Fraser peeked out from under my arm. “I didn't mean to.”
“I know.” Ledger beckoned him, and he raced toward my mate and flung himself into his arms, bumping the other two. But they understood Fraser needed comforting, and they shuffled aside without the usual complaints.
Ledger put his arms around my children. “I love you, and I’m not like the other mannies. I’m not leaving, but I am scared and confused, and I need time to think about this.”
He kissed them and got up, promising they could come and he’d read their favorite story in his suite after dinner. After he walked out, I took his place on the sofa, and the four of us huddled together
“He’s still here,” Rory noted.
But for how long? He might pack his things and say goodbye to the kids after he read to them.
ELEVEN
LEDGER
Dragons were real.
The four of us had piled into my bed and I’d read to them, but they wanted to stay longer, so I put on a movie. My mind had drifted while the kids watched. I’d seen it with them many times, so I didn’t need to be paying attention to answer their questions.
But Rory had helpfully paused the movie whenever one of them wanted to explain something about dragon shifters. If the reality hadn’t been so mind-shattering and world-tilting, I would have enjoyed it. Fraser babbled about how they could tolerate chilis, and Rory explained that he was looking forward to flying when he was older.
Fraser and Rory had apologized for fighting and knocking off Fraser’s bracelet that helped him regulate his fire. I told them I’d pay attention now that I understood why they each wore one. They told me how the other mannies were shifters and got scared.
“You are brave, Ledger.” That was quite a compliment from Rory.
“Brave as a dragon.” Fraser grinned, and Skye pretended to stream fire from her nostrils.
I couldn’t speak for the mannies who came before me, but I could tell the kids what was in my heart. “I was frightened, but you know what was more powerful than my fear?” The little heads shook. “Love. I love you guys.” I sniffed and blinked away tears.
The three flung themselves at me, and we kissed and hugged. My future with their dad was uncertain, but I adored these precious babies. I didn’t know how the future would play out, but I wanted to be in their lives.
After the movie, I supervised teeth brushing and bath time and tucked the three into bed.
“Are you going to be here tomorrow?” Rory asked.
“Absolutely.”
I leanedover my bed and picked up the book about dragons Skye had left here earlier. She’d said I could read it and ask her questions. What a sweetheart she was.
Staggering to the bathroom, I stared at a face that showed signs of having little sleep. I’d tossed and turned all night and researched the internet for dragon myths, none of which hinted about shifters.
“This is a person who knows shifters exist, but I’ve been living with dragons, real, fire-breathing dragons, and the house almost burned down because a baby dragon knocked off his bracelet.”
I splashed water on my face, not that it did much good. It was the same face staring back at me, the one that had seen things no other human had witnessed. Or maybe they had? I raced to the computer and searched, but either I was the only one or they’d been silenced. Goosebumps trailed over my skin anddisappeared under my T-shirt as if they were scared of dragons too.
Other than Theron, there was one person I needed to talk to.
“Are you a dragon?” I asked Jess when he picked up the phone.
“Oh, you found out. Did you get singed? Eyebrows burned off?”
“Answer me.”
“No. I’m a wolf.”
I collapsed onto the floor. I only just figured out dragons. Well, not really, but now I was faced with more people with different animals inside them.
“I can answer some questions, but you can’t tell other humans about the existence of shifters, Ledge.”
