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“Yes, child.” Grimbold led Hugh toward the door. As Finch hadn’t been invited, he stayed where
he was. “Now, tell me what you’ve been up to since your last visit. How have your investments
been faring? I hope well.”
The door closed in their wake, leaving Finch with Walter.
“Hello,” Walter said in a small voice once they were alone. He remained pushed into the corner
of the armchair, but he did sit a little straighter. “I’m Wally. Are you Hugh’s mate?”
Had Finch been any less of a professional, he would have gaped. “W-What? No! Of course
not. I’m his… his secretary. That’s all.”
“Oh.” Walter looked Finch over carefully. “But you’re a Dis… a dragonet, aren’t you?” It seemed
to pain him to say that word. “I heard his dragon, um…” Walter shook his head and trailed off,
gaze averted.
Finch, who had no idea what the boy was going on about, stared at him. “What?”
“His dragon,” Walter insisted in a quiet but determined voice. He looked shyly up at Finch. “I
heard him calling for you. You heard it, too, didn’t you? I saw your hand twitch when he was
crying out for you. I saw the way you felt his pain.”
All of this was very bizarre, and Finch didn’t like it one bit. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Um, okay.” Walter swallowed nervously. “I just thought maybe you were like me, and… um,
well, it’s okay. Just pretend I didn’t say anything. Sorry for bringing it up.”
Luckily, at that moment, Hugh burst into the room. “Finch! I thought I lost you! What are you
doing in here? You belong with me and will accompany me to the kitchen. Please,” he added,
sounding much more vulnerable than he had dared to be around his father.
“Of course, sir.” Finch spared Walter a lingering look, nodded in parting, and went to tend to
his employer. They retrieved the éclairs from the kitchen, returned to the library, and made
small talk. Shortly after that, Hugh announced he was ready to leave.
“Let’s never do that again, Finch,” Hugh said with a defeated sigh as he wilted into the
Phantom’s back seat. “My heart simply won’t tolerate it. I spent the whole time wishing I had
someone to wrap in my arms like Father does with Walter. My dragon was absolutely not
having any of it. He was so distressed, he was calling for you. Can you believe it? The poor
creature is as heartbroken as I am. It’s imperative we find our mate at that ball.”
Finch opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. Rather than reply, he
