“In that case, no whining while I cook, nor snatching the ingredients.”
“How else will I see how things taste before they get cooked?”
“Raw meat is bad for you.”
“Bad for humans,” I corrected as we exited the room. “Dragons don’t have that difficulty.”
“You know, on second thought, how about you watch some television in the living room and I’ll call you when it’s ready?”
“By myself?” I hated how pathetic that emerged.
“Why don’t we see if Keanu can keep you company.”
The old man didn’t have a choice but to wake since Iolana pounded on his door until he yelled, “Go away.”
“I can’t. You’re needed downstairs.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to make breakfast.”
“And? Since when do you expect me to do women’s work?”
Iolana rolled her eyes. “Listen, Captain Caveman, if you want food that isn’t poured from a box, you will get your butt downstairs right now. There was an incident overnight, and as a precaution, Tigger shouldn’t be alone.”
“Wait, the dragon needs me? Why didn’t you say so?” Keanu suddenly opened his door, his hair standing on end, his belly straining the shirt he’d worn to sleep in. “What happened to my friend?”
Friend? It pleased me more than I expected to be called that.
“A drone came snooping last night, and in escaping it, Tigger fell from a cliff.”
“Is he okay?” Keanu’s eyes widened.
“He’s fine,” Iolana hastened to add. “He got his wings and glided to safety.”
“I took out the drone,” I added rather proudly. I didn’t mention the fact that knocking it out of the sky didn’t impede its spying ability.
“Of course you did. You’re a tricky dragon. Let me see those wings.” Keanu held out his beefy hands, and Iolana transferred me over. “Well, well. Look at you. A proper dragon now.”
“As if there was any doubt,” I snorted.
“Can I count on you to keep him safe?” Iolana asked.
“Only if you promise to make more hashbrowns than yesterday. Someone ate more than his fair share.” Keanu eyed me, the unabashed culprit.
I lifted my chin. “Not my fault you were slow.”
To everyone’s shock, most especially Iolana, Keanu chuckled. “You can bet I’ll be faster today.”
He tried, but I remained quicker. However, I ended up eating less than usual. Blame the worried expression on Apollo’s face. He knew something.
I confronted him after breakfast. “You are keeping secrets from me,” I hissed.
“He found out a few things but didn’t want to worry you.” Iolana hastened to his defense.
“You told her and not me?” The affront had me bristling.
“Only the barest details,” Apollo quickly interjected, as if that would appease.
