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gotten the illegal poachers under control.
    Knowing what had happened to Tristan’s mother put an entirely new perspective on things. “But why are you telling me this? I assume his mother’s death is a very personal thing, and something he doesn’t want strangers to know.”
    Samira shrugged. “Everyone in the clan knows about it. There’s no reason to hide it, especially as Tristan would never mention it to a human, even if you tortured him for a decade.”
    Wow. To say Tristan had issues was putting it mildly.
    Cait came in with a tray and she placed it on the small table between the couch and chairs. The timid woman poured a cup of tea, picked up a cookie, and sat in the chair farthest off to the side. As she nibbled on the cookie, Mel couldn’t help but notice her vacant expression and defeated posture. Quite simply, it looked like Cait had given up any chance at happiness.
    Before Mel could think better of it, she said, “Cait, what’s the matter?”
    At first, Mel thought the woman would ignore her. But finally, the redhead spoke, her voice not more than a whisper, “I want to go home.”
    Cait let out a sob, and Mel went to the woman’s side and put her arms around her. When Cait’s sobs didn’t let up, she glanced over to Samira, who was bouncing her son on her lap to distract the boy from Cait’s breakdown.
    She focused back on Cait, stroking her hair and making soft noises. Eventually, the woman stopped crying. As Cait wiped her eyes with her hands, Mel forced herself to ask, “Tell me, Cait. Why do you want to go home? Is it really so bad here?”
    Cait’s eyes went to where Samira was entertaining her son. She looked back to Mel’s face and said, “What Samira has is rare. Her dragonman loves her, loves their son, and he would die to protect them. Mine left six months ago, as soon as I was pregnant, and no one’s heard of him since.” She placed a hand on her belly. “He didn’t want a child, but all of the men take at least one turn. I was terrified of him in the beginning, which didn’t help matters. But he didn’t want me, and he doesn’t want our child. I’m tired of the looks of pity and people tiptoeing around me. Everyone here talks, as you’ll soon find out, and I just want to go back to being normal.”
    “What about your baby?”
    Cait held her stomach with both hands. “This baby was a way to pay off the debt my ex-husband left me with, nothing more. As soon as it’s born, I’m leaving.”
    Samira’s voice interrupted them. “That’s enough for now. If we don’t get Melanie ready for the welcoming ceremony, we’ll hear from Bram. Clean yourself up, Cait. Melanie, come with me.”
    Samira stood up and went into one of the side rooms. Mel gave Cait one last hug before she followed. Once she was in the room, Samira leaned down to her ear and whispered, “Cait’s dragonman was banished for cheating on his sacrifice, yes; but don’t let her words poison you. That dragonman had always been a problem. Bram thought he could make him behave, but he was wrong. Don’t worry, Tristan is different.”
    “How, exactly? He wants nothing to do with me.”
    Samira leaned back enough to meet her eye. “Ask him to take you to his job tomorrow. Then you’ll see.”
    Mel opened her mouth, but Samira turned around and set her son down on the large bed in the room. She went to the side closet, pulled something out, and turned around with an armful of a shimmery light green material. “Right, let’s get started.”
     

 
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Tristan smoothed the material held around his waist with a belt, tossed the remaining length of fabric over his shoulder, and secured it with a pin. His clothing was similar to the old belted plaids of Scotland except that it was made of a solid dark red wool. Most humans didn’t realize that the kilt style had originated with the dragon-shifters first; the garment easily allowed a dragonman to slide the material off his shoulder