“He recently molted,” Smith said, eyes following Burns. “Usually he’s not so… colorful. I’m not used to seeing him in these colors yet.”
I couldn’t imagine him any other color. The teal of his scales seemed to perfectly suit him.
“He’s very pretty.”
“And very rare. There aren’t many fairy dragons left in the world. He’s been through a lot—took to me because I’ve been taking care of him.”
“Is he… friendly?”
Smith chuckled. “Friendly enough. He won’t bite you.”
I approached the little guy and carefully held my hand out to him, like he was a dog who might want to sniff me. Burns shifted, nudging my palm with his snout.
“Ha. Look at that,” Smith said. “I guess he likes you.”
The little strange creature, which I supposed was some type of fairy from what Smith had said, nudged his little face into my hand until I started petting him.
“I’m glad he has you,” I said as I giggled as the thing started chirping at me when I pulled my hand away from him and turned back to face Smith. “And I am sorry, you know. For… everything.”
Smith sighed. “I’m not going to back out of the contract, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Well, the thought crossed my mind, but that isn’t why I came. I am… genuinely sorry.”
“I believe you. And I take my deals seriously. You don’t have to beg for forgiveness, Poppy. I get why it happened. I’m just annoyed with the situation, not with you. If I had my way, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be in Misty Hollow with—”
He cut off abruptly, cheeks coloring, as he cleared his throat.
“Violetta?” I guessed.
He nodded.
“Are you… together?”
He breathed in deeply. Then cursed. “It’s… complicated. She’s got a boyfriend. Sort of.”
“Oh.”
“He’s a vampire.”
“Oh.”
“And I want to punch his lights out every time I see his stupid face.”
I tried not to laugh at that, but a little giggle escaped. “Sorry,” I managed.
He sighed. “But I can’t punch his lights out, because she isn’t mine.”
“Sometimes that’s how these things go, I guess.” I paused. “Though I will say—the way she looked at you… I don’t know… I figured you guys were some kind of item.”
He nodded. “I’m not sure if she wants to be with me or what. She’s unbelievably complicated and completely difficult to read.” He paused. “So yes, having a project will distract me.”
“I’m glad to hear it—if that’s what you need.”
Smith’s eyes narrowed. “And speaking of distraction, you’re deflecting.”
“I am?”
He nodded. “You never even mentioned the whole reason this mess started in the first place.”
