Page 56 of Hero of Havoc

A shiver runs down my spine. “I don’t understand.”

“Dragons are isolated creatures, for the most part, but many years ago, we formed an alliance.”

My heart pounds in my chest as I attempt to read between the lines and solve the puzzle he’s laying before me. “Phoenixes.”

His head bobs. “That connection was shattered by who I believe is your mother.”

My eyes widen. “I’m sorry.”

Smoke plumes from his nostrils as he huffs again. “Don’t apologize for the anguish someone else caused, Phoenix. That’s not why you are here.”

“Then why am I here?” I breathe, and the room shakes as every dragon sits up straight, wings flapping as excitement sweeps through the space.

“Because I have two dragons who believe you are different, and I trust their judgment, especially as I see you standing here before me. I just wanted to see for myself before I declared it.”

“See what?”

“Your soul.”

I stupidly look down at myself as if said soul were on display before my eyes return to his. “And what do you see?”

“Purity.”

“That sounds… positive,” I hope, and he nods.

“I vow to you, Ivy Hayworth, you will always have a friend in us.”

13

IVY

“We were all… and they all were like… and then they… and he just… and she…”

“Take a breath, Baron,” Sax hollers, clapping him on the shoulder before turning to face me. “Honestly, Ivy, what have you done to my brother?” His eyebrows threaten to reach his hairline as he gapes at me, and all I can do is squeeze my hands between my thighs as I shrug.

Baron drags a hand through his hair as he paces in front of my door for the hundredth time while the rest of us watch his every move.

He hasn’t managed a full sentence since we returned, and I’ve been rooted to the spot for over half an hour. I understand his inability to form words because this afternoon was wild. I’m used to being flabbergasted, but seeing Baron all tied up in knots is almost concerning, if not a little amusing.

“Care to fill in the blanks?” Archer asks, waving a hand at his friend, who shakes his head in disbelief, and I shrug again.

“I can, but I have a party to get ready for,” I state, glancing at the time, and Teddy snickers beside me.

“How about you give us the cliffnotes, then you can get ready while we talk this guy down,” he offers, and I nod.

“Alaric—”

“Don’t mention his name right now. I’m mad at him,” Baron interjects, shaking his head, and I roll my eyes.

Exhaling, I try again. “He took me up,” I start, unsure of what term to even use, but Sax seems to understand as he leans toward me, eyes wide in disbelief.

“Like, in the sky?” he clarifies, and I nod. “With or without this guy?” he clarifies, pointing at his brother, who scoffs.

“With.”

“Isn’t that against the rules?” Archer adds, and Baron sighs as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“It is, but that rule was set by the dragons, and in the end, there was no need for concern,” I state, and Baron scoffs.