I should know.
I’ve shifted into pretty much every real creature there is and has been on this earth. I can’t shift into things like dragons or unicorns because they don’t exist. Or, at least, that’s what I’m pretty sure is the reason.
Azrael scoffs behind me. “Shifters aren’t real to humans. A shifter who can change into any animal she pleases isn’t real to shifters. Dragons aren’t real to you but very real to us. Real is relative.”
I mean, the grumpy man has a point. There’s a reason we don’t tell humans what we are. They’d freak out if they knew magic is real, despite all creatures on Earth having some amount of magic.
I’m guessing dragons don’t advertise their existence to avoid the same reaction from regular supernaturals. Accepting that vampires, mages, shifters, and fae exist is easy. But accepting that people can turn into mythical beasts? That’s a bit harder.
“Am I a dragon?” I ask when I process what this means for me. “Are you dragons?”
Hal wraps an arm around me and pulls me close. “All of us are dragons. And you are, wild girl. A very rare type of dragon, if my suspicions are correct.”
I don’t even have the bandwidth to process the part about me being a rare dragon because I’m so transfixed with Remy.
“Can I touch him?” I whisper, still unable to pull my attention away from the magnificent creature in front of me.
Dragon Remy’s head bobs up and down enthusiastically at my question, pulling a giggle from me. He’s such a fierce-looking beast, but Remy’s personality still shines through, making him much less intimidating.
Colt walks over to sit on one of the rocks close to the entrance. “You can touch him, sweetheart. He’s loving having all of your attention on him, so I’m sure he’s over the moon that you want to give him pets.”
Remy narrows eyes on Colt, but they quickly bounce back to me. His slitted pupils dilate as he watches me approach him.
When I’m within a few feet of him, Remy lowers his massive head to the ground, making it easy for me to touch his face.
His warm breath blows over me when I stop right in front of him. The force of his breath almost knocks me back, and he gives me an apologetic look. Another giggle slips out of my mouth at the absurdity of the whole situation.
Taking a fortifying breath, I reach out a shaky hand and rest it on his surprisingly soft snout. He lets his eyes slip closed as I run my hand along his nose and up to his scales. I didn’t expect his shimmery scales to be so smooth and soft, and I enjoy trailing my fingers over them for a long moment.
When I’m done feeling up his face, I dart in to hug as much of him as I can reach, which isn’t much. My arms are just splayed wide over his face, which is taller and a lot wider than my whole body.
I crane my neck so I can stare into one of his currently closed eyes. “Just so you know, Remy, you’re the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. And I’ve been able to turn into dinosaurs for years, so that’s saying something.”
His eyes flick open, and his lips pull back in what I’m pretty sure is a grin, but all it does is expose his wickedly sharp teeth. I let my arms fall and back away before I start to walk around him.
I run my fingers along whatever I can reach until I get to his enormous leg and paw that are many times bigger than I am. Or is it claw? I’m not really sure what the proper names for dragon anatomy are.
I reach out to pet one of his massive talons, marveling over how smooth and slick the black surface is. While I’m preoccupied with looking at how gigantic he is, Remy swings his head around and grabs the back of my shirt gently in his mouth.
My eyes go wide as he picks me up and deposits me onto his foot. I don’t have time to figure out how to react to part of me being in a dragon’s mouth because Remy lifts up his leg, hoisting me high in the air.
I let out a high-pitched squeal, followed by genuine laughter at the move. I know I’m making a fool of myself, but I can’t bring myself to care as Remy stomps around the cave with me clutching on to his leg.
He lets out snorts and chuffs, clearly enjoying his shenanigans as much as I am.
“All right, Remy,” Colt calls after a few minutes. “That’s enough. Change back. I’m sure Lark has a lot of questions for us.”
He’s not wrong about me having questions, but I’m really enjoying goofing off with Remy. It’s nice just being silly for a bit and not having to think about all the heavy stuff. It feels like I rarely get a break from all the bad in life, so Remy’s antics offer a welcome distraction.
Remy huffs, breath puffing out of his nostrils, but complies. He starts transforming back when I’m still on his foot that’s hovering a ways off the ground. A scream gets trapped in my throat as I start free-falling.
Before I can shift or react in any way, I land with anoomphin Remy’s outstretched arms. He grins down at me, genuine joy shining in his now icy blue eyes. I smile up at him and get lost in his gaze and how happy a simple thing like this makes him.
“Are you two done yet? None of us want to see Remington’s dick any longer than we have to,” Azrael grouses.
My cheeks flush as I realize a very naked Remy is holding me right now. His grin widens, and he waggles his eyebrows.
I laugh and squirm to be put down. With a loud sigh, Remy sets me down, facing away from him. I’m not sure whether I’mrelieved or disappointed I don’t get a chance to stare at his naked form more.
