The Dragon Play (Stonefire Dragons Shorts Book 3) Page 3

  "Well, she'd have to disappear for a long time with Mr. Whitby, though. And I think she's still afraid of dragon-shifters."

  Tapping her chin, she said, "Then I'll just have to convince her dragons are nice. Sometimes a little scary, but very protective and like to keep their promises."

  Freddie stood a fraction taller. "Yes, we do."

  She smiled. Freddie always liked to pretend he could protect her against anything, even though they were about the same height. And she could run just as fast as him.

  Freddie glanced to the side and sighed. "My mum is coming. We'd better go and stay with her. Come on."

  As Daisy followed Freddie and said hello to Freddie's mother—they'd met before, once, at the end of the dragon camp—she tried to keep from dancing or squirming. She might have a little brother or sister soon. That would make her mum happy, and it would probably mean Daisy could live on Stonefire. After all, Mr. Whitby would want to be near his kid.

  And so she tried to be nice and friendly with Freddie's family, but couldn't help staring at the door they'd all come through, waiting for her mum to come out and share some news.

  Chapter Five

  Even though Freddie's mum, brother, and even Emily had tried to distract her with biscuits and ice cream, Daisy had kept a close watch on the door. Time moved so slowly. Would her mum ever come out?

  When her mother and the clan leader finally walked through said door, Daisy handed her plate to Freddie in mid-conversation and ran across the room straight to them.

  Maybe she should've asked permission, but her curiosity was about to burst. She had to know if her mum was going to stay with Mr. Whitby and then give Daisy a little brother or sister.

  She skidded to a halt right in front of her mum and asked, "Well? What's going to happen? Are you going with Mr. Whitby?"

  Bram frowned down at her. "Just what did Freddie say?"

  "Not much. But mate-claim frenzies mean two adults disappear for a bit. And afterward, they have a baby. Is that what you're going to do, Mum? Is it?"

  Her mother looked tired, and her smile wasn't as big as usual. She took Daisy's hand. "Come, Daisy. We need to talk privately."

  Bram motioned back to where they'd come from. "Feel free to use the same room, Dawn."

  "Thanks," her mum murmured before taking Daisy's hand and guiding her back through the door.

  They walked down a hallway and she did her best not to run and tug her mum along faster. Daisy counted three doors before her mum opened the third and ushered them inside. There was a table and some chairs. Her mum sat in one and turned another to face her.

  Daisy slowly sat in the chair and looked at her mother. "What's going to happen, Mum?"

  "I'm not sure yet, Daisy." She opened her mouth, but her mother beat her to it. "I wanted to talk with you first before making any decisions."

  She scooted forward in her seat. "But you know what I want, Mum. I've always wanted to live here, and I know you always wanted another baby. I thought you'd be excited."

  Her mother searched her eyes. "Did you know that Mr. Whitby was my true mate all along?"

  Shaking her head, her hair bounced back and forth. "No. I just thought you were getting along, and both of you were smiling, and that maybe a kiss would help. Like it always does in the movies."

  Her mum rubbed her forehead a second. "This is a bit more complicated, Daisy. I know how much you love dragon-shifters. And I'm glad you made friends with Freddie. However, I'm still a little afraid of them. Not to mention moving here would mean never seeing Lucy or your other friends at school."

  "I'll miss Lucy, and I'll always want to see her. But, well, you know, she hasn't been talking to me as much ever since my first visit to Stonefire."

  Her mother frowned a bit. "What?"

  Daisy looked down at her dress and picked at the skirt. "I didn't tell you because I was trying to fix it. But Lucy's mum told me to not talk to her anymore." She glanced up and blinked. Her mother's lips were in a straight line. She usually only did that when she was angry or losing her patience. Daisy decided to keep talking, to explain it some more. "We did chat sometimes, during classes. But we never play after school or on the weekends."

  "Then where did you go every time you said you were going to Lucy's house?"

  Since Lucy lived a few houses away, Daisy had been allowed to walk to Lucy's house since turning ten years old. Now, her mum probably wouldn't let her walk anywhere since she'd been fibbing for weeks and weeks. "Well, I usually just went behind the shed in our garden and wrote letters to Freddie. If it rained, then I'd go to Mrs. Smythe's house next door and she'd give me tea and biscuits." She bit her lip and asked, "Are you cross with me?"

  For a second, her mum merely stared at her. Daisy knew how much her mum hated lying. It was part of the reason her dad had left. Not that she knew the details, but her dad had lied a lot and hurt her mum.

  And while Daisy had felt a little guilty before, now she felt much, much worse. Her mother did so much and was so patient. Daisy added, "I won't do it again, I promise."

  Her mother took her hand and squeezed. "I don't like that you lied to me. But you did tell me the truth and I hope you'll honor your promise to not lie to me again." Daisy bobbed her head a few times and her mother continued, "I do wish you would've said something sooner, Daisy. Are other kids or teachers treating you differently, too?"

  She shrugged as she swung her feet above the floor. "Some of them have been meaner. But I didn't like most of them anyway. Those of us who went to the dragon camp became our own group of friends. I also have Freddie and Emily."

  Her mother tugged her off the chair and helped her into her lap. Once her mum wrapped her in a hug and laid her head against Daisy's, she said, "You've worked so hard to help other people like the dragon-shifters, haven't you?"

  "I try. The dragon-shifters have always been nice to me. And I don't know why people would be mean to them or want to hurt them. Especially when most people have never met them. It seems silly. We're not supposed to judge without knowing someone, right? That's what you always tell me."

  Her mother stroked her hair. "Some people are afraid of what's different. I suppose I was one of those, too. I guess I need to listen to my own advice, huh?"

  "Well, did you change your mind after tonight? Bram is nice. So is Mr. MacLeod. And you had fun with Mr. Whitby, too, right?"

  "I'll admit that I'm less afraid now than when we first arrived here."

  "So what are you going to do, Mum?"

  Her mum squeezed her tightly and then leaned back to meet her eyes. "I have one more question first, love. Has anyone on Stonefire ever been mean to you? Or tried to scare you away?"

  She shook her head. "No, although Freddie says there are some older kids who tease everyone. So if they tease me, it'd almost be like I'm part of Stonefire, too. So I actually hope they do tease me soon."

  Her mum continued to play with Daisy's hair and remained silent. Something in Daisy's gut said she needed to be quiet until her mother talked again, even though she didn't like to sit still or remain quiet.

  But for her mum, she'd try her best.

  After only shifting her position once in her mum's lap, her mother finally spoke up. "I'm not going to say yes to everything just yet. However, Bram said the doctor here can make Mr. Whitby's dragon quiet for a few days so I can talk with him. After that, I'll make my final decision. But in the meantime, you'll have to stay with Emily's family, provided they say it's okay."

  "I can't stay here, too?"

  Her mum smiled. "Not yet. You have school, and I need some time alone with Blake, er, Mr. Whitby."

  Daisy turned a little more to look better into her mother's eyes. "So after a few days, you'll be celebrating a new baby coming?"

  Her mum's cheeks turned pink. She cleared her throat before saying, "No. If I decide to accept his dragon, then it'll happen after that. But don't get your hopes up just yet, Daisy Mae. Your father left us, and I don't want to go through that ag
ain and make us both sad. So I need to be sure about Mr. Whitby, at least a little, before disappearing with him, as your friend put it."

  "Oh, I don't think Mr. Whitby would leave us. He's nice and would probably only want to protect you. Kind of like how Freddie wants to protect me."

  Her mother finally smiled. "We'll see, love. We'll see." She moved Daisy off her lap and stood. "Let's find Emily's mother first and then I'll talk with Bram again. If Emily's mother says it’s okay, promise me you'll be on your best behavior. No wandering off or telling lies."

  "I promise, Mum. If there's even a small chance we can live on Stonefire, I'll be the most bestest behaved girl ever."

  Her mother laughed. "Too bad I won't be around to see that." She took Daisy's hand. "Come on. There's a lot to do still."

  As they made their way back toward the great hall, Daisy tried her best not to get her hopes up. However, there was a chance she would be living on Stonefire permanently if her mum ended up liking Mr. Whitby enough. Not only that, she could have a little brother or sister soon, too.

  Maybe the wish she'd made the day before, when she blew out her birthday candles, would finally come true. Daisy and her mum could be a happy family on Stonefire. And even if she hadn't wished for a little brother or sister, she didn't mind if that happened, too.

  Epilogue

  Three Weeks Later

  Freddie stood next to his mother inside the Protectors' main security building and focused on the screen in front of him.

  At any moment, Daisy and Emily should arrive.

  His dragon spoke up. It's still early. Stop fretting.

  But this day is important. It's almost the last time she'll have to go away and come back.

  Just admit you missed her.

  Since Daisy had left early after the play with her mum, something about getting things in order for her to stay with Emily for a bit, Freddie hadn't talked to her since. Not even to give her his now late birthday present.

  But two days ago, Mr. Whitby and Daisy's mum had shown their faces in the clan again, meaning the mate-claim frenzy was over. And as such, Bram and everyone wanted to celebrate. After all, the pair would have their mating ceremony later tonight. And once that was done, Daisy and her mother would soon move to Stonefire for good.

  On the screen, a car pulled up to Stonefire's main gate. It was one he recognized.

  Emily's mum had finally arrived with Daisy and Emily.

  Since his parents had said he couldn't greet them until the car stopped, Freddie did his best to stand still. It was hard watching his friends drive up. But as soon as they stepped out of the car, he looked up at his mum. "Can I see them now?"

  She smiled. "Go on, but don't wander off without taking all three humans with you."

  "I won't, I promise," he answered before running out of the room, down the hallway, and out the front door.

  The car park was right next to the building, and he spotted Daisy's blonde head and Emily's dark one. He raced over and stopped a few inches away. "Hiya, Daisy, Emily." Trying to be on his best manners, he looked at Emily's mum and smiled. "Hello, Mrs. Barlow."

  "Hi, Freddie," Mrs. Barlow replied.

  Daisy hugged him and then asked, "Well? Where's my mum? I thought she'd be here to greet me."

  "You're a little early and she's at Bram's cottage, signing some papers. I can take you if Mrs. Barlow says it’s okay."

  "I'll follow you, Freddie. Just don't run too far ahead," Mrs. Barlow stated.

  He bobbed his head. "Okay." He looked at his friends. "Come on. After seeing your mum, maybe we can go to your new cottage. It's not too far from my home, so we can see each other all the time."

  Daisy grinned. "It's going to be brilliant, Freddie. Just wait and see." She looked over to Emily and took her hand. "And you can always stay with me, Emily. Whenever you want."

  Emily nodded. "Th-Thank you."

  Freddie clapped his hands. "Right then, let's go. Otherwise, we won't have time to visit your new cottage properly before going to the mating ceremony."

  And he could finally give Daisy the necklace he helped make with the clan silversmith. True, Dylan had done most of the work, but Freddie had created the design.

  His dragon spoke up. She’ll love it, even if we didn’t make it all by ourselves. But you need to hurry, or we’ll have to wait even longer to give it to her.

  As he led the humans down one pathway and then the other, he did his best not to run too far ahead. It was hard, though, because today was important. Today his best friend would officially become part of Stonefire. And he couldn't wait to see and talk with Daisy every day.

  *~*~*

  I hope you enjoyed the continuation of Freddie and Daisy's story! Readers loved the first two stories, and so I wrote this one and have at least one more planned. (Yes, it will be about the Daisy's move/adjustment to living on Stonefire!) Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed Jayden's last name is Wells and may wonder his connection to Hudson Wells (the widower, whose mate had been the female Protector named Charlie). Well, Jayden is his nephew. :) You don't need to know that, but as all my dragon books do, they connect in some way.

  I appreciate your help in spreading the word, such as by telling a friend about this book. Reviews also help readers find books! Please leave a review on your favorite book site. You can also sign-up to my newsletter for information, releases, and more.

  Books by Jessie Donovan

  Kelderan Runic Warriors

  The Conquest (KRW #1)

  The Barren (KRW #2)

  The Heir (KRW #3)

  The Forbidden (KRW #4)

  The Hidden (KRW #5)

  Love in Scotland

  Crazy Scottish Love (LiS #1)

  Chaotic Scottish Wedding (LiS #2)

  Lochguard Highland Dragons

  The Dragon’s Dilemma (LHD #1)

  The Dragon Guardian (LHD #2)

  The Dragon’s Heart (LHD #3)

  The Dragon Warrior (LHD #4)

  The Dragon Family (LHD #5)

  The Dragon's Discovery (LHD #6)

  The Dragon's Pursuit / Layla & Chase (LHD #7 / Jan 23, 2020)

  Stonefire Dragons

  Sacrificed to the Dragon (SD #1)

  Seducing the Dragon (SD #2)

  Revealing the Dragons (SD #3)

  Healed by the Dragon (SD #4)

  Reawakening the Dragon (SD #5)

  Loved by the Dragon (SD #6)

  Surrendering to the Dragon (SD #7)

  Cured by the Dragon (SD #8)

  Aiding the Dragon (SD #9)

  Finding the Dragon (SD #10)

  Craved by the Dragon (SD #11)

  Persuading the Dragon / Zain and Ivy (SD #12 / May 14, 2020)

  Stonefire Dragons Universe

  Winning Skyhunter (SDU #1)

  Transforming Snowridge (SDU #2)

  Stonefire Dragons Shorts

  Meeting the Humans (SDS #1)

  The Dragon Camp (SDS #2)

  The Dragon Play (SDS #3)

  Asylums for Magical Threats

  Blaze of Secrets (AMT #1)

  Frozen Desires (AMT #2)

  Shadow of Temptation (AMT #3)

  Flare of Promise (AMT #4)

  Cascade Shifters

  Convincing the Cougar (CS #0.5)

  Reclaiming the Wolf (CS #1)

  Cougar’s First Christmas (CS #2)

  Resisting the Cougar (CS #3)

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the writer’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The Dragon Play

  Copyright © 2019 Laura Hoak-Kagey

  Mythical Lake Press, LLC

  First Digital Edition

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the author except for the use of bri
ef quotations in a book review.

  Cover Art by Laura Hoak-Kagey of Mythical Lake Design

  ISBN: 978-1942211921