Another pause, but before hope can take root, she slams the door the rest of the way shut.
Defeated, I drag a hand down my face as I take a backward step, but as I turn for the stairs, I hear the creak of door hinges from behind me. Frozen in place, I watch in wonder as Ivy appears, boots on her feet and a small cardigan around her shoulders.
“Where is he?” she breathes, and I point toward the stairs, too afraid to respond and spook her.
Silently, we make our way downstairs, keeping a few steps between us until we reach the entryway. I glance from the fire to her to find her lips pursed.
“How do I help you get out?”
“I have to be touching you,” I admit, and she grimaces.
“Of course you do,” she mutters, and I hold my hand out for her to guide me to where it suits her best, and she offers me her arm.
My fingers slip around her wrist with ease, reminding me just how dainty she is, but there’s no time to linger on that fact as she drags me through the fire. All too quickly, she shakes out of my hold and tentatively moves toward my dragon.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to warn her of his snarly tendencies, but just like at Inky Lake, Alaric lies down when he sees her.
Ass.
He never makes the effort to makemefeel comfortable like that.
Mesmerized, I watch as she moves on instinct, coming to a stop in front of him, before she falls to her knees. A resonant purr rumbles in Alaric’s throat, rattling our connection as he drops his face to hers.
My legs threaten to give way beneath me as I watch them. Warmth spreads through me, and I know it’s coming fromAlaric, but it claims me as if it’s my own satisfaction. I’m simply a bystander as they remain huddled together.
My fingers flex as I watch her stroke his scales, and he leans into the touch. A smile graces her lips as she looks up at him.
“I heard you’re struggling. Do you feel better now?”
“As long as you feel better too.”
She hums. “I’m getting there.”
7
IVY
“What the fuck did you just say?”
Baron’s grunt vibrates from behind me, making my back stiffen as I dare to peer over my shoulder at him. His eyebrows are bunched, his eyes narrowed, and his jaw slack.
“I know you’re not talking to me with that tone,” I sass, my hands curling into fists at my sides as Alaric continues to nuzzle against me.
Baron shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose as he takes a step toward us, and I scoff.
“You can stay exactly where you are,” I blurt, confused why I’m even here to begin with, but dealing with his proximity is worth it to see Alaric.
“He’s stubborn.”
I snicker. “I’d say it’s worse than stubborn.”
“That. What did you just say?” Baron demands, my hand instinctively reaching out for Alaric as I frown at the man in question.
“Do you really want to hear me insult you twice?” I clarify, and he grimaces.
“Who were you responding to when you spoke?” he pushes, leaving me even more confused as I run my hand over Alaric’s scales.
A part of me wants to pretend I can’t hear him at all, but there’s something in his confusion and persistence that has me intrigued.
