Page 67 of Mytho Investigations: Side Stories

“Hi…um.” He didn’t know what to say. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

That sounded so insincere on his lips, he expected a branch to sweep down and smack him over the head. But today the nymphs were patient, and the grove was calm.

“It’s my honor to meet the human who gave a part of himself that I may exist.” She put her hand over her chest, where a heart should beat, and sounded as if she meant it. “You don’t need to fear me or the others. We can see Pan’s mark on you.”

That wasn’t as reassuring as it should have been, as without Pan’s mark, would they have been in danger? And what exactly was Pan’s mark? He filed that away to ask Edra about later.

“I’m always careful around godly beings.”

She laughed, and it sounded like summer and the rustling of leaves. “That is wise.” She reached out her hand, and Jordan stepped closer, taking the invitation. Her small fingers wrapped around his hand. Her skin was rough and warm as if he was holding a branch, not a hand. “You are always welcome here, father.”

That wasn’t something he’d ever expected anyone to call him. What would Sky and Snow call him when Edra brought them home? “Thank you.”

“Perhaps one day your mate will bring his hatchlings.”

“Perhaps.” Jordan glanced at Edra. “Would you like to join us? We can move the blanket closer?”

She shook her head, her leaves rustling and bouncing around her face. “I do not eat. Nor can I hold this form for long.” She released his hand. “I will watch over you.”

With a sigh, she was gone, melting back into the little sapling. For a moment, Jordan was sure he saw her face on the bark, then she was gone.

He stood there staring as though he was the one rooted to the ground.

“Come and sit,” Edra said.

“Yeah.” He took a step backwards, keeping his gaze on the tree and aware of the presence of the nymph as though she were watching over him.

He shook his head and turned away. Edra was sitting on the blanket, resting back on his hands, watching with a small smile on his lips. “I think she has your nose. Definitely your lips.”

She did, but they hadn’t come here to look for family resemblances.

He sat on the blanket next to Edra as Edra handed him a glass of wine. “Do you want to tell me what all of this is about?”

Edra picked up a cracker and helped himself to some cheese. He actually chewed and swallowed before answering, which meant something was up. Jordan ate a dried apricot, so he had something to do while he waited for Edra to gather his thoughts and speak.

He finished the apricot and took a drink of wine.

Edra sighed. “We got married…but since then it’s been all about my hatchlings and what to do⁠—”

Jordan put his hand on Edra’s thigh. “We’ll figure it out.”

Edra shook his head. “I never stopped to think about your bloodline.”

“What do you mean? I don’t have a bloodline.” Not one he cared about.

“Of course you do, and we never discussed if you want kids or how it would work. And then Troy told me about the nymph tree…”

“I never expected to have kids.” The idea of raising baby dragons with Edra was kind of terrifying, because he didn’t want to discover there was some of his father lurking within him. “And now I have a demigod daughter and your hatchlings. It’s far more than I ever imagined.” He leaned in and kissed Edra. “You are more than I ever imagined. I don’t need anything more.”

“So you don’t think I’ve been incredibly selfish for the last couple of weeks?”

“Not at all. I think you’ve been caught up in thinking about something that’s far bigger than you.”

“I’m always dealing with big issues.”

“I think dealing with city issues is very different from dealing with big personal issues. I’ve felt your indecision, and I wanted to give you space to process…which is kind of what I need.” He had a daughter he didn’t need to raise. One who could be a blessing or a nightmare.

Edra leaned against him. “I couldn’t keep this from you.”