How Not To Fall For A Dragon
Chapter 60 60- Never Sit Too Close To The Heat Source
BLAKE
It feels like I have stepped into some kind of parallel universe. One where people are overly friendly, not even remotely wary of me, and serve me sandwiches and then sit and eat with me like this is the most normal thing in the world. The bread is still cool from the kitchen, the drink cold in my hand,
condensation dampening my fingers. No one is watching me for signs of violence. No one is flinching. With parents like this, I can see why Lexi was able to
approach me so easily. She didn’t hesitate because she’s reckless. She didn’t hesitate because she didn’t know what I am. She approached me because she
knew both of those things, but didn’t think they were good enough reasons not to try, and then moved forward anyway. Sitting here now, watching the way
her mother talks and her father observes, it’s obvious where that comes from. Lexi’s personality feels like a fairly solid blend of both of her parents. Her
mother’s friendly, outgoing nature, the warmth that spills into every interaction whether you’re ready for it or not, and her father’s more reserved attitude,
quiet and steady. I can tell that he is watching, waiting, judging. But not in a hostile way. There’s no challenge in it. No threat. It’s more like he’s studying
- me. Like I’m a math problem he hasn’t solved yet, or an intriguing insect he’s not sure is dangerous but wants to understand before deciding what to do
about it. If I had to choose, I would say Lexi takes after her mother a little more. Just in how open and accepting she is, even if she is a little more reserved
than her mother. More measured. More careful. And then there’s the part of her that’s just totally unique. Completely Lexi. Something neither of them seem
to have given her, and yet both somehow made space for. Still, while it seems oddly easy to win her parents‘ approval and trust, I had figured there was no
harm in giving a couple of strategic compliments. It’s a familiar calculation. How better to win over doting parents than by complimenting their precious
daughter? It’s not manipulation exactly, just… Efficiency. Controlled honesty, deployed carefully. But I lost control of the situation almost immediately. I had
only meant to tell them how well she is doing in medicinal magic, since it seemed that Lexi wasn’t going to mention it herself. Or maybe it simply hadn’t
occurred to her to mention it. She tends to minimise her own achievements, like she’s waiting for someone else to decide they matter first. And then it
snowballed. Suddenly it was just her mother and I speaking at length about Lexi, her kindness, her determination, the way she pays attention when she thinks no one is watching. Somewhere along the way, the compliments stopped being strategic and I was just getting carried away in the conversation. I didn’t notice the shift until it was already done. It’s odd. I’m not used to anyone talking to me with this kind of enthusiasm. All the magical beings and creatures are terrified of me. They go out of their way to avoid me. If they are forced to interact with me, they’re beyond wary, watching for signs, measuring distance, planning exits. Except for Lexi. But it’s not much better around humans. Even if they don’t know what I am, I suppose they can still sense a predator. They know, usually without so much as speaking to me, that I am the kind of person who could be a danger to them. So they avoid me too. Maybe a little less obviously than those with magic, but they skip out of conversations as soon as possible and rarely approach me of their own accord. The result of this is that, while I am rather enjoying talking to Lexi’s mother, I feel out of place. Like a fish out of water. Like the walls might snap shut at any moment and reveal that this was all some elaborate mistake. I feel like I’m being trapped somehow. Or like something is going to go very wrong very suddenly. But instead of that, Sharon is running off to fetch a photo album full of pictures of Lexi when she was little. Lexi looks embarrassed when it comes out, her shoulders hunching slightly like she’s bracing for impact. But she still seems like she’s enjoying being home. I watch her more than the photos. Now I just need to do my best not to screw this up. I want Lexi to want to stay with me. And her parents‘ opinions dels mean a lot to her. So I need them to like me.
That’s the plan, at least.
After we have eaten and introductions are over, Sharon suggests that Lexi should show me to the guest room so I can put my bag down.
“Sure!” Lexi answers immediately, getting to her feet with easy enthusiasm.
“Then can we play the Exit escape room game?” She adds, glancing between her parents.
“We have a new one that we haven’t played yet, right? I think Blake will like it.” She tells them. Her mother nods enthusiastically, already convinced.
“That sounds fun.” She responds.
“I’ll show Blake to the guest room.” Lezi’s father suddenly chimes in. I stiffen. There is no reason for him to volunteer for this None at all. Ite could just as easily go find the game. It does not take two people to search for a single box. He wants something. Or rather, he wants me I knew it was all going tus smoothly. He might have said I wasn’t intruding, but that doesn’t mean he meant it the way Lexi heard it He has a daughter who can tell when people are lying. He has had years to learn to talk around it Approval and politeness are not the same thing And even if he was being honest, honesty doesn’t require agreement. I can truthfully say it’s wrong to burn down a building That doesn’t mean I won’t do it Her father said I’m not intruding, and that is likely true It doesn’t mean he’s happy about my presence. Lexi would probably have noticed if he were lying outright, but it’s easy enough to be sincere and still disapprove. Lexi doesn’t seem to notice the shift at all.
“Okay,. You go show him the room. I’ll grab the game.” She says easily. She disappears down the other ballway, completely unbothered Roger gestures for
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Chapter 60 60- Never Sit Too Close To The Heat Source
me to follow and leads me down the hall wordlessly. The silence stretches, thick but not hostile. Measured. Deliberate. Each step feels like it’s being noted. He opens the door to the guest room. The room itself is simple, the way guest rooms usually are. Neutral colours. A neatly made bed. Clean towels laid out carefully at the end and a tidy stack of spare blankets folded with care. Nothing personal. Nothing invasive. The only thing that looks out of place is a small electric heater plugged in near the wall. An extension cord snakes across the floor toward it, awkward and clearly temporary. It doesn’t belong here. Someone put it here on purpose.
“Sharon said that you prefer things warm. She had me haul out an old heater for you.” Roger comments casually. His tone is light, but his shoulders are tense. This conversation is not casual.
“I appreciate that. She’s right. I’m a lot more comfortable when it’s hot.” I reply honestly.
“Because you’re a dragon, I suppose.” He says. I nod stiffly. Roger glances at me then, really looks at me, and lets out a quiet breath.
“Relax, I’m not going to pull out a sword and chase you out.” He says bluntly. I almost smile. Almost.
“Lexi wants you here. You seem to care about her, and she’s happy.” He continues, then pauses.
“Besides… One look at you and I can tell you’re a goner.” He adds. I blink.
“That’s… Not…” I trail off, caught mid–thought, suddenly uncertain. There doesn’t seem to be a correct answer here. Saying ‘yes, I am‘ feels like surrendering ground I didn’t plan to give. Saying ‘no, I’m not‘ feels dishonest in a way that would land badly. Roger doesn’t push.
“It’s fine. It’s only been a few days. I’m not going to ask you to declare yourself or anything like that.” A faint, knowing huff of amusement escapes him.
“And I’m not going to tell you not to break her heart. You’re both young. The chances of you hurting one another at some point are practically one hundred percent.” He looks at me steadily now.
“I suppose that’s my point. You can’t hurt someone like that who doesn’t care. So I’m telling you that Lexi has given you the ability to hurt her like that. Appreciate it. Appreciate her.” He says firmly. My brow furrows. I can’t figure this man out. He isn’t warning me away. He isn’t threatening me. He isn’t even asking for promises. He’s telling me to keep caring, like that’s the dangerous part.
“Lexi is… Unique.” I say finally.
“In a good way, I can’t say I’ve ever met anyone like her before.” I pause, choosing my words carefully, even now
“I have no intention of letting anyone ruin that. Including myself.” I conclude. Roger studies me for a long moment. Then he nods. Once. Firmly.
“Good.” He says.
“Just remember that Lexi is like her mother. They’re both generous, caring, and incredibly trusting.” His voice lowers and he meets my eyes fully
“Don’t take advantage of that.” He finishes. There it is. The warning. Not harsh. Not cruel. But very, incredibly serious.
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RVisitor
I really like the way her father got his point across. quite tactful.
2 days ago
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
