Page 22 of Charming the Dragon
Hayley’s voice was more even than it’d been since the fireplace had trapped them. “Well, then, let’s keep searching. Since this stuff doesn’t look to be expired, it means someone knows it’s here. And if we find more clues, it could tell us a bit more of what’s going on down here.”
Nathan released Hayley’s hand and lifted some of the tins and pouches. “These still have years left before going bad, which means it most likely wasn’t left by the traitors.”
“That’s good then, right?”
“Maybe.” Not wanting to talk about additional risks just yet and worry her further, he motioned toward the next door with his head. “Come on. Let’s check what’s through that other door we saw.”
Even though his dragon urged him to take Hayley’s hand again, Nathan resisted. Touching the female distracted him, and he couldn’t chance it.
They exited, backtracked, and he turned the handle. It opened, too, but to a hallway full of doors, maybe eight in total.
Hayley said, “This is going to take a while. Can’t your supersensitive dragon nose locate fresh air?”
“We’re not bloodhounds. But the air isn’t overly stale, meaning there’s definitely some sort of ventilation system in place.”
“That’s a positive, at least. So let’s go find the source. The sooner we get out of here, the better.”
He glanced over at Hayley, only to see the human shift her feet and wrap her arms around her middle.
His dragon spoke up.She’s terrified. Help her feel better.
If we do that, it’ll take longer to find an exit.
I’m in no hurry. I like being near her.
Before his beast could do something daft, like suggest he pull her close and kiss her, Nathan decided to put more space between him and Hayley. So he strode toward the nearest door and opened it, revealing a bedroom. Behind another door was a bathroom. Then a kitchen and some more bedrooms, until finally he found what looked like a mini-command center.
He turned to tell Hayley this was good news, but she wasn’t there. He raced into the hallway and saw her sitting on the ground, her arms wrapped around her legs, with her head resting atop her knees.
She looked so small and fragile, the opposite of the female he’d first met. He didn’t like it.
Nathan moved to sit beside her. “What’s wrong, Hayley?”
She shook her head, her voice muffled when she replied, “I just need a minute.”
His dragon spoke up.I told you she was terrified.
Ignoring his beast, Nathan decided to distract the human with conversation. “Is there a reason you don’t like enclosed spaces?”
For a few beats, he thought she wouldn’t answer. But eventually she said, “If there was a window, or I knew I could leave whenever I wanted, I would probably be fine. However, when it’s dark, small, and I can’t leave? Then it reminds me of the time I was locked inside a trunk.”
Both man and beast growled. “Who the fuck locked you inside a trunk?”
She shrugged but never lifted her head. “My cousin. He’s a few years older than me, but we never really got along. He liked bullying people to get what he wanted, and I always tried to negotiate and be the peacemaker. And this one time…”
Her voice trailed off, and he asked softly, “What happened?”
After raising her head and meeting his gaze, Hayley replied, “He started shouting at one of the local kids about how he wanted to drive his dad’s tractor. He was nine, and I was seven, but I’ve always been advanced for my age. I tried to get him to abandon the idea, saying both of our parents had forbidden us to drive any kind of farm equipment until we were older. My cousin—named Nigel—ignored me and eventually beat up the local boy until he gave up the location of his dad’s tractor keys. As soon as Nigel went off to drive it, I ran home to tell my parents. As much as I didn’t like my cousin, I didn’t want him to get hurt, or even worse, hurt somebody else.”
She quieted, her eyes going distant as if reliving a memory.
It was hard to picture solicitor Hayley growing up on a farm. And yet, the image of her running through the fields, laughing, and being far too curious about life, rushed into his mind.
And after her karaoke performance the night before, Nathan knew she’d never be boring.
His dragon spoke up.No, she’d be an adventure. Our adventure.
Nathan focused on the human female. “Did you manage to stop your cousin?”
