Overcautious,her dragon replied.
“Three stories,” Adara negotiated, her voice sleepy despite the attempt to bargain.
“One story,” Estelle countered, settling onto the edge of the bed. “It’s late, and tomorrow we can explore our new house properly. Maybe even walk into the forest.”
If we’re still here,her dragon added.
We will be,Estelle said, though even to herself it sounded uncertain.
She read the familiar tale of a dragon who could not breathe fire until he found his courage, Adara’s eyelids growing heavier with each turn of the page. By the time she reached the end, her daughter was fast asleep, Fizz clutched tightly in her arms.
Estelle sat watching her for a long moment, memorizing the peaceful curve of her cheek, the soft flutter of her lashes. So innocent. So trusting.
So much to protect.
You can’t keep running forever,her dragon hissed.
I can if it keeps her safe,Estelle replied, rising carefully from the bed.
But deep down, she knew her dragon was right. Running was not living. And she wanted Adara to live a life filled with happiness.
Downstairs, she double-checked the locks on all the doors and windows. Not that anyone would get close enough to the cottage to break in before her dragon senses would alert her to their presence.
Next, she unpacked their essentials for the morning—Adara’s favorite cereal, her own coffee, two mugs, and two bowls. Just enough to get through breakfast. Everything else stayed in boxes that could be grabbed quickly.
She’s safe here. We’re safe here,her dragon insisted as Estelle paced the small living room.This place called to us for a reason.
A shiver ran up her spine at the thought. Yes, Bear Creek had called to her. Had drawn her here with an almost magnetic force. But she had thought it was only the mountains, the promise of anonymity.
Not... him.
Leo Thornberg, with his gentle eyes and careful distance. The way he had fixed the loose floorboard without being asked. The way he had looked at Adara as though she were something precious, not just an obligation he would have to accept if he wanted to be with Estelle.
A mate,her dragon purred.Our mate.
That’s exactly why we should leave,Estelle thought fiercely.I can’t drag someone else into this mess. It’s not fair to him.
Her dragon bristled.And what about what’s fair to us? To Adara?
A sound outside made Estelle freeze. Footsteps on the porch. Heavy, deliberate. Not trying to hide their approach. Leo.
So much for dragon senses,Estelle muttered as she moved silently to the door.
He’s our mate,her dragon said.He slipped around my senses. In the same way, he’ll slip around your defenses.
Estelle rolled her eyes at her dragon, unsure if her other side had deliberately masked Leo’s approach.
A gentle knock was followed by, “Estelle? It’s just me.”
Just me. He made it all sound so simple. But all she could think was, Why was he back? What did he want?
Because he knows,her dragon said smugly.We need him.
We don’t need anyone,Estelle shot back, even as she moved to unlock the door.
She opened it just enough to see him standing there, arms laden with bags and a cardboard drink carrier, with that cute smile on his face.
“I thought you might not have had time to stock up,” he said, lifting one of the bags slightly. “Basic essentials. And...” A faint, almost sheepish smile touched his mouth. “I brought dinner from the restaurant. Soup, fresh bread, roast chicken, and something I’m not sure of, but it smells good. Enough to share, if you want it.”
