Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Over the next month, Trahern avoided Grace. Oh, he visited periodically to ensure she had meals, to ask after any medical concerns, and he’d even hired a young, widowed mother to help Grace with everything related to taking care of dragon-shifter babies.
He’d hesitated about the latter. However, Nikki Hartley-Gray—the second-in-command of Stonefire’s security team called the Protectors—had sworn by Helena Westcliff’s ability with children.
Nikki herself had two daughters, and Helena had helped her for the first few months after she’d given birth the second time.
Jane Hartley, Nikki’s sister-in-law who was mated to Stonefire’s head Protector, had also given Helena a glowing recommendation.
The human female had been restricted to bedrest for her highly unlikely pregnancy and had relied on the female as well.
In the end, Grace had seemed to like Helena, which had freed Trahern to work on his latest serums, ones to counteract some of the poisons used by the dragon hunters.
He was in the middle of concocting his latest counter-agent when Dr. Sid knocked and entered without waiting for him to reply. Trahern concentrated on finishing his latest step before looking up at the other doctor.
Over the years, Sid Jackson had earned Trahern’s respect.
Not only for her intelligence, but also for her common-sense approach to sharing medical knowledge between dragon-shifters.
She also kept a cool head under pressure, and had never tried to make Trahern do something he didn’t want to, unless it was related to a medical emergency.
However, her usual cool, neutral expression was gone. In its place were rapidly flashing dragon eyes, crossed arms, and a deep scowl.
Instead of trying to figure out what it meant, he merely asked, “What is it?”
“I thought Blake, Gregor, and even Maelon Perry talking with you would be enough. But apparently, with Emily still in Scotland, you have no one to tell you when you’re being an idiot. So it’s up to me.”
“Idiot?” he echoed.
“You’re more than aware of how a human female who births a dragon-shifter child has a greater chance of falling into postpartum depression.
I know you’ve read the latest studies, one of which was my own.
So tell me: why is Grace sobbing in an exam room, so hard that Dawn and Hayley literally had to prop her up to get her here? ”
His dragon became alert, but Trahern focused on Sid’s words. “I don’t understand. I’ve asked every morning how she’s doing, and she always says she’s fine. A few times she’s had a headache or a minor medical concern, which I addressed right away.”
“Sometimes, people lie to avoid making things difficult, Trahern. If you would’ve spent any amount of time at home instead of mostly living here, you probably would’ve noticed how Grace has lost weight, has circles under her eyes, and is emotionally fragile.”
Ignoring what felt like guilt squeezing his heart, he replied, “Emotions aren’t easy for me, as you know, and it’s partly why I hired Helena.”
Sid quirked an eyebrow. “Helena sent you loads of text messages over the last two weeks, and you never replied. You also never check in on Grace when she’s there, and you don’t talk on the phone.”
He picked up his mobile and opened the messages. There were over 200 unread ones.
His dragon growled. Why do you keep ignoring our mate?
He focused on Sid as he said, “I forget to check whenever I’m working.”
Sid growled before saying, “Why did you mate her if you weren’t going to help her, Trahern? Someone else would’ve done it, easily. Grace is a warm but cautious female, who secretly wants to be able to trust and belong somewhere.”
He frowned again. “How do you know that?”
“I could overlook you not understanding that part, since my conclusion is from a lot of nonverbal cues. However, I thought giving you the articles about females and depression after birth would be enough. Apparently, it wasn’t.
So let me state this plainly: Grace needs help.
Not in a financial way, as yes, you’ve done that.
But she needs an ally, Trahern. Maybe even a friend.
The other human females are trying, but Grace is good at closing herself off.
You, on the other hand, live with her. You need to help her adjust to life on Stonefire, help her with dragon-shifters in general, and show her that not everyone is as evil as the male who impregnated her and then turned her in for money.
If you’re not willing to do that, then maybe I need to talk to Bram about her finding a different living situation, or even a different mate. ”
His dragon growled. No. You’ve ignored me for weeks. Grace is ours to help. Stop ignoring her because she confuses you. Or because you’re attracted to her.
Desire is a distraction. I have more important things to do.
She could be ours forever, if you tried.
Before he could ask for clarification, Sid spoke again.
“You always value honesty, Trahern, so please give me the same courtesy and tell me what you plan to do. Are you going to help Grace in all the ways she needs? Or do you want me to find someone else who will? I won’t watch her suffer because she challenges your structured, planned-out life. ”
“What do you mean she’s suffering?”
Sid shook her head. “I won’t be distracted. What is your decision?”
Studying Sid, he tried to decipher her expression. But it was neutral again, apart from her flashing dragon eyes.
His beast spoke up. If you abandon Grace, I will never shift again.
That’s unfair. That means people will die.
I don’t care. Grace is what you need. What we need. If you toss her away, then you’ll lose me too.
Why now? You’ve rarely spoken up since that one incident with the other female.
I nearly gave up on you. But Grace’s presence revived me.
He didn’t want to ask, but knew he had to. Is she our true mate?
Maybe. I think so. But I’m patient. She just had two babies. I do not need a frenzy. But she is ours. You know my terms.
With that, his beast curled into a ball and ignored him, feigning sleep.
Not that Trahern noticed much since his dragon’s words about Grace being their true mate repeated inside his head: Maybe. I think so.
The thought of fate determining his future and changing his ordered life made his heart race and breathing pick up.
He shouldn’t have a true mate. As his father had always said, Trahern was incapable of loving or caring about anything but science.
Grace deserved so much better than him.
His dragon whispered, No. We are also what she needs. Help her.
Sid leaned down to his eye level, her brow drawing together. “Are you okay, Trahern?”
Without thinking, he blurted, “My dragon said…”
Then he realized what he was doing, and shut his mouth.
Sid’s voice gentled. “Grace is your true mate?”
“He thinks so.”
She reached out to pat his shoulder but then pulled back, probably remembering how he was different from other dragon-shifters. He didn’t revel in touching.
Except with Grace or her boys, he’d never felt itchy or panicky.
The one time he’d held her, she’d made him feel safe and warm and even want to touch her when she was naked.
Dragon-shifters believed a true mate was their best chance at happiness. Not guaranteed—it sometimes went wrong—but better odds than in general.
And yet, as a male who needed science and medicine to order his life, did he really believe in something as unscientific as fate?
His dragon murmured, What if she’s our chance to be happy? To be ours to cherish and take care of?
Trahern couldn’t begin to understand how to cherish someone. He hadn’t even noticed signs of Grace’s depression.
Before he could continue to talk himself out of anything, Sid said, “I don’t usually bring up personal things with you.
However, this once, I think I need to. I’ve heard rumors about what happened on Snowridge, about how your father treated you, not to mention the bullying.
And logically, to me, Grace makes a lot of sense for you.
She’s been hurt, damaged, and needs patience most males couldn’t give, I think.
But you can. Even if it takes a year or two to earn her regard, I think you could do it.
Your case is special, Trahern, and doesn’t require jumping into a mate-claim frenzy within weeks or even months.
I think if you dared to open up to Grace, you might be surprised and get the future I don’t think you ever thought was possible. ”
He met Sid’s gaze and searched her brown eyes before stating, “Grace should have someone normal. Not me.”
“You are perfectly normal, in your own way. I have no idea what anyone ever said to you in the past, but you’re clever, patient, determined, and one of the most honest people I’ve ever met. I think a lot of females would love to have a male like that to call their own.”
His dragon spoke up. Go to Grace. She will be even better for us than Emily.
While he’d always felt comfortable around Emily, he’d never had the desire to touch her or even undress her, like he did with Grace.
For a split second, he imagined Grace smiling at him, touching his cheek, telling him about the latest antics from the twins. And in it, he even smiled back at her.
A feeling he couldn’t understand rushed through him—he wanted that more than anything.
His dragon spoke again. Go to Grace. Open up and the rest will sort itself out.
He finally glanced at Sid again. He could still say no.
And yet, the image of him smiling with Grace lingered.
Could he care for someone and have them care about him, all without Trahern driving them mental and making them run for the hills?
Someone else knocked, and Gregor poked his head inside. “She’s getting worse, Cassidy. You asked for me to wait before doing anything. Can I give her a sedative now?”
The thought of Gregor touching Grace made him growl. Both Sid and Gregor blinked at him.
Trahern stood. “I’ll go to her.”