Melanie laughed and then pushed against her mate’s chest. He released his hold and she ordered, “Right, let’s get something to eat before Arabella can escape. She loves her niece and nephew too much to leave with no one else to watch them.”
As Arabella started to protest, Mel took Tristan’s hand and ducked into the kitchen. Just as she’s expected, having her mate close helped chase her worries away.
Releasing her hand to open the fridge, Mel watched as Tristan made her a sandwich. The everyday act soothed her fears a tad. Maybe she’d over analyzed things and everything would turn out all right in the end. Who would try to kill her over a book? Sure, a few authors had been targeted over the years, but Mel wasn’t picking apart someone’s religious beliefs. All her book did was talk about matings, celebrations, and clan structures.
Yet a small part of her knew someone would take offense. She only hoped it was an extreme minority. The dragon hunters already targeted them. Stonefire didn’t need any more enemies to watch out for.
Chapter Three
The next day, Tristan stood at the foot of the stairs waiting for his mate. Little had been said in the human media outlets about the release of her book. He wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing, although it worried Mel to no end.
However, she had her first press conference in half an hour. That would be the first real test.
His human descended the stairs, wearing black trousers and a light green top that showed off her eyes. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, his gaze lingered on her chest before meeting her eyes. “That top is too tight. I don’t want other males staring at your breasts.”
Mel rolled her eyes. “This is probably one of the most conservative things I’ve worn in a long time.”
His dragon huffed. Her arse is highlighted too. I don’t like it.
His mate sighed. “I see your flashing dragon eyes. Tell him I’m wearing this and that’s final. These clothes make me feel important, and I desperately need the confidence.”
Tristan snorted. “Right, love, you lack confidence.”
She poked him in the chest. “Sometimes, yes, I do. And since I’m about to represent our entire clan, I think you’d be a little more supportive.”
“Agreeing with everything you say or do is boring. You wouldn’t like it.”
She sighed. “You’re right, but matching wits with you is a wonderful stress reliever.”
“So does that mean I have a free pass right now to tease you?”
“Most definitely not.” The frown between her brows eased. “Are the twins still asleep?”
“Yes. Samira and Evie are in the living area, keeping an ear open.”
“Where’s Arabella?”
He shrugged. “She had things to do.”
Tristan agreed with the look of confusion in his mate’s eyes. Arabella spent most of her free moments with her niece and nephew. Maybe the huma
ns gathering in front of Stonefire’s main gate for the press conference had spooked her. He only hoped it hadn’t reversed any of his sister’s progress.
His mate took the last step down and patted Tristan’s chest. “I bet Ara’s afraid of how things could change. If humans and dragon-shifters eventually learn to interact freely with one another, she might feel the need to hide away again.”
He growled. “I’m not about to let that happen.”
“Me neither, but it explains her absence.” Mel walked toward the living area. “I really wish she’d take up the foster position with Lochguard. A break from the clan might be good for her.”
Tristan kept pace with his mate. “If she decides to go, then I’ll allow it. But I’m not about to encourage it.”
Mel glanced at him with raised brows. “Allow her? Tristan, love, remind me to tell Arabella about that the next time I see her.”
“Aren’t conversations between mates private?”
They reached the living area and Evie was grinning. “Maybe, but we heard it too. I’m going to make sure I’m here when Melanie tells your sister what you said. I might even bring some popcorn.”
His dragon growled. There are too many females in this house. Let’s hurry.