curled into himself did something to her heart.
Had she caused this? They'd talked all evening with no problem. The only thing different had been the accidental kiss.
Not that she felt asking Freddie would be the best idea. Maybe she did need to talk with the clan leader.
However, before she could ask Freddie to take her, the little dragon boy took her hand, and she let him lead her out of the room. When she glanced one last time at Blake curled on the floor, Dawn noticed Daisy followed silently behind her, too.
It seemed even her daughter sensed something had just happened, even if she had no bloody idea what a mere kiss could do to a strong dragonman like Blake.
Once they were outside of the special set of rooms, Freddie released Dawn's hand and said firmly, "Don't go in there. We need to find some help."
"Why?" Daisy asked.
"Because Mr. Whitby's dragon wants your mum, and soon will do anything to have her, even if it means fighting off other males to get her."
The image of Blake fighting off other dragonmen to get to her made the blood drain from her face. It was hard to reconcile that idea with the slightly shy, gentle man with hidden humor from earlier. But there was so much about dragon-shifters she didn't know.
Maybe there was a side to dragon-shifters that was the root of all the rumors and whispers she'd heard over the years.
The familiar voice of Tristan MacLeod reached her ears, bringing her back to the present. "Here you two are. Now, come on."
Freddie rushed to the teacher. "No, wait, listen. Mr. Whitby and Daisy's mum kissed, and now he's trying to fight his dragon against the mate-claim frenzy. He's in there." He pointed. "Help him."
Tristan muttered, "Bloody fucking hell," before rushing to the door. "Do as the boy says, Dawn. Follow him. You need to see Bram straightaway."
Dawn glanced one last time at the door, wondering what would happen to Blake. She hoped nothing horrible because his pain was her fault in a way. Freddie implied it was the kiss that had changed everything. And if Daisy hadn't pushed her into him, then none of this would've happened.
You need more information, Dawn. So go get it. With a deep breath, she looked back at Freddie. The boy stood taller and motioned for them to follow him.
She barely noticed the walk to the great hall, only aware of Daisy taking her hand. Since her daughter didn't do that often anymore, the touch helped calm Dawn's thumping heart. She forced a small smile down at Daisy, a little worried at how quiet she was.
However, she didn't get to ask Daisy anything since they exited the door and entered the great hall. Tristan must've called Bram because he and his mate—she couldn't remember the woman's name—waited for them.
Bram's face was expressionless, his eyes assessing her as they stopped. He was so much taller than Blake, and a lot more intimidating. This man held control over an entire clan of dragon-shifters.
Then his pale-skinned, ginger-haired mate stepped in front of Bram and smiled. She said, "We met briefly earlier, but I'm Evie, Bram's mate. I'm a human just like you."
Dawn looked between Evie, Bram, and back again. Time to push aside any fears and get some bloody answers. "What's going on? Everyone keeps saying you'll explain it all to me, and that just makes me even more worried."
"We'll explain it all in just a moment." Evie glanced down at Freddie. "Why don't you take Daisy to the party and stay close to your family? Can you do that?"
Daisy frowned. "I want to hear what's going on, too."
Bram spoke up. "Not right now, little one. Freddie can tell you what's happening. But we need to have an adults-only conversation with your mother."
Dawn knew how much Daisy hated "adults-only" conversations. But before she could tell Daisy to go with Freddie, the boy took Daisy's hand and said, "I can take her to my family. And we'll watch over her, Mrs. Chadwick. I promise."
Freddie really was a sweet boy.
She looked down at her daughter and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Go with Freddie and stay with his family. I'll find you when I'm done."
"But, Mum."
"No buts, Daisy. Just promise me you won't go looking for any more trouble, okay?"
Daisy must've sensed Dawn's uneasiness because she didn't argue. "Okay. I promise."
She leaned down and kissed Daisy's cheek, the familiar touch helping to calm her a little more.