He tapped a finger gently against my wing. “So, you’re telling me that you’re a dragon, and you might feel dragony things from time to time.”

I lifted my wing a bit and peeked up at him. He gazed back, not quite smiling, but there were no hints of anger, disgust or jealousy on his face. Hope fluttered, and I uncurled a little more, folding my wing to my back again. “So, you’re okay with this?”

“I wouldn’t say I’m happy about it,” Garret answered calmly. His fingers gently traced a wingtip, making me shiver. “But I knew there was something between you and Riley that I didn’t understand. Something only another dragon would get. I’d already accepted that when I made my decision to stay.” His gaze rose to mine, and a resigned smile finally tugged at his lips. “You can’t be completely in love with a dragon and expect anything to be normal.”

The heaviness weighing me down vanished, and warmth spread through my whole body. I sat up, and Garret put a hand on my neck, his gaze never leaving mine. “I’m here, Ember,” he said. “Dragon or human, it doesn’t matter to me. Whatever form you’re in, and whatever comes of it, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Dammit, Garret.” My eyes watered again, and I blinked hard. “Don’t say things like that when I can’t kiss you without biting your lips off.”

This time, his smile seemed to banish the shadows from the barn. He rose, brushing straw from his jeans, and I stood, as well. Things were far from okay, and the situation with Cobalt was an open wound on my heart, but he was free. And Garret had chosen to stay. Maybe now the three of us could finally move forward. And hope that time would heal the terrible scars we gave each other.

“Tristan has a place for us to meet,” Garret said, returning to the task at hand. “It’s halfway between here and my old chapterhouse, not too far, but we’ll have to move fast. Are you ready to go?”

I nodded. “I’ll meet you outside.”

Chapter 35: DANTE

DANTE

“Hello, Mr. Hill. We’ve been expecting you.”

A table of about fifteen dragons looked up at me as I entered the room. All older than me. All important. Some I recognized instantly. Mr. Roth, the Chief Basilisk, Mace, Lilith. Dr. Olsen and his team were present, as well, and the scientist bowed his head as I passed, approaching the table.