Page 7
Micah’s face brightens so much it’s almost blinding. “Really?”
“I’ll try.”
His shoulders sag with relief. “Thank you. Truly.”
I rise to my feet and brush the soot from my apron. “I’ll need precise measurements of her body before I can even begin sketching a design.”
“Alright!”
Micah doesn’t hesitate to unlatch the door. The hinges let out a long, protesting squeak, causing the little dragon’s eyes to snap open.
I take a step back. “Are you crazy?!”
Micah laughs. “It’s alright, Lucan.”
Before I can protest, he ducks through the kennel door and kneels beside her.
“She’s harmless.”
The dragon blinks sleepily up at him. For a heartbeat, she simply stares.
Then, with an excited little chirp, her entire body wiggles. Her studded tail begins thumping enthusiastically against the blankets.
My eyes widen. “Is she…”
The tail flails even faster.
“Wagging her tail?”
Micah laughs, scratching beneath her chin. “I told you—she’s harmless.”
The dragon lets out a happy trill, leaning into his hand with the enthusiasm of an oversized puppy.
“You can pet her,” Micah assures me.
I eye him skeptically. “If I lose a hand, I’m blaming you.”
A laugh slips from him. “I promise, you’ll be okay.”
Cautiously, I duck into the kennel and kneel beside her. The dragon’s orange eyes follow every movement as I slowly extend my hand, stopping just in front of her snout.
She sniffs my fingers before licking my hand from knuckle to wrist.
Micah grins. “Told you.”
She nudges her forehead beneath my palm, demanding more attention. When I begin scratching between her tiny horns, her eyes drift closed in bliss. One hind leg starts thumping happily against the blankets as I find exactly the right spot.
I can’t help smiling.
“She’s cute,” I admit. “Did you give her a name?”
Micah’s face brightens. “Maple.”
I hum approvingly, running my hand gently down her neck and over the ridges lining her back. “Very festive.”
He chuckles. “Fall is my favorite season.”
“Mine too.” I shift on my knees and unclip my measuring tape from my belt. “Will you keep her distracted while I take some measurements?”
