Page 26 of The Dragon’s Accidental Manny

“You can’t fly and neither can your dragon. Not yet.” Isla shook her head.

“I can.”

“Are you scared?” Bea’s pale cheeks and her trembling lower lip were a warning sign. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

Isla and Jack leaned forward, and as I glanced in the rearview mirror, their eyes were on me.

I have to deal with this right now.

We were still on our road with the only traffic being Ledger’s car behind us, so I pulled over. This wasn’t a conversation to have in traffic. I got out and opened Bea’s passenger door.

“Everyone in back.”

The four of us huddled in the back seat. We were kinda squished, but we were together and none of the kids complained.

“I know that you all have dragons inside you and your dad has a big dragon that can fly.”

“Have you seen his beast? He’s beautiful.” Isla closed her eyes as if she was picturing him.

Having never imagined I’d see a dragon, I hadn’t considered if they were a thing of beauty. But with a huge wingspan, spikes, and scales, I could only imagine what he looked like.

“Not yet.” I had us link hands so we were all connected. “But I’m not scared, and I’m not leaving. I love you, and nothing you do would frighten me. I might not understand much about your dragons yet, but I’ll learn.”

“We love you too.” Isla looked at her brother and sister, and the three chorused, “We love you too.”

I couldn’t stop the tears sliding over my cheeks, and Jack reached over and caught one. “You’re raining, Cam.”

I sniffed and kissed him and his sisters. “But it’s warm, happy rain.”

“Not like at school.” He grinned.

When it was time for dinner and Price was still out, I ordered in. So much had happened, my energy levels were low, and as it was the end of the week, the kids were tired. We were all together on the couch, talking about their day. Jack was sitting on the back of the sofa behind us, and the girls were on either side of me.

Jack rested his chin on my head and put his legs over my shoulders.

“Why can’t you sit normally,” Isla hissed. “Your feet are in my face.”

“Cam is warming me.”

Huh? I was the cold one in this house of dragons.

“Don’t be silly. Cam doesn't have a dragon.”

“Feel.” Jack put a hand on my cheek.

Isla shoved Jack’s leg back and rested her cheek on mine. Bea felt my brow.

“Wow, are you sick, Cam? Humans get hot when they’re not well.”

“Nope. I’m just used to you.” I took a deep breath and wondered if I was breathing in air that their dragons had breathed. Did that happen when the beasts were inside them? I had so much to learn.

“What are you all doing?” Price appeared and tossed his phone on an armchair. “Is this a new game? Can I play too?” His eyes sparkled, and I mouthed, “Stop it.”

“Cam is like us.” Jack squeezed my cheeks which wasn’t my best look. Isla grumbled and held my hand instead.

“Ummm, okay.” Price plonked himself at my feet.

“Yeah, he’s hot now.” Bea patted my forehead. “Normal temperature.”