looked straight at Freddie and asked, "We need to get a move on or we'll be late. Did the human parents arrive yet?"
Dawn was about to say something when Freddie gestured toward her. "Daisy's mum is here. She's going to help you."
The man's gaze followed Freddie's finger pointing at her, and the dragonman looked at Dawn's face. His eyes were inquisitive and focused, as if memorizing her features. Then his pupils flashed to slits and back to round, and Dawn couldn't hold back a gasp as she stumbled backward.
She'd never seen the changing pupils before, and they really did turn into a reptilian-type shape. If she remembered right, it meant the dragon half was talking whenever that happened.
Her daughter tugged her hand. "Don't be afraid, Mum. It's just his dragon half. It's like his best friend, always there, talking and giving advice. Not always good advice, but they mean well. And Mr. Whitby's really nice. He's not going to shift and shred you to pieces."
Daisy's words snapped Mr. Whitby's attention, and he frowned. "Of course not. No one on Stonefire would do that unless someone hurt or killed one of our own."
Daisy bobbed her head. "See? You'll be fine, Mum. And Mr. Whitby's brilliant. He made some special things for our play. He didn't have to, but he did. So make sure to be careful and not drop and break something."
Her daughter's words brought Dawn back to the present and stated, "Daisy Mae, I don't break things."
"Sometimes you do. You say that's where I get it from. You say it all the time, Mum. Remember?"
Dawn's cheeks heated. It really shouldn't matter since she'd only see the dragonman for the evening and go home. But still, no one liked having their faults shouted to the world at the first opportunity.
Willing her cheeks to cool, Dawn cleared her throat. "We'll talk about this after the play. Will you be all right if I go help Mr. Whitby?"
Mr. Whitby spoke up, his voice somewhat calmer and gentler than before. "Call me Blake. And she'll be fine. The great hall is one of the safest places on the clan."
Daisy shifted from one foot to the other, her actions telling Dawn that she wanted to go have fun with her friend. Only because an entire dragon clan was watching over the human children tonight did she not comment and give another reminder.
Daisy motioned toward the door. "Go, Mum. I'll see you after the show."
Dawn shared a glance with Freddie's mother, Sasha, who stood nearby—the dragonwoman confirming with a look that she'd keep her eye on Daisy—and then nodded. "Okay. Do your best tonight, Daisy. I'll be filming it all to show everyone."
Once Daisy bobbed her head, Dawn finally turned toward Blake. He stared at her, studying her face as if he'd just seen it for the first time all over again.
She almost asked if she had something on her cheek or nose, but decided not to. Daisy had already embarrassed her once, and she didn't need to encourage any more. "What do I need to do?"
With a grunt, Blake turned and motioned toward a door on the far side of the room. "Follow me and we'll get started."
Every cell in Dawn's body urged her to look back and ensure Daisy was okay. But her daughter had turned eleven the day before and was no longer a baby. Dawn was trying to give her a little more responsibility and trust.
Besides, Freddie's mother would look after them. They'd had several phone conversations since the dragon camp, and Sasha Atherton was probably the closest thing to a friend she had on Stonefire.
Although right before Dawn entered the door, she did steal a quick glance only to find Daisy laughing. The sight warmed her heart and gave her the courage to leave her daughter in the care of others for a short while.
So she entered the door, followed Blake Whitby, and waited to see what she needed to do for the night.
Chapter Two
Blake somehow kept his emotions in check as he guided Dawn through the door into the backstage area.
His dragon growled. How can you be so calm? She's our true mate. I can tell. She should be ours.
Of all the females in the world, what were the chances he'd meet his true mate at a play for children?
It wasn't as if he didn't think she was beautiful. But he knew nothing about her besides the fact she had a daughter.
And that fact alone could interrupt his plans to