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"All because of me," Delaney murmured as she glanced to the ground.
Rhydian closed the distance and gently took her chin between his fingers, raising her gaze to meet his. "I'm sure it would've happened with or without you—it might've been happening all along. Besides, Gwen's daughter has had her fair share of bullying, too, and she isn't old enough to even attend school. It's the parents' fault and no one else's. If they don't condone the bullying, then they should be doing something about it."
She remembered something she read and didn't hesitate to say, "Maybe it's just a matter of exposure and the lack of it. Could you invite some of the older, adult dragon-shifters from Stonefire or Lochguard who are half human? The children wouldn't pick on them, and it would show they are just as much dragons as the full-blooded ones."
"That may work." He moved his hand to her cheek and lightly caressed it. "Where did you come up with that idea?"
She did her best to ignore how her heart soared at his praise. "I had a lot of time to read over the last three days, and there was a mention about how clans had done it before. There was a time when the now-defunct Scottish clan near Stirling had tried to bring human mates into their fold but had met some resistance. Lochguard had suggested they bring some of their own human mates and half-human clan members." She shrugged. "The book said it worked. Or, at least it kept them around for another hundred years or so before they eventually were disbanded and scattered mostly between Stonefire and Lochguard."
Rhydian studied her a few beats before replying, "You're a dangerous combination, Delaney Murphy. Beautiful and clever."
The corner of her mouth ticked up. "And stubborn. You most definitely forgot stubborn."
He laughed, and some of the strain from the last few days melted away. More than ever, she wanted to stay on Snowridge and get to know this dragonman. Not just because it felt right, either. Her reading had genuinely made her interested in dragon-shifter policy and changing Snowridge. Information had provided the spark she needed to truly care about the future of the Welsh clan.
But first, she needed to figure where she fit into it all. "As much as I'd like to talk about how wonderful I am, reality is just outside that door, Rhydian. Once I see Rian again and give him the biggest hug, what happens next?"
Rhydian gently stroked her cheek with his finger as he said, "You'll be staying with me until this is all sorted. Don't worry, I'll keep you in a separate room as not even I want to tempt my beast with you beside me. But fewer people will try to scare you, or worse, if you're in my home."
Trying not to think about how hard it would be to sleep a room away from Rhydian and not think about him, she nodded. "Okay, as long as your home doesn't become my prison."
"I'll try my best not to make it one. Although until things are calmer, you will always have security near or with you."
She sighed. "I had a feeling you'd say that."
He pulled her close, moving a hand to her lower back. "It'll get better soon, love. And not just with Rian and hopefully using your idea of inviting half-human dragons here, either. Wren, Carys, and I are putting things into motion as we speak."
She tilted her head. "How?"
He shook his head. "I don't want to discuss it here, just in case someone's listening. But just know that we've been busy. " Rhydian moved one hand down and switched on some music on his phone before moving his mouth to her ear. She had to strain to hear him as he added, "I know who vandalized your door and left that note, as well as all his compatriots. They will be transferred from this clan soon enough, at the DDA's discretion."
Delaney moved her face to look at him again and blinked, careful to keep her voice low so others most likely couldn’t hear her. "I thought you didn't like relying on the DDA for those sorts of things?"
Rhydian grimaced as his pupils flashed at the same time. Like before, he moved his mouth to her ear. "I don't. However, it's easier to have the perpetrators on the DDA's radar so that we don't have a rebellion of rogue dragon-shifters, like what happened with the Scottish clan."
"When will all this be done?" she asked in a hushed tone.
His breath danced against her ear again as he replied, "Within the week. Soon after that, we'll have that gathering so I can show you off as my future mate."
She searched his eyes. "Surely it can't be that easy to clean up the clan? Otherwise you would've done it before I ever set foot on Snowridge."
He grunted. "My pride got in the way before. I wanted to solve the problem singlehandedly, not daring to ask anyone for help. But now there's you and Rian to consider. And I'll take all the help I can get if it means securing you two as my family."
Her heart melted a fraction. "Rhydian."
"It's true. Even with the worry and anger, and even frustration over the last three days, I want you here. I care for you, love. And that's far more important than trying to be some sort of all-powerful savior."
She cupped his cheek and stared into his eyes. While Delaney wanted to smile, sigh, and lean against her dragonman, the last three days had given her a lot of time to think and acknowledge reality. So she said, "This is going to become a battle that lasts for years to come, isn't it?"
Rhydian moved his head a fraction closer, his hot breath dancing on her face. "Maybe. But what happened to your fighting spirit, love? Are you sure you're feeling all right? Should I have the doctor look at you again?"
"No, no. I'm fine. Just tired, and a wee bit frustrated at being cooped up."
He raised an eyebrow. "Is that all?"
Damn the man. He knew her too well despite their short time together. His powers of perception definitely had to be a dragon-shifter thing. "Well, reading about the history between dragon-shifters and humans made me realize how long this fight has been going on. If it were just me, then I'd stay here and fight with everything I have and remain at your side. However, there's Rian to think about." She paused, not wanting to say the next few sentences, but she knew she had to. She finally continued, "I can be stubborn, and full of ideas, and so much more, but it should come down to what's best for him, aye? Would he be better off living alone with you?"
Rhydian's pupils flashed and he growled. "Of course not. These problems have been here a long time, and it's not your fault."
