Page 63 of A Dragon's Miracle (Fires of Fate)
Ryan
The next morning, I called Zed while Finn was busy eating breakfast. I was still hoping that by some miracle, Finn wouldn't have to go out and see Jin again. That neither of us would ever have to see him again.
In a way, I was happy that if Jin accepted the challenge, the fight would take place on this island, where I could be there for Finn in case he needed me. But at the same time I also dreaded seeing Jin again.
I'd honestly thought that part of my life was over when I'd left his apartment that last time in December.
“Hello?” Zed answered the phone, ripping me out of my thoughts.
“Hey, it's me. Ryan. Sorry to be calling so early.”
“It's fine,” he said. “My daughter woke me an hour ago. She'sloudfor someone so small.”
“Good lungs.” I smiled.
“Yeah. Is everything okay with you?”
“Actually... I wanted to ask whether you've heard about any progress on the medicine.”
“I think it's still going to take a bit. I'm sorry about that. Even with magic, I guess it isn't an easy task. The potion seems to be quite complex.”
“I guess,” I said, heart sinking. This news weren't going to stop Finn from going out today.
“Is something wrong?” Zed asked.
“Well, we kind of have a problem with my ex and now Finn wants to challenge him to a fight.”
“Finn, really?”
“He's all over it. There's a determination in his eyes... I've never seen him this way.”
Zed was quiet for a moment. “I guess even Finn can be a dragon when it counts,” he said eventually.
“You don't think this is a stupid idea?” God, he actually sounded like he was on Finn's side in this. Damn dragons. Didn't they know that violence didn't solve problems?
“I know Finn and I'm sure he hasn't made this decision lightly,” Zed said.
“What if he gets hurt? Or worse! Don't you care? You're supposed to be his friend.”
“Is he planning on bringing the fight here?”
“Yes.”
“Then we'll all be there to look out for him. We're not a completely barbaric race, you know? There's rules for our fights. No one's gonna get killed.”
“Being killed isn't the worst thing that can happen to you,” I said in a soft voice. Zed's words were a relief, but a small one. I knew what Jin was capable of, knew what kind of things he'ddoto Finn if he lost.
“Can I be honest?” Zed asked, making me frown.
“Sure.”
“I think the best thing you can do right now is to support Finn. Show him that you believe in him, that you know he's going to win. Nothing boosts a dragon's powers like the trust of his fated mate.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You think we're fated?”
Zed laughed. “Please, Ryan. You know you are. Why do you think Finn's gonna go out there and fight?”
“Oh...”
“Trust me on this,” Zed said. “And trust your mate. He needs you.”
I took a deep breath, taking all this new information in. “I'll do what I can. Thank you, Zed.”
Ending the call, I lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Was Finn really acting like this because we were fated? Was that why he'd waited for me for so long? Why we'd wanted each other from day one? And then he finally got me only to find out I came with cancer, complexes and a crazy ex. But despite all that, he was determined to make this work. He did a lot for me.
I could give him my trust in return.
