Page 37 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
There really was no reason for Avery to go back into the bakery and further embarrass himself. Coming to a decision, Avery turned and strode away through the snow before he could doubt his decision again.
He’d probably never see Jack again. Avery stumbled. He took several deep, shaking breaths.
After all, Avery couldn’t go back to the Magic Bakery again. Not after everything that had happened.
He pressed on, and by the time he reached his den, all Avery wanted to do was shift, make a blanket nest, curl up by the fire, and get lost in a book.
Of course, one of the problems with being in his dragon form was that he couldn’t read. If he and Jack had worked out, then Jack could have read to Avery whilst he was a dragon.
“I just don’t think we’ll work out, you and me.”
Every time he thought the words, it was like a spear to the gut.
“Master Blaize.” Daniel took Avery’s coat. “Duke Azer is in the drawing room. His Grace arrived ten minutes ago.”
Hand clenching, Avery took a deep breath. He did not feel up to seeing his father. But he didn’t have a choice. He couldn’t slink away to the library unnoticed.
“Thank you, Daniel.” Pulling his shoulders back and trying to compose himself, Avery walked to the drawing room and entered. “Hello, Father.”
“Avery.” The duke sat on a chair, drinking a cup of tea. “Where have you been?”
Avery took a seat. Daniel came into the room and prepared a cup of tea for Avery. “I’ve been at a bakery.”
“A bakery? Why didn’t Giles or your cook go for you?” His father didn’t learn servants’ names. They were always Giles, Jordan, Penelope, or Carey, depending on which name the duke thought suited them best.
“I wanted to stretch my legs.”
His father frowned but didn’t comment. “Well, I can’t stay long. I’m just dropping by on my way to afternoon tea with Isabelle’s soon-to-be in-laws.” The duke shook his head. “And she wants us all to go to the Christmas markets this week.”
Avery felt a pang in his chest at the thought of the Christmas markets. Avery took his cup and stared into the milky tea. “Thank you, Daniel.”
“She really wants to meld the families. It’s a little exhausting. But we do what we must for family.” Duke Azer sipped his tea.
Avery glanced at the window. A whirl of white was all he could see.
Christmas wasn’t far off. He wondered if he’d see his father again before then. Otherwise, it would just be Avery, Daniel, and Cook for a while.
And Avery always gave Daniel and Cook half of Christmas Eve and all of Christmas Day off. He wanted them to spend the day with their families. He liked to think of them celebrating surrounded by the people they loved on Christmas.
Although, it made Avery even lonelier to have his den completely empty.
His father put down the teacup and rose. “I should go. I don’t want to insult Isabelle and her future in-laws by being late.”
Avery stood and followed his father to the door.
“Do you have need of anything?” his father asked.
“No,” Avery answered. “I have everything I need.”
His father nodded. “Good. Good.” He put on his coat and hat as Daniel opened the door.
The snow came down even thicker and heavier than it had earlier.
“Good day.” His father gave a brisk nod.
“Good day, Father.” But Avery’s father had already disappeared into the snow.
Jack would definitely not come now. The snow fell too hard and fast for a human to get around easily.
