Revealing the Dragons (Stonefire Dragons #2.5)

by Jessie Donovan

  Bram shrugged. “Arabella is a grown dragonwoman. I may have mixed feelings about the Scot, but he would never allow harm to come to the lass. Of that, I’m sure. As long as there’s not immediate threat of violence, she can leave in two months’ time. I’ll tell Finn myself after the interview.”

  Melanie looked over to Arabella. “Then we have a deal, Ara.”

  Feelings Tristan couldn’t decode flashed across his sister’s face. He swore happiness was one of them. Fuck. He didn’t care for that. Yes, he wanted his sister to be happy, but not with another clan. Arabella was his only link to both their parents and the past. If she moved away for good, a part of him would go with her.

  His sister straightened a little more. “What do I need to do?”

  Mel answered, her voice gentle. “Think of the simplest way to describe what happened to you and your mother. I want to break down the myths of dragon-shifters being beasts without any feelings. Your pain is real, Arabella, and it may convince people to reevaluate what they know about dragon-shifters, maybe even view you as more human.”

  Ara crossed her arms over her chest. “Even with me supposedly pouring my heart out, it’s going to take more than that to change decades, hell, centuries, of fearing us.”

  Melanie leaned against Tristan’s side. “We thought of that already. Do you have time to upload a three-chapter free sample before the interview? I want to offer a site to download it during the interview. Nothing fancy, just a way to read the most powerful chapters from my book. I think they may change more than a few minds.”

  Ara sighed. “Fine, I’ll do it. Just make sure you keep my brother off my back. I don’t want him trying to change my mind about Lochguard in the coming weeks.”

  Tristan frowned. “You’re my sister. I just want what’s best for you.”

  “I’m nearly thirty years old, Tristan. I can handle myself.”

  He opened his mouth, but Mel squeezed his arm and shook her head. He shut his jaw. If his sister wanted to get her heart broken by the flirting bastard, then by all means, he’d let her. Then she might listen to him next time.

  Bram broke the silence. “Right, then we have a plan. Since there are less than two hours to put everything in place, let’s meet back here in an hour and a half for a pre-interview meeting. I hope like hell this will work.”

  Melanie melted against Tristan and murmured, “So do I, Bram, so do I.”

  ~~~

  Melanie stood in front of her closet trying to decide which clothes would complement exploiting her sister-in-law’s past when Tristan wrapped his arms around her from behind. His breath was hot against her ear as he whispered, “You’re tense, love. Let me help you relax before the interview.”

  His hand snaked to her breast and squeezed. Melanie ignored her nipple going hard and swatted his hand. “There’s too much to do in the next hour. I don’t have time for a quickie.”

  Her mate nuzzled her neck and she leaned against his broad, muscled chest. She never tired of the contrast of her curves against his muscles.

  His voice rumbled against her back. “Are you sure? You’re thinking too hard and if you go on like that, you’ll only be at one hundred percent instead of one hundred and twenty percent.”

  Taking a few extra seconds to soak in the feeling of being surrounded and fondled by her mate, Mel mustered the strength to push at his hand. Tristan released her and she turned around to cup his face. “I appreciate it, I do, but sex will have to wait, love. I need to coach some of the others right before the interview, which means getting my shit together now.”

  Her mate grunted. “I think after you finish sorting the business related to this book, you need a break, my little human.”

  She glanced at him. “Maybe a week or two, but I’ll go crazy if I don’t have something to do just for me. You’d feel the same way if you couldn’t teach anymore.”

  Moving to the dresser a few feet to her side, Tristan leaned against it. “Maybe. But promise me we’ll have some time together with just you and me. Then maybe I can help alleviate some of your stress.”

  Turning toward him, her voice was dry. “What, with your cock?”

  When Tristan grinned, she had her answer. “Men. The world’s going to pot and you’re thinking of sex.”

  “Hey, you said yourself you missed not having to squeeze it in between naps or feedings. I’m just looking out for you, love.”

  “Yes, but of course.” She rolled her eyes. “Once everything is fine and dandy again, we’ll look into it.” Mel turned back toward her closet, plucked out a dark purple blouse, and said over her shoulder, “Did you check in on the news like I asked?”

  “Yes. There are some protests breaking out near the DDA offices in London and Manchester, although it’s still quiet in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast. The tide is turning faster than I like in England.”

  “Well, from the history I’ve been able to dig up, the English hold a deeper fear of the dragon-shifters than the other countries of the UK. They are easier to rile up.”

  “It could also be because England has the biggest population of the four countries, which means more idiots to believe everything they see on the telly.”

  Mel shrugged. “Maybe, but I think it’s more to do with the power of the dragon hunters in England as well as Skyhunter’s treatment of female sacrifices.” She turned to look at Tristan. “Convincing Clan Skyhunter to play nice is something else we need to add to the list of things to address.”

  Tristan shook his head. “Good luck with that, love. Marcus rules that clan with fear.”

  “Well, we’ll worry about that later.” Shucking her top and throwing on the purple blouse, she did up the buttons. “Hopefully, the BBC interviews will at least put Stonefire in a better light.” She finished the last button and looked up. “I need you to believe in my plan, Tristan. You do believe in me, right?”

  Tristan walked over and traced a finger down her cheek. “Of course, Melanie Hall-MacLeod, I will always believe in you.”

  Her heart warmed at his support. “Thank you.” She gave him a quick kiss before adding, “Are you ready? We should go.”

  “The interview isn’t for an hour.”

  “I bet Bram is ready early and I could do some practicing with him and Evie.”

  Her mate raised an eyebrow. “Not with me?”

  “No, you’re still being super nice to me because of what happened earlier and I need some straight up honesty.”

  “I can be honest.”

  She smiled. “I know, but not for this. Besides, I need you to check on Arabella before she reaches Bram’s cottage. She may have a backbone now, but we both know she still has nightmares and fits occasionally. As much as I need her help, I don’t want to send her into a catatonic state. I’m sure Finlay Stewart wouldn’t like that.”

  Tristan grunted and Mel bit her lip. “You’re going to taunt me with your ridiculous theories concerning him and my sister, aren’t you?”

  “But of course. I live to tease you.”

  Tristan placed his hands on her hips and pulled her against him. Leaning down, his breath danced across her lips. “Just wait, love. When your brother is older, then maybe I’ll set him up with a dragonwoman and tease you. We’ll see how you like it then.”

  “Oliver is nearly seventeen. By the time he’s old enough for your plan, Arabella will be mated to the Scot and have lots of babies. You’ll be calling Finn your brother.”

  “Don’t even joke about it. He’s not right for her.”

  “Says the man who hated humans and look who you ended up with. Sometimes, a person doesn’t realize what they need until it happens.”

  Tristan made a low noise in his throat. “Aren’t you wise and savvy today?”

  She ran her hands down his chest. “But of course.” Giving him a pat, she pushed away. “Go wait for Samira and Ella to show up to watch the babies and then go to Arabella’s place. I need to finish getting ready.”

  After a slow, lingering kiss, T
ristan whispered, “You’ll be brilliant today, love, so stop worrying.”

  “And there you are, still trying to make up for earlier.”

  He growled. “Remind me not to compliment you any more today, then.”

  She grinned. “Maybe later.”

  He gave her one more quick kiss and then disappeared out the door. Alone in the bedroom, Mel faced the mirror. “Right, Hall, stop worrying. You’ll be brilliant.”

  With a nod, Melanie finished getting ready for possibly the most important hour of her life.

  Chapter Seven

  Arabella MacLeod arranged her long, black hair around her face and neck to cover her burns and part of her scar. Except for the small, thin line of the scar running across her nose and upper temple, she almost looked normal. She could piss off her sister-in-law and keep her hair covering her old wounds for the upcoming interview. It would be a form of payback for asking her to do the bloody thing in the first place.

  Yet if she did, Bram and Melanie could rescind their promise to allow her to foster with Lochguard.

  She very much wanted to go, too, and not for the reasons her brother assumed. While Finlay Stewart was the first strange male who hadn’t caused a panic when touching her, Arabella wanted something much more. She wanted freedom.

  Even the discussion an hour or so earlier had knocked against the freedoms she had while she remained on Stonefire’s lands. As long as she lived in the Lake District she would never be free to make her own choices without someone hovering over her.

  Finn’s words from a few months ago popped into her head. “I don’t know about you, but living day in and day out with everyone walking on eggshells must be exhausting. Yes, you’ve gone through something terrible. But isn’t it time for you to face the world and live your life?”

  Pushing her hair back from her neck and face, Arabella stood up tall and straightened her shoulders. As much as she hated to admit it, the Scottish leader was right. If it took a few minutes of humiliation to earn freedom for at least six months, she would take it. Once she was on Lochguard’s land, she could make a go at starting over.

  Since she lived a mile from Bram’s cottage, she headed out early to ensure she would arrive on time.

  Outside, the jagged peaks and flat, green stretches looked just as they had for her entire life. Yet if she fostered with Lochguard, she wouldn’t be able to see the comforting sights anymore. Surely, since Lochguard was situated deep in the Highlands, she’d have new sights to memorize.

  Before she could recall any of the pictures she’d researched online, two dragons flew overhead. Watching the green and black beasts alternate between beating their wings and gliding, a longing Arabella hadn’t felt in over a decade bubbled up. She wanted to fly again.

  Her usually silent dragon said, We can do it anytime you’re ready.

  Ara stopped in her tracks. She could do as she normally did and ignore her inner beast, or she could reply.

  The thought of talking to her dragon brought back memories of the last time they’d had an actual conversation. She’d been screaming in pain and her dragon had tried to calm her.

  Closing her eyes, Ara clenched her fist and willed the memories away. Her racing heart told her that if she didn’t act quickly, she would slip into a panic attack.

  Bram would never allow her to foster at Lochguard if he saw her lose control. Breathing in and out, she focused on the rustling of the wind through the trees and the warm July breeze against her skin. After a minute or two, her memories faded.

  Anxious, her dragon hovered on the edges of her mind. The beast wanted to comfort, but was afraid her words would make Arabella’s attack worse.

  Arabella teetered on the edge of talking with her dragon when her brother’s voice boomed, “Arabella, why are you standing with your eyes closed?”

  Her eyes snapped open. Sure enough, Tristan was walking toward her with his brows drawn together. Frowning, she barked, “Trying to forget I have a brother.”

  He stopped in front of her, studying her intensely. “I think you’re lying, but somehow, I don’t think you’re going to tell me the truth.”

  “It’s none of your business. Why are you here, anyway?”

  “Mel wanted me to check on you.”

  Normally, she’d just ignore the comment and change the subject. For some reason, she couldn’t do that and blurted, “And you wonder why I want to go to Lochguard. I’m not a child, Tristan.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Are you able to talk to your dragon yet?”

  “I—” She didn’t want to lie to her brother. “Almost.”

  “Right, then how about when you can talk to your dragon like a proper dragon-shifter, I’ll loosen the reins.”

  “Or, I could just wait it out. Once I’m in Scotland, I won’t have to put up with your judgmental bullshit.”

  Her brother growled. “Watch it, Arabella. Going to Scotland isn’t set in stone.”

  Rather than have a pointless argument with her brother, Arabella walked ahead. Her brother took a few strides to catch up before he said, “Forget Scotland for now. Are you going to be able to do this?”

  She glanced over. “It’s not like I have a choice. Bram and Mel pretty much decided it.”

  Her brother’s eyes softened. “If there were anyone else, Ara, I would ask them. But this is the best chance at a decent future for my children. They, and all dragon-shifter children, need you to be strong.”

  She blinked. “Tristan MacLeod is giving talks of encouragement? Who are you and what did you do with my growly, verbally stunted brother?”

  When he growled, she laughed. Tristan smiled. “It’s nice to hear you laugh again, Arabella.”

  Being sentimental with her brother wasn’t Ara’s specialty, so she changed the subject. “I’m ready, Tristan. Let’s get this over with.”

  He nodded and as they walked in companionable silence, her tension eased and her worries faded. She even dared to hum inside her head for her dragon. Her inner beast hummed back and Arabella smiled. She would be honest during the interview and let the humans know about some of the horrors practiced on dragon-shifters. It was time for the human world to stop pretending the dragon hunters weren’t real.

  After that, she would soon have her freedom.

  ~~~

  Mel watched from the window as a group of dragons took turns flying passes over the front gate. She was no stranger to the sight of flying dragons, but the ones in the air above her had on a new kind of armor over their chests, bellies, and lower necks. Bram said the synthetic shields protected against air projectiles. Considering she’d seen the laser gun damage up close when Tristan had nearly died a year ago, she hoped the new armor was effective.

  Moving from the window, she went to the monitor displaying the front gate security feed. Bram had wanted to keep an eye on things, in case they turned south. Already, a crowd of about twenty people stood in front of Stonefire’s land.

  Sure, no one in the crowd was throwing grenades or launching firebombs, but it could happen any second. Or, maybe they were waiting to view the interviews and then react. Thanks to the convenience of technology, everyone would check out the live broadcast using their cell phones.

  A van drove up the single road leading to Stonefire’s main entrance. When it was close enough, the crowd cleared a pathway. She couldn’t see the side of the van, but it would be the BBC since no other interviews were scheduled for the day.

  Mel turned away from the monitor and paced. She’d prepped everyone except Arabella, who still hadn’t arrived. There was nothing for her to do but wait and it was driving her crazy.

  As she shook her hands and wrists to loosen up, there was a knock on the door. Bram entered with Murray in his arms. Blue eyes stared at her as he sucked his thumb. Mel smiled. “At least Murray seems in a good mood.”

  Bram shrugged. “He usually is. Nikki and Hudson are waiting downstairs with Evie. She’s doing her best to calm them, but maybe you can help. They’re nervous as
hell.”

  “Any sign of Tristan and Arabella?”

  “No, but don’t worry, lass. Ara will come.”

  “I hope so.” She glanced to the monitor. The van was no longer there, which meant it had to be on Stonefire’s lands. “The interview crew will probably be here any second.”

  “Melanie.” She looked at Bram, his gaze steady and strong, every ounce the clan leader he was. “Whatever happens today, I want to say thank you for everything you’ve tried to do for our clan.”

  “Things could go very wrong, Bram. I wouldn’t be thanking me just yet.”

  He took a step toward her. “Even if planes appear in the sky and start dropping bombs, I’m still going to say thank you. You are giving it a try, which is more than anyone else has ever tried to do for my kind.”

  She tapped her hand against her thigh. Accepting praise had never been one of her strong points. “It’s a bit selfish, you know, since I’m mostly doing it for my children.”

  A corner of Bram’s mouth ticked up. “Tell yourself that, lass, if it helps.” He paused and then continued, “Are you coming? Everyone’s moving toward the temporary green room, which will probably make Nikki and Hudson even more nervous. I’m sure Evie’s pregnancy hormones aren’t helping the situation either.”

  She laughed. “At least, she’s not pregnant with twins. I’m told it makes everything twice as bad, although I’m not sure I believe Tristan.” She stood up tall. “At any rate, let’s get this party started.”

  Bram chuckled. “Act just like that, and everyone will love you.”

  “Maybe. I’m going to have to be somewhat diplomatic when talking with the journalist.”

  As they walked out the door and down the stairs, Bram said, “I’ve watched Jane Hartley’s interviews before. She’s more than fair.”