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"Whenever Dax speaks."

I laugh harder. "Does he know?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Then his expression changes slightly. "After Theryn." My smile fades. I wait. "For about ten minutes." He says. "I wanted someone else to decide everything."

I don't move. "Did they?"

"No." Of course not.

"What did you do?"

"Decided." Simple. That's the entire man. Fear. Responsibility. Move anyway.

I look down at my dagger. Maybe that's what I'm learning too. Not that leaders aren't afraid. Not that strong people know what they're doing. Maybe strength is simply moving before fear finishes talking.

"Your father taught you that?" Rhyven's gaze flicks toward me. Different question. More personal. I don't take it back.

"Some."

"Is he like you?"

"No." Immediate.

I smile. "That sounded offended."

"It was."

"How is he different?"

Rhyven leans back against the wall. Thinks. "More patient. Impossible. Less patient with stupidity."

"There it is."

"He talks more."

I blink. "Everyone talks more than you."

"True."

"Does he swear as much?"

"More."

"Oh." Something about that is strangely delightful. "Was he a Rider?"

"Yes."

"Same dragon?"

Rhyven gives me a look. "That's not how bonding works."

"I know. I meant same type of—"

"I know what you meant." Asshole.