“Alaric, obviously.”
His eyes widen comically as he shakes his head, eliminating the distance between us despite my preference. “No, not obviously, Ivy. Even Air Protectors can only talk to their own dragons. They can’t communicate with others as well.”
I blink at him as his words settle in my chest before I slowly start to repeat his motion of shaking my head.
“What are you talking about?”
Ignoring me, his eyes turn to Alaric. “Say something to her again.”
“I’m sorry he isn’t better house-trained.”
I cackle, resting my forehead against his scales. “Are you offering to help him?”
“How are you talking to him right now?” Baron demands, and I freeze, quickly realizing what he’s saying is true, but that can’t be the case if only Air Protectors have the ability to speak with dragons, and only their own at that.
I jolt back, confusion narrowing my eyes as uncertainty wars inside of me.
“He’s just talking.”
“He isn’t, Ivy.”
“What?” I glance at Baron, who stares at me, all bewildered and slightly wide-eyed with awe.
“He speaks into my mind. He doesn’t make a single sound out loud.”
I balk, returning my questioning stare to the dragon, who lies down, all calm and relaxed, unlike the two of us. “This doesn’t make any sense,” I mutter, and Baron scoffs.
“Tell me about it.”
“It makes perfect sense,” Alaric declares, and I frown.
“How so?”
He lets out a long sigh.“You’re a phoenix.”
“What does that have to do with it?” Baron interjects as a shiver runs down my spine. “And how do you know that?”
“Don’t act like you haven’t told him,” I scoff, and he shakes his head.
“I didn’t see him the entire time you were in the medical center, and as soon as we did reunite, he was all stressed out about you and insistent that he wanted—no,neededto see you.”
Brushing my hair back off my face, I tilt my head back to the dragon. “How do you know what I am, and why does that make a difference, Alaric?”
“Come closer, I miss you.”
My eyes pinch in his direction, but I can’t find the strength to deny him, so I eliminate the few steps between us and drop to my knees. I wouldn’t dare tell Baron right now, but I’m exhausted, and my strength has been faltering.
“You’re struggling,”Alaric assesses, and I wave him off.
“I’m fine. Tell me what you know.”
“Promise me you will rest once I do.”
My pulse quickens in my ears as I sense Baron staring at me. I nod, and that seems to appease him as he pushes against the back of my hand until I flip it around and press my palm against his scaly cheek.
“I sensed your connection days ago, I’m assuming when you died.”
My chest tightens as I feel Baron’s presence grow closer. “Alaric,” he warns, struggling with the fact just as much as I am, and I hate it.
