Page 49 of To Match A Dragon's Fire

“Stop it,” I begged. “Harp, go to your mom.”

The girl stomped away, frustrated with us. I didn’t blame her. We were all losing our minds.

“It’s fine. I’ve got this.” I unlocked the deadbolt. My heart galloped in my chest as I slowly inched open the door.

Kieran stood on the front porch with his hands stuffed into his jean pockets and his flannel work shirt unbuttoned at the top. His brown eyes regarded me with a deep worry, even as he offered an apologetic smile.

And maybe I was giving up too easily, or maybe the situation in town and hearing Tony’s voice had taken the fight out of me, but I could feel my anger at the man… er—mythical creature standing on my porch start to dissipate.

At least he seemed to care if I lived or died.

“Are you all right?” His voice should’ve been illegal.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

“We’re not,” Riley called from somewhere in the house.

I sighed as I pulled the door close to my side so I could block them out. “They’re worried you’re going to eat me.”

Kieran’s eyes flashed with humor, but he bit down on his smile. “Are you worried I’m going to eat you?”

That brought up all sorts of thoughts I was not planning to think about right then. I hoped the blush didn’t show on my cheeks. “Are you going to?”

“Eat you?” He chuckled. “Why would you think that?”

“It’s a valid question.” I tried to sound in control even though I wasn’t feeling it at the moment.

“No, I’m not going to eat you.” His face fell and I suddenly wondered how old he was to bear the sort of weight that seemed like it’d crush a man.

Or… beast.

“What about the other guy?” Another valid question, I thought.

“My cousin,” Kieran grumbled. “He’s not known for his manners, but he’ll respect my order to stay away. And no, he won’t be eating anyone either. I apologize for his intrusion.”

That was good to know.

“Does your… um…” I wasn’t sure what the protocol here was when discussing multiple beings that belonged to one. “Do you feel the same about eating humans when you have your extra parts?”

The lines of his forehead deepened. “Extra parts? You mean, the dragon?”

“It really is a dragon.” Saying it out loud made it all the more real.

“It’s not a dinosaur.” Kieran huffed a laugh.

Harper started giggling behind me. Willow shushed the girl and pulled her away.

The tension in my shoulders eased as I looked over Kieran again, really taking him in. I could do this.

I wasn’t going to be one of the dumb girls in my books who tookforeverto accept something new.

Heck, the planet I lived on was literally breaking apart under my own feet, even though scientists had once sworn that would never happen during our lifetimes.

“So, you’re a dragon shifter?” I asked, ready for this conversation.

“Shifter?” He arched a brow.

“You know, like wolf and bear shifters.” I let my gaze linger on his body probably a little longer than necessary.

---