Page 72 of Dragon Cursed
She tapped her stick once against the floor.
"Come inside, dear.We have a great deal to talk about and my hip is not what it was.The kettle is on."
She turned to Poppy.
"Poppy, my girl.Take off your coat and put your hand on his shoulder before he keels over.The poor dragon looks like he's beenkicked."
Niamh turned.Tapped her stick once more.Began the slow careful walk back into the house.
Alsander — arrogantDraquonir, nearly two thousand years old, last of his line — stood on the doorstep of a Georgian terrace house in Dublin in a postman's uniform, dumbfounded.
He turned to look at his mate.
His mouth was slightly open.
He couldn’t, for a long moment, find words.
"She knows."
"She knows," Poppy whispered.Her hand had come up to her mouth.He couldn’t tell if she was about to laugh or cry.
"What did she mean bykeeper-lines?"
"The dragons are not the only families with secrets."
His mate winked at him.As if her aunt's life — herlife— wasn’t in danger.
"Your aunt is —"
"My auntie iswhat?"
"In danger.Poppy — she knows what I am.She knows whatyouare.If Laoch finds her —"
"Alsander."
"He will come for her,a chuisle.He came for you in the lair.He will come forher."
Poppy burst into laughter.
"This is not funny."
"It is very funny."
"Poppy."
"You heard her.She’s been waiting for this her entirelife, Alsander, and she didn’t look like she was afraid of you.Not even a little.So, I dare Laoch to come for her.Dare him.”
He stared at Poppy.Then — slowly, almost despite himself — the corner of his mouth moved."I am beginning to like your aunt."
"Come on."
She put her hand on his shoulder, as instructed.She steered him gently through the green door into the warm, book-cluttered hall of her great-aunt's house.
"Come on, my love.The kettle is on.Auntie Niamh reads Elvish.Let's find out how to break that curse."
17
Poppy
