Page 1 of Accidentally a Dragon Daddy

Chapter One

Elanya

Two Months Before the Ceasefire.

“Mommy, slow down. I can’t keep up.”

I flinched as the child whined loudly. Sympathy warred with discipline.

My heart went out to the child and her mother, who was also clutching an infant son tightly to her breast as we scurried across a rubble-strewn street from one office building to the next.

“Please, we must stop to rest,” the mother said, her gaze on me as she gestured at her child, who I guessed was no more than four. “She can’t keep up.”

“Then I’ll carry her,” I said, hating myself for having to be so ruthless. “But we can’t stop. If we push hard, we can make it to the border before sundown. We have to try. Spending the night this close to the border is not smart.”

“But …”

“No buts,” I said with a shake of my head. “You have to keep pushing. We’re almost there, okay?”

The mother, her features pale and drawn, closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

“Okay,” she said, clutching her children tighter to her. “Okay, we’ll make it.”

“Good,” I said, turning away quickly before the familiar stab of pain slid its way through my heart.

My face hardened. I would get them across the line safely. Including the children.

“Are you ready?” I asked, stepping toward the child and picking her up in my arms.

She nodded bravely, and I tried to smile, hoping it looked more reassuring than it felt.

“Then let’s go.”

We stepped out of a somewhat round hole in the side of the building, picking our way around the burned-out husks of several tanks. The road had been the site of a fierce battle, and I was forced to shield the little girl’s eyes more than once.

Children that young shouldn’t be forced to see some things up close.

We were halfway across the street when disaster struck.

“Mommy, look!” the child shouted, pointing up at the sky.

My head whipped around, and my stomach went cold.

“Shit.” The word slipped out.

“You said a bad word,” she giggled.

“Be quiet,” I said sharply as the speck in the sky grew larger. “Come on, in here.”

I guided the mother into the back of a troop carrier, our feet pounding up the metal ramp. Once we were inside, I let the girl down.

“Oh, cool!” Lizzie exclaimed as she reached for the guns still racked next to some of the seats.

“Shhh,” I hissed, glaring at the mother as she pulled her daughter back. “If she doesn’t stay quiet, we’re all dead.”

“Lizzie,” the mom said, holding her daughter closer with her free arm. “We have to play silent time now, okay?”

“But why, Mom?” the child whined.

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