A Solstice Eve to Remember: An Omega Auction Holiday Story - The Omega Auction Chronicles, #7

This is not a stand alone book. It is a companion short story novella to The Omega Auction and The Omega Rescue Series. If you haven't read them, it may not make sense... Ding-dong-ding-dongThe deep bass of bells pealed soundly through the early evening air as the ancient brass bellpull bobbed gently back into place."Good evening, Mistress, " Dragos greeted me warmly, swinging the door open wide to allow me entrance.
"The Masters are out at present but assuredly will be pleased that you have arrived.""Thank you, Dragos." I allowed him to help me from my heavy woolen coat, shivering when the cold Alaskan air that had followed me in brushed against the bare skin of my neck. "I am pleased to have been invited."Dragos allowed his formal mask to slip long enough to smile roguishly. "I am confident that I would not be overstepping to assure you that you are always welcome at Blackwell Castle, Mistress Rhodes."I laughed and swatted his arm.
"You old flatterer! Now, tell me everything I've missed?"Dragos tsk'd softly, still smiling. "No, Mistress." He held his elbow out for me to take. "Tonight, that honor falls to another.""It does?" I raised a brow, but the butler simply led me on, stopping in front of a familiar being that I hadn't seen in many years."Your Highness!" I quickly dropped as deep a curtsy as my cold, tired bones would allow.
"I wasn't aware that you were still on continent!""Silly child, you know you're to call me Bunic." One bushy silver-tipped red eyebrow arched. "I stayed on after the bonding to enjoy the holiday with my great-grandsons." The King of Dragons said, smiling at me genially. "It is good to see you, Kian. Come and greet me properly."I rose to my feet and leaned over the two small dragonlets sleeping in his lap to kiss his weathered cheek.
"I see you have company.""I certainly do." His large hand ghosted over the purple scales of the two sleeping infants, one a slightly lighter shade than the other. "It has been many years since I've held such small ones.""They certainly seem content." I lowered myself into the chair opposite him. "Dragos said that you would tell me of the castle news?""Ah, did he, now?" Bunic's lined face relaxed into a delighted grin.
"It has been an entertaining few days, of that you can be sure."Bunic leaned back and closed his eyes, his hand stilling on the dragonlet's backs.