Dragon Dreams: Book 2: Prophecy of the Dragons by E.J. Krause Page A

Pops a few times since she'd been bound to Ben, and though she enjoyed spending time with his extended family, this was her favorite part. When they had a house of their own, she wanted a garden and fish pond. It was more of an extravagance than Mom or Dad ever had, but it'd be worth it, even if they could only stay at each house for a few years at a time.
    Ben planted a light kiss on the top of her head. "So is my family crazy enough for you?"
    "Which part of the family?" she asked as she nudged him.
    She'd spent more time observing than interacting with anyone, first at Grandma and Grandpa Phillips, and again here at Grammy and Pops Millers' house. Family to her had always been Mom and Dad. She'd never even known her grandparents, as they'd died hundreds of years before she was born. This much family left her feeling overwhelmed.
    "Take your pick. My cousin Louise at Grandma and Grandpa's, or Aunt Beth and Grammy feuding here while making dinner."
    "Wait, who was Louise? The only cousin I remember is Magenta."
    "Yeah, same cousin. She changed it a year or two ago, but she'll always be Louise to me."
    "I don't remember her from any of the other gatherings, or are all of those tattoos and piercings new since the summer?"
    "You've never met her. I haven't seen her in a couple of years. We used to be big buddies, but then she got into the wrong crowd in high school. That's how the family describes it. Drugs and booze and all that. She graduated high school last June, and I guess now she's getting clean and deciding to rejoin the family."
    "I didn't talk to her, but she seemed nice enough. Sounds like she's getting tattoos and piercings whenever she feels the need for a hit or drink."
    "Whatever works, I guess. At least lunch was tasty. Aunt Alexa went overboard this year. I think she was trying hard to impress your parents."
    "It worked. Those turkey and cranberry sauce Paninis made both Mom and Dad happy. And me, too. I've never had a Panini for Christmas."
    "Yeah, but now I don't know how I'm going to eat much dinner. Unlike some people." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She almost playfully shoved him away, but instead moved her head so their lips touched for a moment.
    "Can you believe we get engagement rings?" she said. "I didn't think we would. I thought we'd have to go straight to wedding bands."
    She could tell he was happy that she was, but something bothered him. She leaned into him and hugged his arm until he was ready to talk. It didn't take long.
    "I don't think guys are supposed to get engagement rings."
    She reached her face up and gently kissed his mouth, taking some time to nibble his bottom lip like he enjoyed. They didn't keep it up for long in case someone came out there. Mom, Dad, and his parents were used to it, but any other adult wouldn't be so understanding. Especially Grammy or Pops.
    "You realize guys aren't supposed to live thousands of years, either, right? Or make a habit out of killing evil necromancers." She ran the tip of her tongue along the side of his neck, eliciting a shiver.
    "Cheater," he moaned, bringing out a giggle from her.
    "Anyway," she said, "I read somewhere that a lot of girls are making their guys wear engagement rings now. Besides, remember what your dad said; you can get a necklace or a bracelet, too."
    He shook his head. "I'm not a jewelry kind of guy. A simple ring will be good enough."
    She buried her head into his chest so no one could hear her squeal her triumph. She knew she'd win in the end, but hadn't anticipated it being this easy.
    "But my mom might be right about wearing them on our right hand. To keep from drawing attention at school."
    She kissed him. That was a minor point. The fact that they got rings at all was more important than the finger they wore them on. She reached up to caress his cheek but stopped. He felt it, too. A presence in the garden. No, not one presence, but multiple beings.
    They jumped to their feet and looked around. Those shadowy