The (Not) Satisfied Dragon - Colette Rhodes Page 0,78

and some bruised fruit for him to eat until we could get him more food.

“I'll ask my mother to make him bone broth,” Levi murmured as I walked past with the sad plate of snacks, grimacing slightly.

“Why are you doing this?” the Scribe asked, chewing slowly on the bread like he hadn't even noticed how stale it was.

“Because your life is worth saving,” I replied. “Because being flightless shouldn't mean you are friendless. Eat. We are going to take care of you, and you will get better. Then, together, we are going to the Council and telling them that these living conditions are unacceptable and you require better.”

The ghost of a smile flickered across his face. “You may be right, Alpha. I think your mate might be able to do anything.”

✽✽✽

After some debate, Levi and Oren separated from the rest of us to get supplies and enlist volunteers to help the Scribe. All of my mates assured me that their families would step in at such short notice to help.

Because that’s just what families did, apparently. I supposed there was very little I wouldn’t do for Xander, but I’d always felt that was out of a sense of guilt. I hadn’t been able to protect him when we were kids, and I wanted to protect him now.

I must have aunts, uncles and cousins out there, too. I barely remembered them from my childhood, but there had been others around. Maybe one day, I could seek them out.

//You totally trust the fae?// Hiram asked as we flew towards the Edan’s property in Northgales.

//I do.//

I hesitated for a moment, deciding whether to say more. Opening up to them didn’t come naturally to me and I knew they were patiently waiting for answers that I hadn’t given them. Mostly about my childhood, but also about the time I’d spent when I ran away from them. That was an easier place to start.

//After I, er, left, Xander found me in the remains of our childhood den. We both felt a pull to it because we hadn’t bonded out of our flight yet.//

Even in my head, I could practically hear my mates waiting with bated breath for me to continue.

//He brought me to the Edan’s home. They’ve, uh, looked out for him over the years. Anyway, they let me stay in Bryn’s old cabin. They fed me, gave me space and kept me company when I wanted company. They’re good and kind fae.//

There was a long silence, and I briefly resented the fact that we were in our dragon forms. Dragons didn’t have the most expressive faces.

//I’m glad you had somewhere to go when you felt like you couldn’t stay with us,// Ezra said eventually, cracking my heart right down the middle with the pain in his words. //Though I still hate the fae.//

I snorted at his weak attempt to lighten the mood, my dragon making an odd huffing sound.

//No, you don’t. You only hate some fae. Just like I only hate some dragons.//

//And that is what we call growth,// Hiram added cheerfully.

//On that note, we’re here.//

I attempted to lead the way, beginning my descent towards the expansive stretch of lawn outside the Edan’s sandstone mansion, but Ezra swooped beneath me, ensuring he was in front. I supposed it would have been strange if he’d lost all of his protective instincts.

Quillan strode across the lawn to meet us, hands clasped behind his back, looking up at the air with a slight smile on his face. He didn’t look bothered by our presence, though given his line of work, I doubted we were the strangest visitors he’d ever had. Tal skipped out of the house after him, her pink hair floating in the wind and white dress whipping around her ankles.

My three mates landed ahead of me and I shifted and dressed as quickly as possible, pushing past an unsuspecting Seff to throw my arms around Tal’s neck. I’d make an exception in my physical touch rule for her. She’d gotten naked in front of me. Besides, she kind of felt like a mother figure. I’d missed her.

“Oh, Shira! I’ve missed you,” Tal cried, wrapping me up in a proper, maternal hug.

“I’m sure Shira missed you too, but you should probably stop hugging before her mates shift and burn our house down,” Quillan chuckled. “I’m quite fond of this place.”

I rolled my eyes at all the growling happening behind me but stepped back anyway. Ezra's strong arm immediately banded around my waist, hauling me tightly against