Page 9 of Dragon My Crazy

Carly and I exchanged a look.

“The egg?” she mouthed.

I nodded. He could very well be talking about his daughter. What did he say her name was? I didn’t remember.

What I did remember was the egg and how warm it had been in my arms. It had felt alive, something waiting to know the world. I’d known, deep down inside, that whatever, whoever, was inside was special.

What if she never shifted? What if she never knew her human side? Weren’t dragons who didn’t have a human side unable to reason like a human? I was pretty sure that was the case. The idea that she might never get to experience this wonderful world as a human felt like a tragedy in the making.

And if Emmett had come here, then the situation must be dire indeed because dragons did not usually help each other. Was Emmett banking on the fact that Carly would insist Desmon help him? Was there even anything for him to do?

But the conversation shifted, and I frowned as I heard Emmett request that Desmon send me over to care for Melantha.

“I will compensate you for the use of your housekeeper.” Said like he wanted to borrow Desmon’s lawnmower.

I wrinkled my nose even as Carly met my gaze. Compensatehimfor the use ofhishousekeeper? That sounded no better than a haughty wizard renting out a trapped demon or soul to another for a price. I didn’t belong to Desmon, and Emmett had no right to ask.

I waited for Desmon’s response, but none came. Instead, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor made us both jump. Carly’s eyes widened, and before either of us could react, the door swung open. Since I was leaning against the door, I swung in with it, right into a wide, silk-covered chest.

Emmett’s strong arms wrapped around me, firm and unyielding. My hand landed against his chest, and my fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. For a moment neither of us moved. His masculine scent, like spices smoldering over a campfire, wrapped around me, and it was impossible to breathe without taking him in.

His jaw stayed clenched as he set me back on my feet, his hands too hot on my skin. I wore only my one-piece swimsuit and a lacycover-up; the garment hid nothing. His eyes caught mine and sparked with unmistakable interest.

Desmon stood there, arms crossed, his golden eyes flicking between us with amusement.

Chapter 6

Emmett

Ifeltherpresencebeyond the door before I heard it. My human skin prickled with awareness and my dragon perked up, suddenly alert and interested.

How long had she been there? How much had she heard? And more importantly, would she help?

Desmon had only confirmed all the research I’d done on my own. He’d even asked if I’d had Meera over to see how Melanthareacted. And when I told him the disappointing outcome, he had suggested Elana.

Elana. Beautiful, poised Elana. The woman who’d distracted me so much that I’d squandered my chance with a dance.

Apparently, when Melantha’s egg had been in Desmon’s possession, it had been Elana who had spent the most time with it.

The fact that Desmon was willing to help surprised me. Of course, he’d growled at me when I’d shown up, demanding to know what the hell I was doing on his estate and how the hell I had gotten in. And as always, I’d explained that the magic protecting his home didn’t see me as a threat.

Because I wasn’t.

If anything, I was the one who risked everything by sharing my plight. Dragons did not admit weakness by asking for help.

But I’d done it again because I was getting desperate.

The only reason I dared risk it was because my brother’s mate, Carly, was truly a good person, sweet to the core, and I doubted she’d be happy if he betrayed me. And if there was one goal in Desmon’s life now, it was to keep his mate happy.

I never understood caring for one person so much until now. Now, whenever I thought of Melantha, I knew that I had to do everything in my power to help her.

Could the woman in front of me be the solution?

Elana stood frozen where I’d left her, her mouth agape, her eyes darting from mine to Desmon’s.

Desmon took one look at her and said, “Ah, there she is. You can ask her yourself.”

His words seemed to snap Elana out of her shocked state. She scrambled back from me like I was contagious. She crossed her arms over her chest, her chin lifting with defiance.