Dating A Dragon (The Mating Game Book 2) by Georgette St. Clair Page A

like a pincushion,” Gretel, a human accountant who worked for Orion’s family, observed to Cadence.
    “Worth it,” Cadence said. “I’m working with that Pine Heights clinic to bank my blood in case I do turn out to be with dragonling. It’s part of the treatment.”
    “Oh, that’s exciting. When do you find out?”
    “I go in next week.”
    “Here’s hoping you have a boy and a girl!” Gretel said excitedly as they paced between the painted-off squares that represented possible booth locations.
    Here’s hoping nobody tries to take my babies from me, and I don’t cause an all-out war.
    “Yes, here’s hoping!” Cadence said brightly.
    “You don’t have to worry. I’ve heard nothing but good things about that clinic,” Aurelia reassured her, mistaking the reason for Cadence’s pained, too-wide smile. “We’re all very excited about it. Just think, you’re a pioneer for dragon families everywhere!” Then she glanced over at Darlene, who had stopped and was glaring at a painted square with her hands on her hips.
    “We need to switch. The ice dragons need that shady area so their ice sculptures don’t melt,” Darlene said.
    “We had it first,” Laetitia said smugly.
    “See, that’s the problem with fire dragons,” Darlene retorted. “Stupid, stubborn—”
    “Ladies!” Cadence said with exasperation.
    “Yes?” Darlene said. “I’m sure you weren’t speaking to her,” she added smugly, nodding her head at them.
    “Oh my, this field is so uneven!” Laetitia pretended to stumble and then let out a blast of flame that singed the flags marking off the four corners of a proposed ice dragon booth.
    “Okay, I’ve had it with you two,” Cadence grumbled. “I can take it from Orion’s niece and nephew, because they’re ten and twelve. But you two are being ridiculous.” She turned and walked off.
    Maude followed at her heels. She and Aurelia had volunteered to help, since they were going to be in town for a while anyway, helping Cadence with her training.
    “I swear, just when you think they’re getting along, they start up with this ridiculousness again,” Cadence grumbled.
    “You know, I honestly think those two kind of enjoy all the bickering,” Maude said. “Look around you. Ice and fire dragons actually having civil conversations, for the most part. Since you’ve been volunteering, animosity has simmered way down.”
    “Really?” Cadence paused to ponder that. She hadn’t been around this area for a long time like Maude and her family, but now that she thought about it, she had seen a lot more friendly interaction and a lot less flaming and icing.
    “Heads up,” Gretel interrupted, speaking to Cadence. “Humphrey’s on his way over here.”
    Cadence felt a stab of fear. What now?
    Humphrey was crossing the field in long, angry strides, with at least twenty of his men trailing behind him.
    He was wearing a white silk suit with a blue silk shirt and tie, and white shoes that were already getting muddy from walking across the damp field. He’d probably throw them away when he left.
    All of the dragons, both fire and ice, began hurrying towards Cadence, putting themselves between Humphrey and her.
    Humphrey and his men aggressively shouldered their way through the crowd, elbowing aside men and women alike. Snarls and smoke and steam swirled in the air.
    “Back off,” Laetitia snapped at Humphrey, standing right in front of Cadence. “We’re busy planning a festival here. She is aligned with the Garrison Clan.”
    “This is none of your concern. She’s not one of yours.” He stepped around her and fixed Cadence with a fierce glare. “I have consulted with the Elders Council. You are not officially married to him yet, and therefore, unless you can prove that you are carrying his dragonlings, I have the right to claim you,” Humphrey said haughtily. “Your claim alone is not sufficient proof. I can keep you in my castle until tests have been run on