Page 42 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
I’d somehow conveniently forgotten that Shay had told me I had more than raven DNA. Wincing, I squirmed under the covers and used my paws to cover my eyes—I couldn’t face it. I was still learning how to be a raven. How was I supposed to suddenly add another shifter on top of everything else I was already juggling?
Maybe I was something really ugly? Or… I sat up suddenly. Maybe I was something ferocious. Being around powerful supernaturals had become my norm, and it would be amazing if this transformation could help protect me a little better if I were ever attacked.
I didn’t have a mirror in my bedroom, but the powder room off the living room had a mirror on the opposite side of the door. I wanted to wait to look at myself until I could see all of me. There was no sense in only getting part of the picture.
I dropped to the floor and tried to walk toward the door, but as had happened when I’d become a raven, I couldn’t maneuver my legs properly. Having four of them made me feel like a baby foal just trying to walk for the first time. I tripped and fell a few times, wuffing in frustration, but eventually managed to get myself to the door.
Scratching at the door to be let out, I frowned at my paws. They didn’t look very ferocious. What if I wasn’t an adult? What if I was a baby... My eyes, strangely muted after having a raven’s crazy vision, went wide in horror at the thought.
I would never live down the indignity.
Especially because my so calledmatewas a ferocious, huge dragon shifter!
“Everly?” Alaric said from the opposite side of the door. “You okay in there? I heard scratching.”
I scratched again, clearly unable to communicate what I needed. But then I remembered—Elandor!Elandor, have Alaric open up the door! I need to see myself.
Alaric hesitantly opened the door, like he expected to find me prancing around naked, and then opened it wider when he got a good look at me.
Then he started to laugh.
I did not take this as a good sign.
I yipped and scrambled quickly for the powder room mirror, then stared at myself in horror. A black Labrador puppy looked back at me. I whined in dismay, and Alaric chortled from the doorway. Both he and Elandor were laughing at me in stereo. One aloud, and the other telepathically.
I growled at them, wuffing disgustedly through my nose, then turned around to see my back, and promptly fell over when my legs got hopelessly tangled.
I decided the kindest thing I could do for myself was to stay right where I’d fallen.
Would the indignities never end?
I wasn’t ferocious. I was adorable!
Resting my head on my completely useless paws, I sighed. I had been hoping for a black panther, but I really should have known the magic wouldn’t allow me something that cool.
Alaric, still chuckling, crouched down beside me. “Is it okay if I pick you up?”
Might as well,I said grumpily to Elandor, and he could transmit it to Alaric.I can’t walk very well yet.
There there, little puppy,Elandor chortled as Alaric gently picked me up.What you lack in ferocity, you more than make up for in adorableness.
I sighed again.I wanted to be something fierce, Elandor, so I could protect myself if I needed to.
The dragon’s laughter abruptly ceased.Dear heart, Alaric and I would give our lives for you. You are under our protection. No one will hurt you.
Alaric sat down on the living room couch, and rubbed my fur carefully. He was more than likely listening to the conversation between Elandor and I.
That’s really great, and I really appreciate that, but... I’d like to be able to protect myself as well.
Shall you become a fierce queen?
I squirmed as Alaric spread my tiny toe pads and marveled over their softness. It was like someone playing with my feet, and puppy or not, I was still ticklish there.
Alaric chuckled and went back to petting my head.
If I do become a queen, I’d like to be a useful queen. I want to have a purpose, and I’d like to be more than arm candy.
Not that I particularly thought of myself as arm candy, but...
