Page 71 of Charming the Dragon
Sarah spoke up. “It takes longer for some of us, Dawn. Hayley has an important career outside of Stonefire, aye?”
She studied the Scottish woman. Sarah was never the loudest voice in the room, but sometimes she could be extremelyperceptive. “I do. And it’s one of many factors I have to consider. Before you ask, no, Nathan’s not pressuring me, either. But…”
Hayley had almost forgotten Percy was with them, she was so quiet. So when the dragonwoman spoke up, she nearly jumped. “But what?”
Percy was the youngest of them, barely over twenty, and the only dragon-shifter currently in the room. Her perspective could be helpful.
Just go for it.Hayley sighed. “It’s silly, but I sometimes wonder if he only wants to go through with it because one, fate made me his true mate. And two, we were stuck together and bonded under duress. He’s so different when we’re alone, and I’m scared he’ll never be that male again.”
Percy replied, “I never even knew about true mates until I was brought to Stonefire, and then I was terrified when I learned of being Bronx’s. However, when you meet the right person for you, things have a way of working themselves out. I couldn’t imagine giving any male but Bronx my heart. And I saw the way Nathan looked at you. He cares for you, Hayley. That much is true.”
Melanie bobbed her head. “And it doesn’t always work out straight away, either. Tristan and I had a rocky start, and his behavior probably should’ve driven me away. However, with time, he ended up being the right person for me. And I know Nathan can be grumpy at times, but he might have reasons for keeping up a facade, like Tristan did.”
Hayley already knew he did. But she wasn’t about to share his past about the human who had been afraid of his dragon.
Dawn spoke up. “Besides, you don’t have to make a decision quickly like I had to do with Blake, since we kissed and triggered his dragon’s instinct. And even if Nathan ends up being the love of your life, will you want to become his mate and give up your old life? I love living on Stonefire, but sometimes it’s not easy.You might already have a better idea, given how you’ve helped me and Sarah in the past. But there’s a lot of hatred still for anyone who helps dragon-shifters.”
“I know. And that doesn’t bother me.” She hesitated, and then said, “I’ve wanted to build a better future for dragon-shifters since I was a child.”
Hayley proceeded to tell them about the little dragon girl, Martha. When she finished, Melanie came around the table and gave her a hug. “It shouldn’t surprise me what’s been done, but I’m sorry that happened to your friend. Even if it was a new friend, you were merely curious and wanted to play.” She pulled back to meet Hayley’s gaze again. “If you do decide to mate Nathan and live here, we can brainstorm more ways to reach humans and try to get past their hatred.”
She bobbed her head. “Thanks. My job I could do from anywhere, I think. And my sister would support me, too. I just need to be sure of a few more things before making a decision.”
Dawn said, “Of course you do. If there’s anything we can do, any questions you need answered, come find any of us.”
Percy smiled. “I know less than everyone else, so maybe we could learn together.”
Hayley only knew a little of Percy’s history, but none of it had been pleasant. She’d been a prisoner and denied any education until Stonefire had rescued her. The fact she’d allude to it so casually spoke of how strong the dragonwoman really was. “Thanks, Percy. I may take you up on that.”
Samira said, “I still think we should start designing courses for humans about dragon-shifters. It’d make things a lot easier for new mates.”
Hayley said, “Stonefire already has the most humans living on any dragon clan in the UK, so it makes sense to trial it here.”
Melanie sat up taller. “And it’s still just the beginning, wait and see.”
The woman winked, and they all laughed.
As everyone started talking about what they would or wouldn’t include, Hayley sipped her tea and relaxed a little more. If she did decide to stay on Stonefire, she would have friends. Even if it were early days, she liked the women in the room, plus a few others who couldn’t be here, of course.
More than ever, she itched to see Nathan again and talk with him. She hated things being up in the air. Oh, she didn’t expect things to instantly fall into place. But she couldn’t do anything if they were apart.
Eventually, Ivy, another human mated to a dragon-shifter, came to take Hayley to the surgery. Apparently, Nathan was more hurt than he’d led her to believe. Ivy assured her it wasn’t life-threatening, but Hayley’s stomach still churned as they walked toward the clan.
Once inside the clan’s boundary, she picked up her pace, eager to see Nathan. First, she’d help take care of him, if needed. But then she’d give him a piece of her mind for lying about his injuries.
Chapter Twenty-One
On Dr. Sid’s orders, Nathan would have to spend the night at the surgery for observation. Mainly because she wanted to ensure he rested as he ought.
His dad and stepmother had already come and gone. Luke, too.
However, he kept looking at the door, hoping Hayley would walk through.
His dragon spoke up.It hasn’t been that long. She needs food and rest.
I know. But I didn’t like the uncertain look in her eyes as she walked away earlier.
We’ll wipe it away, whatever it takes.
