He was surely making astute notes for his proposal—something she needed to be doing as well. While Emmeline was happy for her sister, the timing wasn’t the best. Flying down and back would take all day, and she needed to get to her parents’ place now to check on the men of her family.
Putting on her hat and jacket, she headed out into the cold. She called for Torch, and a few moments later, the dragon swooped down.
“Let’s go visit Dad,” she told Torch, mounting. Torch took off, and Emmeline relished the cold wind against her cheeks as they flew to her parents’ estate, on the land neighboring her uncle Edmund’s estate.
After dismounting, she walked to the front door, while Torch headed for the dragons’ stables where the dragon caretakers would be. Torch knew the drill, and so did Emmeline. She punched in the code for the front door and entered, inhaling the familiar scent of cardamom and cloves.
“Hello!” she called, taking off her shoes, but there was no answer. Finally, a fat little creature came into sight. “Hiya, Motu.”
Her brother’s one-year-old baby dragon bounced over to her, and she smiled, crouching down to hug him hello. Motu flapped his wings happily. She knew half of his delight came from the fact that where Emmeline was, Torch was. Motu was one of Torch’s eggs.
“Come on,” she said, scooping Motu up. He was heavy inher arms as she opened the front door and called out Torch’s name.
Torch peeked her head out from the stables at Emmeline’s call, and when she saw who Emmeline carried in her arms, Torch immediately flew over. Motu bounced in her arms.
“Go on,” she told the baby dragon, as Torch came to collect him. Motu jumped out of her arms, flying toward Torch, who picked him up in her paw and flew back to the stables.
Emmeline headed back inside, turning in the direction of her father’s office, where she found Charles at his desk.
“Hi, Dad,” she said, entering. At her voice, her dad looked up from above his glasses. Surprise lit his face.
“Oh, hello, darling,” he said, standing. She went over to give him a hug, and he kissed her cheek. “How’s Char doing? Not giving you trouble at the plant, is he?”
“He’s wonderful, as always,” she said.
“Splendid.” Charles nodded. “It does the old boy good to have something to do. And how are you?”
“I’m well, too, thank you,” she said. “Just came by to check in since Ammi’s gone.”
“Ah, well, thank you, but we’re all fine, really,” he said. “We can order in for dinner. Nothing to fret over.”
“It’s alright,” Emmeline replied. “I can make something.” She knew her father and brothers were fussy about eating out, so she went to the kitchen, poking around the fridge and cabinet to see what was in store.
There were some measly leftovers, so Emmeline pulled out ingredients to make a mixed vegetable curry. At least there was dough for roti, and when the curry was done, shemade roti to go alongside it. She rarely made roti for herself; there was something kind of depressing about making a singular roti and eating it all alone in her home. So though she was tired, she didn’t mind making dinner if she got to eat it with everyone together.
At the smell of food cooking, both of her brothers made their way into the kitchen.
“Hey, Emmy, when did you get here?” Haris asked.
“A little while ago,” she replied, flipping the roti on the flame. “Did Ammi tell you about Millie?”
“Yeah, she texted us,” Naveed said, entering behind Haris. Her brothers were a year apart at twenty-four and twenty-three and could pass for twins if not for Naveed’s longer hair.
Emmeline pinched Naveed’s cheek, bothering him on purpose as she left a streak of aata on his face. He swatted her hand away, and she smiled, returning to her roti.
“No meat?” Naveed asked with a pout, pulling the lid off the pot to check the curry. He poked it with a spoon, moving the potatoes and cauliflower around.
“No,” Emmeline said, voice turning stern. “And don’t complain—set the table. Dinner’s almost ready.”
They all sat down together to eat, chatting about random things: Dragon Council politics and Naveed’s job in finance.
“Hey, where’s Motu?” Haris asked, reaching for a second roti.
Emmeline gave him an arch glance. “You just noticed your baby dragon is missing?” Haris winced. “He’s outside with Torch.”
“Thanks.” Haris gave her an easy smile, and she rolled her eyes, continuing to eat.
“I’m going to fly down on Torch tomorrow, but you all drive in,” she said. “I’m making Mills chicken corn soup and cardamom buns, so bring those with you; I don’t want the soup to spill on the flight.”
