Chapter 2
Chapter Two
The next two days flew by in a blur as Grace filled out DDA paperwork, took care of her sons, and tried her best not to look at the door and wonder if Trahern would visit.
He’d signed the mating paperwork and provided his mobile number in case of emergencies, but had been busy with some sort of research. In other words, she hadn’t seen him since the mating vows.
Which only reminded Grace that she was in this alone, for the most part, and she could never forget it.
After finishing her discharge papers, she stood staring at her twins asleep in a double pram, and uncertainty crashed over her. She didn’t know who to ask for directions, let alone where she could go to buy a few necessities, or even where Trahern’s cottage was located.
Especially since she was human and didn’t know if anyone would even help her.
For the first time, she wondered if it’d been a mistake to say she didn’t want to see any of the human women who’d tried to visit her. They could’ve at least given her a few tips and maybe drawn a map.
Eddie stirred in his sleep, and she readjusted the tiny hat on his head and smiled. He was the fussier of her boys. They were identical, with the same light brown skin, dark eyes, and bald heads. And yet, their personalities were already starting to emerge.
For the time being, she dressed them by color—Eli in blue and Eddie in green—to make her life easier. Yes, the nurses had put a spot of ink on Eli’s foot so they could tell them apart. But she liked to think that, as their mum, she should be able to recognize who was who sooner rather than later.
Just as Eddie scrunched his nose again, the door opened.
But instead of the medical staff, a short, curvy woman with reddish-brown hair and green eyes entered, smiling at her.
Her American accent surprised her as she said, “Hello, Grace. I’m Melanie Hall-MacLeod.
And I know you’ve been turning away visitors, but I insist on helping you settle in a little.
I’m one of the few humans to have had twins on Stonefire, so I figured I could give you some tips. ”
She blinked. Even Grace had heard of the American and her book about dragon-shifters. “Er, hello. I’m Grace Butler—I mean, Lewis.”
After walking nearer the pram, Melanie stopped and smiled down at the boys.
“I sometimes forget how tiny they are in the beginning. Mine are about to start school soon and aren’t very little anymore.
My mate seems to think we should have another baby.
And while I love children, my daughter, in particular, is a handful.
I’m unsure if I need any more chaos in my house. ”
Grace struggled to reply. The American certainly didn’t have trouble sharing personal things, but Grace usually kept everything to herself.
As she tried to think of what to say, Melanie met her gaze again. “Well, enough about my little hellions—who, I love to pieces, mind you—and let’s get you settled. Trahern is doing something to help Snowridge, his former clan, and sadly, can’t be here himself.”
Part of her breathed a sigh of relief because she could put off being alone with Trahern for a while longer.
One of the DDA’s requirements for matings was that they had to live together to prove it wasn’t a sham.
Hers was one, of course, but she had no choice but to live with the dragonman to pretend it wasn’t.
A dragonman she barely knew.
Tamping down her worries—the last dragonman she’d trusted still made her distrust the rest—she tightened her grip on the pram and replied, “Thank you.”
Melanie waved a hand in dismissal. “Think nothing of it. Now, tell me their names and then I’ll take you to the clan’s shop before heading to Trahern’s cottage. You’ll need a few things, for sure, and don’t worry, Trahern said to put it on his account and he’ll take care of it.”
The first of many debts to come. Grace didn’t like it, not one bit. She’d have to find a way to pay her own way somehow, and soon.
Melanie placed a hand on her arm and said softly, “Let him take care of you, Grace. Dragonmen can get extra grumpy if you don’t let them do it at least sometimes. Trahern is a little…different. But he’s still a dragon-shifter, and caring for their mates is serious business.”
Grace raised an eyebrow. “We’re not really mates. I’m sure you know that.”
“Hmm. We’ll see about that.”
Before she could protest, another woman appeared, with brown curly hair, brown eyes, and fair skin.
She also had a baby on her hip, who looked like a mini-copy of the woman, albeit with darker hair.
She also spoke with an American accent. “Hello! When Trahern told me he had a mate, I had to come see for myself. I’m Kaylee Perry, by the way.
My mate is Snowridge’s doctor, and he’s the reason Trahern isn’t here himself.
Which is another reason I had to come and help.
Nice to meet you! Who are these two cutie pies? ”
Melanie had a more calming presence, but Kaylee seemed full of energy. Grace, on the other hand, still struggled to concentrate on anything after her difficult birth since her brain felt like a thick fog. Which meant being social and chatting about little things was hard.
Still, these women had come to help her. So she touched each of her boys in turn as she said, “This is Eli in blue, and Eddie is in green.”
Kaylee picked up her son’s hand and waved. “Say hello, Aidan.”
Despite all of her uncertainties, Grace couldn’t help but smile.
Melanie gestured. “Come on, Kaylee. We need to pick up some things for Grace, and she probably needs another nap. I know I did after the twins were born. Come to think of it, I probably still always need a nap, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do with all the extra free time once the twins are in school. ”
As they walked, Kaylee laughed. “Between writing more books, changing more laws, and possibly having another child, if your mate has his way, I’m sure you’ll keep busy enough.”
Their conversation flitted from one topic to the next, and Grace struggled to contribute. After what her stepfather had done to her mother, she’d kept herself apart and had never really had close friends. She’d always thought that isolating herself meant no one else could hurt her.
And yet, as she watched Kaylee and Melanie, she wondered if maybe she’d isolated herself a little too well.
By the time Trahern had solved Maelon’s problem and helped the other doctor with his formula, it was dark outside.
He expected Maelon to leave immediately to check on his mate and son, but the doctor merely stood, stretched, and studied Trahern.
“What?”
The other doctor shrugged. “I never pictured you having a mate, is all.”
“Neither did I. But she needed help, and I wanted to give it.”
As Maelon studied him, Trahern averted his eyes. While they had discussed formulas, patients, and medical knowledge many times in the past, Maelon had rarely inquired about his personal life. Only after he’d mated Kaylee had he started talking more.
And Trahern wished he’d go back to the old, familiar way.
Maelon spoke again. “Grace has been through a lot, Trahern. I’ve been helping with some of the others rescued from that place, and whilst she might be one of the lucky ones, it was no less traumatic for her. Maybe at least try to make her feel comfortable in your home.”
He frowned. “My cottage is clean and stocked with everything she needs.”
“A home is more than some place free of dirt. Especially with newborns. She’ll be stressed and worried and exhausted. In short, she’ll need help.”
He still kept his gaze averted. “I will offer her my medical services whenever she asks. And she’ll have whatever food or things she wants.”
Maelon sighed, and Trahern looked over at the other doctor.
Maelon shook his head and shrugged before saying, “Just promise to ask me or Gregor for help and advice, if you need it. I know you’ll say you can find a book, but some things are learned firsthand.
We want to help you and Grace, I promise. So will you do it?”
Since he knew it would end the conversation sooner, he nodded. “Yes.”
“Right, well, that will have to be good enough. Now, come on. Kaylee and Melanie helped Grace settle in, but she’s been alone for a few hours now. Grace will probably need a break.”
“Let me tidy up first. Then I’ll go.”
Maelon knew him well enough not to suggest Trahern could do it later. Because he couldn’t. He’d think about it constantly, until he’d put everything in its place.
So the dragonman said goodbye, and Trahern cleaned up his research space. An hour later, he walked toward his cottage, thinking of everything he’d solved with Maelon.
He was at his front door before he knew it and opened it. Only to be bombarded by crying children and Grace’s voice saying, “Please, please, go to sleep. I don’t know what else to do. I’ve fed you and changed you and used all the tricks. I…”
His dragon, which had been quiet most of the day, spoke up. Go help her.
He moved to stand in the doorway of the bedroom he’d given to Grace. She stood next to the bassinets he’d put in the room, her hands hovering over each, as if trying to figure out what to do.
The babies cried louder, and he resisted wincing.
Grace finally noticed his presence and met his gaze. Even he could tell she was distressed.
His dragon spoke up. Ask what she needs. Otherwise, our mate will cry.
“Do they have fevers? Or, have they started acting strangely?”
She glanced back at her sons. “No. Their temperatures are normal, and they were content until I tried to take a nap.” She rubbed her eyes, and her voice was a whisper as she said, “I thought I could handle this. But maybe I can’t.”
His dragon growled, but Trahern ignored his beast and went to stand next to Grace. He ignored her heat and scent surrounding him—he most definitely didn’t want to lean into it—and studied the two babies before snapping the fingers of one hand, then the other, and back again.
Soon the babies quieted as they continued following the sounds.
Then he stopped, leaned closer so they could see him—newborns couldn’t see very far—and said sternly but quietly, “You have excellent hearing. That means you must listen to your mum and not make her so worried.” They blinked at him, so he continued, “And I’m aware you can’t understand English yet.
However, I’ve had a long-standing hypothesis that inner dragons understand language much sooner, picking it up whilst in the womb.
So maybe your inner dragons will hear and listen to me when I say: help them and help your mother. ”
The babies continued to blink, although the one dressed in green scrunched up his face as if not liking what he had to say.
Trahern continued as if the babe had spoken.
“I know everything must be difficult for you, compared to being inside the womb. But now, you must adapt. Your mother has done a lot to keep you, so help her. Having a parent who wants you is something not to take for granted.”
As soon as he said the words, he regretted it. Why he was chatty with the babies, he didn’t know. Probably because they couldn’t talk back and say he was odd.
Memories of his childhood threatened to rush forth, but he pushed them back into his mental box of Things Never to Think About.
He checked the feet of the first babe, saw the ink spot, and then addressed each of the boys in turn. “Elijah, you’re the oldest by a few minutes. Set an example for your brother. And Edward, watch out for your brother. I’m told siblings protect each other, so do that. Do you understand?”
The boys just stared at him. If they could make rational deductions, they probably would’ve wondered what the bloody hell he was going on about. But that wasn’t new.
Grace’s soft voice garnered his attention. “Thank you.”
He motioned for the human to move her head closer to the bassinets.
“A newborn dragon-shifter’s vision is blurry far away, but a little clearer close up.
They also see little color at this stage.
So, bringing yourself closer for now will probably help them start to recognize your face.
Although your voice will be the best clue. How did you talk to them in the womb?”
Grace leaned over, her cheek only a few inches from his, but she focused on stroking Edward’s cheek. “Quietly. I was afraid someone would hear me in the prison.”
Anger suddenly shot through him. “They’ve been apprehended and sentenced, you know. The main people in charge of that place.”
“I know.” She quieted as she reached for her other son’s cheek before she added, “But they didn’t find him.”
“Him?”
“The sperm donor.”
He resisted frowning. “You mean the male who tricked you?”
“Yes, that bastard is still out there.” She cupped the cheeks of each of her babies. “Stonefire won’t let him take them away, will they?”
“No, I’ve said as much.”
She glanced at him, and Trahern looked away, to Elijah’s face. After a few beats, she said, “Thank you for your help. But I’m going to try feeding them again and then see if they’ll sleep.”
“Since there are two, you’re following the instructions to supplement with formula as well, right?”
“Yes.”
“I know how to prepare a bottle. I can help you.”
She stood up, and he followed suit, daring a glance at Grace’s profile. Out of nowhere, he wished to smooth back her curly hair, before tracing her cheek like she’d done with the children.
His dragon spoke up. Yes, I like that idea.
Trahern took a few steps back and tugged at his shirt. “So, did you want my help?”
Grace searched his gaze and shook her head. “No. I can handle this, but thank you. You’d better sleep whilst you have the chance.”
Despite the unusual urge to stay and say he was helping, no matter what, he pushed it aside, nodded, and headed toward his room.
Not that he got much sleep. And not because of the babies waking up crying at intervals, either.
No, after he’d left his father’s place at sixteen, he’d always lived alone. It was less stressful when he didn’t have to worry about interpreting people’s faces and words to try to figure out if they meant what they said.
But now he had three people in his home, and he wondered if he would interpret something wrong or make Grace angry. Because for some reason, he didn’t want to upset her.
And when he finally fell asleep, his dreams brought back how at ease he’d felt with his face so close to Grace’s. Unlike with most people, she didn’t make him nervous.
Which scared him.