Page 15 of Dragon Unhinged

“It was common for me to wear small braids starting near my temples, to the middle of the back of my head. My mother used to spend over an hour platting all of our hair, making sure itwould stay back from our faces, but also, I think it was a way for her to get to spend private time with each of us, to make us feel important, special, in her eyes.”

I start braiding without asking permission, just letting my fingers weave his hair together. “I wish my mother could’ve styled my hair.” I sigh, ignoring the pang in my stomach at the thought. “My father used to tell me she was dead, but a few years ago my brother let it slip. She left us shortly after I was born, and I never got to meet her.” I take a slow, steadying breath, trying not to feel like I got abandoned because my father’s overbearing was too much for her to deal with. Like I probably just added to her own feelings of imprisonment under his roof.

“I’m sorry, Brianna.” He leans back, so that his head is nearly in my lap, and looks up at me. “I can’t imagine losing your mother so young.”

“It’s hard to miss something I never really feel like I had. It’s more like a sadness at never having the option to get to know her.”

From this angle, I feel like I can practically see into his soul, into the boy he was, before the interactions with humans turned him into this. “Your hair is so soft.”

“And dirty,” he teases.

“It’s not so bad,” I murmur and continue weaving his hair.

I glance around to the front to make sure the braid is correct and catch his eyes.

He smiles softly, even though there’s still sadness in his eyes. “I haven’t gotten the chance to be this close to another person in so long. At least not one who treated me with the kindness you do.”

Once more, I resolve to find a way to help him, to get him out of this situation, even if it means betraying my father, my own family to do it. It might mean I’ll end up with my grandmother,awaiting a husband who will never love me, but it would be a worthy price to pay, to let this dragon, wolf, and bear run free.

Who knows, maybe if I do end up back in my home country, at least Declan has wings. He could come and visit me, and I wouldn’t have to be entirely alone.

“You look sad, princess. Have I said something to cause this?”

I shake my head, and gently run my fingers through his hair, just enjoying the simple touch. Enjoying the way he seems to calm down, to find some tiny peace as I do. “It’s not you. None of this is your fault.”

It’s my father’s sins that are the problem.

“Still, I do not like this sadness in your eyes. What can I do to bring a smile back to your face?” He gingerly stands up from where he’s been sitting, and I can see the discomfort in his movements. As if all the concrete is too stiff for any comfort at all.

I don’t blame him for that. If only I could sneak him in some blankets or pillows, something to give his room softness. Comfort.

“I don’t need you to cheer me up. I might also be a prisoner here, but at least mine is a gilded cage.” I sigh and pat the bed next to me. “I can’t stay down here much longer. My father should be getting home, and if he goes looking for me and I’m not in my room or one of the designated rooms in the house, he’ll go ballistic.”

“Will you return soon?”

I smile and nod. “I’d like that.”

When he sits next to me, I lean my head onto his shoulder, not wanting to leave, no matter how much risk I’m putting us both in, being down here.

How can a man I just met, a man who’s being tortured by my family, be an easier friend than anyone I’ve ever known?

“Brianna?” Declan’s voice is soft, and I almost wonder if I imagined him whispering my name, until I feel his fingers gently trace over the curve of my jaw.

I look up at him, licking my lips and swallowing at the sudden dry mouth that happens when my eyes meet his. “Yes?”

“Do you think, if we’d met under different circumstances, you would’ve wanted to meet me? Do you think you’d spend your afternoon talking to me?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’d like to think so, but I don’t trust people easily. My father…he likes to plant people in my life. He hires people to pretend to be my friends, and then has them spy on me, to make sure I’m the good, pure-as-snow daughter he expects me to be. He’d probably lose his mind if he knew I were sitting down here, talking to you.” I nibble on my lip. “Although, I don’t know that he would’ve hired someone like you. You’re not his style. You definitely would’ve caught my eye though.”

Admitting it out loud, admitting, however subtly, that even through the grime, the blood, the scars, even the beard, there’s something about him that attracts me, feels like such a secret, like something I wouldn’t say out loud, even to just myself, but it feels right to say it to him.

Almost like I know he needs to hear it.

“You would’ve caught my eye too.” He smiles with a hint of playful mischief, but also gazing at me with a softness, a calm about him that I don’t expect. “Even though my father would’ve warned me against you, against your kind. If you come back again?—”

I give him a gentle nudge. “When.”

“Whenyou come back again, I’ll tell you of my older brothers and their mates. Their once-human wives.”

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