Page 25 of Taught By the Dragon
He didn’t like his beast’s tone. And yet, Bronx wouldn’t even think about what his dragon’s attitude could mean.
If Percy’s inner dragon were out and present, his beast would know if she was their true mate.
And for a beat, he didn’t want to help her. His late mate had died birthing Violet, something she never should’ve attempted. Edith hadn’t been his true mate, which had made her chances as a human having a dragon’s baby less favorable. He should’ve stayed firm and said no children.
But he hadn’t.
Even if he’d fucked up his choice about having a child with Edith, he wouldn’t have the same options if he found his true mate. He’d have to never, ever kiss her. Because if he did, it’d send his dragon into a mate-claim frenzy, taking away both his and Percy’s choices since his dragon would keep fucking her until she carried their child.
Not that Percy was his true mate.
His daughter’s voice was nearby and soft as she asked, “Are you okay, Dad?”
Opening his eyes, he looked at his daughter, who wasn’t that much shorter than him these days. She was growing up too bloody fast.
And Bronx couldn’t fathom how he’d been able to keep her at a distance for several months after Edith’s death.
He reached out and pulled her into a hug. Her presence was always calming and a balm to his soul. Violet was his life, his everything. He most definitely didn’t have room for anyone else in his heart or life.
“Just a little tired.” He pulled back and met her brown-eyed gaze, so like her mother’s. “How about we make some pizza for dinner? I think we have everything.”
Her eyes lit up. “We do, and I even have the dough recipe memorized. Plus, maybe Percy can help make it and then finally try some.”
He smoothed some stray hair strands back from Violet’s face; her hair never stayed in the braid she always wore. “Percy needs some time alone, love. But maybe we can practice tonight and get it just right so next time she can have a perfect example of pizza.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Why was he planning any sort of future with Percy? For all he knew, Bram could replace him as her teacher, or Dr. Rossi could return early and decide Percy was better off without him.
However, Violet tugged his arm, intruding on his thoughts. “Come on, Dad. The dough will need a little time to rise, and I want to finish before my show starts.”
He bit back a smile. Violet loved the human soap operas on TV, and she watched at least one of them every day, without fail. “All right, Vi. Although you do know you can stream it on the computer later. I’ve seen you do it before.”
She rolled her eyes. “I only do that if I have to, but it’s not the same, Dad. When I watch it live, I know everyone else is watching it and probably shouting at the latest ridiculous thing to happen. I mean, how many of the characters can go to prison, have surprise babies with like four different dads, or mysteriously return from the dead?”
As they walked into the kitchen, he couldn’t resist teasing her. “Then why watch it?”
“Because I can’t help it! It’s addicting.”
He laughed, and Violet joined in. And as he made pizza with his daughter, he temporarily forgot about Percy, how both man and beast wanted to make her happy, or what the future might hold for any of them. Right here, right now, he made a memory with his daughter, one he’d always treasure. It wouldn’t be long before she was all grown up and moved into her own place, and she might never want to spend a night at home making dinner with her dad again.
ChapterEleven
Percy had fallen asleep soon after Bronx left—although she’d heard the exchange with his daughter, which she still had trouble believing was real life—and woke up early to tackle the books he’d left her.
She’d understood almost all the words in the children’s ones and could guess from context the ones she couldn’t read or sound out. The adult one, though, made her want to throw it across the room.
And while she was staring at the blank notebook, pen in hand, debating if she even wanted to try writing out questions—Bronx might ridicule her spelling or handwriting—a knock sounded on the door.
Violet’s voice came through. “Percy, can I come in?”
Closing the notebook quickly to hide the blank pages, she answered, “Yes.”
Violet walked in, a plate of something in her hands. A savory smell greeted her, one of ham and other scents she couldn’t identify. Because all her meals had been plain to date, except for maybe salt, she didn’t really know what spices smelled like.
Violet placed the plate on the table. Steam rose from some sort of flattened bread with little toasted marks on it in lines. She could see ham and cheese oozing out.
Percy’s mouth watered, and her stomach rumbled.
Violet tore off a small piece and popped it into her mouth. Once she swallowed, she pushed the plate toward her. “It’s a panini. Basically a fancy toasted sandwich, although I added some basil this time to the ham, cheese, tomatoes, and onions. Hopefully you like it.”
