“What do you mean you can’t?” she asked, feeling her eyes widen.
“Here’s not the right place, Dwen,” he replied, warily eyeing the twins. Aledwen sighed. She didn’t like him seeming so dismissive of them. It hardly seemed fair.
“Okay, we’ll talk about it later,” she responded, already turning back to Brandon and trying to recall where they’d been in their conversation.
“We’ll talk about it now, just not here.” Drey’s voice was far more commanding than it had been before, and she wasn’t okay with that.
“No,” she responded instantly, and a look of horror crossed the dragon’s face. At least he knew he was in the wrong, that did stand for something at least.
“I’m sorry,” he said shakily after a moment’s silence. “I’m not sure what’s going on with me.”
“That’s okay,” she answered, his clear distress softening something within her, but raising far more questions than it answered. She didn’t want him to be bothered in the way he was, but she also didn’t know how to go about making it go away.
Aledwen guessed she’d learn in time how best to cheer him up and make him stronger. Another odd thought to be having about him, admittedly, but she was going to go with it. Sometimes it was easier to go about life that way.
“It’s not okay, Dwen. I...”
“It’s fine, we’ll talk about it in a little bit, let me just finish talking with-”
“Never mind us, Dwen,” Brandon answered, her name rolling off his tongue like a caress. She liked it. A lot. But ignored it. One man causing weird thoughts was one thing, but two - three even - was just uncalled for. Other than a few experiments, just cause she was intrigued, she’d not really felt half the flicker of interest she had in these three. It was an odd sensation, but she didn’t want to think about it quite so deeply. She’d do that later when she was alone in her bed mulling over the events of the evening.
“Are you sure?” She met his eyes, reassured by the swirling green irises that met hers. They were beautiful and captivating, but most of all comforting.
“Yes, we’ll see you again.” He winked at her, and a small giggle escaped, even as she tried to suppress it.
“I’m not so sure,” she replied nervously.
“I am. See you soon, Dwen. Go sort out your smoking dragon.”
Brandon turned away, and Cyprus gave her a quick wave before following. She lifted her hand to wave in return, more confused than she had been before.
She looked back at Drey and alarm coursed through her. Brandon hadn’t been joking, he really had started to smoke. It was curling up from the corners of his lips and he was beginning to shake.
“Let’s get you out of here,” she said, tugging on his arm. Surprisingly, he followed. He just needed to shift. At least, that’s what she kept repeating in her head. She just hoped she was right.
Seven
Even after the fast and furious flight back to the palace, Drey was still smoking, causing Aledwen to worry more by the second. She had no idea what the best way to deal with an angry dragon was. Or what an angry dragon would even do. If he shifted on her balcony then there was a good chance it would break and crumble, leaving her with a massive mess, and no way to clear it up.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, wanting him to stop his anxious pacing already. She didn’t say anything though. If that was what was keeping him human, then it was best just to leave him to it. At least, she assumed so. Her knowledge of angry shifters was somewhat limited to the past two hours or so.
“Nothing, everything, I don’t know.”
“Helpful,” she muttered.
“I’m sorry,” Drey offered, sighing.
“Are you though? Or are you just going to say that and keep steaming.”
“You noticed that?” A worried look crossed his face.
“Hard not to, you’re steaming up the windows.”
“Sorry,” he said instantly, glancing around at the glass she was referring to. She smiled to herself, amused by his reaction.
“Don’t
be sorry. Stop saying you are. It’s obviously an involuntary reaction to whatever is getting you so riled up. Now sit down, and tell me about it. Maybe I can help?” She hated seeing anyone so worked up. And deep within her, she hated even more that it was Drey that was worked up.