Part 28 (1/2)

Kai turned toward Rafe and Nikki. ”Be careful, you two. While I trust my family, I don't know everyone on Snowridge.”

Rafe nodded. ”Of course. We'll be fine.”

Mrs. Owens motioned with her hands. ”Then follow me.”

Nikki was instantly at his side, and Rafe wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Even as they walked in silence, he was grateful to have Nikki there. Rafe had only ever been on Stonefire's lands and had no idea what to expect on another dragon clan's lands.

The flat landing area soon turned into a narrow walkway carved between the rocks. Mrs. Owens turned right, and they followed her inside the the mountain.

Unlike Stonefire, which was a collection of cottages, Snowridge had dwellings carved into the mountain. At least, that was his best guess from the doors appearing every so often along the corridor. He wondered about the differences and how they stayed warm in the winter. Before he could distract himself from thinking about the meeting for much longer, Mrs. Owens stopped to knock on a door. A m.u.f.fled female voice told them to enter. The older dragonwoman smiled before opening the door.

Nikki squeezed his waist and released so they could enter single file.

Inside stood the tall, dark-haired form of Gwendolen Price. She was a few years older, but Rafe barely noticed. All of his attention was on the young girl on Gwen's hip.

The girl's light-brown skin was a perfect mixture of Noah's dark skin and Gwen's pale. Her tight, dark curls were divided into two bunches on her head. Her dark brown eyes, which looked so much like her father's, stared at him as she sucked her thumb.

Gwen cleared her throat, and Rafe forced his gaze away from the child to Gwen. The dragonwoman's eyes were guarded and her voice tight as she said, ”h.e.l.lo, Hartley.”

While there was so much to say, all Rafe managed to get out was, ”Your daughter is beautiful.”

Tightening her grip, Gwen answered, ”Thank you.” She looked between Nikki and Rafe. ”But I'm curious as to why you're here.”

Nikki touched his arm, and Rafe drew strength from her love. ”First, I want to apologize for being a b.a.s.t.a.r.d to you. I had no idea just how much Noah meant to you until you were gone. I never should've yelled at you, let alone blame you for his death.”

”I loved him, you know,” Gwen whispered.

Rafe nodded and took a step toward Gwen. ”I realized that soon after you returned to Wales.” Pulling out an envelope from his pocket, he held it out to Gwen. ”Noah had left a letter to be given to me if he died. Included was a note sealed and addressed to you. I want you to have both of them.”

Gingerly taking the envelope, Gwen didn't try to open it and read it. He had a feeling she didn't want to cry in front of strangers, and Noah's words would definitely bring tears to the dragonwoman's eyes. h.e.l.l, they'd made Rafe tear up.

Instead, he took out Noah's dog tag. While a little misshapen due to the explosion, Rafe had cleaned it up, smoothed the edges as best he could and put it on a new chain. He turned toward little Cora. ”I have a present from your dad, Cora.” He swung the chain, and the little girl watched it. ”This is a symbol of your father's bravery. He died protecting your mum. While he can't be here, he would want you to have this. It will always remind you of him.”

Cora reached out to touch the engraved metal. ”This was my daddy's?”

”Yes. Do you want to wear it?”

Cora nodded. ”It's like my mum's. She says hers will protect me. If I have my daddy's, too, then I should be really safe.”

Gwen's breath caught in her throat, and Rafe dared a glance. She nodded for him to continue. Focusing back on the little girl, Rafe gently put the chain over Cora's head. ”Now you should be really safe.” He dared to brush Cora's cheek. ”Your dad was my best friend, and you should be proud of him. I'm sure he loved you a lot before you were born.”

Cora stopped playing with the chain around her neck. ”Maybe you can be my new daddy.”

Rafe blinked. ”What?”

Gwen hushed Cora. ”Don't mind her. She tells every male she likes that he should be her new dad.”

Smiling, Rafe looked back to Cora. ”I'm sure your mum will find someone. But I already have my own mate.” Cora looked crestfallen, so Rafe added, ”But we're having our own baby later this year. Maybe you could be friends if your mother allows it.”

Cora looked to her mother. ”I don't have an English dragon friend. That would be fun.”

Gwen smiled, and Rafe straightened up. Gwen replied, ”We'll see, Cora. Mr. Hartley and...”

Nikki jumped in. ”Nikki Gray.”

Gwen continued, ”Miss Gray will be very busy.”

Nikki moved to Rafe's side. Threading her fingers through his, she smiled at Gwen. ”I'm sure we can find time.”

An awkward silence fell, but Rafe didn't want to push Gwen too far. Yet after seeing the sadness in the dragonwoman's eyes and falling for Cora's charm, he rather hoped their children could be friends. And not just because it might help future relations between the two clans, although that would be a bonus.

Lily Owens spoke up. ”Good. Now, if I can just convince Kai to give me a grandchild, we could start a playgroup.” Mrs. Owens smiled at Nikki. ”Maybe you could hint at Kai and Jane to get started?”

Nikki laughed. ”I don't think my words will have any effect. That pair could take on the world and win if they wanted.”

Mrs. Owens sighed. ”I know.” A smile returned to her face. ”But enough of the distant future. You're to stay with my family for the night before heading back tomorrow. I'll show you to my quarters if you're ready.”

Rafe met Gwen's gaze again. ”Once you read the letter, feel free to find me. I know what it's like to miss someone and want to share memories to keep him alive.”

Mrs. Owens beat Gwen to her reply. ”You and Cora should come to dinner.”

”I don't want to intrude,” Gwen answered.

”Don't be silly. Gareth and I love nothing more than a full house with lots of laughter. You should come.”

Rafe stared at the older dragonwoman and wondered how the b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l the woman could be Kai's mother.

However, before he could think too long, Cora wiggled in her mother's arms. ”Please, Mummy. I want to play with the English dragons. Their accents are funny and they probably have new games to play.”

Gwen finally bobbed her head. ”I suppose, as long as Lily doesn't mind.”

”Drop the formalities, Gwen. You're welcome anytime. Right, then, it's all sorted. We'll see you at seven.” She moved to the door. ”Come, Nikki and Rafe. We'll take the long way home so I can give you a tour of the public areas. Rhydian said those parts were okay to show you. Although, given how often that male changes his mind, we'd better hurry.”

As Mrs. Owens exited the door, Rafe looked back to Gwen. ”We'll see you at dinner, then.”

Cora waved. ”Bye!”

With a chuckle, Rafe waved back before leading Nikki out of Gwen's quarters. As they walked to catch up to Mrs. Owens, Nikki whispered, ”I think she's still mourning Noah.”

He squeezed his woman closer. ”I think so, too. At least she didn't yell or punch me in the face. That must be a good sign.”

”I liked your offer about our children being friends. While I love your alpha side, your emerging father persona is winning future brownie points.” She paused before adding, ”For the first time, I wish I was giving birth next week so I could see you hold our baby and go all soft.”

”But if you were nine months pregnant, you would look huge on TV for our mating ceremony in a few days.”

She hit his side. ”There goes your brownie points. I won't be huge. I will just have a tiny person inside of me. There's a difference.”