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God, he loved flying. It was so much easier than taking transportation of any kind, or walking, and while the dragons here did that a lot, it still made him so happy to be able to leap into the air.

He headed out along the river, letting the updraft lift him. He kept his eyes open, checking their place on the way and then wheeling over to cross the village,

The light was fading, but it wasn’t gone by any means, and it was so nice to see smoke from the chimneys, lights in the windows. The tavern was busy tonight, and Cade and Poe must be at his parents’ house with the kids, because he could see his friend’s bocapal and cart in front of their house.

He passed over and pointed toward the ocean. He didn’t have to go very far before he could see the dozens and dozens of beehives that marked Sloan and Tyr’s home.

Poor Tyr would be busy in just a very few days, working in the fields, caring for his beloved friends. Late spring and summer were exhausting for him, but Sloan had learned to help and that made a lot of difference, Tyr said.

Brayden hoped he was doing the same for Harden, helping, making his life easier. He smiled to himself. It was the alpha way to take care of one’s omega, to make sure that whatever they needed, they got.

He landed with a thump, trying not to land so close to the house that he shook things when he set down. He dressed before wandering over and knocking on Tyr’s door. It was still hard for him to remember that this was Sloan’s house too.

“Come in, brother. Well come.” Tyr sounded perfectly happy with the world. “I’ve made a roast.”

“Bright blessings, Tyr.” He wandered over to kiss Tyr’s cheek, giving him a one-armed hug. “It smells amazing in here.”

“That’s because my Tyr is amazing.” Sloan popped up out of the chair he was lounging in and came to give him a rib-creaking hug.

He pounded Sloan on the back. He really was. “And such a good cook on top of that.” He glanced around. “Uh, where is my mate?”

Tyr gave him a look that he didn’t quite understand how to read, one eyebrow arched. “He wasn’t feeling quite well so he went to lie down. I made him take a cold cloth with him and put it on his forehead.”

Brayden scowled. “What room is he in? I’d like to go check on him, please.”

“Well, I put him up in your room.” Tyr winked at him. “Of course. Would you like a cup of tea to take to him?”

That sounded great, and Tyr didn’t seem too mad. “I would. We’ve been very busy over the last few days, so I went up to the Rocky Mountain Clutch to work on some furniture. I think time got away from me a little bit.”

Tyr’s chuckle was soft, amused. “You were in heat. You mated like bunnies, and you were going up the mountain to cool things off before it fell off.”

“Well yes, not to put too fine a point on it.” As much as he and his brothers were used to each other, Brayden forgot sometimes that the dragons here in Lunastra did not have the layer of human distance from things. It was kind of like growing up on a farm. They were all very matter-of-fact about things like making love and making babies.

And about heat, which was still a strange concept to him as an alpha never mated with an omega before. Sex? Yes. Mating? Never.

“I just didn’t want to⁠—”

Sloan snorted. “No one’s angry. Harden and Tyr had to have a long talk. It was good for both of them.”

Tyr beamed at Sloan. “Yes. Go have some tea, wake him up. The roast will be ready in about an hour. If you’re not here when it’s time to eat, I’ll save you plates.”

“Thank you, Tyr.” He clapped Sloan on the shoulder. “We’ll talk more later, okay?”

“Indeed we will. I would imagine Riley will show up for that conversation, too. Now go on.” Sloan handed him a steaming hot mug of tea.

Dutifully, he moved away and went to find his mate in his old bedroom. Tyr lay on his back on the bed with that wet cloth on his forehead and eyes. He looked like he was breathing the deep breath of sleep, but as soon as Brayden got close enough, Harden pulled the cloth aside and looked at him, squinting a little as his eyes adjusted to the light.

“Hello, mate. Did you finish up your project off the mountain?”

He sat on the edge of the bed offering Harden the tea. Harden shook his head, smiling.

“I finally feel like I might be able to eat dinner in a bit so I think I’ll wait on the tea.”

“Okay.” he took a sip himself because why waste it? “How are you feeling?”

“I wasn’t feeling very well. Emotions.” Harden rolled his eyes. “I do not approve.”

Brayden had never been more in love than he was right now. He kept thinking that, every time Harden did something so charming.