It turned out that Braeden hadn’t set anything on fire. He hadn’t even ruined any of Timothy’s pans or pots.
“For a fire dragon, you’re surprisingly good at just using a stove,” Timothy said, giving him a suspicious look when they found him stretched out on the patio with a plate full of bacon and eggs.
Braeden shrugged. “You haven’t had real food until you’ve had dragon fire charred steak. Mmm. Now that’s the real taste of home.”
“Yeah? If that’s the case, why not take over the world with a new burger chain or something?” Timothy said. “Anyway, we’ve brought donuts. And I guess, since you behaved while we were gone, we’ll share with you.”
“You’ll probably hate the green tea donuts,” Liana said, eyes gleaming, “but don’t worry, I’m more than happy to take care of your share...”
“Hey,” Braeden said, grabbing one of the green glazed donuts before Liana could get to them. “Green tea is my favorite flavor, just so you know.”
“I guess I’ll have to eat your banana pudding donut then...”
Braeden smirked at Liana and grabbed one of the chocolate covered donuts with his other hand. “Just so you know, banana pudding is my favorite.”
“But I thought that—”
Braeden shoved the donut into his mouth with an exaggerated sound of pleasure.
Timothy couldn’t help grinning at the sight. For all that Braeden was supposed to learn about humans, he was already doing a pretty good job of behaving like a normal human being.
Timothy hated to admit it, but it was sort of fun to have the fire dragon around. Now that the storm dragon had found his mate, Timothy missed the summer days they used to spend together on the beach.
It still surprised him, but having Braeden around was almost as good.
Except for the times when Timothy was aching for some privacy with his mate, of course...
Liana laughed, shaking her head when the donut was gone in record time. Her eyes gleamed, as if she was just as surprised as Timothy that their fire dragon had a real sense of humor.
“Help yourself. As long as you leave some for Timothy and me.”
Just then, Timothy’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He s
natched one of the green tea donuts out of the box before Braeden could wolf them all down, then looked at his phone.
Ginny, the caller ID said.
“Sorry, I have to take this call—will be back in a minute.”
Liana gave him a little wave, taking another donut herself before she moved to stretch out in one of the deck chairs. “Take your time,” she called out. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Timothy closed the door behind him for some privacy. He had a feeling that the call might concern Braeden...
“Hey Ginny, what’s up?” he said when she answered.
“Timothy, hi,” the soft voice of the mouse shifter said.
Ginny was currently taking care of Sky Home, the seat of the council of elements. She’d come to live there for a few weeks when they’d first locked Braeden into one of their cells.
But now that they’d convinced the chimera to start investing in some newer technology, Timothy began to suspect that the chimera kept her around because he needed someone who knew how to use a phone and the internet.
“The chimera’s wondering how things are going for you. Is everything okay with our fire dragon?”
“The chimera was right,” Timothy said. “Fire dragons attacked this morning. I sent them packing.”
Ginny drew in a shocked breath. “You’re okay?”
“There were only a few of them. It wasn’t a problem,” Timothy said. “Though the chimera will be pleased. I found my mate.”