Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 101

Ria

I was afraid I would vibrate out of my damn seat. I was in the first snow cat, with Drago, Cole, Hope, Sarah, and myself. The one behind us was Cinder and Ash, with Jeremy and Dillion. We made an interesting-looking caravan across this vast expanse of white ice and snow. I knew we were getting closer to my daughter, and my arms were aching to hold her. 

I had loved seeing her and her little family over the video, but actually touching her, holding her, and assuring my heart that this was all real and I wasn’t in the middle of some psychotic break and imagining all of this shit, would finally give me peace. 

After losing Desi, it was harder for her to be away from me. I knew that her place was here and no longer back in Romania in her old home, but I was hoping that after all of the drama of her departure, the horrible tragedies that took place after, as well as not knowing where she was for so long, had frayed my nerves. Now, at last, things have settled down, things are mending, and I hope this last piece will help soothe the wounds all of this has caused. 

Drago looks back at me from the driver's seat. I thought it best for me to be between our babies, as this is all unknown and perhaps scary to them, “How are you doing back there?”

I gave him an exasperated look, as I thought that was an absurd question, given the current circumstances. He smiled and went back to looking out the windshield of this very odd vehicle. I wondered about how these people lived so close to the land, here where it was harsh so much of the year. It had a beauty to it, but it was stark and looked very unforgiving. 

At last, I saw cabins, and smoke rising from chimneys as we approached the village. I saw dogs barking and people coming out to see what was happening. They had all been notified of our arrival, and I was surprised to see so many smiling faces, and waving hands, like we were old friends come for a visit. 

Cole had said these people were incredibly generous and friendly. Elizabeth had talked to me about how much they had embraced her when she walked into the village already mated to Kaskae, and they just loved her right away. Of course, I think someone would be stupid to not love my daughter, but that is my mother’s heart speaking. Seeing this response from them makes me smile. 

As soon as the snow cat stopped, I was climbing over Ash to get to the door, he laughed and just helped me get it open, and helped me step down into the snow. We had cold-weather gear as instructed by Cole and Elizabeth, so I was wearing snow boots that went to my knees. I still sank into some of the snow though. 

I didn’t let it detour me as I saw my daughter. I saw her smile and I saw tears streaming down her face, as there were no doubt ones on mine. I ran to her, and she ran to meet me. We came together in hugs, whispered words of love, tears, smiles, laughter, and the happiness of knowing that the other was alive and safe. My daughter was at last in my arms. I could feel her, I could smell her, I could hold her and know that she was here, real, and happy, where she now belonged. 

When we finally managed to pull apart to gather ourselves together, I saw many teary eyes from those around us who had witnessed our reunion. I saw Kaskae standing just a bit back, giving us our space, he was grinning ear to ear though at seeing Elizabeth happy. 

I heard giggling that I knew was behind me so I turned to see all 4 of my guys walking to us carrying the various children. Drago had a wiggly Sarah in his arms, and Ash was carrying Hope. While Cinder and Cole were helping Jeremy and Dillon to try to walk in the snow. They had been the giggles that I had heard. Sarah, hearing her brothers had wanted to play too, but she was so small she would probably get swallowed by the snow. 

As soon as they got close Hope reached for me, so I took her from Drago, and Ash sat Sarah down to let her test out walking on the snow. She was doing okay until she tried to run to her brothers, ending up face planting in the snow, she wasn’t too happy at that one and cried out her distress. Ash had to go and rescue her. 

Evidently, quite a few people allowed their dogs to run free, so there were huge huskies all around the kids with excited wiggling bodies as they danced in and out trying to get a lick in here or there. The kids were enamored, as we didn’t have pets at home. I of course had animals around me all the time, but they weren’t the domestic kind. 

The kids absolutely loved it. Sarah was back to smiling and laughing, grabbing doggie fur anywhere she could. Her face had been quite thoroughly bathed, and I just smiled, knowing I would need to wipe her down when we got indoors. The dogs were of course rubbing up against me and Elizabeth, frantic for pets and acknowledgement. I finally squatted down to give pets, and Hope reached out, also being given love by the dogs. I suspected Hope would have my affinity, I had seen a few things with her out in the garden, so we would have to wait and see.

Right now it was a joyous chaotic mess of laughter, hugs, pats on the back, shaking hands, kids laughing, dogs barking, everyone trying to greet everyone at once. I thought that if anything had ever really reminded me of the home I once had, this would be it. This here with all of this overspilling love and affection, the joy of being together, the feeling of family, this is what I had missed with them being gone, and it brought tears to my eyes as that thought tugged at me.

We had so much to talk about, and we would be here for a week. However, right now, I just absorbed and bathed in the happiness of the family that was surrounding me.