Telling her parents wasn't going to be easy. Dani knew she had to go about it a certain way or they might not accept it. Which meant she had to start with her father and have him help be a buffer for her mom. Chances were he would understand it a lot more easily than she would. He had a tendency to listen better. Her mom liked to get hung up on the wrong details. She wouldn't understand why Dani didn't want to marry Tyson. Too often the young couple's relationship was compared to that of Dani's parents. Two childhood best friends who eventually found love. It would be Dani's story, just not with Tyson.
Late, when all of her brothers were asleep, her mother was getting ready for bed herself, and all of the house guests were occupied, Dani went to find her father. He was in his office, painting a ceramic figurine he had made. Later it would no doubt be fired in a kiln. A hobby he'd picked up while exiled. It gave him something to do, and every so often he would sell his art in town.
“Yes, dear?” he asked, and put his brush down, smiling at her.
Dani moved behind him and hugged him around his neck. “So I have some big news for you.” She didn't know how else to bring it up. Hopefully if she tried to make it sound exciting and interesting, he'd share in her happiness instead of lecture her.
He sniffed her. “You're not pregnant, and I'm all out of other guesses.”
“I hope you're just joking there. Honestly, pregnant? Do you think I'm some kind of a hussy,” she teased, and kissed his cheek. “Tyson and I are calling things off.”
His body stiffened for a moment. “You're sure this is something you want to do? Have you guys thought about it? Really thought about it?”
“Yes, we have. And I'm going to need your help when telling Lord Bolton and Lord Oliver.”
“Your grandfather is going to understand, Dani, and you should know he would never force you into something you believed strongly against. He loves you. His main goal right now is to see you in a good relationship and probably use it as an example of the great things one can accomplish in it. But he might not understand why you feel you can't have one of those with someone who is your friend.”
“Daddy, we tried to be romantic, and it was disgusting. I don't think I could have his children if I feel like that,” she said, and kept her firm gaze on him. Hard to do because he frowned with a rather deep and furrowed brow. “We only kissed,” she added.
His jaw clenched for a moment, and then he relaxed. “It's better you find out now if you're compatible in that sense… I guess. Be even worse if you'd said your vows and then couldn't go through with the whole thing. It's kind of one of the key purposes of marriage, especially yours.”
“What is?” she asked.
“Children.”
“Why would having children be the key purpose to my wedding?” Dani asked. This was new to her. Being married usually equated to kids, and lots of them when it came to dragons, but why would anyone care about whether or not she had a lot of them?
Her father laughed. “I like that you're in the dark. You two already have a lot of pressure on you, or you did, I should say. I'm sure if you think about it enough, you'll figure it out. Remember, you're the only female dragon to ever exist. That could translate into a lot of potentially amazing things. But if you and Tyson aren't going to get married, then I guess it's a moot point. So you two not being attracted to one another is the actual reason you decided to cancel? No other factors?”
“Yes, that was the biggest reason. We both tried hard to pretend, but it wasn't working too well. Although…” She bit her lip, unsure if she should continue. What would her father think of her, if he knew about her crush on Ethan? Then again, he was her father. He wouldn't judge her, would he?
“Hmm?” he asked, and pushed his chair out some so she could sit on his lap. Something she hadn't done in years, it seemed, and while it could have been considered childish, her time with him would be ending. Being an adult meant moving away from home. She might not see him as much, depending on where she went to live.
If Ethan and I get married, would I live in Oceina? Or would he come here? I can't believe I’m entertaining the thought without guilt. She snuggled into her father and let out a deep breath.
“I am attracted to my other best friend,” she said.
He laughed. “I noticed a long time ago.”
“I figured you did. Everyone seems to have known but him.”
“He knew, he just ignored it. Why else do you think he kept pushing you away whenever you tried to do anything affectionate? I mean, it's a hug. It shouldn't have been a huge deal.”
“No, it shouldn't have.” She giggled. “I never thought of it like that.”
Her father fixed her hair. “You got big so fast, and now you're getting ready to become a woman. I probably shouldn't be encouraging this, but you need to listen to your gut here. My stance is the same as your grandfather's will be: I'm not going to force you into doing something you don't want to do. In a lot of ways, I wish the whole thing had never happened to begin with, and it broke my heart to hear that it was still going to come to pass. But it's not my decision, unfortunately. Lord Taylor must have had his reasons for keeping it strong despite everything, and I'm hoping it's because he believed it was what was best for you and Tyson. In fact, I'm certain all he wanted was to keep a positive bridge between our people. Seeing you two be so close gives everyone hope.”
“Lord Bolton said I had to marry another dragon,” she said. “I'm not sure he cares about our best interests the way Lord Taylor did. From what I remember at least.”
“I can almost guarantee he doesn't,” he said, and kissed her forehead. “You have my support. Whether you want to pursue Ethan or be single for a while, you know you have my support.”
“Even if it might be wrong?” she asked.
He smirked. “You know who I am, right? I'm the expert of getting things wrong. But for what it's worth? This is the first thing I've been wrong about that's felt good in my heart. In the end? I love you. And that's the most important thing of all.”
“I love you too, Daddy. You'll come with me when we tell Lord Bolton, right?”
“Yes, I'll come with you if I'm able. And you need to tell him soon. But I do recommend you send Ethan and Maya home first.”
Dani frowned. “Why?” She didn't want Ethan to go. She'd need his support more than anything.
With a sigh, her father leaned back in his chair. “Because it'll look bad, and they don't need to be caught in this. Besides, I think some space might be good for you all. It'll give you a chance to cool your emotions, let the situation deflate, and then allow for you to start your new journey with a level head. The last thing you need to do is act rashly.”
“He said he wasn't sure how he felt or if he wanted to get married right now anyway, so I don't think you have anything to worry about there,” she said.
“I still think it'd be a good idea.”
“Okay, I'll let him know,” she mumbled. Everything her father told her made sense. She just wished she had the chance to enjoy whatever was going on with her and Ethan before he had to go away again.