Page 36 of Hex and Scales

Later that evening, alone in his sanctuary, Ren studied Shiara’s pendant. She never took it off, but as she took her last breaths, she pressed it into his hands and told him to hold it for her. Moonlight caught the gems, sparking memories of her smile, her courage, her sacrifice. But now those memories merged with fresher ones—Sabine’s laugh, the spark in her eyes when she teased him, the way their magic reached for each other.

His phone chimed with a text from Sabine:Missing my brooding dragon. The shop feels empty without you prowling around outside.

A smile tugged at his lips as he typed back:I don’t brood.

Sure you don’t. Just like you don’t secretly enjoy my coffee runs or pretend not to watch me through the window.

His dragon stirred with pleasure at her teasing, even as his heart constricted. She deserved to know everything about the danger circling ever closer. But knowledge was its own kind of weapon. Would truth protect her or paint an even bigger target on her back?

A pulse of magic rippled through the air—familiar energy tinged with darkness. Near Sabine.

Ren strode toward his balcony, heart pounding. No more hiding. No more running. Whether friend or foe waited below, he would face it.

His dragon spread massive wings as Ren launched himself into the night, racing toward whatever threatened his mate. This time would be different. He thought of Sabine.

This time, he would protect his mate.

THIRTY-ONE

Sabine’s breath caught as she stepped through the market entrance. Crystalline lights danced overhead, casting ethereal patterns across snow-dusted stalls while enchanted fire pits cast warm, golden light that made everything glow. The contrast of cool silver and warm amber created a magical twilight that took her breath away—or maybe that was because of the way Ren’s arm slid around her waist, drawing her firmly against his side.

His touch sparked awareness through every nerve ending. The soft cashmere of his charcoal sweater invited her fingers to explore, and his familiar scent—pine and smoke and something uniquely him—made her tiger purr. When had his mere presence become so intoxicating?

“You’re beautiful.” His voice rumbled low near her ear, making her shiver. Unlike his earlier shy compliments, this held pure male appreciation. His fingers traced idle patterns on her hip through the silk of her dress. “That color suits you.”

The deep burgundy had seemed daring when she bought it, but the way his eyes darkened made her glad she’d chosen something that hugged her curves. “You clean up pretty wellyourself.” She ran her hand along his arm, feeling hard muscle beneath soft fabric. “Though I miss the suit.”

“Do you?” His lips curved as he guided her deeper into the market. Unlike his usually measured stride, he walked slower tonight, keeping her tucked close. “I’ll remember that.”

The scent of cinnamon and chocolate drew them toward a row of food stalls. Harry Noble stood behind a counter performing tricks with floating mugs that sparked and steamed. His enchanted bow tie flashed different colors as he orchestrated an aerial dance of spices and cream.

“If it isn’t my favorite couple!” Harry’s eyes twinkled. “Care to try my newest creation? Frost-Fire Cocoa. Guaranteed to make your taste buds dance.”

Heat bloomed in Sabine’s cheeks at the wordcouple, but Ren’s arm only tightened possessively. He paid for two floating mugs that sparkled with actual frost despite the steam rising from them.

The first sip exploded across her tongue—rich chocolate heat chased by a thrilling mint coolness. She couldn’t contain her delighted gasp. “Oh my god, Harry, this is incredible!”

A bit of frost clung to her bottom lip. Before she could reach for a napkin, Ren’s thumb brushed it away in a casual caress that felt anything but casual. His touch lingered, sending sparks of electricity dancing across her skin.

“Had a little frost,” he murmured, voice deeper than usual. The heat in his eyes made her forget they stood in the middle of a crowded market.

“Sabine! Ren!” Romi’s voice cut through their bubble. She bounded over with Lux, both wearing glowing bracelets that pulsed in time with the distant music. Her eyes widened at their intimate pose. “Oh! Sorry, are we interrupting?”

“Yes,” Ren said, at the same time Sabine said, “No!”

Lux chuckled, pulling Romi closer. “Told you we should give them space.”

“But they have to see the flying lantern release!” Romi protested. “And the resolution tree! And—oh my goodness, is that Harry’s new cocoa? How is it? Actually, never mind, your faces say everything.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Though I can’t tell if that’s from the cocoa or each other.”

“Romi!” Sabine spluttered while Ren somehow managed to look both amused and territorial.

“What? I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking. It’s about time you two stopped dancing around each other. Though speaking of dancing...” She pointed toward the main stage where couples swayed to enchanted instruments playing themselves. “Terra and Aero are doing this amazing ice-wind sculpture thing later, but first you should definitely?—”

“We’ll catch up later,” Lux steered her away with an apologetic grin. “Much later,” he mouthed over his shoulder.

They wandered through market lanes strung with twinkling lights, sampling treats from various stalls. Ren seemed to know exactly which vendors to visit, steering her toward a booth selling apple-cinnamon turnovers that melted in her mouth and another offering savory hand pies filled with seasoned meat and vegetables. He kept her close, his thumb stroking absent patterns on her hip that made it hard to concentrate on eating.

“How did you know about all my favorites?” she asked, licking cinnamon from her fingers. His eyes tracked the movement with heated interest.

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