Page 53 of Dragon His Heels
“We’ve all made mistakes,” he said, his back to Talia. He wasn’t dressed in his typical summer uniform of a T-shirt and shorts with leather flip-flops. Instead, he wore a polo tucked into a pair of tailored black pants that hugged his ass, making Talia’s mouth water while her dragon complained about how long it had been since they flew together. Or had not-quite-sex together.Or, you know, did anything together.
“My hope is that by allowing him to live, he will realize the error of his ways, and maybe he will go back to his colony and try to stop the drug business. Perhaps he will change things for the better.”
A murmur went up in the crowd.He’s gained a few supporters.
“I appreciate the help of the two dragons who saved my PR manager,” Gabe said, sweeping his arm in her direction, almost like a politician who had taken charge of the stage. She stared at him, catching his eye for the briefest of moments before he turned back to his enraptured audience.
“I don’t know what I would have done if she hadn’t survived,” he added. “I know some of you are annoyed with her right now, but I’m really glad she’s still around.”
Talia’s mouth fell open. He didn’t turn around to look at her.
“And I appreciate Ilsa and Adelbern for protecting the children. They protected your offspring. Our future.”
Another wave of noise from the crowd, this one louder than the last.
“As you all are well aware by now, Ruby, the child I took in a few weeks ago, who I thought was my own flesh and blood, isn’t.”
The noise died away until not even a cough or the sound of rustling fabric was heard.
“But that doesn’t matter. I love her as if she is my daughter, and she insists she loves me too.”
He offered a self-deprecating smile, and there were a few chuckles scattered about the room.
“I’ve spoken with her mother and have her permission. I want to formally adopt Ruby. But I want your blessing to do so. She means the world to me, but so does this colony. I am your reeve, and I don’t want to let you down.”
He paused.
“Again.”
The crowd erupted in chatter, everyone seemingly speaking at once. Talia sensed movement to her right and glanced over her shoulder at Ruby and Jasmine, who stood nearby, tucked behind the wall so that the audience could not see them. Ruby wore a pretty white dress and a pair of bright red, sparkly Mary Janes. Someone had curled her hair. She clutched Jasmine’s hand in a death grip.
When Talia caught her eye, she grinned and waved enthusiastically. Talia blinked away tears and gave her a little wave in return.
Then Gabe turned toward them, spotted Ruby, and motioned for her to come forward. With a swift glance in Talia’s direction, she rushed out onto the stage. The awes from the crowd were audible.
Gabe scooped the little girl into his arms, and she flung her arms around his neck. “Well?” he said, facing his audience. “Does anyone object to my adoption of this child? Of raising her as a Zilarra dragon?”
Someone clapped. Another person stood and put their hands together. And then another and another and another. The row of Elders got to their feet too. Within moments, Talia was certain she was the only person in the room who was seated. So she stood too. Of course she supported Gabe adopting her niece. Ruby’s presence had helped him grow into the man who now stood on this stage and informed the colony how important they all were to his life.
He had become a reeve the colony could be proud of.
Despite the fact that whatever they had was over, she was still so proud of him, tears streamed down her face unfettered while she clapped along with the rest of them.
“Great,” Gabe said once the noise died down to a level low enough he could be heard again. “So that’s a yes?”
Laughter bounced off the walls, and somebody shouted, “Hell yes!”
“Thank you all. Your support means a lot to me. And in anticipation of your acceptance, the Elders have taken it upon themselves to plan a reception that’ll start as soon as this meeting ends.”
Another low roar of noise swept the room. He was losing their attention, but that was probably okay. There couldn’t be anything else to discuss that was as important as his announcement that he planned to adopt his daughter.
“One more thing,” Gabe said, lifting the hand that wasn’t holding Ruby. “One more, and then I’ll let everyone get to celebrating.”
Half the room returned their attention to their reeve, but the other half had already shifted into party mode.
“It’s about the curse.”
As if he snapped his finger, the crowd immediately fell silent while all gazes shifted to stare at their reeve, Talia included. He kept his back to her while he continued speaking.
