He released her hand and said, "I think most of the students were extra careful so as to not irk Tristan. He's good with the children for many reasons, but they instinctively know not to piss him off."
She smiled, remembering the usually growly dragonman when he'd talked with his mate briefly during the intermission. He'd been cooing to his small daughter the entire time. "I think it's more than that, though. He hides a good heart, although I'm not sure why."
"Image, maybe? Most dragon-shifter males—and quite a few females—like to project an alpha persona."
She raised an eyebrow. "What, and you're different?"
His gaze shuttered a second, but it vanished before she could blink. "In many ways, yes."
She searched his eyes but decided now wasn't the time to push for the reason behind the change in his expression. Daisy would be looking for her any minute now, and Dawn sensed the conversation behind Blake's demeanor required more than a few rushed seconds.
So she decided to let it drop and changed the subject. "Well, regardless, you did a good job, Blake. Oh, and give your dragon a pat on the back for me."
He raised his brows. "My dragon?"
"I assume he helped you, right? And I can't really talk to him right now, so I have to use you as the messenger."
Blake's eyes flashed as he snorted. "My dragon doesn't care much for science-y stuff, as he calls it."
Interesting. Maybe she had just enough time to learn a little more about how inner dragons worked. For Daisy, of course. Not because Dawn was getting more and more interested in Blake Whitby by the second. "So you and your dragon like different things?"
He shrugged. "Sometimes, and other times it's the same. We both like swimming, for example."
She smiled. "Does that mean you float on your back in the lake, shifting into your dragon form for a short while, and then switch back to your human one?"
He chuckled. "Can't say I've tried it that way, but it might be worth a go. I'll just have to make sure there aren't any humans around since I have to be naked to do that."
She laughed. "That would be quite the show, for sure. And since almost every mobile phone can record video, it might become the next viral video. Naked dragonman on vacation, or something."
As they smiled at each other, Dawn craved more of this—easy conversation and teasing with a man. And not just some random man, but one who already knew her daughter and all that could entail if things went well.
However, before she could brush those thoughts from her mind, someone pushed her from behind, and she crashed into Blake, her lips touching his.
Despite the unexpected kiss, the brief touch sent heat rushing through her body, more than she'd ever felt before.
But in the next beat, Blake pushed her away, took a few steps back, and clutched his head in his hands. His eyes were shut and his jaw also looked clenched.
If she didn't know any better, she'd say he looked in pain. Dawn reached for him. "Blake, are you okay?"
He shoved her hand away. "No, get away from me, Dawn. Run. Now."
As he hunched over and hissed, Dawn didn't know what to do. Something was clearly wrong with Blake. Maybe it had to do with his inner dragon?
Just as she contemplated getting help, Freddie whispered, "It's the mate-claim frenzy, right?"
She barely noted Freddie and Daisy were also in the room. What was a mate-claim frenzy? Dawn had no idea.
Before she could ask, Blake's eyes shot to the boy's. "Yes, now get them out of here and find Bram, Kai, someone." The dragonman crouched down into a ball on the floor. "Hurry."
As he moaned in pain, Dawn decided enough was enough. Inner dragon or not, she couldn't let him suffer. She moved to crouch down, but Freddie rushed to stand between them. The little boy stated, "Don't touch him. It'll make it worse."
She frowned. Freddie didn't speak often, and never with such conviction before. "What's going on—"
Freddie cut Dawn off. "We need to leave. Bram will explain it to you."
Even though she'd just met Blake, the sight of him curled into himself did something to her heart.
Had she caused this? They'd talked all evening with no problem. The only thing different had been the accidental kiss.
Not that she felt asking Freddie would be the best idea. Maybe she did need to talk with the clan leader.
However, before she could ask Freddie to take her, the little dragon boy took her hand, and she let him lead her out of the room. When she glanced one last time at Blake curled on the floor, Dawn noticed Daisy followed silently behind her, too.
It seemed even her daughter sensed something had just happened, even if she had no bloody idea what a mere kiss could do to a strong dragonman like Blake.
Once they were outside of the special set of rooms, Freddie released Dawn's hand and said firmly, "Don't go in there. We need to find some help."
"Why?" Daisy asked.
"Because Mr. Whitby's dragon wants your mum, and soon will do anything to have her, even if it means fighting off other males to get her."
The image of Blake fighting off other dragonmen to get to her made the blood drain from her face. It was hard to reconcile that idea with the slightly shy, gentle man with hidden humor from earlier. But there was so much about dragon-shifters she didn't know.
Maybe there was a side to dragon-shifters that was the root of all the rumors and whispers she'd heard over the years.
The familiar voice of Tristan MacLeod reached her ears, bringing her back to the present. "Here you two are. Now, come on."
Freddie rushed to the teacher. "No, wait, listen. Mr. Whitby and Daisy's mum kissed, and now he's trying to fight his dragon against the mate-claim frenzy. He's in there." He pointed. "Help him."
Tristan muttered, "Bloody fucking hell," before rushing to the door. "Do as the boy says, Dawn. Follow him. You need to see Bram straightaway."
Dawn glanced one last time at the door, wondering what would happen to Blake. She hoped nothing horrible because his pain was her fault in a way. Freddie implied it was the kiss that had changed everything. And if Daisy hadn't pushed her into him, then none of this would've happened.
You need more information, Dawn. So go get it. With a deep breath, she looked back at Freddie. The boy stood taller and motioned for them to follow him.
She barely noticed the walk to the great hall, only aware of Daisy taking her hand. Since her daughter didn't do that often anymore, the touch helped calm Dawn's thumping heart. She forced a small smile down at Daisy, a little worried at how quiet she was.
However, she didn't get to ask Daisy anything since they exited the door and entered the great hall. Tristan must've called Bram because he and his mate—she couldn't remember the woman's name—waited for them.
Bram's face was expressionless, his eyes assessing her as they stopped. He was so much taller than Blake, and a lot more intimidating. This man held control over an entire clan of dragon-shifters.
Then his pale-skinned, ginger-haired mate stepped in front of Bram and smiled. She said, "We met briefly earlier, but I'm Evie, Bram's mate. I'm a human just like you."
Dawn looked between Evie, Bram, and back again. Time to push aside any fears and get some bloody answers. "What's going on? Everyone keeps saying you'll explain it all to me, and that just makes me even more worried."
"We'll explain it all in just a moment." Evie glanced down at Freddie. "Why don't you take Daisy to the party and stay close to your family? Can you do that?"
Daisy frowned. "I want to hear what's going on, too."
Bram spoke up. "Not right now, little one. Freddie can tell you what's happening. But we need to have an adults-only conversation with your mother."
Dawn knew how much Daisy hated "adults-only" conversations. But before she could tell Daisy to go with Freddie, the boy took Daisy's hand and said, "I can take her to my family. And we'll watch over her, Mrs. Chadwick. I promise."
Freddie really was a sweet boy.
She looked down
at her daughter and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Go with Freddie and stay with his family. I'll find you when I'm done."
"But, Mum."
"No buts, Daisy. Just promise me you won't go looking for any more trouble, okay?"
Daisy must've sensed Dawn's uneasiness because she didn't argue. "Okay. I promise."
She leaned down and kissed Daisy's cheek, the familiar touch helping to calm her a little more. "I'll find you soon."
Daisy glanced from her to Bram, to Bram's mate, and back again. "Okay. I hope it doesn't take too long."
Dawn swore she heard the clan leader murmur, "That depends." However, Freddie pulled Daisy away before she could utter another word.
Taking a deep breath, Dawn met the Stonefire leader's gaze again. "Now what?"
Evie looped her arm through Dawn's. "Let's go to a private room and we'll explain it all, okay?"
She could do nothing but nod and let Evie guide her away, Bram following right on their heels.
It was time to figure out what a bloody mate-claim frenzy entailed and see how her life and Daisy's might change going forward. Because what had happened was probably her fault, and Dawn needed to make it right.
Chapter Four
When Dawn finally sat down at a table, across from Bram and Evie, she did her best not to slump in the chair. She doubted they cared about proper posture, but sitting upright helped Dawn keep it together, too.
And she needed to keep it together because this conversation was probably going to change her life in more ways than one.
Bram shared a look with Evie, and his mate nodded back. The short exchange told Dawn volumes about their relationship. The pair were equals, it seemed, despite the fact Bram could dominate any human if he wanted to.
It was Evie who spoke up first. "What you may not know about me, Dawn, is that I used to work for the DDA before I became Bram's mate."
The DDA—the Department of Dragon Affairs—was a section of the British government that both oversaw dragon-shifters and ran the human sacrifice program. Dawn didn't know much more than basics of what they did, though.
Evie continued, "I only tell you this because you might need my help once Bram explains everything."
Tired of how they kept beating around the bush, Dawn said, "Then tell me what's going on that may require your help, please. I'm fairly patient, but it's starting to wear thin."
Bram snorted, which made Dawn blink. The dragonman said, "Well, you're not afraid to tell us what's what, which is a good sign." Dawn unexpectedly growled, and he put up a hand. "Right, then, let's get to the details.
"I don't know the full story behind the kiss, but when your lips touched Blake's, it set off a mate-claim frenzy. What that means is Blake's dragon wants to claim you, their true mate, and have sex with you until you're pregnant."
She blinked. "I—pardon?"
Evie piped up. "Think of it as a nonstop sex marathon with the human form of Blake until you're pregnant. And don't worry, his dragon will be able to tell when you've finally conceived because his scent will end up mixed with yours. I'm sure a scientist could explain that a lot better than me, but trust me, the dragon half will know. The frenzy won't go on forever."
It won't go on forever. But couldn't it if someone couldn't have a baby? Conceiving Daisy had taken Dawn almost four years.
Realizing her jaw had dropped, Dawn promptly closed it. She had so many questions. But since she had no idea how long this meeting would last, she asked the first that came to mind. "Putting aside the sex marathon, as you call it, I don't know what being a true mate means. Is that something Blake would've known?"
Bram nodded and grunted. "Aye, he should've. So let me be blunt—did he kiss you without telling you?"
Something about Bram's tone of voice compelled her to answer. "No, no, that's not what happened." She paused, not wanting to get the kids in trouble but decided she needed to be truthful. If Bram threatened Daisy, then Dawn would stand up to him again. "One of the kids must've tripped or pushed me into Blake. The kiss was accidental."
Bram muttered something she couldn't hear. Evie placed a hand on his arm, and he sighed before saying, "Regardless of how it happened, it's done. There are really only three options in this situation, Dawn. And as much as I hate to rush you, you'll have to pick one fairly soon."
Ignoring the churning in her stomach, she tapped the table. "Then tell me what they are."
"Well, you go through with the frenzy—the sex marathon—and it'll soothe Blake's dragon. Once the baby is born, you can either stay permanently on Stonefire or leave the baby here and flee. The third option is to leave tonight and stay far away from my clan for the next couple of years, until Blake's dragon is calm enough not to chase after you. And yes, that will mean Daisy will have to keep her distance, too. Blake would never hurt her, but she's a part of you, and it would torture his inner beast to know you were still so close but out of reach."
Dawn tried to process everything Bram had just told her.
To take Daisy away from Stonefire, and Freddie, would devastate her daughter. On top of that, being involved with the dragon-shifters was the first long-term interest Daisy had ever held. While that might not be important for some parents, having a dedicated interest had helped her daughter focus beyond anything Dawn or the schools had been able to accomplish. It was almost as if Daisy tried her best to finish things so she could spend more time learning about the dragons or writing letters to Freddie.
If all of that wasn't enough, Dawn already felt guilty that Daisy didn't have a father. To take away the dragons from her would be almost cruel.
As for herself, it wasn't as if Dawn didn't fancy Blake. She didn't love him, but she had a small connection that could possibly become more. Of course there was one thing that kept her from saying yes.
Something that may tear the dragons away from her daughter anyway.
Doing her best not to dredge up painful memories, Dawn swallowed and said softly, "I probably can't have any more children. So I'm not sure I have any other option but to flee."
Evie asked gently, "What do you mean?"
She met the other woman's gaze and was glad to find kindness instead of pity there. It gave her the courage to extrapolate. "It took nearly four years of IVF treatments to conceive Daisy. She's my little miracle. And so if I said yes to the frenzy, it would probably never end. So I don't know if I really have a choice in the matter."
Evie smiled slightly. "Wonderful things happen between true mates, things you never thought possible. And before you say I'm full of shit, just listen—I was tested at an early age and found out that I was incompatible with dragon-shifters. That's a fancy way of saying I could never have a child with one." Evie placed a hand on her abdomen. "But this isn't my first with Bram, and it's because we're true mates that it happened."
Bram spoke up. "It's true, Dawn. I was told that I was pretty much infertile as well. But it only took finding Evie to make that 1 percent chance a reality several times over."
The pair smiled at each other, but Dawn barely noticed as she tried to wrap her head around what they'd told her.
If it was true, Dawn could have another baby. And most likely without years of hoping and trying to see if something worked.
A longing she'd pent up for more than a decade broke free. She'd always wanted more than one child but had been content with Daisy. No, more than content—she loved her daughter dearly. Dawn simply couldn't imagine her life without her.
But now the dragon-shifters were all but offering her a guaranteed way to have at least one more.
If it were only her, she would instantly say yes and agree to a frenzy.
However, it wasn't just her. If she said yes to Blake, more than one life would change. In other words, Dawn needed to talk with Daisy. And, somehow, she needed to see if she could chat with Blake as well.
Pushing aside her longing, she cleared her throat and garnered the pair's attention. "Thank you for telling me that. I want
to say yes, and I know you need an answer soon, but I really do need to speak with Daisy first. And, if there's a way to do it without him going crazy, with Blake, too."
Bram nodded. "Of course you need to talk with your daughter. As for Blake, his dragon will be drugged silent for three days. That's all I can give you before you have to decide one way or the other because if we drug him any longer than that, there can be serious side effects."
She blinked. "You drugged his dragon?"
Bram grunted. "It's the only way to keep him from breaking free and finding you. The inner dragon is far more instinctual than the human half. And when it comes to finding a true mate and claiming them for the frenzy, it can get bloody dangerous."
Evie frowned at Bram before adding, "Don't scare her, Bram." Evie looked at her. "Blake won't be dangerous for the next three days. He's being kept in the surgery and will be carefully monitored. You'll be free to talk with him as much as you need provided you don't touch him. Sometimes, although rare, it can wake the drugged beast early."
"Which means I have less than three days to decide what to do," she stated.
Bram replied, "Aye, that's it. Whatever your decision is, just know that Evie and I will be here to help you along the way. If needed, you can even stay with us for a few days if you want to better know Blake. Provided your talk with Daisy goes well, of course."
Even though the pair seemed nice, she only really knew one person on Stonefire. "You're kind, but if I do remain on Stonefire—which I don't know for sure yet—what about me staying with Sasha Atherton? We've chatted a lot on the phone and it might be easier to stay with her. Then I won't be in the way."
Bram opened his mouth to say something, but Evie beat him to it. "Of course you could stay with Sasha. But just know that we're here whenever you need it, Dawn. If, in the end, you want to live permanently on Stonefire, then I'll find a way to make it happen with the DDA."
Bram smiled. "It's true. Evie has a way with the DDA that's come in quite handy."
She glanced at one face and then the other. If she did stay on Stonefire, it seemed she needed to learn a lot more about the DDA than its name and bare minimum of its duties.
Treasured by the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 13) Page 3
