Kai ruffled the boy's hair. "Sorry, it's just me this time. I didn't think I'd be back so soon, either. But I needed to talk with Rhydian and decided to stop by and say hello before heading home."
Kai glanced to her, and Delaney suspected he'd come to ensure she wasn't a threat to his family.
Not one to do subtle dances when it came to conversations, Delaney walked toward the tall dragon-shifter and said, "So ask me what you wish. That's why you're here, aye?"
"Perhaps."
Lily jumped in. "Kai, be nice. Delaney is our guest."
"But how much do you know about her, Mum?" Kai asked.
Lily replied to her son, "Enough. If you're going to interrogate her, then maybe you should leave."
Kai sighed. "You're
too trusting, Mum."
"And you're too suspicious. You know Rhydian wouldn't allow her out and about if he thought she was a threat to us."
Tired of people talking about her as if she weren't there, Delaney said, "It's time for Rian and me to leave anyway. I promised him I'd make dinner and it'll take me some time to find everything in an unfamiliar kitchen." Lily opened her mouth—probably to invite her to dinner—but Delaney beat her to it. "Thank you for the tea and biscuits, Lily. But Rian and I should really be going."
"If you say so, love. But you're welcome anytime."
Kai grunted, but Delaney ignored him. "Come, Rian. You can help me make dinner."
"And Mr. Cottontail, too?"
She smiled, forgetting all about Kai's suspicious nature. "Yes, Mr. Cottontail, too."
"And Rhydian? He needs to eat. We can surprise him."
"We'll see." She took the boy's hand. "Thanks again, Lily, Gareth. And nice to meet you, Delia."
Without another word, Delaney left, her nephew in tow.
While she knew Kai had only been doing his job and thinking about this family, the entire encounter had reminded her of what she faced. A tiny percentage of Snowridge had accepted her, but it wasn't guaranteed that most would.
However, as Rian started trying to sing Gareth's song, making up his own words more often than not, Delaney smiled again. She could put up with it all for Rian's sake. After all, he needed to be around other dragon-shifters to learn and develop his dragon-related skills.
And maybe, just maybe, she had an idea of how to prove to a large group of people that she wasn't a delicate human who could be scared off with a growl or light threat.
Of course it meant sweet-talking Rhydian a little.
Once she succeeded in convincing him of her idea, then Delaney would come out of retirement for one night only. If she held a few boxing matches against some of the other dragon-shifters—most likely Protectors or self-defense trainers—then it would save her a lot of time in the future. Because if she had to stand up to the dragons and show her strength over and over again, for possibly every clan member inside the Welsh clan, it would be exhausting. Not only that, it'd take away her energy for raising Rian.
The trick would be proving to Rhydian she could handle herself, which meant maybe softening him up a little first with a tasty dinner. She doubted there was much difference between human or dragon-shifter men when it came to their stomachs. She'd just have to make the best damn dinner anyone had ever seen. Then when Rhydian was stuffed to the gills and ready to waddle out the door, she could pounce and propose her plan.
Chapter Seven
Rhydian knocked on Delaney's door and did his best to contain his curiosity. The female had invited him to dinner and had hinted at how she had a new event idea for his clan. Since a text message didn't contain a lot of words, it'd been vague. And only because he'd been busy with Gwen earlier had he not pressed for more details.
His beast spoke up. I like it. We rarely get surprises. Yet another reason she'd be a good mate.
Not this again.
You said you were open to it. So stop trying to dismiss the topic every time I bring it up.
The door opened, revealing a flushed Delaney wearing an apron.