Page 65 of Dragon My Crazy

The crowd erupted into deafening cheers. Elana beamed, her eyes shining with unshed tears. In the stroller in front of her was Melly, who was bundled up in a tiny, hand-knitted plum-colored sweater and a matching winter hat that made her look like a little round berry. She was in her human form today, her chubby cheeks flushed pink from the cold. I doubted she’d stay human the whole day, and that was why I’d gotten the outfit enchanted so she wouldn’t rip right out of it when she shifted later.

The autumn festival was in full swing when Bjorn found me again in the crowd. He pressed a frothy mug into my hands—dark amber ale brewed right here in Solstice. “To the Dragon of Solstice,” he said, clinking his mug against mine.

The beer was rich and malty, with just a hint of local honey. I took a long pull, feeling the warmth spread through me. Elana watched with amusement as I wiped foam from my mouth.

Meera and Graham appeared, taking the stroller from Elana. “They set up a bunch of activities for the little ones by the covered pavilion,” Meera said. “You get Melly all the time. Let us hog her for a bit.”

“We’re test-driving a child to see if we can actually handle one,” Graham said. “Eadie’s got us doubting everything.”

I grinned. Eadie had come over to play several times, and I had to admit that she was a menace. Melly might have taught her how to set things on fire, but I wasn’t going to admit to that.

Graham gave me a pat on the shoulder. “Go and enjoy the festival.”

I turned back to Elana. The festival could wait. Right now, my dragon was a little overwhelmed by all the people. I wanted a bit of time to ourselves.

I wrapped my hand around her waist, pulling her flush against my body, shielding her from the autumn chill. I guided her away from the main path, leading her down a quiet trail that wound behind the town hall. It was shaded in the canopy of a row of trees, and a cool breeze rustled through the orange and red leaves.

Once we were completely out of sight of the crowd, I backed her gently against the trunk of a massive, ancient oak tree, dry leaves crunching softly beneath our boots.

Elana looked up at me, a soft, breathless smile playing on her beautiful face. “The Dragon of Solstice. It has a nice ring to it.”

“It does. But all I care about is being yours, and making sure you and Melly have the best the world can offer. How about Elana’s Mighty Dragon?”

She laughed. “The mightiest.” She went on her tiptoes and kissed me then.

And my dragon inside practically purred. I hadn’t set out to find a mate and a family. But somehow, here I was. And I’d never been happier.

Elana and Melly were my home. My everything. And I would tear the world apart to keep them safe.

THE END