Page 27 of Dragon Awakened

"I just said we were looking into it," Amy hisses. "Not that we're going to do it. Especially if there's another way." Her shoulders drop. "It's just--being both dragon and witch feels like being neither. I don't want to have to choose between them, but if I can't access my dragon, I have to at least explore the possibility that she's just holding back my inner witch."

"And you support this?" I ask Grace, trying not to sound accusing, but I can't help it.

"I support Amethyst in exploring her nature however she chooses," Grace says carefully. "All I can bring to the table is my own experience as a Sister."

"Well, as a dragon, just..." I turn to face Amy more fully. "Promise you won't do anything without talking it through with me, or your mom or Jett or just--someone, okay?"

Amy frowns, but she nods. "I promise."

"Promise what?" Freya asks, returning with a tray of fresh drinks.

"Nothing." Amy flashes a smile and reaches for a martini glass. "Thanks, these look great."

"No problem." Freya passes the rest out.

With her own glass in hand, Rhiannon sinks back into her seat. She's regarding her daughter as if maybe she heard a little more of that conversation than Freya did, but if she did, she's choosing to hold her tongue.

After a few moments of relative quiet as we enjoy our beverages, Freya clears her throat. "So. Is it time to discuss the elephant in the room?"

I glance around as if she's being literal. "Which one?"

A half-smile on her face, Rhiannon slowly twirls her glass. "I believe the one you'll be riding into the Air Kingdom this week."

Oh, right. That one.

Freya and Rhiannon share a conspiratorial glance. It seems like they were having private discussions of their own when they were in the kitchen.

"I don't know," I say, trying to deflect. "An elephant doesn't sound like the stealthiest way to cross the border."

Freya flexes her jaw. "There is no stealthy way to cross the border."

Oh boy, here we go again. First Zahra and Obi tried to talk me and my mates out of going; apparently now Freya's taking a turn.

"We have to go to the Air Kingdom," I insist.

Rhiannon nods. "Of course you do."

My brows scrunch up, and I look from her to Freya and back again. "But you were just saying..."

"There is no stealthy way to cross the border," Rhiannon continues. "But I may have a different idea."

Chapter

Eight

EMBER

The next morning, the motley crew of me, my mates, and our assorted groups of friends have gathered in the desert just outside of town. Amy is a little pale, with a green undertone to her skin that speaks to a few more chocolate martinis than may have been wise. She's leaning on Grace, who barely drank at all. I'm feeling pretty good about my decision to cut myself off early.

Then again, Freya and Rhiannon, who both drank me and Amy under the table, look fresh and rosy.

My mates also look great, but then again, to my eyes, they always do. Apparently, they had a guys' night of their own with Jett, Ben, Cael, Obi and Zahra--who declined our invitation to join us at Rhiannon's house in favor of a few pints and what I'm told was a deeply competitive game of darts at the Dragon's Flagon.

My mates still don't exactly seem like best friends, but I dare say the tension between them has receded a little after their night out. None of them appear to have overindulged; none of them are sporting visible bruises, either, so they all must have done a decent job getting along. Internally, I smile. If beer and bar games are what it takes to help them get more comfortable with each other, then I'm all for it.

Goodness knows they showed some exemplary teamwork stripping me back out of my clothes when we all got home to the hotel last night. And then again, when we all woke up together in a big, sexy, naked pile this morning.

By my side, Jianyu clears his throat, and I start, my cheeks warming. I know better than to let my imagination run wild, flooding our bond with arousal when we're all gathered here to discuss a deeply serious proposal.

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