Page 17 of Omega Captive of the Golden Dragon (Alpha Dragons #3)

VARIK

F ar be it from me to stand in the way of whatever Varikan wanted. He’d sacrificed for me in ways I couldn’t repay.

I want him to see me. He has a great idea. Let him watch me clear the driveway. Is a storm coming soon?

I didn’t reply to him. Instead, I spoke to Caylen. “He says yes.”

Caylen bounced once on his mat, then smiled. “Thank you.” He let out a long breath. “It’s okay with him, then?”

“Yes.”

“I can talk to him shifted and he’ll listen?”

“Yes.”

“Has he ever said anything about me to you?”

So many questions. “Yes. He likes you. Is that what you needed to hear?”

Caylen spoke softly. “Yes.”

“He’s not had contact with the outside world except for the bad men who kept us captive. But his instincts are still pure. He has always liked you, from the second Val brought you home.”

I realized that I’d spoken of my house as Caylen’s home.

Caylen shrugged and I let my hands fall away from his shoulders. “You didn’t like me, though.”

You kept your hands on him for a long time. I like it.

I let that sink in for a moment. I liked it, too. Next, I focused on Caylen’s comment. It was tough having two conversations at once.

“I would not say I didn’t like you. I’m much more paranoid than Varikan.” I shook my head. “And grumpier. I don’t trust.”

“For reasons,” he said, nodding. “I understand that.”

“I’m afraid I’m quite unsocialized.”

“Your story is much worse than mine.” He tilted his head. The firelight strobed against his hair highlighting a dozen shades of brown and auburn.

“Harm is harm. Comparison is unfair. Your feelings of pain are as valid as mine and Varikan’s. At least, that’s what my therapist would say.”

“I never thought of it like that.” His words were full of breath, as if he had been running. “Thank you for pointing that out.”

“We would never think you feel pain less than we do.”

Caylen turned his head and stared at the fire. “That’s why I think Varikan hurting himself isn’t right. It can’t be right. Not for him. And not for you.”

I leaned back abruptly. His words pierced my chest like an arrow. He wasn’t going to let this go. Varikan and I never talked to each other like this. Now, Caylen knew things that I’d never even told my therapist.

Caylen looked so small sitting before the fire, arms wrapped around his upper body. Protection instinct rose up. Deep inside, Varikan hissed and stomped.

Looks like enlightenment comes in small packages.

“Maybe he will stop now.” I hoped Varikan heard me as loud and clear as Caylen did.

My gold is your gold!

“So? That doesn’t mean I need to harvest it.”

Caylen glanced abruptly at me. “What?”

“I’m talking to him.”

“Oh. Yes. Wow. That’s really cool.”

“He wants me to have his gold.”

“But you’re aspects of the same person. What’s his is already yours, isn’t it?”

I want it to remain manifested outside your body. Not all bottled up inside.

“It can. Through natural shedding.”

Not enough.

Caylen’s eyebrows rose high. “He doesn’t think naturally shed scales are enough for you, right?”

“You read our minds.”

Not enough!

Varikan could be the most stubborn dragon.

“We have to find a way where it is enough,” I said.

“He’s arguing with you?” Caylen asked.

“Yes.”

Caylen leaned forward as if speaking to my chest. “Varikan, we’re both trying to make things better. For you.”

Two against one is unfair.

“No one is against you.”

“He said that?” Caylen asked me.

“He did.”

“I’m not against you,” Caylen insisted. “Never. I’m on the side of not seeing others hurt.”

I’ve decided he’s too sweet for us. Too tender.

Have you, now? I sent the thought telepathically.

Stop talking about me. Leave me alone now.

I sat back on my haunches, putting myself outside Caylen’s immediate personal space and changed the subject. “Do you think you can sleep now?”

Caylen frowned. “He’s gone, right?”

I nodded.

“He’s not mad at me, is he?”

“No.” Truthfully, I wasn’t sure.

“I hope not.” Caylen began to rearrange his blankets and pillows. “Maybe I’ll dream of him. A better dream this time.” He lay down facing the fire.

I went back to the couch and brought the blanket over me. Varikan remained silent as I stared at the ceiling.

Caylen thought I didn’t like him, but I did. He had a smart mind and a good heart. I’d not met many people like that, even in my shortened childhood.

I would never tell him this, but maybe Val had been right to bring him here.