Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 69

Everyone had fun at the party. The girls made sure to spend time with all of their brothers and sisters. They supported each other, and I supported them.

"I hope you realize what an utter miracle you are." I turned to see Anthony Escarra.

"It's always so wonderful to be appreciated for your womb." I didn't smile. He just shook his head and walked away.

It was late and I was cleaning up because I wanted to keep busy as much as possible so I couldn't think about tomorrow.

"I promise you she will be cared for and want for nothing. We will treat her well." Nicholas Diamani stood there.

I looked at him, "Do you remember that I told you that statement was a lie, because she'll always want for freedom and the right to choose. To fall in love and be happy. She won't want for material things I'm sure, but there are things money can't buy. Unfortunately, those are the things that can break a person, and do irreparable damage. That I'm sure is not your intention. That doesn't mean it won't still be the result. I hope and pray that I'm more wrong than I've ever been. I pray you all are ecstatically happy together." He nodded and walked away.

I stayed busy and tried not to think. I would get myself together, then go spend time with the girls in Elizabeth’s room. I just needed to pull myself together, so I could be strong for them. When they finally fell asleep, I watched my babies sleep, and I wasn't actually able to stop my tears, so I was glad they couldn't see me.

After tearful goodbyes, the different families boarded different planes and they all went home, with one more passenger than they arrived with.

My heart hurt so much. I played every second in my head over and over. I tried to imagine good scenarios. I tried to will my daughters happy. I tried.

I was in the nursery with my youngest Sarah, watching her face as she patted mine as she nursed.

I knew he was there but I kept my eyes on Sarah. He came in and loved on Jeremy, the next oldest at 15 months.

Drago actually gave Jeremy his bath and got him ready for bed.

I had already put Sarah down as she fell asleep while nursing, as she usually did.

"I haven't really seen you. I wanted to find you to check up on you." He came closer and put his hands on my face.

For once my dragon didn't surge forward. The time when I wished she'd just get me away for a while, she wouldn't do it.

I couldn't shift because I was pregnant yet again. The guys had all gotten vasectomies, at last check, Drego's and Ash's, the first two completed have completely reversed themselves. The guys now always wear condoms, and have for a while now, but dragons can't wear condoms, so I can still get pregnant when our dragons get together.

He pulled me by the hand to the master bedroom. Then he continued on to the bathroom. There was a bubble bath in our huge tub, the lights were aimed and candles glowed.

"We thought you could use some relaxation, so we made you a bath. It's hot, so get in and enjoy." He kissed my temple and left the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

I undressed and got into the water. It felt amazing, and the bubbles smelled wonderful. I tried to relax and lie back in the water.

I tried to convince myself it was helping, just like I tried to convince myself tears weren't streaming down my face.

We were gathered in Drago's office. It had been 3 days and we were supposed to check in with the girls for just a few moments.

Drago was at his computer, and he would send the image of the video calls to the ginormous screen on his wall. I waited anxiously to see for myself if my girls were okay.

Eventually, the pings came, but it was only 2 not three. When the pictures showed on the screen my stomach dropped.

The Escarras were lined up behind Desiree, and none of them looked very happy. Desi was a mess. Her hair was a disaster, she was sporting a busted lip, her clothes were dirty and wrinkled, and she had bags and dark circles under her eyes. Her eyes were totally bloodshot, and currently shooting daggers of rage at her fathers.

The Diamanis stood together behind Marielle. This was different. They all looked worried. Mari sat totally despondent, looking off somewhere totally absent from this present moment. Her eyes were completely blank, like a doll's eyes. Her clothes looked like someone else had dressed her and attempted to fix her hair.

I closed my eyes momentarily as my heart broke for my sweet babies. Elizabeth wasn't here, and there was no call from the Landrys.

"I hate you, I hate you so fucking much I can't even tell you how utterly I despise you all for doing this to me. I will never, and I mean never forgive you for this hell." Desi screamed at her fathers who were in utter shock to hear and see her venom.

Anthony Escarra leaned over and said something, she reacted by recoiling and pushing him away, while curling in on herself, and hugging herself.

Oh dear God, I knew that, oh how well I knew that. I lived that, please don't let my baby live that.

By now tears were streaming down my face. Desi looked at me and tears started running down her face."I love you. I don't blame you. Mari if you can hear me I love you. Tell Elizabeth, Mom. Just know I love you always."

With that, she sobbed and ran off camera. Anthony Escarra looked at me, shook his head, rubbed his face, and disconnected the call.

The Diamanis tried to get Mari to respond somehow, but she was blank. They could get no reaction from her. She was completely dissociated from whatever had broken her.

Nicholas looked at me with a sad little smile. Told the guys the family physician was treating her, and they were bringing in a specialist. They would keep in touch. Then they disconnected the call.

I got up and just ran, I ran somewhere I could release this anguish. The kids might be outside, so I escaped to the tower room. I threw myself on the bed, grabbed a pillow to muffle myself, and screamed.

What could I do, how could I save my babies?