Page 53 of Feathers and Scales

With his heart in his throat, Daxton explained how he and Izzy had crossed paths. He discussed Simon’s manga, which Keiran had glanced over on the ride to the scene. Since the older dragon might understand the link between them, he didn’t leave out any details. Even the kiss on the plane that had him aching to connect them again.

Keiran’s expression was stoic as he studied the terrain. “I talked to Sarah first, and I understand your fixation. But your protectiveness of her concerns me.” He pushed back a branch for Daxton as they continued deeper into the woods toward the salty air of the ocean. “This link between you, I don’t know what to make of it.” He gave a wry smile. “Though I dislike that you’ve Marked her without my permission, I won’t pass any judgment when I don’t understand what is happening.”

“Honestly, I want to Mark her again. Even with that prickly exterior, I want to pursue her.”

“A woman has wrapped the great and terrible Wandering Cannon around her finger, huh?”

Daxton brooded over the truth while Keiran barely held in a grin. Daxton fanned out from Keiran and walked parallel to him.

“I’ll ask around about the link,” Keiran said. “I can’t say I’ve heard of a bonding quite like this. But older generations might have the answer. Hopefully, Izzy can enlighten us. If I may ask, what did it feel like when you bonded?”

Daxton rubbed his itchy neck. “Erotic yet familiar. I hate to use the word fated, but it fits.”

Keiran’s brow rose.

“Besides that, her presence calms my dragon side,” Daxton continued.

Keiran cocked his head, his tone disbelieving. “She calms you?”

“Around other men I’m territorial, but with her, I feel content in my human skin.”

Keiran gave a few wide-eyed blinks. “Well, damn…that’s rare. Especially considering your…history.”

Daxton swallowed and forced the memory of almost becoming Lost from his mind. “It worries me but gives me hope that I might be able to learn to control my dragon.”

“Sometimes a pair of dragons will Mark each other during the Dance. But they are never apart long enough for others to sense it. No one describes it as making their dragon content. It satisfies the beast, but only until after they recuperate after mating.”

Daxton had never been with a woman during her heat cycle, so he hadn’t been aware of that. Neither had he been near a pair partaking in the Dance. While growing into his wings, he’d been mostly alone.

“When I had talked to Sarah, I thought you were chasing after a woman in heat,” Keiran said.

I never thought of it that way.

Keiran’s caution made sense, and Daxton was fortunate the Centurion understood the situation. He ran his fingers over his hair. “Remind me to pity the males caught in the Dance.”

“Don’t forget the women who must also take part.” Keiran’s words struck a chord in him. He wasn’t alone in all this—Izzy also felt the attraction and oddity of the situation. He’d have to figure out how to take it slow with her before he scared her away.

“About the manga you showed me on the drive. Contact the author. I want copies. We can share it with the chiefs first, and I’ll have a briefing before we spread the news.”

Simon would jump for joy to comply, but as for Izzy, Daxton understood her necessity for discretion. “I need to verify with Izzy before we go to everyone.”

Keiran’s brow furrowed. “Let her know we’ll keep it in-house.”

Keiran stilled a moment before Daxton’s Insight picked up a muted tendril of burning metal in acidic fumes.Found you.

Keiran glanced over, and Daxton nodded to communicate he sensed it too. The energy was weak, but it gave them a trail. Keiran walked ahead and lifted a broken branch.

“He headed this direction on foot instead of the air,” Daxton murmured, striding forward again.

“Yes, but why did we only pick up the trail here?”

A little further, the signature forked.

Keiran stopped. “That’s odd.”

“There’s a depression in the leaves here as if someone had fallen.”

Keiran headed over. “I agree. I’ll follow this path and you the other.”