Page 14 of Claimed By the Dragon

Gregor arched an eyebrow at Sid, and the female doctor nodded. “I think he’s best for her.”

“Aye, well, then come on. Grace is going to make herself sick if we don’t do something soon.”

Trahern followed the other doctor out of the room and said to his beast,This better not be a mistake.

It won’t. Just stop holding back with Grace. That’s all I ask.

Grace hiccuped from crying so much. It was ridiculous really, as knocking over a glass of orange juice had sent her into a series of sobs that she hadn’t been able to control.

She barely remembered Dawn and Hayley helping her to the clinic, or Dr. Sid examining her.

Even now, Hayley sat beside her, rubbing her back, and saying, “Shhh, Grace. Whatever it is, we’ll help you.”

The other woman had also been imprisoned in the same building as Grace, albeit briefly. At first, she’d avoided Hayley, thinking seeing her would only remind her of that horrid place.

However, once she’d come over and chatted about everything and nothing, she’d realized her mistake and had tried to make friends. Well, to the best of Grace’s ability, given how she struggled to trust anyone.

And between Dawn, Hayley, and Helena Westcliff, Grace had been managing.

Or so she’d thought until spilling orange juice had sent her over the edge.

As her hiccups slowed, exhaustion mixed with hopelessness washed over her. Could she do this? She loved her sons and wanted nothing but the best for them. However, she was starting to think maybe they deserved a home with two people to love and care for them.

Naively, she’d thought Trahern would be there, given how much he’d cooed over her sons—in his unique way—in the beginning.

But after nearly four weeks of him rarely showing up, she’d given up hope he wanted anything to do with her or the boys.

After a knock, Dr. Innes walked in, followed by…Trahern?

She frowned. Staring at him, she demanded, “What are you doing here?”

Trahern’s pupils flashed a few times, which confused her. His dragon didn’t talk to him. Right?

Dr. Innes cleared his throat. “Trahern wants to chat with Grace alone, Hayley.”

Hayley glared at Trahern, but the dragonman never took his gaze from Grace.

And she almost swore determination and concern flared there.

Which was ridiculous. Trahern didn’t care about her. Well, beyond the duty of giving her a place to live.

Hayley turned toward her. “Do you want to see him? If not, I’ll chase him away.”

Trahern said, “I’m not leaving until I talk with Grace.”

Her head spun, but whether from exhaustion or Trahern’s unusually firm tone, she didn’t know.

Maybe she was dreaming. Yes, that would explain Trahern’s flashing eyes, long eye contact, and steely tone.

Just as she tried to make her brain work and formulate a reply, Dr. Innes spoke again. “Hayley, come on, lass. It’s my professional opinion that they need to talk.”

Hayley looked back at her. “What do you want, Grace?”

What she wanted was a lack of cynicism, to erase the months spent inside that prison, and to not worry about her boys ever being taken away from her.

Yet, as she glanced at Trahern again, something seemed different about him. Enough that she replied, “I’ll talk to Trahern.”

“I’ll wait right outside the door. Shout if you need me.”