Something flickered across her face at that. “I will.”
Leo stood on the porch and waited until he heard the bolt slide firmly into place. Only then did he head back down the path toward home. His bear was unhappy about leaving them again, but Leo forced himself onward. Estelle needed space. Adara needed calm. And he... he needed to think.
Because Fiona had said so little and yet so much. Estelle had been shaken far more than the moment should have warranted. Whatever she was hiding, it was not small.
By the time Leo reached the trees, he had made up his mind about one thing. He would give her this evening. He would give her the quiet she so clearly needed. But he was not going to leave her to carry all that fear alone.
She had a mate now. Which meant she never needed to be alone again.
Chapter Five – Estelle
“Mama, why do you keep looking toward the window?” Adara asked as she sat at the kitchen table while Estelle put their scant supplies into the cupboards.
Out of the mouths of babes,her dragon said as Estelle tried to focus on getting the house straight.
You know why,Estelle replied, forcing herself not to glance toward the window.
Because that old dragon Fiona has unsettled you,her dragon said.
But they both knew it was not only Fiona’s veiled words that had unsettled them. It went deeper than that.
Soul deep,her dragon murmured as she pictured Leo.
“I’m not,” Estelle said quickly, turning back to the cupboard. “I’m just... organizing.”
But Adara was too perceptive, those gold-flecked eyes missing nothing. She hugged Fizz closer to her chest. “Are we leaving again?”
The question pierced Estelle’s heart. She abandoned the can of soup she had been shelving and crossed to kneel beside her daughter.
“No, sweetie,” she said, brushing Adara’s curls back from her face. “We’re staying right here.”
For tonight, at least,her dragon added.
Is it a mistake to stay?Estelle asked.After what Fiona said...
Her dragon stirred restlessly.That old dragon was testing us. Probing. But she didn’t actually say anything concrete.
That’s what worries me,Estelle replied.What if she knows something? About Adara. About me.
“But you’re doing your checking thing,” Adara said, her small fingers tracing patterns on the tabletop. “Like before we left the blue house. And the apartment with the squeaky door.”
Estelle’s breath caught. She had not realized Adara had noticed those preparations before. How many other patterns of behavior had she picked up on? How many fears had she absorbed without Estelle ever meaning her to?
“I’m just making sure everything is where it belongs,” Estelle said, forcing a smile. “This is a new place, and we need to learn where everything goes.”
Like our emergency bags by the back door,her dragon noted dryly.
Estelle ignored the comment and stood up. “How about we get you ready for bed? It’s been a big day.”
“Can we read the dragon book?” Adara asked, sliding off her chair.
“Of course.”
As she helped Adara with her bath and pajamas, Estelle’s mind kept running through contingencies. They could be packed and gone within fifteen minutes if necessary. North would be best—deeper into the mountains where the roads were quieter. She had a stash of cash and emergency food supplies. The car had a full tank.
You’re spiraling,her dragon observed as Estelle tucked Adara into bed.
I’m being cautious,Estelle countered.
