Page 19 of Claimed By the Dragon

Mainly because of his father.

So it seemed they’d both had hard times growing up, albeit in different ways.

After tidying up and brushing her teeth, Grace went into the kitchen just as Daisy jumped up with a cheer. “You did it, Trahern! Well done!”

Blake placed a hand on Daisy’s shoulder. “Why don’t you set the table, Daisy? We’ll eat soon.”

The little girl dashed to do as suggested, and Trahern turned around, holding a plate full of pancakes. They weren’t exactly round, but as the aroma filled her nose and her stomach rumbled, Grace decided she didn’t care.

Trahern must’ve heard her stomach because he frowned at her. “You need to eat.”

Her first instinct was to brush it aside and be polite. But then she remembered her promise to be direct, and she said, “I’m less tired but definitely hungry. I could probably eat the whole plate by myself.”

Daisy piped up. “There’s also fruit and yogurt and some eggs. I don’t think you could eat all of that, though.”

As the little girl raced to the side and started placing dishes on the table, Grace laughed at the heaping amounts of everything. “No, I don’t think I could. Unless there were donuts, then I could probably eat half a dozen of them without thinking.”

Trahern placed the pancakes on the table. “I can’t make donuts yet, but I can try to learn. Do you know how, Blake?”

Before Blake could answer, Grace shook her head. “No, don’t worry about it. I’m sure we can buy some inside Stonefire, for a treat. I’d get sick if I ate them all the time, no matter how good they taste.”

“If they make you sick, why would you want them?”

“Haven’t you ever eaten too much of something, of a favorite food, and regretted it afterward when you’re too full and feel like you’ll pop?”

Trahern’s brows came together. “No. Why would I?”

Daisy chimed in again. “Because it tastes amazing. Do you have a favorite food, Trahern?”

“I like toast.”

Grace blinked. “Toast? That’s your favorite food?”

“It was the only thing I could make before, so yes.”

She smiled. “Favorite out of necessity. We’ll have to change that.”

He glanced at her, but didn’t smile. She wondered if he ever did.

Trahern replied, “Why? Toast is easy, economical, and nearly foolproof.”

Grace opened her mouth to reply, but Daisy beat her to it. “You can still like toast, but maybe there are other foods that can become a favorite, too. Did you have any as a kid?”

For a split second, Trahern focused on arranging the plate of pancakes, rotating it this way and that before he finally replied, “I had ice cream once. I think I liked it, although it was a long time ago.”

Knowing more of his history, Grace wondered how he’d gotten the ice cream. She doubted Trahern’s father had given him any sort of treat.

Daisy, however, was oblivious to Trahern’s past pain and merely said, “The next time we come over, I’ll bring some ice cream. What kind? My favorite is cookies and cream. Or fudge brownie. Or chocolate chip cookie dough. Oh, and maybe also rocky road.”

Trahern hesitated and then said quietly, “I would like strawberry. That’s what I had before.”

Daisy scrunched up her nose. “Simple, but if it’s your favorite, then that’s what I’ll get. Now, let’s eat! All this talk of ice cream has made me even hungrier.”

The little girl sat next to Blake, and Grace sat next to Trahern. As the other pair talked about something to do with their family,Grace leaned over to Trahern and whispered, “Thank you for making breakfast.”

“Of course. It should taste fine, even if it’s not symmetrical. Next time, I need to improve the shape.”

She bit back a smile and loaded her plate with a little of everything before saying, “Some of the best cakes or biscuits I’ve ever eaten looked awful but tasted brilliant. As cliché as it is, you shouldn’t always judge by appearances.”