Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 102

Cinder

I watched the excitement of my mate and daughter as they embraced one another. It was a chaotic mess of happiness and love, and I loved seeing them so happy. I had Dillion hanging onto my hand as he worked to maneuver the snow, and now the huskies were trying to get pets and were handing out licks everywhere. The kids were laughing and so were we. 

I heard a strange sound and so did several others. I looked up towards it just in time to see two very large white owls landing on the snow at Elizabeth’s feet. She smiled down at them and held out her arm, and I saw Ria do the same thing. Then the Owls hopped up, one on each arm. The girls gave them pets and talked to them. We were continuing to advance, so I could hear them making sounds and calls when we got close enough. This reminded me of the owls Ria was friends with at home. They had been around for years. 

I watched a bit worried, but trusting Ria, as Hope reached out her little hand towards the big owl, and it blinked, made a soft sound, then ducked its head to let her touch it. I smiled, Ria had mentioned she thought perhaps Hope had her affinity just like Elizabeth did. Not to be outdone, the owl on Elizabeth's arm made noise like it was attempting to get her attention. She turned her little 7-month-old head and held out that same tiny hand, the owl bent forward and pushed its head under her hand blinking like it was loving it. 

Both of the women were loving every single second of it, I heard Elizabeth telling Ria, “The male came to me when I was first at the Landry’s, and it freaked them out to see this huge owl land on my shoulder, then I held out my arm and he very politely moved over.”

Ria laughed, “You know one of my best animal companions has been that pair of Ural owls, they are still around, but they are so old now, I know I am going to lose them soon. Owls seem so wise to me, and these guys are absolutely brilliant.”

Elizabeth looked at both of them and spoke as they could understand her, and maybe they did, “Okay guys. I love you both and am so happy you came and introduced yourself. We will see you both later, but right now, we need to take everyone inside and get them settled.” 

As soon as she spoke both hopped up and took flight, only leaving behind the soft sound of their beating wings. They were magnificent, I’ll admit. I wonder what other kinds of animals Elizabeth has out here that come to visit her from time to time?

We all join Kaskae who bends over and kisses Eli and she smiles radiantly at him. He takes her hand as he looks back at us, “We are going to my parents' house right now, they have the kids, and as the chief he wishes to officially welcome you to the tribe for your visit.” 

“Lead the way then son, and we will follow you.” I smiled at Drago calling him son. He put his hand on the lower back of Ria as she followed behind Elizabeth, still carrying Hope. 

I scooped up Dillion, “You ready to go inside, you cold buddy?” He smiled at me and patted my face with his cold hands. He laughed when I exaggerated my shivering cold. 

Cole had Jeremy and he was pointing out various things, and was asking quite a few “what’s that?” questions which Cole was trying to answer. 

We finally all managed to get the whole group into the main cabin at the center of the village, a big man with a barrel chest who looked a lot like Kaskae, greeted all of us, and shook hands. He greeted the children, then he surprised her by actually hugging Ria. Elizabeth got hugs and greetings of daughter. His mother Ahnah was a quiet presence at his father’s side, also handing out greetings to all of us. Hope surprised all of us by reaching out to her, and she smiled as she took her and offered her a hug, at which Hope patted her face. 

“The babies are asleep Eli, they should be waking up in about half an hour for their next feeding,” Ahnah said to Eli as she continued to love Hope in her arms.

“Ah, good, yeah I thought I had gotten the timing just about right when I fed them before they were due to get here. So, now we just have to see if they follow the usual timeline or if they decide to throw the clock out the window.” There were chuckles so it sounded like they had a tendency to do that. 

“Yeah, Hope will be getting hungry about then, so maybe we can actually be coordinated.” Ria was laughing, because she knew all too well how babies could throw you for a loop, and we all joined in on that chuckle.

“Welcome to our village, be at ease here, you are honored guests and family of our new daughter, which makes you family as well. We are glad you have come, Eli’s heart has hurt for lack of seeing her mother, so now her heart is full of happiness. So, we have much to discuss while you are here, and there are people you should meet as well. For now, just relax and be comfortable, we will show you to the guest cabin when you are ready.” Kova greeted us formally as the chief. We all nodded our heads in acknowledgement as Cole had instructed us to do. 

Then Kova smiled a huge smile, clapped his hands gently so as not to startle the children, “Okay, formalities are over, so introduce everyone Eli.” 

She laughed, then Eli went around to all of us and introduced everyone. He was especially enamored of the kids, and I could very well understand that. As soon as he stepped back next to his wife, Hope lunged for him and he caught her, and pulled her into his chest, he chuckled at her and she stunned us all by tipping her forehead and bumping gently against his.” His eyes got huge.

“You would greet me in the ways of our brothers little one?” She smiled and patted his face.

We all shook our heads, after so long of the odd things that Ria did, and we didn’t understand, we sort of took it as par for the course when one of the kids did something like that. So, Hope doing that now was startling, but we just smiled and shook our heads. 

This would be an eventful visit.