They arrived at the Tales & Tails Bookshop soon, at the exact same time Luke arrived on his chimera. Chimeras and dragons didn’t get along very well, and Emmeline didn’t help matters by immediately tensing at the sight of Luke. Torch growled, baring her teeth, and Luke’s chimera replied in kind.
“Easy, Sharptooth,” Luke said, petting his chimera before dismounting. Emmeline dismounted as well, andTorch released Motu, who had also begun growling, blindly following Torch’s behavior.
Luke glanced from the dragons to Emmeline, as if waiting for her to chide them. Emmeline didn’t bother, and Luke raised a brow, gaze going to Motu.
“New baby?” he asked.
“My brother’s,” she replied.
“Haris’s or Naveed’s?” he asked, and she narrowed her eyes at him. Why did he remember her brothers’ names?
More importantly, what was he even doing here? Then she realized Anh must have invited him, too, for the same reason.Ugh.
“Haris’s,” she replied, voice curt as she headed for the door. He took a large step forward, getting there first, where he placed his hand over hers on the door frame. She retracted her hand and he held the door open.
“After you,” he said with a smile. He was making a show of being gentlemanly, probably to annoy and/or distract her.
Emmeline glanced back at Torch, who had a protective wing around Motu and was looking sternly at Sharptooth.
“Torch,” Emmeline said, voice steady. “Relax.”
Her dragon settled, and Emmeline called Motu, who came flying over, landing in her arms. Emmeline nodded at Torch to go on. Torch flew off, but Emmeline swore she saw the dragon give Luke a dirty look.
Sharptooth looked unhappy but Luke nodded at her, and the chimera took off as well, heading in the opposite direction. Still holding the door open for Emmeline, Luke gave her an easy smile.
With Motu in her arms, Emmeline strode inside, Lukefollowing behind her. The bookshop was toasty warm, filled with patrons and light. She spotted a newborn opala dragon wrapped in blankets, sound asleep in its basket. A year-old red-scaled garneta crept close, trying to take a look at the tiny newborn.
Emmeline set Motu down, and he held onto one of her legs with his paw, looking around the bookshop. He grew excited when he saw the other baby dragons, looking up at her with wide eyes.
She petted his head, and he turned his attention to Luke, who was watching her and the baby dragon. Motu gave him a curious glance, and Luke smiled.
“Hello, angel,” he said, voice smooth. Her stomach twisted at his sweet tone, and she watched as he crouched down to pet the baby dragon with his ringed fingers. She expected Motu to bite him—would welcome it, even—but instead, Motu made a purring sound, leaning into Luke’s touch.
Luke smiled, pleased.
Emmeline glared at the little traitor.
“Motu,” she hissed, and the baby dragon looked up at her with big purple eyes. Guilt pricked at her. She gathered Motu up into her arms and kissed his face.
Luke rose up, watching her with an amused expression.
“Motu?” he asked, arching a brow.
“It means little fatso,” she told him.
“I know.” His lips twitched. “A bit rude, don’t you think?”
“Not at all,” she replied. “We mean it affectionately. Motu knows that—don’t you?” She smushed the baby dragon’s face, and Motu swatted at her hand with his paw, not enjoying her playful aggression.
“Cute,” Luke replied, but when she glanced up, she saw that he wasn’t looking at the baby dragon—he was looking at her. There was fondness in his warm brown eyes that made her feel immediately flustered.
She swallowed, looking away. As she did, she spotted Anh.
“Anh!” Emmeline called, going over to meet the old lady, who was dressed in a classy matching tweed skirt and blazer. Anh was chatting with Minh but paused to greet her and Luke.
“Hello, dears. And who is this little darling?” Anh asked, petting Motu.
“My brother’s baby,” Emmeline replied. “On babysitting duties... Not to worry, though. He won’t cause any trouble.”
