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“No, I imagine not. I think it depends on maybe what kind of characteristics we want to pass on. Let me look into what will happen with what if we were to cross two different kinds of sheep back where I come from. Animal husbandry has a little bit more of a magical element to it here, but honestly it still has to do with what comes from the mother and what comes from the father.”
“My wicked smart boy.” Samuel beamed at Sebby. “How were patrols, Brayden?”
“I didn’t see anything out of place. There were a couple of things I didn’t want to see when I went over the village but that is par for the course.”
“Oh oh.” Harden chuckled. “Were people up to things that were naughty?”
“They were, very much so, but I’ve come to realize that that happens here. Dragons aren’t shy.”
“That kind of hardcore modesty is a by-product of the human world,” Samuel agreed.
“You should see some of the things that happen at the university,” Sebby told them. His cheeks had gone very pink. Sebastian had been incredibly sheltered growing up because he was so isolated. Going to the city and being in college had to have been eye-opening at best.
Maybe really embarrassing at worst.
Harden simply inclined his head. “That’s what Tor says. Cities are always different.”
“That is true enough,” Brayden murmured. “Even in the human cities things are a little more anything goes.”
Sebby shook his head. “There’s so much about it that’s amazing, and I kind of feel like I should want to go back, like I’m missing something, but I missed being home. I missed being around animals and the quiet, and I missed my family. Do you think that makes me bad, Papa, or stupid now?”
Samuel immediately shook his head too. “It’s how you were raised. It’s in your bones; it’s in your blood. We all have our place. Arielle’s is in the city. Yours is here. I have no doubt that one day you’ll find a mate and start your very own house, your very own little clutch. I’ll be a grandfather, and it will be amazing. Together, our families will grow and be happy. There’s no shame in that.”
Samuels’ words made Brayden smile, and he nodded. “Just think, Riley’s the same way. He’s out flying all over the place, playing sport and being footloose and fancy-free. Me, I’m happy right where I am.” He winked at Harden. “Although I am pretty excited about going to meet your people. I think that sounds like incredible fun.”
Harden shrugged. “I’m not sure incredible fun is exactly the way to think about it, but they are kind people. They are ranchers. They’re busy people, practical.”
He grinned. “So, like my mate.”
Harden pursed his lips. “Yes, actually, I am very much like them.”
“Well, then I’ll love them.” He loved to see Harden’s cheeks turn pink.
“Aren’t we supposed to be getting this wool ready for drying?”
He nodded. “Ah yes, I understand. Time to get back to work, my friends.”
“That’s what we’re here for.” Samuel rubbed his hands together as if he was truly relishing hard work. He was such a weirdo.
Sebby cackled like some sort of big bird. “Yup, come on, let’s get this thing done. We’re burning daylight.”
Brayden chuckled, remembering the movie that line came from, at least as far as he was concerned. He wondered if Sebby knew it, probably because they’d had a lot of old movies at the dragon compound.
They got to work, and he learned that working with wool was kind of a stinky, dirty prospect. But that was okay because he’d promised to help his mate more and he was here for it.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to get over the fact that all these have all these neat colors.” Sebby hauled out another handful oof wool. “My favorite is the blue.”
“I think I like the purple best.”
Brayden chuckled at Harden. His mate did love a cheerful color. But the purple was also deep and rich and in some way it suited the man.
Brayden had to be shown a couple times how to do the processing of the wool but he caught on pretty quick. Not too long after that he was as raw and red as everyone else. Dragon magic could only do so much if they were going to be wandering around in human-type bodies. They still reacted to things.
They laughed and talked, though, and he felt as though he belonged.
You do belong here, Beloved. The veil brought you here for a reason.
He bowed his head slightly toward Hardin. You honor me, mate.
