Tyomar was much more soothed once Oshali was impaled on his knot, and his saliva smeared her nipples and neck.
He checked on his claiming bite and sank his teeth into it again to make sure it remained deep and fresh. Oshali winced, but remained still and let him do what he needed to do. “I’m not looking forward to this,” she said grimly.
Tyomar rocked her in his arms and purred for her. “I am,” he said. I cannot wait for you to finally be mine in every way.”
Oshali leaned in and kissed under his chin and down his neck, and he savored every moment of it.
When they arrived back at his lair, he instructed his stewards to get everything prepared for her, excitement jittering in his stomach about what was about to happen. He was so caught up preparing the lair that he almost didn’t notice Nyro and I’mya standing in the main lounge room by the entrance to the lair..
“For someone who doesn’t like one of our brothers showing up unannounced, you seem to be doing it a lot lately,” he said wryly to Nyro.
“I’m glad to see you smiling again, brother.” Nyro chuckled. “Actually, I’m here because I’mya insisted.”
“Is she all right?” I’mya asked, her eyes were crinkled with what seemed like worry.
“She is fine,” Tyomar assured her. “She knows what to expect. She’s been studying us for years.”
“I know,” I’mya said, wringing her hands. “I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to do it willingly.”
“Are you saying that you wouldn’t willingly do it for me?” Nyro’s said sharply.
Tyomar chuckled and turned to see another brother descending into the entrance. “Zendyor?” he said, stepping forward.
“Just coming to make sure everything goes all right,” Zendyor said, entering the lounge.
A few moments later, Sethorn and Khyros strode in. Tyomar looked at each of them in shock. “What are you all doing here?”
“I don’t know what they’re doing here,” Sethorn said, “but I was coming anyway, and Khyros said he would like to come.”
“Why wouldn’t we want to be here?” Zendyor said. “It is no secret that you are our favorite brother. We might hate each other, but we all mildly tolerate you.”
The others chuckled, yet none disagreed.
“If there is any way to make this easier for you, Tyomar, then we want to be here for you,” Khyros said.
“No one deserves to be happy more than you,” Zendyor said in agreement. “You keep us all sane.”
“You should have seen the clan meeting we had when you were absent,” Sethorn said, rolling his eyes.
Tyomar laughed, but it was gratifying that his brothers had all come to support him and his mate on this day. At that moment, Oshali entered, and she froze in shock at the number of people in the room.
Tyomar beckoned her to him. “This is Oshali.”
They all greeted her, and Sethorn leaned forward. “I apologize for my inappropriate behavior, Oshali.”
Oshali waved away his apology. “No need to apologize—”
“Yes, I’m afraid there is,” Sethorn is gravely. “I don’t want Tyomar to feel uncomfortable if you are around me, and we are a small clan. We have to be there to help each other, and I don’t want my careless comments to get in the way of Tyomar asking me to help when necessary.”
Oshali glanced at Tyomar and then said, “Then I accept your apology.”
“As do I, brother,” Tyomar said.
Sethorn inclined his head.
I’mya step forward. “Welcome, Oshali. I’m so glad there’s another girl in the clan.”
“Thank you,” Oshali said nervously. “I’m a bit nervous that you will all see me go through this.”
“We won’t be there for the whole thing, just the beginning,” Khyros said. ‘There is some level of privacy you must have for it to take.”
I’mya pipped up again. “After this, please get pregnant quickly so I have someone else to go through it with!”
“She will be pregnant as soon as possible,” Tyomar confirmed.
Oshali laughed along with I’mya, while the brothers all nodded in agreement.
“Don’t worry,” Oshali said. “I studied a lot about dragorai pregnancies, so I’ll help if I can. I’m sure you have some good stewards who have been through it too.”
I’mya step forward, looking at Zendyor. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, but it never seemed like time.… How is Elora?”
Zendyor visibly tensed, and Tyomar frowned at his reaction.
“She is… settling into the lair.”
“Is she happy?”
“I cannot tell her moods,” Zendyor snapped. “She is a member of my staff. I do not analyze her every move. Although…” He took a breath. “Sometimes she sings.”
“Sings?” I’mya beamed and her shoulders relaxed. “That sounds as though she could be doing well.”
Zendyor inclined his head. He hesitated. “You may visit her if you wish.”
I’mya’s brows raised, and she drew in a sharp breath. “Really? You will allow it?”
“I will not.” Nyro scowled. “You are inviting my mate to your lair, Zen?” he said disbelievingly.
“Obviously you will attend to oversee it,” Zendyor growled. “I do not have the time or patience to supervise your mate.”
Oshali press herself into Tyomar side and he put his arm around her, kissing her forehead as she continued to watch the exchange between Zendyor, Nyro, and I’mya. “This is amazing,” she whispered, her eyes bright.
“This is your family,” Tyomar pointed out. “They will always look after you and defend you, Oshali. This is where you really belong.”
She looked up at him and grinned.
* * *
The burning went as expected.
Oshali wanted it to happen on the ledge at the Mheyu sanctum, and the guardians welcomed it, so she stood alone in the middle of the ledge while Tyomar directed Ryndross. The rest of his brothers were on their dragons, hovering a little distance away.
Tyomar placed a hand on Ryndross’ neck and cast the incantation to start her transition. Rearing back, his dan askha roared out an uncurling stream of fire at Oshali.
He could hear her screams from where he was, and it put him on edge to know she was in that kind of pain. But there was a purpose to it, and it needed to be done.
As Ryndross’ fire faded, Oshali collapsed to the floor, her body blackened and steaming. Tyomar headed over the ledge and cast an incantation to encase her in a bubble of air before picking her up so he wouldn’t irritate any of her burns. It would also contain the charred, burning smell.
Casting again, he rose up from the ledge back to his dragon.
His brothers escorted him back to his lair and they all bid him farewell and good luck.
His stewards had prepared a small cavern filled with soft bedding from her heat to help her successfully undergo her transition. It would take a lot of medicated baths, bandages, and time, but eventually she would be transformed into his mate.
And he couldn’t wait.