Page 57 of Feathers and Scales

What a curious choice of words.She didn’t know what he hoped for, but a connection between a Fallen and a dragon had to have a purpose. Though, no matter what purpose, she still intended to break it.

That evening, Izzy rubbed her back, aching from sitting on the uncomfortable chair for hours. A book swayed in her numb fingertips. A rumble of annoyance tightened her throat, but she pushed it down. She was determined to control her emotions in her human body, so she stayed in it, but she struggled to focus, especially when Serephina exuded excited energy and continued to ask Izzy to go on a walk.

Serephina stood with her shoulders braced against the bookshelf, biting her lip, phone lifted to her face. Occasionally, she sprang upward and paced, her gaze sweeping between Izzy and the door.

Izzy didn’t care that Serephina watched her, but the constant disruptions sent tension to her temples. She couldn’t afford distractions. Now that she knew the truth about Daxton’s blood, she combed the Archives for information about the fusion between the dragon and human body. When Serephina leaned over the counter and tipped Izzy’s book down with her finger, Izzy stared up blankly.

“I know I’ve asked you a million times,” Serephina said. “But for the one million and first time, can we please go for a walk?”

Izzy pulled her hardback from under Serephina’s touch. “And I’ll ask you again. Why?”

Serephina pursed her lips. “I hate being cooped up.” Her cell phone lit up, and her attention shifted to the door again.

“I’m not buying it. In the past five minutes, you have looked at your phone ten times. You managed to ignore it twice, but barely. So, tell me what is so important.”

Serephina lifted the device again. Her eyes glittered as she looked at the screen. Glancing at Izzy, she groaned. “Okay. Fine. Daxton and Silas are about to fight. Something about Silas scaring you with Illusion…”

He’d been serious?And to fight Silas over frightening me?Her skin warmed.

“They probably wished to do it in private,” Serephina said. “But he’s the chief. And…”

Daxton in combat? Two male dragons battling? What form would they be in?That’s totally educational, right?Annoyance wagged its finger in her mind, reminding her that she was allowing Daxton to distract her once more.She slapped the book shut, interrupting Serephina.

“I’m taking that as a yes,” Serephina squeaked.

As quickly as Izzy stood, Serephina grabbed her arm and tugged her out of the library.

Fresh mountain air filled Izzy’s lungs, clearing the stuffy sensation lingering from the library. A brisk wind sent a chill through Izzy, and she crossed her arms. The sun hung low on the dark blue-and-violet mountainous horizon.

“Here you go. Don’t want you to freeze to death.” Serephina unzipped her tan running jacket.

Izzy grabbed the offered garment. It felt like it had just come out of the dryer. As she slid it on, an aroma like cinnamon-glazed apples tickled her nose. “Am I even allowed to walk around Pentros?”

“Just don’t draw attention to yourself. You’re Marked, so others will accept your presence here.”

Serephina followed a trail around the enormous barracks to the athletic track. Voices and cheers saturated the air. They came upon a large group of people in a circle.

“Hurry,” Serephina said, bouncing to see over people.

Before Izzy had the chance to protest, Serephina guided her into the crowd. As Izzy entered the cluster, warmth enveloped her, and dragon spirit energy buzzed against her mind. She labored to breathe. Young and old faces gathered, paying them no attention. Those who noticed them gave Serephina a quick, annoyed glance before moving out of her way. Was Serephina more dominant than the others? Izzy followed but kept her face down and covered.

Serephina stopped, and Izzy came up beside her.

In the ring of people, Daxton faced off against Silas—shirtless.

Sweat glistened on Daxton’s defined pecs and dripped down his ripped body to the top of his blue sweatpants. Her brain burst into enticed flames.Leaving the library…excellent choice.

Both men displayed sensual masculinity. But Daxton had a lithe fluidity to his build that made him appear almost exotic compared to Silas’s more robust shape. She briefly stopped breathing and drank him in as she would a book about male anatomy.

Daxton and Silas circled each other. When Daxton stood facing her, Silas grappled him. Izzy had never understood the thrill of violence, but Daxton’s flexing muscles made her breath hitch. Warmth built between her legs. She shifted her feet and steadied her hands against her sides.

Daxton seized Silas in a rear naked choke and drew his shoulders back. A force pulled between them, and his gaze caught and held Izzy’s. She gasped as shock seared through her system. The fire that danced between them was raw attraction.

She felt like a woman in heat. And she enjoyed it.

Before she could become a pile of melted flesh, Silas took advantage of Daxton’s distraction. He dropped to his knees and rolled Daxton over his back. Izzy gasped. Daxton moved with the toss and escaped the hold that could have broken his arm. She breathed out a sigh of relief. The crowd cheered, spirit energy amplifying with their excitement.

Serephina clutched Izzy’s shoulders and steered her out of the group.