Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Nearly two weeks later, Grace and Trahern arrived back on Stonefire, each carrying a baby. While the clan had sent letters and cards and drawings for Trahern to get well—the students had coordinated it—they’d asked for everyone to allow them a few days alone before greeting the clan.
And so, Grace followed Trahern into their cottage, her body relaxing as the front door closed behind her. She’d only been on Stonefire for a little under four months, and yet it truly felt like home. Especially this cottage, where she and Trahern and the twins could be themselves, with no pressure.
Once they’d settled the twins on the floor in their little activity sets—little bars above them with dangling toys in bright colors and shapes—she said, “I’ll put the kettle on.”
Trahern nodded, but focused on the boys.
As she got the tea things ready, she tapped her hand against her thigh. Both she and Trahern had hummed with energy and impatience for days now, wanting to finally sleep together. Well, have sex together as she’d slept next to him many times over.
Would it happen today? And why was she so nervous?
Probably because she wanted Trahern’s first time to be good, which put a lot of pressure on her.
Stop it. Just like with anything, no doubt practice would make perfect. And she smiled, thinking of how Trahern would suggest practicing a lot at first, to discover their own type of rhythm.
Once the tea was ready, she carried the mugs to the living room and sat next to Trahern on the sofa. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she merely sighed.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“No, it’s just nice being home again. As much as I like Scarlett and the others, the four walls of your hospital room made me antsy. Even if we’re merely sitting, just seeing the trees outside the window is a huge improvement and helps me feel more at ease.”
He glanced at the large window. “I’ve never really thought about the view outside. Maybe we should start a small vegetable garden in the back, which you can see out of the kitchen window, and it’ll also help the boys learn about germination, photosynthesis, and maybe even cross-fertilization.”
“It’s a good idea, but maybe wait until they can walk first? Right now, they’ll probably just eat the dirt and throw it around.”
As they watched the boys reach for the toys and bat at them, or tug, or run a finger down a dangling giraffe, Grace snuggled more against her mate.
His arm went around her shoulders and tugged her closer before taking a deep inhalation. She bit back a smile but couldn’t help but tease. “Are you sniffing me?”
“Not sniffing. The smell of your hair products soothes me.”
“What if I changed to a different brand? Would you stop liking my scent?”
“Of course not. There is an underlying one that is purely yours. I should research more about how it was useful in the past, in early human and dragon-shifter evolutionary history, to identify a mate.”
“Hmm, I wonder if the relationship between humans and dragons was closer thousands of years ago compared to now? Or worse?”
Trahern sipped his tea before replying, “I can ask Maximilian Holbrook and his mate, Dr. Lavinia Holbrook, and you could ask them your questions. They’re both dedicated to human and dragon-shifter history.”
She laughed. “I don’t need a private lecture. I was just wondering, is all. Maybe I need some elementary dragon-shifter texts to help get me up to speed. I meant to do it earlier, but taking care of newborn twins doesn’t really lend itself to loads of free time.”
“I will get anything you need, Grace. Just ask me. Because I don’t ever want you to feel adrift. You help anchor me, and I want to do the same for you.”
She gazed up at her handsome mate. “I know, Trahern, and you do help anchor me.” She kissed the side of his neck. “I love you.”
He kissed her lips gently and maintained eye contact. “I love you, too.” His pupils flashed a few times, and he asked, “When do you think the twins will be ready for a nap?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe not for hours yet.”
He grunted, and she laughed. “I’m as eager as you, Trahern. Which is why I think it’ll be best to have someone watch the boys for an evening. That way we won’t be interrupted.”
Which meant waiting some more.
And as Trahern kissed her again, frustration swelled. Grace didn’t want to wait.
As she tried to think of who could watch the boys on short notice, the doorbell rang. With a sigh, she handed her mug to Trahern and went to answer it.
So much for having some alone time.
Although as soon as she opened it and saw Hayley standing there, wearing a grim expression, her stomach dropped. Grace blurted, “What is it?”
“I think I’d better come in and tell you and Trahern at the same time.”
She gestured, and for the agonizing seconds it took to walk back into the living room, she refused to let awful scenarios play out in her head. Especially once she saw her boys still playing on their mats.
They were safe.
And yet, something was wrong.
Was her ex nearby? Or maybe there was a mistake on her DDA paperwork?
Wait and see before you worry.
Which was easier said than done.
Hayley motioned for Trahern to join them on the far side of the room. Once he arrived, Hayley stated without preamble, “The Department of Dragon Affairs has received a custody request for your twins. No, it’s not from your ex but rather his mother.”
She frowned. “I was told that she was dead.”
“No, not dead, but living with a dragon clan in Portugal. She submitted DNA, and it was confirmed she’s the twins’ paternal grandmother.”
Her heart thudded in her chest. “Surely they won’t give her custody? Genetics doesn’t instantly make a good parent or guardian.”
Hayley shook her head. “No, of course not. But in her petition, she indicated Trahern wouldn’t be a good father. Rubbish, of course. But she claimed he’s mentally unstable and unable to stay focused when alone with the twins, making him a danger.”
Trahern growled. “No. When I’m with them, they have my complete focus. In the early weeks, I struggled. But now? They and Grace are my reasons for still being alive.”
Hayley replied, “I know that, and you know that, but rumors of your past haven’t helped. Especially since the paternal grandmother brought in someone to help plead her case.”
“Who?” Trahern asked.
“Your father.”
Trahern had been debating whether he could ask Blake and Dawn to watch the boys—their friend Marianna had left Stonefire—when Grace returned with Hayley Beckett.
And then she shared the custody news.
But when the human female said his father was being a character witness against him, Trahern blinked and tried to process it.
Years had gone by, and no one seemed to have spotted him anywhere.
The only reports his former clan leader, Rhydian Griffiths, had shared suspected that he’d joined the clanless dragon-shifters living in Scotland.
Half of whom had been killed by dragon hunters not too long ago.
He’d surmised his father had been one of those murdered since he didn’t—or hadn’t?—possessed skills valuable for dragons living in the wild. His father had been an accountant, and not a good one, either.
His dragon spoke up. We need to learn if it’s truly him or not. If so, then Rhydian and the others who witnessed our father’s actions back on Snowridge need to speak up.
Which meant he’d have to ask for their help. But we left Snowridge. Why would they help us?
Rhydian wasn’t like the older leader and always tried to understand our point of view. It was others inside the clan, the ones who are mostly banished to the outlying farms now, who made our life difficult.
A number of years ago, Rhydian’s mate Delaney had been threatened and targeted by the anti-human dragon-shifters. Wanting to keep a close eye on them while still protecting his mate, Rhydian had put those clan members on isolated farms in northern Wales.
He replied, That might be true, but will Rhydian’s word be enough to counter our father’s, if he is still alive?
Maybe not, but if we ask all our allies and friends to help, it should be.
Trahern tapped his forefinger and thumb against each other, and Grace gently touched his upper arm, bringing him back to the present as she asked, “Is it possible your father is still alive? Or do you think it’s an imposter?”
Hayley jumped in. “All dragon-shifters are registered with the DDA, so they confirmed the dragonman is in fact Trahern’s father.
However, the DDA is still sifting through his statements, according to Evie’s DDA contacts.
Regardless, a social worker is coming tomorrow to interview you both and ensure the boys are well. ”
Grace narrowed her eyes. “How dare they! My boys are well-loved and cared for, and anyone on Stonefire can vouch for it!”
Hayley laid a hand on Grace’s arm. “I know, Grace. The good news is that I’ve dealt with DDA custody battles before. And because of the database I’ve built, which is nearly done and mostly functional, I have a lot of former custody disputes and battles to pour through and use as precedent.”
Hayley was a former solicitor and, together with her mate, Nathan Woodhouse, had been building a database of laws related to dragon-shifters in the UK. In the past, the decentralization of such information had made battling the DDA difficult. He’d always admired her initiative.
Trahern said, “I can help as well. No, I’m not a lawyer, but I’m good at spotting details, and I remember almost everything I read. It could help speed things up.”
“Thank you,” Hayley said with a smile. “I could use your help. But first, I need you to reach out to Snowridge and see who can give character statements for you, as well as who can confirm your father’s past actions and behaviors.
I don’t know everything, but just his official DDA record alone tells me he’s not a paragon of society. ”
Grace took his hand and threaded her fingers through his. “I can help you with anything you need, Trahern. Together, we’ll win this. You’ll see.”
His clever, beautiful, strong mate. “My father has added yet another reason for me to dislike him.”
“Because he’s trying to rip apart your new family?”
“Yes, but also because it means I can’t fully claim my mate tonight like I want to.”
Grace kissed him, and Hayley looked away.
Once his mate pulled back, she whispered, “At least it gives us time to find someone to watch the boys for a night, right?”
He smiled. “Still looking for the bright side?”
“Someone has to.”
As much as he wanted to tease his mate some more, he focused and asked Hayley, “What do I need to do? Tell me the order of importance and exactly what you’re looking for from Snowridge, and I’ll get started right away.”
And as he, Grace, and Hayley formulated a plan, Trahern vowed to solve this as quickly as possible. His mate and sons deserved happiness, and he was determined to give it to them.
But first, he was going to put his past with his father behind him, once and for all.