Purrfect Roast: A Dragon Cozy Mystery by Verena DeLuca (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📗

"I'm glad to hear that epiphany," Azure transmitted. "I too am happy to have you in my life. Tona will always be my first protector, but she knew exactly what she was doing when she picked you to protect me."

I was speechless and blinked away a tear as it started to form. After months of butting heads, this weekend felt like a page turned on our relationship. The future looked bright, and I was excited to discover all I could about being a protector.

"Ditto," I transmitted, and focused on my ice cream to not alert anyone of my emotional state. It was the lack of sleep, that was all. I just needed to get a bit of rest, and I would be back to my sarcastic self.

After another thirty minutes of light conversation, we all finished up our ice cream, and the girls left for the evening. It felt wonderful to sit in the cafe alone. If I did not have to hear another person's voice for at least eight hours, I would be in pure bliss.

I looked over at the poison of the week board and realized I needed to update it still. I pulled my binder out from under the counter and flipped through the pages. Perfect. A plant that is poisonous to cats and humans alike.

"Wow, and after all the pleasant things I said about you. I take them back," Azure transmitted. "The cat show has you that worked up, huh?"

I ignored him and wrote Pigeon Berry Oatmeal Latte—instant oatmeal, espresso, and steamed milk topped with granola—on the board while smiling to myself.

He hopped down from the chair by the door and walked over to nudge me in the leg.

"Don't worry," he transmitted. "We have twelve months to plan for how I will defend my first-place spot in next year's show."

"Oh no, fluffers," I said aloud and bent down to pick him up. "Winning gold once is enough for one kitty. You've got to let some of the other cats win too."

Right as I wrapped my arms around his fluffy black fur, he adjusted his glamour back to normal and my hands slid into place against his warm sapphire belly scales.

"Almost forgot," he transmitted. "I bet you miss admiring my wingspan."

"Oh yes, it's all I could think about all weekend," I said. "When is he going to shake those wings out for me again?"

I rolled my eyes and headed upstairs for the night.

"It's okay," he transmitted. "You don't have to hide your excitement over being able to see a real live dragon."

We walked through the storeroom door and I flipped off the lights to the cafe.

"You caught me," I said. "I've been keeping it a secret so well too. Hiding all my dragon-themed décor. It's been hard, but I'm glad it's out. Tomorrow, I'm going to redecorate the house in dragons."

"If by redecorate, you mean put up pictures of me," he transmitted. "Then yes, I approve. Otherwise, don't bother. I don't want to stare at lesser dragons all day."

I laughed and set him down once we hit the top landing. Home sweet home.

"Now to figure out where to put your gold trophy." I opened the box Nathan gave to us.

"Let's put it on the end table," Azure transmitted. "I want to be able to see it no matter where I am in the apartment."

"Of course, you do." I laughed. "Why don't we just put it in the cafe? Let all the customers admire it too."

I picked up the vase and held it up to the light so I could read the inscription. Too bad they could not engrave it with his name. Maybe there was a place I could get it done around town for him.

"I would rather admire it myself."

"It's your trophy," I said. "We'll put it wherever you want it. I would like to put a few of the small ones downstairs."

I set the trophy on the table and lined up the rest beside it. Even now, looking at all his trophies, I had a tough time believing he really won.

"What are we going to do with all these gift cards to pet stores?" I asked as I took more prizes out of the box.

"We're going to go shopping," he transmitted.

Once the box was empty, I went into the kitchen and filled his bowl with salmon. Winning the cat show earned him all the salmon he could eat. No deals required. He raced over to devour dinner, and I microwaved a few frozen burritos.

"Sorry I was not more invested in the investigation today," I said, waiting for my food.

"I understand," he transmitted between bites. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I felt the stress the show caused you this weekend."

"Do you think we'll ever get the hang of each other's quirks?" I asked.

"In time," he transmitted. "We will."

I smiled to myself and took my food to the couch, thankful to be home.