Page 14 of Dragon Fires Everywhere
“The Joywood have access to all the family trees by way of your foolish witchlore archives.” Azrael studies me even more intently.“As will you once the Cold Moon rises and you get access to the archives. They’ll know I’m no Wilde.” I’m not certain whyit seems like he’s leaving off a bit of information there, but what am I certain about when it comes to him?
“Georgie can say that she brought a human home from England.” I look at Ellowyn when she says that. She is decidedlynotlooking at me. “She can tell everyone he followed her back to St. Cyprian,” she continues merrily. “That it was love at firstsight in the British archives or whatever andsucha strong connection that they couldn’t be parted.”
She waves a hand and smiles, guilelessly. When she is neverguileless.
“You want me to pretend to be in love with a dragon,” I say flatly. I do not look at the dragon in question. I tamp down themess in me even more ruthlessly. “And vice versa. Is this a pregnancy brain lapse or something more serious?”
“What about Sage?” Emerson asks before I can laugh uproariously.
And she asks itgently.
I want to scowl. Instead, I plaster on my best dreamy smile, because if they try to console me, I will lose it. “Funny youshould mention that,” I murmur. “Sage and I have mutually decided to part ways.”
Maybe I can keep the cheating a secret. Especially the part involving the dreadful Cailee.
Emerson frowns at me. “When did this happen?”
“Gradually,” I say, happy that I do not share Ellowyn’s inabilityto lie. “But coming home finalized the feeling of having grown apart.” Emerson reaches out for me, but I just keep smiling. And don’t let her touch me. “It’s fine. For the best, obviously. A good experience, but one I’ll move on from now. Ellowyn’s plan is great.”
It’s not. It’s horrible. Pretending I’m in love with adragon? While also pretending he’s not adragon? It sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Particularly when it’sthisdragon.
When it’shim.
Yet somehow, it’s better than everyone beingcarefularound me over a man I thought Ishoulddate, who didn’t break my heart, but betrayed me all the same.
“Tomorrow I’ll go to Frost’s library, and we’ll try to come up with a spell,” I say. “But for tonight? You guys, I’m exhausted.And it’s Thanksgiving.”
Everyone murmurs assent at that, more or less. But before I can magic myself away from this mess and up into my bedroom, Emersontakes me by the arm and steers me deeper into the room, so it’s just the two of us having a conversation while everyone else...flees.
Okay, maybe they just pair off and leave, but it looks a lot likefleeingwhen I can’t do it myself.
“Are you sure you’re okay? I know you really...likedhim,” Emerson offers.
Because she’s a good friend. Mybestfriend.
I smile at her. Not too brightly. Just enough to make it look like I’msadly bravebut not fully heartbroken. “I’m okay. It really was the best thing.”
“I’m glad you figured that out. You deserve so much better.” She hugs me tight, and I know she meansso well.
But I’m lying to her, so her meaning well just makes me feel awful.
“I really am exhausted, Em. It’s been a long day.”
“Get some rest. And... I can come up with a different idea. You don’t have to pretend to be in love with a man-dragon.”
I wish I believed that was in the cards, but I’m not going to argue with Emerson. “We’ll see. Good night.”
I don’t magic myself to my room after she leaves. I look around, half expecting—
The house is quiet. Everyone’s gone.
I sigh, and decide to walk up the stairs because it’s such a habit. I like to put my hand over Azrael as I go. Maybe talkto him a little bit.
But there’s just a broken newel post now, and I stare at it.
He’s real. He’s a whole dragon. It’s allreal.
