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She sniffled and forced a smile. "No, it's okay. I've never seen a dragon up close before, and if I'm going to not only be an aunt to one but also live with a dragon clan, I'd best start getting used to the idea."
Yes, yes, she will. And maybe I can win her over in our dragon form since you're dragging your feet.
Delaney searched his eyes. "Is it rude to ask what your dragon just said?"
He decided to be honest. After all, it was better for her to ask him questions than to offend an older dragonman who thought humans should be pushed off a mountain for being rude. "We usually don't ask unless we know the person well. Our inner dragons are less tactful, and often brutally honest. In most cases, their words are embarrassing.
His beast growled. It's not embarrassing when it's the truth. I will never understand how the human half works.
Well if you haven't figured it out in forty years, you probably never will.
With a huff, his dragon turned his back and ignored him.
Rhydian knew he'd have to woo his beast a little to shift, but he reveled in the short span of silence.
Since Delaney was staring at him with her brows raised in question, he said, "Just a little disagreement. That happens a lot between the human and dragon halves."
Rian raced into the room carrying his stuffed rabbit. He jumped in. "Which I think will be great. Like having a friend with you all the time." Before Delaney could ask any questions, Rian held up his toy. "Say hello to Mr. Cottontail. He's my best friend."
"Cottontail?" Delaney touched the button nose. "I had a stuffed rabbit named Mr. Cottontail when I was a child."
"Really? Mam suggested the name. She said it was a special one, and that he would always be my friend, no matter what."
Delaney nodded. "The same for me."
Rhydian sensed there was a story there, but he also could tell Delaney was about to cry again. Since the thought of her sobbing made both man and beast growl, he guided them toward the door. "Come on. All three of you can watch me change into a dragon."
As they walked down the corridor, Rian chatted about Mr. Cottontail eating his breakfast so he could grow big and strong. He even made Delaney laugh.
Rhydian loved the crinkles at the corners of her eyes. She was so bloody beautiful without even trying.
His dragon's actions probably meant she was their true mate. If he ever kissed Delaney, that meant kicking off a mate-claim frenzy that would only end once she was pregnant with his child.
But even if his clan would accept that, there was the matter of Rian. The last thing Rhydian wanted to do was make the boy feel displaced, or even replaced, with a new baby.
His dragon finally turned around again. We're able to love more than one child.
Why am I even thinking about this? I can't risk the clan turning chaotic, which would most assuredly happen.
Maybe, maybe not. Just don't push her away and end up regretting it.
As Rian took Delaney's hand—the boy was still talking—the sight of the pair walking together did something to his insides.
He said to his beast, Maybe. I won't turn my back on the idea, but
I won't rush into it, either.
That's better than this morning. I'll just have to work harder at convincing you to give it a chance. The clan is stronger and more unified than you think.
Rhydian wanted to believe it, but too many clans had dissolved into chaos recently—both in Ireland and the one in the South of England, even if the English one was doing better now—that he didn't want Snowridge to be yet another name added to that list.
But the image of Rian and Delaney living with him, the three of them loving each other and doing their best to banish the sadness of the past, was one that tempted him. So much so, Rhydian debated testing the clan's limits.
However, Rhydian would start slowly. Maybe a clan gathering to introduce Delaney would be a good first step. He'd have to talk to his Protectors later and see what they thought.
They rounded the last corner and reached the door leading to the outside landing area. All of his planning and consulting could wait. For a short while, he could simply revel in shifting and sharing his dragon with Delaney for the first time.
Chapter Four
