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Not only because it would make her happy, but it would also prove he was still useful. Even if he couldn’t lead rescue missions because of his leg, he could still help others.
His dragon growled.Don’t start. We’re alive and here for Violet. That should be enough.
Yes, he knew that. However, ever since he’d failed his late mate, Edith, he’d tried to make up for it by helping or saving as many people as possible. He could never fully erase his guilt surrounding Edith’s fate, but at least he could try to make his late mate as proud as possible.
His dragon said gently,She would be proud of us. And not just because of your rescue work over the years. Violet’s happy—most of the time—and turning out to be a brilliant young female.
Don’t remind me. She’ll get her dragon tattoo before you know it, and a couple of years later, she’ll move out.
That’s what happens to all children. Besides, that’s the goal of being a parent—to teach them what they need to know to navigate life on their own, discover themselves, and to pass on beliefs, such as how kindness is better than cruelty.
Kindness was one of the things his mother had always instilled in her three sons. Sometimes his middle brother, Brooklyn, forgot that. He was a huge gossip, but even so, Brooklyn had never crossed the line into being malicious. His youngest brother, Hudson, was maybe the kindest of them all, and Bronx was grateful his little brother had found a second chance at happiness with Sarah. Bronx was content to live vicariously through his brothers and mates because he didn’t deserve another chance himself.
Before his dragon could sigh and argue with him, there was a knock at the door. Bronx answered, opening it just a fraction so as to not overwhelm Percy any further, and saw it was Stonefire’s clan leader, Bram.
Bram asked, “Is she well enough to chat?”
Bronx burned to ask what else Bram had discovered from the Protectors about Percy’s former prison, but he would have to save those questions for later. “Let’s ask her.”
He opened the door and motioned for Bram to stay put. He met Percy’s wary gaze. “This is Ava’s uncle, Bram, who you talked with on the phone. You said earlier you wanted to chat with him. Are you still up for it?”
She frowned a beat, like she always did when he asked her permission, and then nodded. “Yes. I want to sort out our agreement. The sooner I can embrace my dragon and learn to fly, the sooner I can leave.”
Bronx glanced at Bram, asking with his eyes if he should mention how Percy would need to live with a dragon clan.
Violet spoke before either of them could. “But where would you go? Dragon-shifters have to live with a dragon clan. Well, unless you’re one of the awful people who didn’t want humans here. They were banished and live in a forest somewhere, probably. But you shouldn’t do that. You should stay here with us. There’s heaps to learn still, and I can help you.”
Bram spoke up. “That’s a brilliant idea, Violet.”
Bronx blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, if Percy wants to learn how to embrace and deal with her dragon, she’ll need teachers. Tristan is busy with the school and can only help sometimes, and it’s the same with the other teaching staff. However, you and Violet can do the bulk of her training, consulting with others when needed.”
Bronx frowned. “I still don’t understand why you want to include Violet.”
Bram shrugged. “Violet’s also a half-human dragon-shifter, and younger as well. Her memory will be fresher when it comes to the early days of talking with her beast. And, Bronx, you have long-term experience in how to build a relationship that’s equal between the human and dragon halves, which Percy will need help with, given she’s an adult already. The pair of you working together makes sense. So what do you say?”
Even though Bram had asked a question, Bronx sensed there really wasn’t a choice. He’d known he’d be working with Percy a lot until Dr. Rossi returned, but he hadn’t expected for his daughter to be so involved.
His dragon spoke up.I think it’s a good idea, and it’ll distract Violet for a while from her human fact-finding mission.
That mission could lead to the full truth about Edith’s past, which Bronx had mostly kept from his daughter to protect her.
Violet clapped her hands. “Oh, please, Daddy. Can’t I help?”
Bronx narrowed his eyes at her sweet tone. His daughter hadn’t called him anything but Dad for years. She was buttering him up.
Percy asked, “Do I get a say in this?”
All eyes moved to her. She had curled up again, her legs close to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. Even Bronx knew that was a protective posture, as if by keeping as much distance as possible from everyone else, it would save her from harm.
He asked, “What do you think, then, Percy?”
She looked at Bram. “Even if you can easily break it, I want a promise that I can stay here until I learn how to talk with my dragon and shift. If I have to offer my body to anyone who wants it in exchange for food and a place to stay, I’ll do it.”
The room fell deathly silent. Bronx couldn’t have been the only one struck dumb by her words.
Bram was the first to speak, his voice gentle. “There’s no need for that, lass. You sleep with whoever you want or no one at all. That’s up to you. I’m sure we can find something else for you to do inside the clan to pay your way. But not until you’re better and the doctors give the all-clear. You need to heal, and once you’re ready, talk to my security team more about the facility we rescued you from, if possible.”
