The training session had left everyone buzzing with adrenaline and exhaustion in equal measure. Linda and James had retreated to the guest wing with Nova, who'd fallen asleep mid-giggle after accidentally turning one of Marcus's magical constructs into what Kai swore was a giant rubber duck.
"It was not a rubber duck," Marcus had insisted with wounded dignity.
"It quacked," Kai had countered. "Multiple times. I have witnesses."
"The construct was malfunctioning—"
"It. Quacked."
Now, hours later, Samantha found herself unable to sleep despite her body's protests. The bond hummed with her restlessness, and she felt her mates stirring in response—Marcus from his study where he'd been researching Devourer lore, Kai from wherever he'd wandered off to "think" (which usually meant raiding the kitchen), and Callum from his position on the roof where his dragon preferred to keep watch.
Can't sleep? Marcus's mental voice was warm with concern.
