Sacrificed to the Dragon: Part Two by Jessie Donovan Read Free Book Online Page B

mother.”
    Melanie’s look softened. “Tristan, I’m so sorry.”
    “I didn’t ask for your pity.”
    “It’s not pity. I’m being sincere, as I couldn’t imagine what that would be like.” She put a hand on his chest and the touch soothed his anger a fraction. “But believe me, I’m not an undercover dragon hunter. I’m going to be the mother of your child. Doesn’t that count for something?”
    He stared at her for a second and decided he needed to ask her something before he brought her anywhere near his sister.
    He resisted a frown. Why was he thinking of introducing her to his sister? Meeting with a human was the last thing Arabella needed.
    But the curiosity that had been bouncing around inside his head was strong enough to make him ask his question anyway. “Did you mean what you said earlier to the students, about wanting to write a book to help stop the nasty rumors about us?”
    Mel nodded. “Yes. At first, I just wanted to find something unique for my doctoral thesis, but after three days of teaching the children of this clan, I want to help build a better future for them. The bias and discrimination will never completely disappear, but it’d be nice if humans and dragon-shifters could interact without living in perpetual fear of trying to kill each other.”
    There was no trace of deceit or fear in her scent. That told him the human believed in her words.
    Had Bram been right to say he was letting his prejudice get in the way? Even if it was true, and he wasn’t entirely convinced it was, he still had his sister to think about. Arabella was his only family, and if she couldn’t get past Melanie being human, there was no way he could have both Melanie and his sister in his life if Melanie decided to stay after their child was born.
    As if sensing his doubts, Melanie added, “Believe me, I know what it’s like to want to protect your family.” She gave a faint smile. “After all, I came here to save my brother’s life.”
    She stared down at her hand on his chest. As she started to stroke him, some of the tension eased out of his body. Her voice was soft when she continued, “I swear on my brother Oliver’s life that I’m not trying to deceive you or do anything to intentionally hurt your sister.” She looked back into his eyes. “And if that’s not enough, I’ll swear it on the life of our unborn child. Please, Tristan, let me meet your sister and see if I can help her get past her fear of humans.”
    “Why do you seem so intent on helping everyone? First Cait, now offering for my sister. What’s in it for you?”
    “I could ask the same thing, about you teaching the young dragon-shifters. It’s just something I do without thinking. I can’t stand to see people hurting who have a chance at happiness.”
    Believe her , his dragon crooned.
    A small part of him hidden deep, deep inside agreed with the beast. But the human-half asked, “Is that what I am to you? A fix-it project?”
    She frowned. “I just want to get to know the father of my baby. Is that too much to ask?”
    He was suspicious of Melanie’s ulterior motives, but with his dragon urging him to agree and the deeply buried part of him that remembered being interested in humans as a boy coming back to the forefront of his mind, Tristan decided to give Melanie a chance. Just one. If she betrayed it, he’d find a way to stay away from her, even if it meant leaving the clan for a few months.
    Decision made, he said, “Wait here for a second. I’ll be right back.”
    She blinked at his order, but nodded. He reluctantly released his grip on her arms and went to the dragonwoman currently handing out student lunches. Each step he took away from the human made his inner beast try to crawl out and take control. Let me take care of the young and then I will go back to her.
    His dragon seemed skeptical, but with a few more reassurances, it grumbled and retreated. As soon as he was close enough to the dragonwoman, he said,