Page 17 of Hex and Scales

“That’s his choice to make,” Madame Zephyrine said firmly. “Your only task is to be honest with yourself. The rest will follow.”

“Besides,” Felix added, “have you seen how he watches you? Like you’re the sun breaking through eight centuries of storm clouds.”

“He does not?—”

“Oh, he absolutely does.” Neve’s eyes twinkled. “Especially when you’re not looking. Though I particularly enjoyed the display when you fell into his arms. Very romantic.”

Sabine groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Does everyone know about that?”

“Small town, potent magic,” all three chorused.

“Speaking of romance,” Felix said brightly, “have you picked out a wedding dress yet? Because I know this amazing seamstress who specializes in flame-retardant?—”

“Felix!”

He grinned unrepentantly. “What? I’m just planning ahead. Though I suppose we should wait to see how tonight’s dinner unfolds first.”

Sabine’s head snapped up. “How did you know about?—”

“Please.” Madame Zephyrine waved an elegant hand. “News travels faster than Felix’s wing speed in Mystic Hollow. Speaking of which, shouldn’t you be getting ready?”

“I don’t even know what to wear,” Sabine admitted. “How do you dress for dinner with a dragon?”

“Personally, I’d avoid anything flammable,” Felix mused. “Though Ren’s usually pretty good about controlling his fire. Usually.”

“What our pyromaniac friend means,” Neve interjected, “is be yourself. Wear something that makes you feel confident. And Sabine?” She waited until their eyes met. “Don’t be afraid to show him how you feel. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is open our hearts without guarantees.”

“Though if you want assurance,” Felix stage-whispered, “I’d bet my best cookie recipe that he’s already fallen hard for you. He just needs a little... nudge.”

“More like a shove,” Madame Zephyrine murmured. Louder, she said, “Drink this before you go.” She poured a cup of something that smelled of chamomile and starlight. “For courage.”

The tea spread a gentle calm through Sabine’s chest, easing the nervous flutter there. Her tigress relaxed too, purring at the comfort offered by these three unlikely advisors.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “For everything.”

“Just remember,” Felix called as she reached the door, “if he gets too broody, remind him that life’s too short for—” He paused. “Well, I guess for him it’s not actually that short, but you know what I mean.”

Sabine stepped out into the afternoon sun, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. Her heart felt lighter, even if questions still lingered. But maybe they were right. Maybe some things didn’t need all the answers. Maybe they just needed courage.

Now she just had to figure out what to wear to dinner with a dragon who made her soul sing. And hope she didn’t accidentally cause any more gardens to flourish in the process.

FOURTEEN

Ren stalked the length of his mountain cabin’s great room, each turn bringing him past the massive stone fireplace where flames responded to his restlessness. Eight centuries of discipline meant nothing against the chaos in his mind. Every thought circled back to her—to Sabine. The way sunlight caught her honey-blonde waves, how her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, the soft gasp she’d made when he caught her in his arms...

The hearth blazed higher, matching his surge of desire. With a low growl, Ren commanded the flames to settle. He’d retreated to his mountain sanctuary specifically to escape these thoughts, yet even here, miles above Mystic Hollow, he couldn’t find peace.

“I’m getting dizzy watching you wear a trench in that floor,” Eiji called from his sprawl on the leather sofa. “Though I have to say, this is much more entertaining than your usual stoic routine.”

Ren’s only response was a warning rumble that made the windows vibrate. His dragon nature coiled restlessly beneath his skin, yearning to spread wings and fly—not away from town, but back to it. Back to her.

“Right.” Eiji’s voice dripped with amusement. “You just happen to be destroying your perfectly good floor while thinking about a certain beautiful tigress who’s coming to dinner.”

The hearth flared in response. “I’m not?—”

A knock at the door cut him off. Kaito entered, his expression knowing as he took in the scene—the dancing flames, Ren’s obvious tension, Eiji’s smirk.

“Well,” Kaito said dryly, “this is new.”

---