Page 7 of The Dragon's Surprise
He never took his gaze from Kyle’s dragon form as he replied, “He’s really big.”
Jenny chimed in. “He’s about average for a male dragon.” The dragon grunted, and Jenny laughed. “Okay, a little bigger. How about we go up and pet him?”
Lexi frowned. “Pet him?”
Jenny bobbed her head. “Dragons love having their scales stroked. However, if you really want a dragon to become putty in your hands, then you scratch one behind their ear and they kind of purr.”
She looked skeptically at Kyle’s dragon. “Like a cat?”
“Yep. They’re more like cats than you’d think. Difficult to win over at first, but once you do, you have a loyal friend or mate for life.” Jenny held Ethan’s other hand and tugged gently. “Come on. I’ll show you what to do.”
Lexi and Ethan followed Jenny’s lead until they stood in front of Kyle’s lowered head. The scales were even more beautiful in person, although the brief glimpse of giant teeth reminded her that if it came to it, a dragon would always win over a human.
Jenny reached out and patted Kyle’s snout. “Try it. The scales are really smooth but warm, and not at all cold or metallic like they look. There’s nothing like curling up against my mate’s side when it’s cold, in either form, and getting nice and toasty.”
Kyle moved his head closer, until it was just in front of Ethan. He slowly released Lexi’s hand to touch the snout. The boy laid his hand on the scales and rubbed back and forth. “They are warm and smooth!”
Lexi smiled and decided to find out for herself—because, really, when would she have this chance again?—before placing her hand at the side of his snout, just behind his nostril. As she stroked, she met the large dragon eye in front of her, and the pupil dilated a little. Did that mean the two halves were talking?
Then a rumbling sound made her jump, and Jenny laughed. “That means he likes it. Even buttoned-up, serious Kyle likes his dragon form pampered. If he lowers his head, I can show you how to really make him happy and be even louder.”
Ethan nodded. “Yes! I want to hear him purr louder.”
The dragon huffed, and Lexi smiled. “It’s not quite a purr, Ethan. It’s more like a cross between a purr and a growl, but more charming.”
Jenny laughed. “I like that description. I may have to use it, since I’ve been trying to think of the best way to describe it.”
Kyle’s dragon lowered his head further, and Jenny snorted. “His dragon is impatient and wants pets.” She motioned to behind the ear. “See that small patch of skin without scales? That’s the spot. Try it.”
Ethan looked at her, and Lexi nodded. “You go first.”
The boy gingerly scratched the strip of skin, and a louder rumble came from the dragon’s chest, and Ethan laughed. “He really is like a cat and purrs!”
The dragon huffed, and Lexi whispered, “Let’s see how he does with both of us at the same time.”
She moved to the other ear and scratched her nails at the tough but warm skin. The sound grew even louder, and she grinned before looking into the eye closest to her. She wasn’t good at reading a dragon’s body language, but she swore there was humor dancing there.
After about a minute, Kyle lifted his head, and Ethan cried out in protest. But the dragon tapped his tail against his side, and Jenny interpreted for them. “He’ll let you slide down hisside, if you want to. I think you should, since sliding down a dragon is one of the best things ever. And don’t worry, he won’t let you fall or get hurt.”
Ethan looked up, up, up, and whispered, “But he’s so tall.” He looked at Lexi. “Will you go first and show me?”
She resisted blinking. “Me?”
Jenny spoke up. “I’d do it, if I wasn’t pregnant. But my coordination isn’t the best when I’m not carrying a dragon baby, so I really can’t do it when I’m this big. I promise it’s safe, Lexi. I did it all the time when I first mated Daniel.”
As Lexi eyed the height, Ethan tugged her hand. “If you’re scared, it’s okay. Because I’m a little scared too.”
She glanced down just as Ethan’s pupils flashed, and he shut his eyes. She kneeled down, and when he opened them again, his pupils were round. “Are you okay?”
“He’s just loud. And wants to have fun.”
Ethan’s uncertain gaze went to the dragon’s side again, which decided it. “Then let me try it first, so you can see that it’s safe. Because I think that will make your dragon happy, won’t it?”
“I think so.”
“Okay.” She stood. “So what do I do, Jenny?”
“He’ll pick you up with his tail, put you on his back, and then you slide down when you’re ready.”
