Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 44

Ria

Today the last nanny prospect comes for an interview. I am not sure I have much faith after the last 2.

Victor brings her into the living room, and she takes a seat, smiling sweetly at us. She's a bit older, probably mid-50s by dragon age, which is different than humans.

We all three end up getting up and shaking hands then sitting back down. I make sure not to sit by Drago.

"So, your name is Isobel, and your information said you've been a nanny for 30 years, that's quite impressive."

"Actually I had always loved children, and even babysat some for some other shifter families that lived near us. With the state we dragons have declined, and women just not having young, I didn't see myself being able to have my own. So, this was the next best thing. I could be around and help take care of children, while still making a living."

"Yeah, I can understand that. Our declining numbers are a serious problem we should all try to help fix." Drago gave me the stink eye and I let anger blaze from my eyes for just a second.

She actually looks back and forth between us for a moment. Then we head up to the nursery. Natalia and Ash are up here with the girls.

As soon as we walk in the girls are speed crawling to us. I am being climbed by wiggling babies. I have trouble picking two up at once, so I just sit on the floor with them.

Much to my surprise, Isobel joins me on the floor, "I've always found that children respond to you if you get on their level."

She smiles and chuckles as Eli crawls to her and starts trying to climb her while babbling and blowing raspberries sharing baby spit. I smile at it as well.

She picks up Eli so her hands are holding her up, but Eli's feet are on the ground. Eli starts bouncing, bending her knees and flapping her arms, like she's dancing to music only she can hear.

Drago squats down next to me and I jump, not meaning to, and I sort of freeze, and concentrate on Desi in my lap, who's currently giving me a whole baby commentary.

As we play with the girls at different times I automatically move away from them, or jerk slightly, whenever the guys come next to me.

We had just put the girls down for a nap, and I was walking with Isobel to go downstairs for lunch. Everyone else had already gone down.

Suddenly Isobel very lightly grabs my arm

I turn and look at her and am surprised by the serious look on her face.

"Sweetie, I have watched how you react to those boys all day. I know something is very wrong. Do you need me to help you get out of here with those babies?"

I stand there frozen in absolute shock. She asked me, she fucking asked me. She's not worried about disappointing the Royal Dragons, she just wanted to help me.

I feel a tear roll down my cheek, then I throw myself at her and hug her. I can't hold back a few sobs, but I pull myself together fairly quickly.

"Isobel you have just become my hero and my first friend since I went to college. There's nothing you can do. They had me declared dead so all of my documents are flagged. They have very powerful friends who will do anything to keep them happy. The whole town is full of their cult-like adoring people. I have 3 babies and another almost here. I wouldn't ever be able to leave."

I smile sadly and another rogue tear escapes. I hold up my wrist with the cuff, "This is infused with some kind of very powerful magic. It won't allow me to go any more than 20 miles away from here, unless I am accompanied by one of my mates."

I step closer, "The fact that you asked me that, you were willing to try and help me. That's the most precious gift I have been given in a long time. So, thank you. Thank you for caring about me, a relative stranger, enough to try and help me."

She reached up and put a hand on each side of my face, just cradling my face on her soft hands, "I'm just sorry that we can't fix it. However, I am honored to be your friend, and I will endeavor to help you in any way I can." With that, she lightly patted my cheeks and we started walking down the stairs.

Drago

We were fixing lunch so we could continue our talk with Isobel, who as far as I was concerned, had the job. When Ria and her hadn't made it downstairs, I went to look for them.

Where I was standing they wouldn't be able to see me but I could see and hear them. So, I heard when Isobel said she knew something was wrong, and offered to help get Ria and the girls away from us.

I was furious and about to storm up there when I saw Ria's face. The absolute awe, and devotion that was shown was amazing. Then came one tear followed by Ria literally throwing herself into Isobel's arms.

I heard as she professed that she was the first friend she'd had since before she went to college. I had to wince at that, because at one time she considered Natalia her friend. However, now it was more like a mortal enemy.

I listened as Ria explained all the reasons she couldn't leave. I had to shake my head when she called all of the people in our village, cult-like followers.

She professed gratitude towards Isobel and embraced her. She just kept thanking her for being willing to try.

I suddenly understood what she had been talking about, all the times she voiced how much she hated the people in town because they never even tried to help her.

Now, this woman comes and she offers with no hesitation, to help her get away with the girls. Ria immediately shot it down, but it was that she offered. She cared about what was happening to Ria. She expressed sympathy and probably some empathy as well.

She had been willing to put her own safety on the line to help a relative stranger, because she saw something, and said out loud it wasn't okay, and that Ria didn't deserve it, she acknowledged Ria's pain.

No one from the village had ever once done that. Now, I see the distinction she was making. This difference had doomed the village to forever be bad and dangerous and full of evil people.

I wonder if there's any way to fix it.