Page 23 of Draco Family Duet

Without warning, Blaise scooped me up into his arms like I weighed nothing at all. “You are one unexpected creature, Maggie Wallace,” he announced quietly. Then he kissed mytemple.

“Look who’s talking.” Igiggled.

He carried me to the bed and gently set me on the mattress before climbing on to join me. Reaching out, he held my hand in his and stared into my eyes while addressing his servant. “We’re good, Fredo. I’ll call if we needanything.”

“Yes, sir.” A moment later, I heard the door close, but since we couldn’t break our gaze, neither of us actually saw himleave.

“You said something about how we needed to talk, hm?” He grinned as he brought my hand to his lips and grazed myknuckles.

“Yeah. That. You first. I believe you have some explaining to do.” My brow shot up inchallenge.

Blaise chuckled. “I do.” He shook his head. “I honestly expected I’d have to pry you from the ceiling when you saw me…likethat.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please, I’m made of tougher stuff than that, but I don’t understand how this is possible. I thought dinosaurs died off long ago.” My mind raced I sorted through conspiracytheories.

His brows rose. “What? You think I’m part pterodactyl?” Blaise chuckled as his thumb rubbed a circle on the back of my hand. “No,principessa. I don’t have an ounce of dinosaur in me.” He took a deep breath as though trying to prepare for a long explanation. “Dragons didn’t die off. We were nearly all killed off, as the fairy tales would suggest.” He lay down on his side and I did the same, inches from his body, facinghim.

The flutter felt more manageable while we touched. “Go on,” I urged, eager to hear what he seemed reluctant tosay.

Blaise nodded. “There’s one story no one shares. It has become a legend in Italy.” He swallowed and released my hand long enough to cup the side of my face and smooth back some stray strands of hair. “There once was a dragon who kidnapped a princess. See, back in the day, dragons had a much different life from the kind we have now. They kidnapped princesses for ransom. They loved nothing more than gold. They ate their fill of livestock. Needless to say, the townspeople were notfans.”

“You don’t say.” My browrose.

With a chuckle, Blaise continued. “In fact, they rebelled, which was how dragons started dyingoff.”

“But this doesn’t explain how you’re a dragon.” My browfurrowed.

“Well, then maybe you should stop interrupting,” he teased. “And I’m not a dragon, I’m dragon shifter. Let me finish the story, then you can ask all the questions youwant.”

“Fine.” I huffed. “I’ll just lie here quietly and listen.” I reached out and ran my fingers over his chest, as I examined his skin. While the dragon had scaled and leathery wings, Blaise felt whollyhuman.

He shook his head and I knew he was as affected by my touch as I was his, which made me feel incredibly powerful. “Where wasI?”

“Kidnapping, ransoming, and pillaging,” Ijoked.

“Right.” He chuckled. “This lifestyle had been working out pretty well until a certain dragon kidnapped a princess who bewitched him with her golden hair.” Blaise ran his fingers through my dark locks. “He couldn’t stand the idea of ransoming her and losing her. The princess, for her part, didn’t want to return. See, the king had arranged a marriage for her, which was designed to not only bring peace between two warring countries, but also fill hiscoffers.”

I frowned, trying to imagine what kind of father could do such a thing to his daughter. Hell, my father could barely let me out of his sight. Then I realized I’d barely seen him since we arrived and amended that. My father needed me, unless he was distracted by work and had an actual servant to fill my void. Isighed.

Blaise interrupted my thoughts to continue his story. “Her betrothed was a Turk, known to be from a particularly vicious family, and the king feared what would happen to his kingdom if he couldn’t make good on this deal. So, he entered into negotiations with the dragon and when all offers of gold were refused, the king’s sorceress was sent to work her magic. The plan was simple: put the dragon to sleep by any means necessary and the knights would rush in and rescue theprincess.”

My eyes widened. “Ohno!”

“You’re rooting for the dragon now, aren’t you?” Blaisegrinned.

“Maybe a little.” Ishrugged.

“Naturally. We’re not entirely unsympathetic creatures.” He smirked. “Anyway, the sorceress peeks in and surveys the situation. They were holed up in a giant cave. The princess was caressing the dragon’s cheek, nuzzling up to him. The dragon was practically purring. The sorceress quickly realized the princess was in no danger and the dragon was actually a far better option for the princess than the Turk. Instead of putting the dragon to sleep, she performed a spell where she helped the dragon find his true form and he immediately morphed into a handsome man. An incredibly rich, handsomeman.”

“And they lived happily ever after.” Isnickered.

“Mostly. When the man was angered, he’d revert to his dragon form. He was the first dragon shifter. Through the years, we’ve learned to control our ability. Usually, I can choose my form, but there are times it is completely out of my control. Rage, jealousy, fear, at any time these destructive emotions can have my animalistic instincts simply taking over.” He sighed and ran a hand over hisface.

My eyes narrowed. “That’s what happened earlier, isn’t it? You were mad atme?”

Blaise shook his head. “No, I was afraid you were going to be hurt. I was frustrated because you refused to listen. Dragons have become protectors by nature now.” He blew out abreath.

“You’re afraid again,” I noted. “Do you think I’d reveal your secret? Is that it?” I scowled, irritated he could have so little faith inme.

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