Page 67 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
“I just spotted a dragon.” Grady pointed to the sky.
CHAPTER 34
Ared dragon flew in their direction. Before Jack had a moment to process, he was already sprinting to the street in front of the bakery. People gathered, pouring out of the houses and storefronts, pointing at the sky as the dragon circled overhead.
Jack let out a breath.
Avery came for me. He flew across the city for me.
Jack had been such a fool to doubt Avery even for a second. He didn’t deserve this incredible dragon.
“Is that Avery?” Cas asked from behind him.
But Jack didn’t take his gaze off the beautiful dragon. “Yes. It is.”
Avery grew closer to the ground, wings flapping and stirring up snow. People began to scatter and scream. But Jack ran straight towards him, heart beating for the dragon. The dragon landed, talons pressing into cobblestones, slush, and snow. Avery lifted his long neck and peered down at Jack.
Jack smiled up at him.
I love him. I love Avery with all my heart and soul.
Then Avery’s tail whipped out.
Cries erupted. Jack didn’t feel a sliver of fear as the tail coiled around him, lifted him into the air, and carried Jack to Avery.
Jack laughed. He loved Avery. He wanted a future with this dragon. A life with him.
Avery set Jack down right in front of him, but his tail remained firmly and possessively wrapped around him. The dragon peered around at the onlookers as if warning them to stay back. Smoke rose from his nostrils. His wide wings remained open behind him.
“Avery.” Jack reached out and pressed his hand against the smooth scales.
Avery gazed down at him.
“You really are a lovely dragon.”
Avery let out a breath of hot air that smelled of smoke, fire, and ash.
Then a shimmer of light rippled around Avery. The dragon shrank, and the tail withdrew from around Jack. The dragon disappeared, and Avery, in his human form stood, before Jack. A very naked Avery.
Jack stepped in close, encircling Avery in his arms. He opened his mouth to apologise for ever doubting Avery, but Avery spoke first.
“I’m sorry about my father. I’m sorry if he treated you badly.” Avery hugged Jack back.
Jack shook his head. “You have nothing to apologise for. Nothing. He was the arrogant dick. Not you. I shouldn’t have left. I should have stayed and talked to you. I’m sorry for rushing off.” Jack pulled back and stroked Avery’s freckled cheek. Jack didn’t want his question to sound like an accusation, but he had to know. “But why didn’t you tell me the Dragon Duke was your father?”
“The Dragon Duke?” Avery frowned. “Oh. Yes. That’s what people call him.”
Unable to stop the question from bursting forth, Jack asked, “And doesn’t having a duke as a father make you royalty?”
Avery dropped his gaze. “Well, you see… The thing is… My father, he is a duke, but I am not born of a mated or married pair. That means…” He took a deep breath. “It means I am nothing.”
Jack choked. Everything inside Jack rebelled at the wordnothing.
But before he could speak, Avery continued. “I am not recognised or acknowledged by the duke as his son. I’m not royalty. His real family don’t even know I exist. My mother was his mistress. He considers my conception a terrible lapse in behaviour.”
Avery’s golden eyes met Jack’s. “My father doesn’t care about me.” Unshed tears glistened in his eyes. “He does his duty because I am his offspring. He assures my needs are met. I am his responsibility. But beyond that, I am nothing.”
Jack’s heart splintered and shattered for Avery. “You’re not nothing,” Jack whispered fiercely. “And your father’s a fucking moron if he doesn’t see how wonderful you are. You deserve so much better. I’m sorry. I didn’t realise all the shit you’ve had to deal with on your own.”
