Page 21 of Curvy Girl and the Single Dad Dragon
"Is that what you expect from most humans? Fear?"
"History has taught us to be cautious," he threads lightly. "There have been times when dragons lived more openly among humans. Those times rarely ended well for us."
I consider this, trying to imagine how it would feel to be constantly vigilant, always hiding an essential part of yourself. "That sounds exhausting."
"It can be," he admits. "Which is why having a place like this, a home where Ember can be herself, at least within these walls, is so important."
"And now I'm part of that safe space," I realize aloud. "That's a big responsibility."
"It is," he agrees. "But you've already shown you're equal to it."
He’s incredible. Not just a single father, not just my employer, but a being who has lived through centuries of history, who carries wisdom and experiences I can barely comprehend.
"What about you?" he asks, breaking the silence. "Beyond your parents and your career choice. What should I know about Luna Hayes?"
I laugh softly. "After hearing about your six-hundred-year lifespan, my twenty-four years seem rather insignificant."
"Not at all," he counters seriously. "Every life has its own significance, regardless of length."
His sincerity encourages me to open up. "Well, let's see. I grew up here in Cedar Falls, actually. Left for college, came back when Dad got sick. I have a small group of close friends, though I've been somewhat disconnected since moving back in with Mom. I love to read, especially fantasy, which is ironic now that I think about it."
"Perhaps you sensed there was more to the world than most people realize," he suggests with a hint of a smile.
"Maybe," I smile back. "I also play the piano. Not professionally or anything, just for myself. My dad built custom furniture, but he also restored antiques, including a beautiful upright pianothat he gave me for my sixteenth birthday. It's still at Mom's house. I miss playing it."
"There's a piano in the study," Damon mentions. "It needs tuning, but you're welcome to use it anytime."
"You play?" I ask, surprised.
He shakes his head. "I bought it for Ember. I want her to have opportunities to explore different interests. Music, art, whatever speaks to her."
"That's thoughtful," I say, touched by his consideration for his daughter's development. "Most parents focus narrowly on academics these days."
"Dragons take a longer view of education," he explains. "We have time to master many skills throughout our lives. Childhood is for exploration and discovery."
"How long will Ember be considered a child by dragon standards?"
"Our development matches humans fairly closely until puberty," he explains. "Then it slows considerably. She'll be physically mature around thirty, but won't be considered a full adult in dragon society until she's at least a century old."
"A century," I repeat, trying to wrap my mind around the timescale. "And you're what, middle-aged in dragon terms?"
He chuckles, the sound warm and rich. "Something like that, though we don't categorize age quite the same way. Dragons can live to be well over a thousand years old, so I'm still in my prime."
"That's incredible," I murmur, a sudden shiver running through me as the implications of such a lifespan sink in. The temperature in the room seems to have dropped while we've been talking.
Damon notices immediately. "You're cold."
Before I can deny it, he's reaching for a soft throw blanket draped over the back of the couch and offering it to me. "Dragon senses," he explains at my surprised look. "We notice things very quickly."
"Thank you." I wrap the blanket around my shoulders, immediately feeling warmer. "That's a useful ability."
"It has its advantages," he agrees. "Though it makes weather extremes more uncomfortable for us. We regulate our internal temperature to compensate, but it requires energy."
I pull the blanket tighter, still feeling a slight chill. "Is that why the house is so warm? For Ember's comfort?"
He nods. "And mine, though I'm better at adapting than she is. Cold is particularly challenging for young dragons."
"But you can generate your own heat," I point out. "With the whole fire-breathing thing."
