Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
After ten days of nonstop activity and chaos, Grace sat in a large room next to Trahern, waiting for the arbiter to enter.
From what she’d learned from Hayley, the DDA ran the dragon-shifter custody hearings in lieu of judges. Which meant no wigs or robes or any of the traditional stuff she’d seen on TV shows.
Still, despite how her heart raced and palms sweated, Grace stole another glance at Trahern. He was always handsome, but seeing him in a suit made her want to drag him into a dark corner and have her way with him.
And yet, as he tugged at the top button again, she knew how the formal clothing didn’t “feel right against his skin.” However, Hayley had cautioned that to appear in his normal clothes would be disrespectful and might harm their case.
So Trahern had donned the clothes he described as scratchy, hot, and too tight.
He willingly made himself uncomfortable to help her and her boys.
Oh, how she loved her dragonman, for so many reasons.
Under the table they sat at, she took his hand and squeezed. His flashing eyes met hers, and she smiled.
Trahern stopped tugging at the button and squeezed her hand back.
Whispers from the back of the room garnered Grace’s attention, and she turned to see a woman in her early 50s with light tan skin, black hair, and dark eyes walk up the aisle and sit down at the table on the opposite side.
She never once looked in Grace’s direction.
However, she knew it was Madalena Silva, her ex’s mother.
She nearly growled. But Trahern squeezed her hand again, reminding Grace that no matter how much she wanted to drag the dragonwoman outside and tell her to sod off, she wouldn’t give her anything to use against them.
Soon after Madalena sat down, the door at the front of the room opened. They all stood as the panel of arbiters walked in, consisting of three men and two women. After they sat behind a long table—one on a dais raised six inches above the floor—everyone followed suit.
Grace’s heart raced as she waited for someone to speak. Eventually the man sitting in the center, with gray hair, dark skin, and dark eyes, put on a pair of spectacles and finally stated, “We’re here to discuss the custody of Elijah and Edward Lewis. Are all parties present and ready to begin?”
She was about to reply in the affirmative when the doors at the back of the room opened. After turning, she gasped as the tall forms of Rhydian Griffiths, Wren Jones, and Dr. Maelon Perry from Snowridge took their seats at the back.
She whispered to Trahern, “Did you know they were coming?”
“No. They provided statements, but I said it was unnecessary for them to come in person.”
The man at the front table cleared his throat, regaining control of the room.
Once silent, he stated, “I will excuse your tardiness since my assistant tells me you came all the way from Wales. Now, let’s begin.
We’re here today to determine the best homes for Elijah and Edward.
Their paternal grandmother, Madalena Silva, has put in a request for full custody, based on the unsuitability of Dr. Trahern Lewis as a guardian.
Dr. Lewis’s own father has provided statements to bolster her claim, and will join us shortly to answer our questions.
However, Mrs. Grace Lewis has refuted their objections and provided her own evidence and character witnesses for why Dr. Lewis is a suitable guardian.
Since the burden of proof falls on Dr. and Mrs. Lewis to disprove the claims, Ms. Beckett, please begin your defense. ”
As Hayley cited various case law, as well as the criminal history of Trahern’s father, and how Grace’s ex had sold her to dragon hunters and would be a danger to the twins if his mother gained custody, Grace took strength from Trahern’s hand in hers.
Trahern still tried to understand why Rhydian and the others from Snowridge had traveled to England. It would’ve taken considerable paperwork and time to get here.
His dragon spoke up. They were our allies before, no matter how much you tried to ignore the entire clan.
Before he could think of a response, Hayley called Rhydian to the front of the room. Once he sat in front of a microphone, Trahern focused on his former clan leader.
Hayley asked, “You’re the current leader of Clan Snowridge in Wales, correct?”
“Aye. For many years now.”
“So you’re familiar with Trahern and his father, Dewi Lewis?”
“Of course. Even though Dewi left the clan years ago, I’m very aware of him. Especially as he’s wanted by the clan for neglect of a child and attempted murder.”
Trahern frowned. He’d never heard of this.
Hayley continued, “For neglect and attempted murder of his son.”
“Aye. The former head doctor, Arwel Hughes, found high amounts of poison in Trahern’s body as a boy, and was acquainted with Trahern and knew he’d never take the poison willingly or by mistake—he was a very clever lad with plants and science and such.
However, whilst the former clan leader never addressed it, I take harm to a child seriously.
Once I became clan leader and learned of it, I informed my head Protector to detain Dewi Lewis.
That’s when he fled Snowridge and never returned. ”
Trahern’s head spun. Was it true? Had his father run away because he’d been wanted for a crime and not because of him embarrassing the male?
His dragon said softly, He was an arsehole. I never liked him, but knew you would never listen to me about him. Maybe now you’ll accept he was a horrible person and none of his words were true.
Hayley retrieved a folder and placed it in front of the man in the center of the front table. “New evidence for you to consider, Mr. Bailey. It’s the medical records from Dr. Hughes and the warrant for Dewi Lewis’s arrest, signed by Rhydian Griffiths.”
The man scanned the documents and passed them to one of his colleagues.
“The warrant was approved by the DDA and still stands. As such, as soon as Dewi Lewis appears, he’ll be handed over to Snowridge’s custody.
” He glanced at Madalena at the other table.
“Do you still wish to use him as your key character witness?”
The dragonwoman shook her head. “No. But my claim on my grandsons still stands. I won’t let that male neglect and kill them.”
Trahern growled, but Grace shook her head a fraction. He rarely showed his temper, and he needed to get himself under control.
The man gestured toward Hayley. “Then continue stating your case, Ms. Beckett.”
And as Hayley interviewed each of the dragonmen from Snowridge, Trahern had trouble believing their words were true.
They lauded his intelligence, his willingness to help other doctors with research, and how dedicated he’d been to his patients back on Snowridge.
How he’d given lectures to children at the school, and helped a few better understand chemistry or biology.
Or, how he’d given advice to the teachers on how to handle another student who’d shown similar habits to him and how to engage him better.
So many things he’d forgotten about and had dismissed as inconsequential.
His dragon spoke again. It’s because you never took praise or compliments to heart, always believing the worst of people thanks to our father’s influence.
Had he really allowed his father’s hateful words to color everything?
Once Hayley finished questioning the Snowridge males, she called more witnesses from Stonefire, and even Dr. Scarlett Turner.
Antony Holbrook had wanted to come, too, but his position needed to remain in a fuzzy gray area, which meant staying out of the limelight.
But the human male had pledged Iris could testify, if needed.
However, as Hayley attempted to call yet another person to vouch for him, the human in the middle of the table up front, Mr. Bailey, put up a hand.
“I think we’ve heard enough. And since Mrs. Silva has dropped her only witness, we have enough information to make our decision.
” He glanced down one side of the table, and then the other.
Each nodded. “Those in favor of allowing Grace and Trahern Lewis to keep sole custody, raise your hand.” All five hands went up.
“The decision is made. If you wish to have visitation rights for holidays or on a prearranged schedule, feel free to submit another request. For now, this matter is closed.”
As the five humans stood, Trahern somehow managed to rise, too. However, he still tried to process what had just happened.
Custody, yes, they’d been awarded full custody. However, he still didn’t understand why so many people had come to his defense.
His dragon spoke up. Dragon clans have each other’s backs in the UK. Maybe not everywhere, but here, they rally around any of their members who are loyal and good and true.
Grace hugged him, and he awkwardly patted her back as his supporters all walked up to them. He met Rhydian’s eye, and asked, “Is it true? About why my father ran?”
“I wouldn’t lie about it, Trahern. I tried to tell you, but you were very good at avoiding people.
And then you went to Stonefire, and well.
” Rhydian shrugged. “But as soon as we heard about this case, I knew I had to come in person and share the information.” He put out a hand to shake.
“Please visit Snowridge anytime you like, we’d be happy to have you. ”
For once, he didn’t hesitate to shake Rhydian’s hand and drop it. “Thank you.”
Grace stood at his side, her arm around his waist, and leaned against him. “Thank you, all of you, for helping us to keep our boys.”
As his mate chatted with everyone, he was content to hold his female and merely study the people around the room.
Someone entered, someone he didn’t know. And yet the set of the male’s eyes and nose were similar to Madalena Silva’s, probably a relation.
The dragonman pushed people aside and headed right for them. “Where are they, Grace?” He shouted. “They’re mine, you little bitch. And I’ll take you, if need be, to get what’s owed.”
Without thinking, Trahern pushed Grace behind him and walked up to the male. The male’s eyes flashed as he growled, “Get out of my way, you geeky bastard.”
Before his dragon could speak, Trahern raised a fist and punched the man in the face.
Pain radiated up his arm, but the male dropped to the ground. As he shook his hand, he blinked and tried to understand why he’d done that.
His dragon snorted. The bastard deserved it, that’s why. Well done.
Rhydian, Wren, Kai Sutherland, and a few other Protectors stood around the unconscious dragonman.
However, a human DDA bailiff came through.
After checking the unconscious male’s ID, he stated, “This is Afonso Silva, who is wanted by the DDA.” The human looked at Trahern.
“Since he’s alive, and you helped us apprehend the dragonman, I won’t press charges, Dr. Lewis.
Now, if a few of you lads would help me get this dragonman to a holding cell, I’d appreciate it. He’s a heavy bastard, for sure.”
As the Protectors hauled off the male—none too gently—Grace placed a hand on his cheek. “Are you sure you’re okay? You didn’t break your hand, did you?”
“No, it’s not broken, but it bloody hurts. I don’t understand why someone would find punching people fun.”
She smiled, kissed him, and then allowed Dr. Turner to assess his hand and confirm it wasn’t broken.
Once he was alone—well, as alone as he could be in a full room—with Grace, he searched her gaze for signs of anger or disappointment.
But all he saw was love and approval. He blurted, “You’re happy I hit him, aren’t you?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t be, but I rather enjoyed watching him drop to the ground.” She leaned against his chest, and Trahern wrapped his arms around his mate. She continued, “Let’s go home, Trahern. Home to our boys.” She lowered her voice. “And home so I can finally claim you as mine.”
Both man and beast approved, and Trahern did his best to get them out of the room and heading back to Stonefire as quickly as possible.
Because he was done waiting. He wanted his mate in his bed. And soon.