Saffron perked up, hope flitting across his face. “How?”
“Well, I’m the only one in the Games who can tell you and Aurum apart, right? If Billy isyourfated mate, he should be able to do it, too.”
Saffron looked hesitantly optimistic. “That’s a good idea, Mylo.”
I felt Aurum’s heart rate speed up as he asked, “And if he can’t...?”
Saffron took a breath. “Then I’ll admit he’s not the one.”
“Video call him,” Aurum said instantly.
“Now? But we’re in dragon form,” Saffron fussed. “He knows I’m a shifter, but what if that skews his perception?”
“I can easily tell you apart, no matter what form you two take,” I pointed out.
Saffron’s ears drooped like he already knew the answer to his dreaded question, but he had to go through with it. He punched the call button and handed the phone to Aurum with a resigned grunt. “Here. Pretend to be me, since you’re apparently so good at that.”
“Sorry,” Aurum said genuinely, then put on his best smile. I got the feeling he detested Billy, but for a scheme like this, he was happy to act love-struck.
Aurum lowered his paws so I wasn’t in the picture, but I still saw the phone from my angle. My stomach lurched as the call began and Billy’s face flashed on screen. He looked like a regular guy, but my gut instinct told me he wasn’t Saffron’s mate. It just didn’t feel right.
“Billy! I missed you so much,” Aurum said. I knew he was faking it, but his tone sounded real enough.
“Oh, hey, baby,” Billy said, blinking in surprise. “You look... different.”
Aurum pouted. “I know, baby, I’m sorry. I had to be a dragon for a thing on the show.”
Hovering on the back side of the phone, Saffron was rigid with anxiety. This must’ve been awful for him.
“So, you happy to see me?” Aurum asked. His airy lilt had a sensual undertone that made his acting seem shockingly real.
Billy got over his initial surprise. “Obviously,” he replied, grinning at Aurum. “I missed you so much, baby. When are you gonna come see me for our special visit?”
Aurum’s eye twitched for a millisecond. “Soon, I hope. It’s not like I’m doing anything important... Should I come over now?”
Billy looked excited. “I’d love that, Saffy.”
The nickname dropped like an icy downpour on our heads.
I saw Saffron’s heart breaking in real time. His eyes burned with pain and fury. My chest ached with sympathy for him.
Rage slipped into Aurum’s voice, too. “Oh, is that right, Billy?” His voice was mockingly sweet, then erupted into a dragon’s roar. “You can’t even tell I’mnotSaffron, you fucking asshole.”
Billy gawked. “What?”
“I’m his twin. And now that you’ve bared your ass, I’ll tell you how I really feel,” Aurum snarled. “Go fuck yourself, and never contact my brother again. If you do, I’ll find you and rip your head off.”
Billy stammered in confusion, then got defensive. “You can’t talk to me like that! Put Saffron on the line!”
In a lightning-quick motion, Saffron snatched the phone. “See you never, dickhead.”
Then he launched the phone into the sea.
Saffron’s shoulders heaved as he caught his breath. Wordlessly, he and Aurum exchanged a long glance, then they crashed in a hug. I squeaked as the dragons’ chests collided, but Aurum was careful to keep me out of the way.
“I’m sorry,” Aurum said, his voice thick with emotion. “About everything.”
“Me, too,” Saffron murmured.
