Liam, whose world had collapsed earlier, was slowly rebuilding a new one, brick by brick. This time, his big brother had reassured him about their relationship, just as Lord Orien had said he would.
There were tickles. A lot of hugs. And far too many kisses for both him and the golden dragonling as Riley made it very clear that no matter what happened, they would always be brothers.
The puffy child peeked up at Riley's face again. Somehow, he and Orien had ended up lying on the bed, surrounded on all sides by Riley, his mother, his father, the dragon lord, and the guardian worm who had settled nearby like a watchful sentry.
To Liam's credit, he truly thought his day was finally over. Surely this meant bedtime.
But lo and behold, Liam Hale and Orien Vathros were both floored when the next words came out of Liam's mother's mouth.
No wonder they had been asked to lie down.
