The Water Dragon's Christmas Miracle: An Accidental Pregnancy Romance by Dane Thea

Author:Dane, Thea
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thea Dane
Published: 2022-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

REID

Iwalked out of my house to find the elders still waiting. Now was as good a time as any to set the record straight.

“Elle will be staying with me for the foreseeable future. I take full responsibility for her protection and wellbeing.”

I met their gazes. Each elder displayed a degree of disapproval or confusion. None of that stopped me from saying my next words. “She’s carrying my child.”

I continued to speak over their audible gasps. “She is to be treated with respect and dignity. This is a command, not a suggestion. If anyone violates it, they’ll answer to me.”

I returned inside while the council murmured to themselves. It soon became quiet. Then Gretchen burst through the door.

“The last drake who got involved with a human was banished from Fire Peak.” She marched towards me, hands on her hips.

“That was years before my father took leadership and started modernizing. He knew we couldn’t remain isolated from the world.”

“Your father conducted business with humans. That isn’t the same as getting one of them pregnant.” Gretchen crossed her arms. “You know he wouldn’t approve.”

I refused to let her give me false guilt. “I can’t change what happened nor do I regret my choice. What I can do is supply a secure place for Elle and the baby.”

“What about what we elders think?”

My inner dragon huffed. “I respect the council’s advisory role, but you don’t get to choose my mate.”

Gretchen’s jaw slackened. “This human woman is your mate now?”

Deep down, I considered Elle my mate. Until now, I never allowed myself to think about it because I didn’t believe it would happen. Unless Elle agreed, it still might never become a reality.

The thought became a talon that clawed at my gut. “I cared about Elle for a long time, but I hid my feelings. I’m going to fix that now.”

“There’s one thing you can’t fix. She may not be strong enough to carry a child with water drake blood.”

My annoyance at Gretchen dissolved while concern for Elle took its place. “You used to be a midwife. Can you help her?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Do you realize what you’re asking me?” Her words came out in a hiss and her skin turned green with scales.

“I’m asking you to help me care for Elle and the child she carries, a child who shares my blood. Would you deny aid to your own people?”

Her dragon scales disappeared. Gretchen gaped at me, silent and fuming. I matched her stare, waiting for her answer.

“Where is she?”

“Follow me.”

I returned to my bedroom and tapped on the door.

“Yes?” Elle’s voice sounded tired.

Gretchen made the same observation. “She doesn’t sound too good.”

I opened the door and entered. Elle was still on the bed. She had taken two bites of the sandwich I made for her. Her eyes were hooded and heavy with fatigue. “Gretchen is here to see you.”

She rubbed her eyes. “I don’t think I’m well enough for anyone to see me.”

The elder council member stepped into the room. “You’re going to have to get used to people checking on you for the next few months.

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