Page 86 of Midnight of Ashes
A huff sounded behind me, and I turned to see a white dragon with a silver sheen. I knew this one was Cáel. Even if I hadn’t seen him transform before, the pale blue eyes would’ve told as much.
I smiled as I moved toward him. Of course, Cáel was impatient for pets.
I approached him from the side, making my way toward his long neck. I stroked a hand down it. Cáel was just as soft as Cillian. I leaned into him, pressing my face to his scales. The warmth seeped into me.
Cáel let out a growl that could only be classified as…happy. My Angry Marshmallow.
I hugged his neck, even though my arms didn’t make it halfway around his circumference. When I let go, I leaned into him, taking in the rest of the clearing.
Two other dragons peered back at me. Both were green and gold with golden eyes. Their markings matched their eyes in human form, so I could instantly tell them apart.
Pushing off Cáel, I headed for the one with more green on his scales. “Knox,” I greeted, holding out a hand.
I swore the damned dragon grinned. Then he butted my hand. I stroked his face, then scratched under his chin.
Knox’s back leg thumped furiously.
I laughed. “Like that spot, huh?”
The second dragon moved in closer.
I let my hand drop from Knox and turned toward Easton. His dragon’s eyes were curious, the emotion in them lighter than his human counterpart. He nosed the air.
My mouth curved as something shifted in my chest. I didn’t feel any of the same reservations with this animal that I did with human Easton. There was no urge to protect myself or wonder about his motives.
I closed the distance between us and lifted a hand to scratch behind his ear. Easton let out a sound that was part rumbling growl, part purr. I only grinned wider.
As I scratched that spot, Easton’s wings fluttered. I watched in fascination as the almost-translucent appendages moved through the air. They were incredible.
My hand stilled on Easton, and I turned around.
“Can you take me flying?”
44
HAYDEN
The four dragons in the clearing froze. A second later, both Easton and Cáel started shaking their massive heads. While they couldn’t speak, they were making their displeasure at the idea of me flying known.
“Come on,” I begged. “I’ve been dying to. And maybe it’ll help me connect with my dragon.”
Knox looked to Cillian, who seemed to be mulling over the idea.
Easton clearly didn’t care for his brother’s reaction because he headbutted him and nipped his ear.
Knox roared at Easton, shoving him off.
The sound was so loud, I stumbled back a few steps.
Easton didn’t like this either, and he charged at his brother. They rolled in a tangle of limbs and wings until Cillian let out a deafening roar.
My hands flew to my ears as the twins froze. Slowly, they extricated themselves from the heap and ducked their heads. They looked so sheepish. Like two little puppies caught chewing on a pair of slippers.
I couldn’t help it. I giggled. They both looked at me curiously.
“You’re like puppies being scolded,” I explained.
Easton let out a huff, not caring for the comparison.
