Page 39 of Bred By the Dragon

When I return to my mountain, I stand over my hoard, surveying it. Then I pull a notebook out of my backpack, click a pen, and start writing down everything I can think of—every last piece of history, every last memory attached to each of the items in my collection.

Then I fly a little bit south, to where my phone reception is reliable, and make a call.

At the next appointment, Sammy is visibly showing. She gives me a weak greeting in the waiting room, and my heart feels sore. I return it, and once again, we pass another visit without even making eye contact.

As we head out the door and into the gently-falling snow, Sammy turns to me and waves. “Well, see you next time,” she says, biting her lip before heading off toward her car.

“Wait.”

She pauses. “What is it?”

I reach into my backpack and search around until my hand lands on the envelope. I withdraw it, then hold it out to her.

“Zakarion?” she asks, examining the envelope but not taking it.

“For your roof,” I say. “I called those people, like you suggested. And I’ve started cataloguing everything in my hoard to see what belongs where. Anything that isn’t significant... I’ve found legitimate buyers.”

Her eyes widen. “You’re selling off your treasure?” She looks at the envelope with even more confusion. “Why?”

I thrust the money into her hand, and she squeaks as I trap it there. “Take it,” I tell her firmly. “Please.”

Her brows crease as I release her, and she takes the envelope gently. Her lashes are wet and her eyes are red when she looks up at me again.

“Okay,” she finally says. “Thank you.”

Then she turns and walks away into the snow.

I have to hope this will all get better when my hatchling is with me. Then I’ll have a purpose and a reason to live. I watch her get into her car, wishing I could go with her, that I could curl around her as the weather gets colder and keep both of my woman and my hatchling warm.

Eventually, I flap my wings and take off into the sky, letting the snow wash over me.

fifteen

SAMMY

It is more than enough money to pay off the roofer, including the interest he’s now decided I owe him. I don’t even know what to do with the rest of it. I pay down my mortgage, then save the rest for groceries and bills.

At least now I don’t have to work so much, but that leaves far more time for sitting around feeling sorry for myself.

“All right, that’s it.” Sarah stands up straight in her lawn chair, surprising all of us. I bought take-out, hoping some friend time might be what I need after my last visit to the ob-gyn. “I’m tired of you moping around all the time.”

It’s the dead of winter now, but I insist on continuing to get plenty of sunlight and vitamin D. Sometimes that means bundling up, clearing away the snow, and lying in lawn chairs in my yard.

“Moping?” I ask, sitting up. “I’m not moping.”

“You’ve been moping for months.” She fastens a hard glare on me. “I wish you’d never agreed to do this. Carrying that dragon’s baby has been nothing but misery for you since day one.”

I frown. “I’m fine. Really. My feet aren’t bothering me, I haven’t even had morning sickness, and?—”

“Not that kind,” Sarah says, letting out a defeated sigh. “Why don’t you see him anymore?”

I frown at her. Jared finally returns from getting himself a new hot cocoa. He refuses to sit out here with us, but he likes to be a part of the gossip.

“Because of fe-e-e-elings,” Jared sing-songs. “You know, for such a lovable person, you really don’t hand out your love easily, Sam.”

“Stop ganging up on me,” I grumble.

“It’s true, though,” Sarah says, rubbing her chin. “I think he’s onto something. You’ve been avoiding Zakarion ever since you got pregnant. Why? Clearly you had a thing for him.”

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