Page 5 of Claimed By the Dragon

Maelon spoke again. “Grace has been through a lot, Trahern. I’ve been helping with some of the others rescued from that place, and whilst she might be one of the lucky ones, it was no less traumatic for her. Maybe at least try to make her feel comfortable in your home.”

He frowned. “My cottage is clean and stocked with everything she needs.”

“A home is more than some place free of dirt. Especially with newborns. She’ll be stressed and worried and exhausted. In short, she’ll need help.”

He still kept his gaze averted. “I will offer her my medical services whenever she asks. And she’ll have whatever food or things she wants.”

Maelon sighed, and Trahern looked over at the other doctor. Maelon shook his head and shrugged before saying, “Justpromise to ask me or Gregor for help and advice, if you need it. I know you’ll say you can find a book, but some things are learned firsthand. We want to help you and Grace, I promise. So will you do it?”

Since he knew it would end the conversation sooner, he nodded. “Yes.”

“Right, well, that will have to be good enough. Now, come on. Kaylee and Melanie helped Grace settle in, but she’s been alone for a few hours now. Grace will probably need a break.”

“Let me tidy up first. Then I’ll go.”

Maelon knew him well enough not to suggest Trahern could do it later. Because he couldn’t. He’d think about it constantly, until he’d put everything in its place.

So the dragonman said goodbye, and Trahern cleaned up his research space. An hour later, he walked toward his cottage, thinking of everything he’d solved with Maelon.

He was at his front door before he knew it and opened it. Only to be bombarded by crying children and Grace’s voice saying, “Please, please, go to sleep. I don’t know what else to do. I’ve fed you and changed you and used all the tricks. I…”

His dragon, which had been quiet most of the day, spoke up.Go help her.

He moved to stand in the doorway of the bedroom he’d given to Grace. She stood next to the bassinets he’d put in the room, her hands hovering over each, as if trying to figure out what to do.

The babies cried louder, and he resisted wincing.

Grace finally noticed his presence and met his gaze. Even he could tell she was distressed.

His dragon spoke up.Ask what she needs. Otherwise, our mate will cry.

“Do they have fevers? Or, have they started acting strangely?”

She glanced back at her sons. “No. Their temperatures are normal, and they were content until I tried to take a nap.” She rubbed her eyes, and her voice was a whisper as she said, “I thought I could handle this. But maybe I can’t.”

His dragon growled, but Trahern ignored his beast and went to stand next to Grace. He ignored her heat and scent surrounding him—he most definitely didn’t want to lean into it—and studied the two babies before snapping the fingers of one hand, then the other, and back again.

Soon the babies quieted as they continued following the sounds. Then he stopped, leaned closer so they could see him—newborns couldn’t see very far—and said sternly but quietly, “You have excellent hearing. That means you must listen to your mum and not make her so worried.” They blinked at him, so he continued, “And I’m aware you can’t understand English yet. However, I’ve had a long-standing hypothesis that inner dragons understand language much sooner, picking it up whilst in the womb. So maybe your inner dragons will hear and listen to me when I say: help them and help your mother.”

The babies continued to blink, although the one dressed in green scrunched up his face as if not liking what he had to say. Trahern continued as if the babe had spoken. “I know everything must be difficult for you, compared to being inside the womb. But now, you must adapt. Your mother has done a lot to keep you, so help her. Having a parent who wants you is something not to take for granted.”

As soon as he said the words, he regretted it. Why he was chatty with the babies, he didn’t know. Probably because they couldn’t talk back and say he was odd.

Memories of his childhood threatened to rush forth, but he pushed them back into his mental box of Things Never to Think About.

He checked the feet of the first babe, saw the ink spot, and then addressed each of the boys in turn. “Elijah, you’re the oldest by a few minutes. Set an example for your brother. And Edward, watch out for your brother. I’m told siblings protect each other, so do that. Do you understand?”

The boys just stared at him. If they could make rational deductions, they probably would’ve wondered what the bloody hell he was going on about. But that wasn’t new.

Grace’s soft voice garnered his attention. “Thank you.”

He motioned for the human to move her head closer to the bassinets. “A newborn dragon-shifter’s vision is blurry far away, but a little clearer close up. They also see little color at this stage. So, bringing yourself closer for now will probably help them start to recognize your face. Although your voice will be the best clue. How did you talk to them in the womb?”

Grace leaned over, her cheek only a few inches from his, but she focused on stroking Edward’s cheek. “Quietly. I was afraid someone would hear me in the prison.”

Anger suddenly shot through him. “They’ve been apprehended and sentenced, you know. The main people in charge of that place.”

“I know.” She quieted as she reached for her other son’s cheek before she added, “But they didn’t find him.”