Page 18 of Curvy Girl and the Single Dad Dragon
Her eyes meet mine, startled by my perception. "Yes. I mean, I understand this position was always temporary in the grand scheme of things, but..."
"You're concerned about becoming attached to Ember, knowing we'll eventually leave."
She nods, her honesty refreshing. "I already care about her. It's hard not to. And knowing what I know now—how few people she can truly be herself around—it makes the connection feel even more significant."
"It is significant. Which is why I want to be transparent with you. Our timeline here is at least five years, possibly longer. Beyond that, I can't make promises."
"I understand," she says softly, looking down at Ember. "Five years is a long time in a child's life anyway. A lot can change."
"Indeed." I hesitate, then add, "Though I should mention that dragons maintain connections differently than humans. Distance doesn't necessarily mean separation, not for those we consider... important."
"That's good to know."
We lapse into silence again, but it's comfortable rather than awkward. After a few minutes, Luna speaks again.
"Can I ask about something Ember mentioned earlier? The Dragon Wars?"
I sigh, not particularly wanting to delve into the darker aspects of dragon history tonight but recognizing her right to know.
"It's a complicated history, spanning several centuries. The simplest explanation is that dragons, like humans, haven't always been unified. There were factions, disagreements about how to interact with humanity, whether to remain hidden or assert dominance."
"Let me guess—the 'remain hidden' faction won?"
"Eventually," I nod. "Though at great cost. The last major conflict was in the late 1800s. Many dragons died on both sides. Those of us who survived chose to retreat further into secrecy. It's been our way ever since."
"That sounds... lonely," she observes.
"It can be," I admit. "For some more than others. I've been fortunate to have connections within the dragon community, though they're scattered worldwide now."
"And Ember? Will she know other dragons besides you?"
"She already does, though not many her age. There's a small community in the Pacific Northwest we visit occasionally. But you've identified one of our greatest challenges, ensuring she grows up with a sense of belonging while maintaining necessary secrecy."
Luna nods, her fingers still gently stroking Ember's hair. "What about you?" I ask, wanting to shift the focus away from our complicated history. "You mentioned your father passed away recently?"
"Last year," she confirms, a shadow crossing her face. "Heart attack. It was sudden. He was only fifty-eight."
"I'm sorry," I say, genuinely meaning it. Having witnessed countless human lifespans, I'm aware of how brief and precious they are. "Were you close?"
"Very," she smiles sadly. "He's the one who encouraged me to pursue childcare. He said I had a natural gift with children, that I shouldn't waste it. My mother wanted me to go into something more 'practical'—business or healthcare."
"And your mother? You mentioned living with her?"
"Yes, after Dad died. She's... struggling. They were high school sweethearts, married for thirty-five years. She doesn't quite know who she is without him." Luna's expression grows troubled. "That's partly why I was so eager for this position, especially with the live-in option. She needs space to figure things out, and I need..."
"What?" I prompt gently when she trails off.
"Purpose, I guess. A place where I'm needed." Her cheeks flush slightly. "That sounds pathetic, doesn't it?"
"Not at all," I assure her. "Purpose is something everyone seeks, regardless of species or lifespan."
She smiles. "What about siblings? Do you have brothers or sisters hiding their dragon nature somewhere?"
"One brother," I reply. "Sebastian. He lives in Australia now, has for the past century or so. We speak regularly, though not as often as Ember would like. She adores her uncle."
"Australia seems like a good place for dragons," Luna muses. "Lots of open space, relatively low population density in the interior."
"Precisely why he chose it. Plus, Australians are generally unfazed by wildlife oddities. A dragon sighting might be dismissed as just another strange creature in a land full of them."
