Page 17 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

“Did you and Kieran figure it out?” I motioned to the little tattooed rune on her neck.

“We didn’t have time to meet with Bemouth and the other scholars yesterday.” Ember stared pointedly at Lucan’s backside.

Something had broken inside me because I felt that little flare of jealousy again.

I leaned forward to block her view. “Sorry about that.”

“Why are you sorry?” She huffed. “He’s the one that went all caveman, dragging you up to the mountains.”

“It’s not a cave,” I looked around the garden, feeling the urge to defend him.

I needed therapy.

“You’re right, it’s pretty nice up here.” Ember sighed. “It must be exciting to get time alone.”

“About that…”

Ember’s phone started ringing.

“I knew Willow wouldn’t wait for our call.” Ember laughed as she answered, turning the phone to face me.

“How did you get service up here?” I asked as Willow’s face filled the screen.

“Same password as Kieran.” She shrugged.

“You’re alive,” Willow cried.

“I am still in the land of the living,” I muttered, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt under the table.

I hated when they fussed over me.

“Swear to me that you’re all right or else I’m coming to get you,” Willow demanded.

“Can I come too?” Harper called from the background.

Willow’s eyes were red-rimmed from crying and I felt sick about worrying her.

“I swear I’m okay.” My smile was genuine and I hoped she’d relax for me.

“Good.” Willow blew out a heavy breath. “They said you’d have service there so turn on your phone and we’ll talk every day. Your charger is in the soft pocket of your suitcase. I packed up your clean clothes, but let me know if you need anything else.”

“I don’t. Really. You’re doing too much. Everything is okay.” My cheeks hurt from smiling. “Better than okay.”

Willow put her fingers in her ears, motioning off-camera for Harper to copy the motion.

When she was satisfied, she turned to me again. “I’m glad you’re both getting lucky, but you don’t have to rub it in.”

“I want to get lucky!” Harper said.

“You have elephant ears,” Willow groaned.

“We’ll talk to you later.” Ember laughed as she hung up the phone.

Then she saw the mortified look on my face and sobered up. “You aren’t… getting any?”

I feverishly shook my head. “No.”

“It’s only been one night.” Ember smiled as she clasped my hands between hers, leaning forward to whisper, “And don’t freak out, but it’s huge and ribbed and if it’s anything like Kieran’s, it’s beyond amazing.”

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