Dragon Hearts (Book 1 of the Dragon Series)

Chapter 5

Elle

Nobody talked during the short trip from the airstrip to the house. I decided to “wake up” just as we turned down a gravel driveway. I saw Elias sitting stoically in the front passenger side and an older man driving the car. Everett was beside me in the back; still holding my feet and looking out the window. I could see him relax a bit as he looked upon the green hills. Not that I could see much but I had a feeling he could, and he seemed happy to be back home.

The car slowed to a stop and I sat up in the seat. Everett glanced at me and smiled shyly. The corners of my mouth twitched up involuntarily. Before anyone could say anything, the doors of the car seemed to burst open and Elias and Everett were dragged out of the car by a small lady in a white sleeping gown. A tall man with a portly belly offered his hand and a kind smile. He had Everett’s eyes and a sweet smile and I had a feeling he was his dad. And the small lady was his mom with her brown and red hair. She chattered at the boys quickly; her thick accent making it quite hard for me to understand. I stood awkwardly beside Everett’s father who was clearly not a talker.

Everett and Elias took whatever the small lady was yelling at them with smiles on their faces as though they seemed to miss this sort of thing. She ended her tirade with a loud “Yeah?” And both boys were still smiling and said “yeah!”

“Oh, my heavens!” The little lady gushed when she turned her attention to me. “You must be Elle! Goodness, my child you must be exhausted! Come, come I will make you a sandwich while the boys unpack the car. You must be famished, and that airplane food does nothing to fill you up.”

Before I respond she hurriedly grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the front door. She talked so fast and with her heavy Irish accent, I struggled to understand a lot of what she said so I just nodded and made noncommittal conversation noises.

“Oh, forgive me, dear,” she said halfway to the kitchen. “You must think I’m crazy with the way I’ve been going on. I’m just so excited to have you here and terribly angry as to why this had to happen yet so very happy to meet you. I’m just a ball of emotions. Goodness, I guess we know where Ginny gets it.”

“Are you Everett’s mom?” I asked. She beamed at me and shook my hand.

“Yes, yes! Ah, leave it to me not even introduce myself. My name is Patricia Connors,” she said and started to make a sandwich with some chips. “That big grump that helped you from the car is Denny, Everett’s dad. It sounded more like Dah when she said it and I smiled.  Within a flash, she was sitting me down at the table and talked with me while I ate.

“So dear,” she said quietly. “I’m sure you must have a million questions. Just know you can ask any of us anything. We want you to know everything about us.”

I looked at her curiously. She was such a small petite woman. I couldn’t imagine her turning into a dragon. Not that I know what that even looks like but still. Out of all the questions that have been screaming through my head within the past 24 hours that I could ask: “Can you turn into a dragon too?” was what came out of my mouth.

Patricia laughed a good hearty Irish laugh. She slapped her knee and wiped the tears from her eye. With a warm hand, she grasped mine and brought it to her lips to kiss it. “Oh, I like you! You are an absolute rose. Yes, my dear. I turn into a dragon too. We are all dragons here.”

My cheeks reddened but I had joined in with her laughter. I knew she wasn’t being malicious, but I just couldn’t imagine such a tiny person becoming something huge and monstrous.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ask that one. It just happened to pop up when you asked,” I apologized, and half wondered if it’s something she gets a lot.

“Don’t worry about it, dearie, oh my that gave me quite a start. Was there something else you wanted to ask instead?”

“Why me?” I asked bluntly and tears sprung to my eyes unexpectedly.

Patricia’s smile turned softer and kind. She squeezed my hand with hers to comfort me which made the tears fall quietly down my cheek.

“Has anyone told you about mates?” She asked softly.

I shrugged. “It’s a little blurry but I think that Artie guy said I was Everett’s mate and then he said it was true. Other than that, and the guys calling each other mates but I think that’s more like ‘bro’ in American slang.”

Patricia chuckled at me again. She really thinks I’m hilarious and I’m just being me. I smile at her. I can’t help but love her already.

“Well, that Artie guy and Everett are right, you are Everett’s mate. Do you know what that means?”

I thought back through the legends Everett had told me about; before I knew they were real. “Everett told me about dragon legends before any of this happened. I just thought they were stories, but he says they’re true and after what I’ve seen I’m sure they are too. But he did talk about mates once. He said they were destined to be together and there’s no greater love between two beings. He also said that they can’t live without each other. If one dies the other will eventually perish too. But if they both live and love then they can live forever…in theory.” I guess the trauma of last night had suppressed the whole mate thing because it just clicked for me now. Everett and I are mates. He’s my greatest love.  

Patricia smiled happily at me. “My son has learned well. Yes, that’s all exactly true. But there hasn’t been an elder mated couple in many years. War has claimed many lives.”

“How do I fit into all of this? Aside from being Everett’s mate? Which to me is crazy! I’m not even a dragon!”

“Shhh,” Patricia soothed and rubbed my hand. “All will be learned in the next coming days. We don’t need to address it all right at this moment. It’s extremely late and you’ve had a traumatizing experience. I promise you every question you have will be answered and more. Just believe in your mate bond. It’s there. I can see it and felt it the moment I saw you two together. You were made for each other, my sweet daughter. Everett is a wonderful man even if I may be biased because I raised him.”

I laughed and cried at her words. She called me daughter and I’ve only been in her presence less than an hour. She quickly got out of her seat and hugged me tightly, petting my hair and kissing the top of my head.

“Everett’s been a perfect gentleman,” I assured her through my tears. “As crazy as all of this is, it’s kinda growing on me.”

Patricia squeezed me again then took her place beside me, holding my hand in her warm grasp.

A quiet cough from the dining room door broke us out of our quiet moment and we focused on the man standing there. It was Elias. He kept his eyes on Patricia and smiled fondly at her, but sadness was all over his face.

“Excuse me ladies, Miss. Patricia, is there anything else you need me to do before I retire?” He spoke formally.

Patricia smiled at him. “No dear, go on to bed and get some sleep. We’ll see you at breakfast.”

With a nod and quick glance at me, he walked out of the room and down the hall. My stomach clenched with guilt and I frowned after him. Oh, who am I kidding? This isn’t any of his fault and I’m making my best friend miserable.

“Patricia,” I said quietly. “Thank you for being so welcoming. But would it be okay if I went to speak to Elias?”

“Yes of course dear, go on to the left his door is the last on the right. It’s got a big E on the door so you can’t miss it,” Patricia said with a smile. She got up and grabbed my plate before I could. “Go on now you may be able to catch him.”

I smiled at her and rushed out of the room. Elias was walking slowly down the hall; his head hung low. I hurried after and stopped a few feet from his retreating back.

“Elias?” I called after him. He stopped but he didn’t turn around. Probably afraid to see the rage again. I walked closer. “Elias, can I talk to you?”

Elias turned to face me; head still hanging. He glanced up at me but looked away without meeting my eyes. The guilt squished the food in my stomach uncomfortably. He looked so sad.

“Eli, I’m so sorry for what I said to you. I know this isn’t any of your fault. I was just really angry and confused and so scared,” my words rushed out of me. “Please don’t be mad at me.  You’re my best friend.”

“Elle I couldn’t possibly be mad at you,” Elias said softly. “I understand why, and you have plenty of reason to be angry and confused and scared. I never wanted to put you in this position.”

“I know,” I said and gave him a big smile. He smiled his goofy grin in return. “Besides, what’s a fairy tale without dragons? And if I’m gonna be surrounded by dragons, I’m gonna need my best friend to help me figure this all out.”

I opened my arms wide like always and Elias happily stepped into my embrace. He hugged me tight and lifted me in the air.

“Thanks, Elle,” he said as he sat me down and kissed the top of my head. “I was afraid I’d never been able to sleep feeling like you hated me. But now I’m gonna pass out like a baby!”

“What’s going on here?” Barked a sharp voice that made me jump. The grin on Elias’s face told me exactly who it was. Everett appeared at my side and stepped between Elias and me.

“Elle forgave me!” Elias exclaimed happily. “Now I’m going to bed! Night guys!”  Without another word Elias practically skipped down the hall to his room. He gave us a wave before entering.