Page 50 of Hero of Havoc

“I’m going to prove to you that you can count on us, on me, because I will do everything within my power to give you the world. It might not be today, and it likely won’t be tomorrow, but just know that every step I take is in that direction. For me. For you. For us. All of us.”

I don’t know what the hell is burning through my veins, but the passion I feel is undeniable as Alaric stands, a groan rumbling from his throat as the ground trembles beneath us.

“She deserves something special,” he adds, and I grin as Ivy rolls her eyes.

“You guys need to stop before I get lightheaded,” she rambles, splitting my face in a wide smile as Alaric stretches out his left wing toward us.

“She deserves to see the world from the sky.”

12

IVY

Iblink at the green-scaled dragon in disbelief, his wing lowered like he’s ready for me, but I can’t move. He shakes his head, smoke whispering around his face for a moment before he lowers his snout closer to mine.

“It’s on your to-do list, right?”

“It is?” Baron clarifies as I shake my head.

“How do you know that?” I mutter, my mind nothing more than a thick cloud as I lose the ability to think clearly.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Alaric,” Baron warns, and the dragon sighs.

“I may or may not have overheard the list,” he admits, and I gape at him.

“How?”

“Does it really matter? I’m offering you something on your list. Take it.”

I blink at him, shock coursing through me as I consider his words and weigh up my options.

Do I want to fly on a dragon? Absolutely.

Do I want it under the right pretenses? Even more so.

Do I want to be my own obstacle on the matter? Probably not.

Baron stands, and I immediately miss his touch against my body. “Alaric, maybe this isn’t a good idea,” he breathes, tightening my muscles as uncertainty washes over me.

“Why not?”

“Because there are rules that we promised to abide by.”

“They don’t apply to Ivy.”

“Says who?”

His wings flap with irritation. “Says me. She’s your mate, and I can hear her.”

“That doesn’t make it okay,” Baron mutters, dragging a hand down his face, and I finally remember how to move as I climb to my feet.

“I’m not looking to break any rules, so maybe we just forget about it,” I offer, and Baron shakes his head. When his deep green eyes find mine, all I see is desperation.

“I just promised you the world; how do I simply take that away unnecessarily at the first hurdle?” he grumbles, agitation in his words, but they seem to be aimed internally as he hides his face in his hands.

“Baron, it’s not a big deal.”