"Do you trust me to keep her safe?" Bane nodded. "Then let me. Focus on what the Dragon Master tells you. That is your job right now. Protect and defend the kingdom and you will be protecting her."
"Okay." Bane knew she was right. It didn't make leaving any less difficult but he knew he had to.
"You and Nate are welcome to stay for a day or two. I think it would so all three children some good. Especially Star. She needs to spend some time with Nate; it will do them both some good."
"What do you mean?" Bane questioned.
"Oh, nothing important right now." Abigail had a sly smile on her face. "Who was that boy that was with you earlier?" She didn't want to ask before.
"Justin." Bane gritted his teeth a little. "He and I are the same age but he always wants his way."
"Your mother raised you well. It was hard for her after your father died, but she did a great job taking care of you." Abigail replied. "I don't trust Justin but only time will tell how he will turn out."
"We should probably head back in." Bane said after a while.
"You're probably right." They headed back into the cottage. They found Nate laying on the floor with Heat and Frost sitting on top of him. Celtic was tickling his feet and all four were laughing.
"Bane, help!" Nate laughed and cried for help when he noticed the two walk in.
"Three against one really isn't fair." Bane smiled. It really looked as if Nate belonged there – like this could have been his family. He thought back to what Abigail had said outside: "She needs to spend time with Nate. It will do them both some good." He looked over at Abigail and she nodded just once; answering his unspoken question. Nate was Celtic's brother but no one, not even Celtic, could know at this time.
"Are you just going to stand there? Or are you going to help?" Nate's voice broke him from his thoughts.
"I would love to help, Nate, I really would, but I'm going to help fix supper." Bane laughed.
"You're staying?" Abigail asked.
"I don't think the Dragon Master will mind if we stick around for a day or two." Bane replied.
"Yay!" The three children squealed with excitement.
"Sounds good to me." Nate said. "But still no one will help me out here?"
"Heat, Frost, can you show Nate how to pick some treats for their dragons?" Abigail decided to give her grandson a little reprieve.
"Dragons?" Celtic looked between Nate and Bane. "What kind of dragons?" Her eyes sparkled.
"I have a Platinum dragon named Iridium and Bane as a Seasonal dragon named Arbor." Nate answered her. He saw her eyes dancing with excitement.
"Can we meet them?" Celtic asked. She was always fascinated by dragons, especially the Epics.
"I don't see why not." Bane looked at Nate. Both had smiles on their faces.
"I'll get supper started while you five feed the dragons." Abigail said and the five headed outside.
"Right, we have Dragon Snaps, Zazzberries, and Dragon Root ready for harvesting." Celtic said.
"Arbor likes Zazzberries, but so does Iridium." Bane said.
"We can harvest all three and make a medley. That way they can each have two some of everything." Celtic grabbed two baskets. They showed Bane and Nate how they pick the treats. "If you pull them close to the roots, the whole thing comes up and you don't have to go back and pull the roost out before replanting."
"Smart." Bane said. He was in charge of the whole kingdom's treat farms and but even didn't know that tidbit.
"That should be enough." Nate said. He took one of the baskets. "What?" He asked when he noticed Celtic staring at him.
"Nothing." Celtic answered. Nate wondered if she knew who he was.
"Come on, I want to feed the dragons." Heat tugged on Celtic's arm. They headed to where the dragons were resting. Hearing someone approach, the dragons lifted their heads. Arbor stretched and met the group halfway. Iridium was right behind him.
"Woah!" Heat exclaimed; eyes wide at the sight of the two dragons. Heat and Frost were holding the baskets of food but Arbor headed for Celtic.
"Hello." Celtic held out her hand to the dragon, letting him sniff her. The dragon nuzzled his nose into the palm of her hand. Bane and Nate looked at each other in shock. Arbor wasn't one to trust strangers. "We brought you some food." As if understanding her, Arbor turned to face Heat and Frost.
"It would be easier to place the baskets on the ground. They're not used to taking food from anyone but us." Nate said. Heat and Frost did as he said and the dragons started eating right away.
"We should probably head back in and get cleaned up for supper." Bane said after a few moments. They headed inside.
"Perfect timing." Abigail said as the group filed into the kitchen. "Get washed up." They took turns washing their hands. Celtic was finished first so she helped set the table. She paused when she got to her parents' chairs.
"It's going to be alright." Nate laid a hand on her shoulder. Celtic nodded and finished setting the table. Supper was relatively quiet; they talked about the dragons and what crops were best for which dragons.
"Once we get some money to expand out treat farms, we'll be able to grow better treats." Abigail said.
"What's for dessert?" Heat asked.
"There may be some berry cobbler left." Celtic said. She checked the ice box while Heat and Frost cleared the table. They ate the cobbler in silence. Once the dishes were done, they all piled into the living room. Abigail pulled a book from the shelf. Nate and Celtic squeezed onto one of the chairs while the twins sandwiched Bane in between them on the couch. About halfway through the story, Heat and Frost fell asleep. Bane and Nate helped them to their beds.
"Grandma?" Celtic turned to her grandmother.
"Yes, Star?" She squeezed in next to her granddaughter.
"Is this Nate?" Celtic handed her a locket.