Page 43 of The Platinum Dragon's Courageous Mate

Both the girls came and climbed up onto chairs at the kitchen table. “We’re tired of being just little.”

“I bet you are. It’s really tough but you know what? Sometimes it takes a while to learn things or to do new things, and it really helps if we learn to be patient.”

Kieran could hear them now, the thump-and-whomp of big wings on the way. He hoped they didn’t come in too hot and start growling at the girls. They were exhausted and clearly heart sore about something.

Maybe he could get to the bottom of some of it before Logan got here.

“So what were you so upset about today that you needed to come here and see Uncle Lachy?”

One of the girls opened her mouth, but the other one nudged her with an elbow. “No Mari, he doesn’t need to hear it. I was just going to say it’s silly.”

“Never say it was silly. Never. Even if I don’t understand why you’re upset about something, that doesn’t mean it’s silly.”

“I don’t wanna get the littles in trouble,” Ari said.

So the younger twins had done something to upset the older girls. It probably wasn’t on purpose. That’s what happened with younger siblings but it was obviously serious enough for these two that they had run away.

“Ah. That’s very dear of you girls. Little siblings need care, for sure. Did…did one of them do something and you got in trouble?”

Both girls went wide-eyed. “We gotted sent to bed without supper!”

“And Papa yelled!”

“And Simon was dis-dapoinded.”

“And Daddy didn’t believe us that we didn’t break it!”

“Oh, girls. Come here.”Everyone, these little girls are sad and exhausted, and I will bite anyone who snarls. Am I clear?

They came to him right away, clinging to him like little vines.“So why did you get sent to bed?”

“There was a broken vase. The littles said we did it, but wedidn’t!”

“Oh, that hurts so much, when you tell the truth and no one believes in you, doesn’t it?” He held them gently, cradling them.

Ari hiccupped. “Yes. I know we can be bad, but when we didn’t do it, it’s not nice.”

“Well, we’ll fix it, but you have to tell when you’re going to come to Uncle Lachy’s, okay? Everyone was scared. Next time, you can call for me, all right? Or Uncle?”

“We can?” That was sweet Mari.

“I promise, you may.”

Ari snuggled in. “‘kay.”

“Good girls.” The sounds of dragons landing was loud, thudding deep.

The girls snuggled into him, waiting.

Lachlan strode in first. “My sweet girls. Are you all right?”

“Unca! We needed you!” They spoke as one, hurrying over to push in close, Lachlan’s wings wrapping around the little girls.

“I was out looking for you. I heard you were coming, and I was scared.” Lachlan wasn’t accusing. No, his voice was so gentle.What happened?

One of their brothers broke something and they accused the girls. The adults didn’t believe them when they said they didn’t do it.

Oh no. Logan, how could you?