Page 28 of Feathers and Scales

“That was before he almost attacked me, and I recalled how barmy you’ve been acting.” Simon crossed his arms. “It seemed more beneficial for the two of you to hash things out.”

She whipped around to Daxton. “Seriously? You almost attacked him?”

A pang of guilt stretched through the link, his expression scrunching as he lifted his hands. “I don’t know how to explain that one.”

“You’d better try.”

His lips pressed together. “I apologize. I…feel possessive and protective where you’re concerned. My dragon is all instinct and hard to control. All the more reason to figure out what is happening.”

She hated that he was right, and that she wasn’t surprised he’d come after her. Their link held one inevitable truth—she couldn’t have stayed away from him. The energy felt like the attraction between electrons and protons, a relentless pull that defied resistance. She hypothesized that he’d find her one way or another, and though she was curious about his methods, she severely miscalculated how long it would take him.

Over the time they’d spent separated, she’d scrubbed her mind in search of the spirit link connecting them. It felt as if she were still a part of his Spirit Cavity. She’d sought to disconnect it, but she couldn’t find anythingtobreak. Instead of a rope to cut, it was more like an invisible band of energy tying them together. But with her mental health as damaged as it was, she couldn’t afford such a bond.

She sighed and rubbed her temples. “Simon, tea in the sunroom. Now, please.”

Simon hesitated, his stare flicking between her and Daxton. She sternly lifted her eyebrow, head tilted toward the kitchen. He nodded and took off.

She turned to Daxton. Two steps behind her, he stood so tall their gazes were level. Something wild and powerful glinted from within him, staring at her through his eyes. She swallowed and her stomach fluttered. “Come on, then.” She crooked her finger for him to follow.

The luxurious sunroom at the end of the hall overlooked the Great Smoky Mountains. The evening sun cast a light over the mist, making the mountains appear like rolling blue hills. Sitting in a circular suede lounge chair, Izzy curled her legs beneath her body.

Daxton stood, resting his arm against the high-backed recliner near the window. His gaze gleamed in the sun’s rays while he looked over the surrounding scenery.

“The Cherokee called the mountainsshaconage,” she said.

“Place of blue smoke.” When he glanced back at her, the quirk to his mouth was contagious.

Damn her heart for reacting to that confident look and impressive depth of knowledge.“Where did you learn that?”

“I grew up around many Native American tribes.”

For how long? Do you know more of their languages?He stood like a book in front of her, waiting to be opened. Her body softened into the seat.

“Here’s your tea,” Simon murmured from behind her.

“Thank you.” She stopped staring at Daxton long enough to grab the hot mug. Spearmint with a hint of lemon wafted up. She nodded toward the door. With a wary glance in Daxton’s direction, Simon left. She willed the man with broad shoulders to continue observing the view, so she could watch him. But he turned. His gaze lingered on her cup.

“Pardon my not asking if you wanted anything,” she said. “I don’t welcome intruders.”

“No pardons needed.” He shrugged.

Her eyes narrowed. He might have admitted fault, but his cavalier response didn’t seem sincere.

“Well, Izzy, your intruder would like you to know he’s the best plan you’ve got against the Archfiend,” he said. “And after you finish your tea, you should come with him to New Hampshire.”

He’s humorous.A smile welled up inside at his reference to himself. She drank her tea. Pain as she burned her tongue kept her appreciation at bay. The dragon pulled on the link as if trying to pick the lock to her brain.

“Have you had any luck with finding the Archfiend?” she asked.

Daxton shook his head. “I’ve been back to Acadia, and my men have searched up and down the area, but no luck.”

Izzy gnawed on her bottom lip. “Have you tried mapping out his flight for possible landings?”

“What do you mean?”

Izzy grabbed her phone from her dress pocket and looked up the wind pattern for the area that night. “He headed toward the ocean, but I blinded him. Without knowing where he was going—”

“He would have let the wind take him somewhere,” Daxton filled in.