoped that this feeling would carry over to the rest of my mates. This lucky feeling.