Page 64 of Connor and the Dragons

“You all right?”

“I am quite well, thank you,” I said, only the tiniest bit panicked about what had just happened. What I hadn’t known could happen in this sort of situation. I looked up at Oallian, who was still holding me. His smile was a shade too innocent, and I wondered if he knew.

And a warmth spooled under my breastbone making me cuddle closer. Even if Connor went home, if Vyranthos took Oallian, I’d have something of them. Always.

CHAPTER 21: CONNOR

For once, it was Kessrin who couldn’t hold still. He sat across from us in the carriage, adjusting, then readjusting the edge of his hood. Then he moved to the fine silver chains lying across his chest, smoothing each link until it lay flat against his skin.

“You okay?” I asked.

Kessrin went completely still, then shifted on the carriage’s narrow bench. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“You look nervous. It’s okay to be nervous.”

“I’m not nervous,” Kessrin said, shifting again. “Just…”

“Empty,” Oallian filled in. “Look how he’s squirming. Same thing he did at breakfast before he came and sat in my lap.”

“We just fucked you a few hours ago,” I said. “You can’t possibly be needy already.”

He glanced at me, and then down at his own boots, and his cheeks went hot.

Oallian leaned into my shoulder and put his mouth near my ear, under the noise of the wheels.

“He is in heat,” he said. “Which means he must be protected. At all costs.”

Heat? I wanted to ask what that meant, but Kessrin didn’t respond well to being pushed for personal information.

Oallian’s hand found my knee and stayed there, and he was warmer than usual too.

I cleared my throat.

“Let’s go over the plan again,” I said.

Oallian huffed out a breath, but I ignored him.

“I will excuse myself to go to the water closet and find the mirror. From the documents I’ve found, the Harrowgates have made a permanent place in the Order by guarding these artifacts. Some are quite valuable, but most are magical things that no longer do what they’re supposed to.”

“Like the mirror, which no longer aligns with the portal they built in Limin City.” Kessrin nodded. “Couldn’t you just ask him to see the artifacts? Act like an eager student and see if he’ll give you a tour.”

“I thought of that, but I’d rather he doesn’t know we’re interested in artifacts at all, as it would raise suspicions and risk sending him into lockdown.”

Kessrin nodded. “Yes, the keeping of the artifacts is seen as a duty of great honor for the family, he would not take risks.”

“Right. So once I’ve located the mirror, I’ll come back up and I’ll say something about the hour, and that is the signal for us to leave.”

“The mirror is heavy, though, right? How will we move it?” Oallian asked.

I sighed. “They must have some way of moving these things. Dollies or something. But remember, this is only a recon mission. We simply want to learn if the mirror does exist, and if it’s in Harrowgate’s basement.”

“How do you know all this?” Kessrin asked. “Were you a burglar in San Jose?”

I snorted. “I watch too many heist movies.” When they both looked at me in question, I shook my head. “Don’t ask. It’s not a source of knowledge that should inspire any kind of confidence, but this is my only way home.”

“So after you’ve confirmed the mirror, do I get to steal it? I don’t like Vyranthos for much, but our hoard is quite impressive. He’s quite good at a rampage.”

“No, we mustn’t transform unless it’s absolutely necessary,” Kessrin said. “They must not link us back to Qoksmere.”