Protected by the fire dragon

She is saved

*Landon*

I lean back in the seat of the limo with a sigh. First a long day of meetings, then a fundraiser that seemed to go on forever where everyone was craving my attention.

The storm and threatening thunder make my skin tingle and I feel the dragon move on my back. It would be nice to stretch my wings, but this isn’t the right time or place for it.

“Wilson, take me home,” I tell the driver.

“Right away, sir,” he says, respect is coloring his words as always.

I pour myself a glass of tequila from the built-in minibar, leaning back once more to sip the golden liquid, feeling the burn caress my tongue and then throat, before disappearing, making warmth spread through my stomach.

Suddenly the car stops hard and I spill my drink, making me curse quite badly, then call out, “Wilson, what the f**k?”

“Sorry sir,” he lets out a huff of air, the way people do when they just had a shock, “A woman walked right in front of us. The rain made it hard to see her. So sorry sir.”

“No, it’s fine Wilson,” I look out the window, feeling how my pupils contract, allowing me to use the dragon’s eyes, and see much clearer. There is a small figure, wrapped in a soaked pink blanket, almost stumbling up on the sidewalk.

The limo starts moving again. My eyes are lingering on the figure. Is that a tiny baby in her arms?

“Wilson, stop! Stop the car now,” I say, already opening the door.

As soon as I get out my senses are hit with something I did not expect. The distinct scent of another dragon. A few steps forward, and I realized it comes from the huddled-up girl. It is a weak scent and I wonder if it means she has never changed into her true shape. Maybe she doesn’t even know what she is.

“Miss! Excuse me, miss,” I call, gently grabbing her shoulder.

She whips around, large violet eyes looking up at me with fright. “Don’t hurt me, sir, I am sorry I got in the way of your car…”

“Shhh, please don’t be scared, I am not going to hurt you,” I say in my softest tone, “What are you doing out here in this weather, and with a baby?”

“I have nowhere to go,” she shakes her head, “I won’t be a bother.”

I gently take her arm, “You won’t be. Please come into the car, if just to sit down a bit and get warm.”

She looks nervously at me, then at the car; warm light streaming out the open door, “I don’t know, sir....”

“I promise you, that no harm will come to you and you are free to get out and leave whenever you want to,” I gently guide her towards the car, “I understand you being cautious, that is a smart thing to be. But you and the baby need shelter and warmth.”

A small shiver runs through her, “Yeah. Okay for my daughter.”

She lets me lead her to the limo and climb in. I climb in after her and close the door, “To keep in the warmth. I will have my driver move the car and pull over a bit further down the road, okay?”

“Sure,” she gives a small nod, but still tenses as the car moves.

The limo comes to a halt, where we are not in the way of the rest of the traffic. And I open the mini bar, taking out a soda, holding it out to her, “I think you could use the sugar.”

She looks so grateful as she takes it, “Thanks.”

“You are welcome,” I watch as she struggles a bit, “Do you want me to take the baby for a moment?”

She hesitates for a second, but then she gently hands me the tiny bundle. “Be careful, she is only twelve hours old.”

“No worries,” I look down at the little baby. She's looking at me with violet eyes like her mother's. I gently run a finger over her cheek. “She is cold.”

“I know…” She bites her lip, sounding close to tears, “I was thrown out of the hospital. I don’t know what to do.”

I gently lay the baby on the seat beside me, pulling off my tuxedo jacket. Then I remove the damp blanket from the little girl and wrap her in my jacket before cradling her in my arm. “That was better, huh little one?”

“But sir, what if she soils your jacket?” She looks worried. “It looks very expensive.”

“Please, call me Landon, and it’s just a jacket. I’ll get it cleaned, or throw it out,” I shrug, but then realize she looks uncomfortable. “What is your name?”

She looks up, her eyes really are striking. Her face is almost elfish, heart-shaped, full pouty lips, and a cute nose with a smear of freckles. “Faye, and the little one is Tiana.”

“Pretty names,” I look at the baby. “Tiana fits her.” Then I look up again. “So, you have nowhere at all to go? No parents, siblings, or friends?”

She shakes her head. “No one... I... I better get going. I need to find somewhere to stay.”

I can’t let her go; she would not be safe out there. Female dragons are rare, and even though she might only be half-dragon, based on the soft floral quality of her scent, if another male dragon should come upon her... I don't even want to think about it. A lot of the lower-ranked males would do anything to get a mate, including taking one by force. Little Tiana would be in danger too, of being abducted or either kept as a future mate or to be sold off to someone else. I can't let this happen.

“Listen, Faye, I can’t let you go out there,” I try to make both my voice and my whole demeanor as calming and trustworthy as possible. “It’s not safe for you, or for Tiana....”

She pulls back slightly. “It’s not like I have a choice.”

“Actually, you do, sweetie,” I am trying carefully not to scare her. “Listen, I have plenty of space and, as you can see, enough money. You can have a room at my place until you find a permanent solution.”

“And what do you expect in return?” She looks at me, her eyes glinting with worry as if she expects the worst.

I shake my head. “Nothing, I swear that I have no dark or ulterior motives. Someone to talk to on lonely evenings would be nice, but it’s not a demand. I just want to help. I can’t stand the thought of this little one out there with no place to stay.”

She breathes in deeply, eyes me, then she looks at her little daughter. I decide not to push her but to let her make her own decision. But I also wonder what I will do if she refuses. She might not realize just how much danger she is in, but I do. Would I be able to force her for her own safety?

“Okay,” she nods slowly, her chin jutting out with a bit of fiery determination. “But any funny business and... I can handle myself, you know....”

“I have no doubt,” I smile at her. “Thank you for trusting me.”

She leans back in the seat. “Somewhat.”

“I can live with that,” I place little Tiana back in her arms. Then I look at my driver. “Wilson, take us home.”

Then I pull out my phone and make a call, to make sure that the most needed items are delivered to my home instantly, including everything that is needed for a little baby. I am good at making things happen when needed.