Page 77 of Feathers and Scales

She gasped.

“It happened to my biological father twenty years after I was born. He’d become Lost and killed six humans before another clanmate stopped him. Luckily before I could do any damage, Keiran found me.” Daxton breathed out a ragged breath. “He fought with me until I could get myself under control.”

A phantom pain pierced through her. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He grinned. “Just now, when I shifted, I was afraid at first, but I breathed through it and this link…your presence takes the edge off.”

A flood of warmth expanded her chest. But unease trickled in. “You don’t want to break the link, do you?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “No. I want to convince you to keep it. Call me selfish, but I’ve never felt this…content with my dragon side. And I’m enjoying our time together, getting to learn your little nuances of expression. I want to find out what the link means, but it’s not something I fear. But if we find a way to break it and you want to, that’s your choice. I’m just glad for this opportunity to strengthen my control.”

She nodded, not trusting her voice past the lump in her throat. Her goal of severing the link and returning to Heaven hadn’t changed, but maybe she could spend time with him and help him first.

He took a step back. “Let’s not worry about the future. I told you I’d take you on another flight. Stay right here, and I’ll shift.”

He turned and walked away.

“Do you have time? You’ve spent the entire afternoon with me.” The drop in her hoarse tone betrayed the abandonment issues that still clung to her.

He smiled. “I’m making up for lost time. Silas can afford to watch over Pentros for me, and Jamal is our best tracker. You’re my priority.”

Her heart turned supernova. Sparks sizzled through her with each heartbeat.

Once he stood a suitable distance away, he transformed with a flash of light into the dragon.

With a smile, she approached him. He stared at her and waited for her to climb aboard. As they flew into the clouds, Izzy couldn’t stop smiling.

Daxton woke to a soft, heavy form on his bare chest. His steady breathing caused Izzy, who was in the same clothes as yesterday, to rise and fall. She’d fallen asleep on his dragon as they sailed across the clouds, as if pressing against him had lulled her to slumber.

His chest inflated at the idea that she’d trusted him enough and hadn’t escaped into her spirit form. The real kick to his heart had been when he’d placed her in his bed, and she’d asked him to stay.

He wasn’t sure if he wanted her to wake up or not. She would most likely retreat into her reserved shell, but he hoped she would act bashful at the situation.

His phone’s blaring tone filled the air. Izzy stirred against him, and he scooted from under her to grab his phone. Jamal’s name flashed across the screen.

“What is it?” Daxton asked.

“I located the Tattered Ones. They’re on the move.”

Heat pushed at his skin, his dragon ready to burst free. “Where are you?”

Izzy sat up, eyes wide and awake, as if reading his alertness.

“Heading south on 95. I’m getting close to Boston.”

“Keep your tracker on your phone, and I’ll follow with reinforcements.”

“Will do.”

“Fly safe in the shadows.” Daxton hung up the phone.

Izzy’s hand absently rubbed at her chest where she’d been injured. “It’s the Archfiends, isn’t it?”

“This is going to end.” He took her into his arms.

A tremor flowed up her back to his hands.

“This doesn’t feel right,” she said. “Why now?”