"Dave! You're back!" came the voice of Abigail Hadley walked into the parlor. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me."

"Miss Hadley," Dave acknowledged deliberately not using her first name hoping she'd get the message. He didn't really want to be rude, but he would be if she continued to try to get him to leave Dania for her.

"What happened to using my first name," Abigail said, even as she tried to kiss Dave on the cheek.

Dave avoided the kiss and stepped back beside Dania making it clear that he wasn't available without saying a word.

Dave put an arm around Dania's shoulders and Abigail simply stared at him with an unreadable expression.

"What can you possibly see in her?" Abigail finally screeched glaring at Dania with malice and a hate so hot Dania felt scorched. Dania said nothing however. "Shouldn't you be old and decrepit by now?" Abigail flung the insult at Dania who subtly winced, but again, didn't respond as this was Dave's show something that they had both agreed on when they had been told that Abigail should be home for dinner. "I mean Dave and you have been together how long now?" It was obviously a rhetorical question. "You're only mortal."

"Miss Hadley you will not insult Dania in my presence," Dave told her firmly finally losing his temper. He was so mad that an actual curl of steam came out his nose making Abigail take a couple of steps back away from the prince. "We are bonded and have been ever since we met. You know exactly what that means."

"What? No!" Abigail shrieked shocked at this revelation. She figured that Dania was just Dave's lover not his mate, even though they had been together long before she was born.

That Dania still looked the same age as Dave should be a big clue to Abigail that they were mates but Miss Hadley had missed all the signs, probably because the spoiled princess hadn't wanted to see them.

She'd had a crush on Prince Dave for decades now and had figured that the prince would cast his lover aside for someone of his own species. She had thought that Dania would eventually start to show her age and that Dave would tire of her because after all dragon shifters were very long lived. That the two were still together 20 years later should've been a big clue to Abigail that they're relationship was not a temporary thing. Abigail had chosen to ignore the fact that dragon shifter could offer someone their tooth so that they would live just as long.

"Yes!" Dave told her firmly his expression rather angry and ferocious. It was an expression that told Abigail she had better watch her step or she would be in big trouble. If Dave got angry enough he would put her to death without a qualm or a feeling of guilt. It was an expression that dragon shifters got when they were all prepared to protect their mates from those that were a danger to them.

"Don't force me to order your death Abigail. I know you're still young by dragon standards, but if you harm a hair on Dania head or give me an ounce of trouble... I put up with your crush, because I was so rarely here and I was hoping you had matured to the point that you would see how immature you were acting. You threaten me or her and I promise you will regret it. I respect your parents a great deal and I know they have raised you in our ways, so you know the score. You know how sacred mates are to our race."

"But, but..." Abigail protested feeling her hopes crushed. She had so wanted to marry the prince, to be spoiled and loved. She'd wanted to be queen if they had ever gone back to their plane that she had never seen, as she had been born on earth.

"Come along now Abigail," Rowena who had been standing off to the side told her daughter gently. She had watched the confrontation and had seen her daughter's hopes crushed, but it had also been necessary she knew so she had no ill will towards the prince or his mate. It wouldn't have done Abigail any good to continue to dream about a future with Dave as he was well and truly taken and had been a long time before she was even been born.

She knew her daughter was hurt by Dave's bluntness but Abigail hadn't gotten the hint when Dave had tried to be subtle. Abigail insulting Dania had obviously changed Dave's attitude towards her, made him furious.

Rowena couldn't blame Dave actually, as calling his mate old and decrepit was very rude at least and could also cause the death of the dragon that did the insulting. That Dave had threatened to have Abigail put to death told Rowena how serious the prince was. It was clear it wasn't something he wanted to do, but would if she proved herself a threat to him or his mate.

Rowena loved her daughter very much, but she was spoiled thinking she could eventually get whatever she wanted. She'd had a crush on Dave ever since she had first met him two decades ago. Abigail had allowed herself to dream about marrying the prince and being smothered in love and possessions.

Her crush had gone on long enough and Rowena was hoping that her daughter would finally see that her crush on Dave was pointless.

Abigail was in tears and Dave was sorry for it, but it had been necessary to spell it out for the Hadleys daughter as she hadn't gotten the hint when Dave had put his arm around Dania shoulders. Such a gesture should have told Abigail that Dave and Dania came as a pair.

Rowena led her daughter away with her crying the whole way.

~~~Dave and Dania~~~

"Well that went well," Dania drawled sarcastically.

"It went as well as could be expected," Dave said with a sad sigh, even as he drew Dania over to the couch in the sitting room where they were when they'd had their confrontation. "We both know I was probably going to end up hurting Abigail, because she was still dreaming about a future with me. This is something we know that will never be a reality. We are bonded and have been for well over 100 years ever since I discovered you working as a waitress."

"Do you think we're gonna have trouble from Abigail?" Dania asked her mate. It was obviously a serious question so Dave answered as honestly as he could.

"It's hard to say," Dave admitted thoughtfully. "Abigail, is like a human teenager that just wants to get her way and she might not think of the consequences. I know she's in her 50s now but that doesn't mean she's not still immature as I've told you before."

"Would you really put her to death?" Dania asked Dave never having seen the angry side of him, not unless their lives were in danger anyway. Really though, there has been no need for Dave to get angry, unless their lives were in danger from enemies that Dave's brother had sent after them, which was why Dania rarely saw Dave furious. Furious enough that steam had come out his nose, which was a sure sign that Dave was beyond mad and into royally pissed off. Dave was a dragon shifter after all and having steam come out his nose was a very bad sign as to how mad he was.

"Yes," Dave said without hesitation. "The laws on my plane are crystal clear. To try to come between a dragon shifter and their mate because you want them for yourselves is a death sentence. If mates have bonded and somebody then tries to come between them it could lead to the death of both depending on how bad their injuries are. Even if mates have not yet bonded when somebody tries to come between them it is still considered a death sentence because a mate is miserable and often takes their own lives when their other half is murdered. Also, to insult the mate of one of the royal family could lead to serious consequences as well. Not death necessarily, but still, a severe punishment. And no, it doesn't matter if that mate is not another dragon shifter, as it could be a witch like yourself or some other species."

"A death sentence seems a bit severe," Dania said.

"You know how sacred mates are to our species," Dave told Dania who nodded. She did indeed know how sacred mates were to dragons.

Dave protected her. It was is if she was wrapped in cotton wool. Dave would never allow anything to hurt her if he could help it, but he also never allowed her to believe that she couldn't take care of herself if necessary.

"You've witnessed what happens when one of us is gravely injured because of somebody else."

"When I nearly died so did you," Dania remembered shivering in remembered fear that Dave would die and so would she. "You managed to support me with your magic until I healed and vice versa."

"Which both of us could only do because we are bonded," Dave said

One thing Dania really liked about being the mate to Dave was that she healed a lot faster now due to Dave being a dragon shifter. She had taken on some of his healing ability when they had bonded and it had come in very useful on several occasions. She might still heal slower than Dave did, but she still healed faster then a regular mortal would. Her capacity for healing was now somewhere in between a normal human pace and a dragon shifters. She could also recover from injuries that would normally kill her thanks to her accepting Dave's tooth. So long as Dave lived she could never truly die.

"That's exactly my point," Dave told Dania gently, even as he took her in his arms. "Our laws are very harsh for a good reason and that's still true, even though we're not on my plane. Even this world has the death penalty for certain types of crimes and our world is no different in that regard. This is one reason that my brother will face the death penalty if he is ever caught as will the nobles that are helping him. Even if I could survive if you died I wouldn't want to and I guarantee you I would seek my own death if that was the case. You knew what could happen when you accepted my tooth."

"I know," Dania said. "It's just that I don't like to think about the death of someone that even you have admitted is still young. Abigail isn't evil, just jealous of me because of her crush. Those dragon shifters that tried to kill us are totally different kettle of fish all together and deserved their fates, so I don't feel the least bit guilty when we killed them."

"I'm hoping that Abigail's parents can talk some sense into her," Dave said. "They know the consequences for treason and will soon point that out to her. Just to be clear, trying to become between mates, especially if it is a member of the royal family, is considered treason and there is only one possible penalty for that."

"She's just a kid though and yes, I know she's over 50, but for your species, as you have pointed out to me several times, is still young and immature."

"She's still above the age of consent though, even if she is still young which means that she's considered an adult by my world's standards. This means that all laws including those that may be her death apply. If she wasn't considered an adult by the time she reached 30, even if it's an immature one, then I wouldn't be able to put her to death if necessary. She would still be punished though most severely. We'll just have to see what happens," Dave said. "I'm hoping Abigail will come to her senses and get her head on straight."

"We'll see I suppose," Dania said hoping things turned out all right for Abigail.

~~~Dave and Dania~~~

"I would like to apologize on behalf of my daughter," Calyx told Dave the same day that Abigail had run out of the room in tears her dreams shattered.

"No apologies necessary," Dave said not accepting Calyx's apology, as he had done nothing wrong. "As I just pointed out to Dania hours ago Abigail is still young by our species standards. She's like a teenager as her emotions are still immature. I hope you warned her what would happen if she goes too far though," Dave added.

"Me and my wife have," Calyx agreed soberly. "Whether she listens to us is another matter entirely however.

"I know I shattered Abigail's dream of marrying me," Dave said. "It's not like I'm unsympathetic, but it had to be done, as it wouldn't've been healthy for her to continue to dream about a life with me," Dave said.

"It had to be done," Calyx agreed sadly. "When she insulted your mate I knew that was the last straw."

"I see Rowena mentioned Abigail's reaction just before I told her that I wasn't available," Dave said.

"She did," Calyx admitted. "I know my daughter is immature but insulting Dania was a step to far. My wife and I have tried to get Abigail to come and apologize to Dania for her insult, but she refuses. She doesn't believe that she's done anything wrong."

"It doesn't matter," Dania told Calyx speaking for the first time. "Forcing Abigail to apologize is not the thing to do, because it wouldn't be sincere. She needs to want to apologize. I know she saw me as competition for Dave's affections. She missed all the signs that Dave was never available for that kind of relationship to begin with. To have your dreams shattered is never pleasant, but Abigail can mature from this experience if she allows herself.

"Back when my family was murdered I certainly had my dreams shattered though they were mostly dreams of going to college having a career. A lot of women were doing the same as me at that time. Getting an education so that they could make something of their lives other than as housewives. Without my parents alive though that dream became all but impossible, as I just didn't have the money. You also needed your father's or a least a male's permission back then to have your dreams become reality. When those men burst into my parents home and killed everyone but me, I knew then that I would never see my dream of going to college come true.

"My point is though is that I grew from the experience, because I realized that while my dreams were no longer possible that didn't mean my life was over," Dania said. "I didn't meet Dave until years later when I was just approaching 30.

"I hope this is something my daughter realizes," Calyx said with a nod of respect for Dania. "At the moment she believes her life is over, which we all know isn't true and she just needs a new direction. I shouldn't have let her fantasy of marrying Dave go on as long as I did and that was my mistake."

"I doubt you could have convinced her to let go of her fantasy," Dave told Calyx sympathetically. "Most people outgrow certain dreams as they mature depending on the nature of them."

"There's no better way to cement a dream in someone's mind then to tell them that it's not possible," Dania said. "You can encourage them to forget about their dream and to try to achieve something that's more realistic, but that doesn't ever work."

"Now that it has been spelled out to her that I'm not available now or ever hopefully, she'll start to heal and dream something more realistic then marrying me," Dave said.

"In six months hopefully, she'll be over her crush on Dave and take her first steps down a better and more realistic path," Dania added.

"I hope so," Calyx told Dania and Dave. "If she doesn't, well, things could turn out worse than they did this time."

"I would hate to have to go through on my threat my friend," Dave told Calyx seriously. "I will though if I have to. You know our laws and even though we're not on our plane they still apply. I'll let the insult to Dania pass this time because Abigail didn't know that we were mates until I shattered her illusions. However, make sure Abigail is aware that any more poor behavior on her part whenever we're here will be dealt with most severely."

"I will," Calyx promised shaking Dave's hand, which Dave returned firmly.

Dania said nothing until their host had disappeared out of the room and was out of earshot.

"That was well done and I understand why you told Calyx what you did," Dania said.

"You mean the part about following through on my threat to Abigail," Dave said.

"Exactly!" Dania said, even as she took Dave's hand in her own. She wasn't surprised that Dave had understood what she had meant because the dragon shifter was an intelligent man. He also knew how she thought considering they'd been together for over 100 years.

"I meant what I said and Calyx knows that," Dave said. "He knows that if Abigail causes either one of us any more trouble that I'll put her to death. I might regret doing so, because she's still young and can learn better if she tries, but I will do it. I will not have her try to come between us just because Abigail has a crush on me. While her actions when we were here last time are forgivable, because she didn't know that we were mates she does know the consequences now if she goes too far."

"Abigail is a very beautiful woman," Dania mentioned to Dave.

Abigail was indeed gorgeous with her long brown hair and gorgeous purple eyes a rather unusual color for humans, though not for a dragon shifter Dania knew. She was just under Dave's height and slimly attractive.

"I won't say she isn't, but I have no interest in her in that way and you know that Dania," Dave told his mate in a deadly serious voice. "If I wasn't already bonded to you and we had happened to meet then perhaps, we would have had a brief fling, but the minute that my mate showed up that fling would've been over. It's likely that Abigail still would've been hurt if that had happened. She probably wouldn't've handled our separation any better if that had occurred. I can't help that she's hurt, but she never should've dreamed about us marrying in the first place or at least having a relationship. I know that dreams aren't logical and in a lot of cases unattainable, but I can't help that. No matter how you play it, Abigail was still going to end up hurt emotionally, but hopefully, she'll get through it and turn into a better person. One that is less selfish and more kind hearted."

"She could go in the exact opposite direction, become more selfish," Dania said.

"I know," Dave said, "but really what can we do about the situation?"

"Nothing, because we would just make the situation worse by trying to interfere," Dania said.

"Her unhappiness centers around both of us so in this case we'll just have to leave it to her parents to sort her out," Dave said. "Abigail did just have her dream of at least having a relationship with me obliterated and that is never a pleasant experience for anyone."

"I feel kind of guilty for just leaving her in so much emotional anguish, but I don't see you as we have a choice," Dania said. "Having one of your cherished dreams torn to shreds is never pleasant you're right about that. Perhaps we should cut our visit to the Hadleys short and remove ourselves from the situation, even though I know you were looking forward to settling down for a few weeks at least, as was I."

"You know I was just thinking the same thing," Dave said kissing Dania on the cheek. "Since we were at the center of this drama it's just easier to remove ourselves and continue on our travels. Hopefully, by the next time we visit Abigail will be better. I'll tell Calyx and Rowena our decision and I'm sure they'll be sorry to see us go so soon, but it's necessary if Abigail is ever going to recover from her crush."

"We don't need to be present in her life right now, as we'd be like a pebble in her shoe. Nothing but an irritant," Dania agreed. "Out of sight is out of mind as the saying goes."

Dave and Dania went to tell the Hadleys their decision.

~~~Dave and Dania~~~

"We're sorry to see you go so soon," Calyx told Dave in Dania soberly.

"You've been here only a few days but I know Abigail's reaction to learning that her dream was impossible is the reason you're leaving," Rowena added.

"We're at the center of her drama and unhappiness," Dania explained, "so she doesn't need us around to remind her of what happened at least right now."

"Maybe next time we visit we'll be able to stay for at least a few weeks," Dave added.

What Dave didn't say was he didn't want to be in Abigail's presence until he was sure that she would act more mature. He didn't want to have to put her to death because she tried something that hurt either him or Dania, just because she had been rejected by her crush. Hurt at having her dream shattered. Someone could lash out if you shattered their dreams and hopes and Dave was well aware of it, so it was just better if he and Dania made themselves scarce from the situation for the foreseeable future.

"Let us know how Abigail's doing," Dania added.

"Yes let us know," Dave agreed, even as he shook Calyx's hand and kissed Rowena on the cheek. "Next time you see us we will be in a new RV and in fact that's where we're heading now to the nearest dealer."

"That's a relief," Calyx said.

"Yes, it is," Rowena agreed smiling.

"So what about Mr. Stanley Tucker?" Calyx asked.

"What about him?" Dave shrugged. "He seems to be exactly who he says he is and that's someone who works for an automotive museum. I know it's a little coincidental that he just happened to be the Chick-Fil-A when we showed up in the RV, but that appears to be all it is a coincidence at least in this instance."

"Coincidences can and do happen occasionally," Dania added. "You already know that we checked the RV from top to bottom and found no tracking spells or electronic bugs."

"I promise we'll keep our eyes peeled for trouble just in case," Dave assured the Hadleys.

"We will make sure we check the RV again once we get back to New York and return our rental car," Dania added.

"That'll have to do," Calyx said with a worried expression.

"We'll be careful," Dania promised.

"You'll always be welcome here," Rowena told the pair as they got in to their rental car to head back to New York and the RV park where their motorhome was.

"So next stop, the nearest RV dealer?" Dania asked Dave.

"Yes and there should be one in New York where we parked the RV so at least we won't have to go far," Dave answered, as he climbed into the driver's side and behind the wheel. "The timing of buying a new RV has worked out rather well, when you think about it. We could be traveling through small towns that don't have RV dealerships."

"That's true. I suppose it's lucky that we were coming to visit the Hadleys who happened to live in a town right outside of New York," Dana agreed, as she got in on the other side and slammed her door closed. Dave started the engine and both he and Dania waved to the Hadleys before Dave started down the driveway soon disappearing out of sight of the house.