Page 46 of Hero of Havoc

“So you didn’t threaten to trample me with your claws, toss me into the ocean for the fish to eat me, then burn me alive for good measure?”

Ivy’s jaw falls slack as Alaric sniffs.

“I would never.”

“Of course you wouldn’t,” Ivy surmises, knowing my dragon almost as well as I do. Returning her gaze to me, she offers a soft smile. “Let me just grab my bag, and I’ll⁠—”

I reach for her arm, halting her in her tracks before she can take a single step. “No need. Teddy said he would take care of it.”

“But—”

“No buts,” I interrupt. “It’s no bother for us,” I insist, slipping the ridiculously sized bag back over the threshold.

“Are you sure?” she clarifies, glancing at the open door for a moment, and I nod when she turns back.

“If anything, it will probably make him feel all strong and manly for doing it,” I muse, and she snickers.

“You’re all crazy.”

“About you,” I blurt, nervously stuffing my hands in my pockets as her cheeks darken. Clearing my throat, I rock back on my heels. “Do you want to grab some food?” I offer, but before she can answer, Alaric slams his claw on the ground with a huff.

“I’ve only just got to see her. You can’t take her away just yet,” he grumbles.

“I”m sorry about him,” I mutter, and she shakes her head, bewildered.

“It’s amusing,” she breathes, and Alaric huffs, another plume of smoke jetting from his nose. “But you have to stop threatening people and being mean to get your own way. Otherwise, I won’t make time for you like this,” she states, aiming a finger at Alaric, who stills.

My spine stiffens.

Alaric is silly when he wants to be, but he’s fierce, known for being one of the toughest dragons of the Fifth Kingdom—for good reason. I’m ready to interject, but before I can even consider where this might go, he drops unceremoniously to the ground, head tilted in Ivy’s direction.

“I’ll try, but do I get a free pass when he’s being a pain in my ass?” he asks, and Ivy giggles.

“I want to say yes, but something tells me that’s all the time,” she replies, amusement dancing in her eyes as she peers at me before hurrying toward my dragon.

“Why do I always feel like I’m being ganged up on by you two?” I mutter, but before I can get an answer, Alaric pounds his claws into the ground and shoots into the air.

“Meet you at the cliffs,” he hollers, not waiting around for a refusal before he disappears, leaving the two of us.

Ivy remains rooted to the spot for a moment, disbelief glittering in her eyes as she shakes her head.

“Is he always this intense?” she asks, and I nod.

“This is almost calm for him,” I explain, and she grins.

“How long do you think we have to get to the cliffs before he gets mad?” she asks, and I huff.

“He’s probably mad that we’re not there right now. But honestly, if you’re busy or have other plans, I can escort you back to your room before I go and find him,” I offer, and she shakes her head.

“I’ve got time.”

I start in the direction of the cliffs, refusing to give her a chance to change her mind as my stomach flips with nerves. Or is it excitement?

It’s probably nothing, but the tension is palpable as we stroll toward the main academy building.

The silence between us is relaxed, as though she’s calm and drinking in the moment, but it feels foreign. I’m used to feeling like I’m balancing on the edge of a knife, and this is no different. Maybe it’s my loner tendencies making everything else seem worse.

She seems completely unfazed as she moves almost whimsically, taking in everything around her by choice rather than out of concern for her safety.