18. Chapter 18
Daxton hadn’t felt guilty about burning the library until bitter disappointment flittered through the link.
Izzy pinned him with a look as she stood across from him in the library foyer and asked, “And how did that happen?”
“This young man found it more appealing to burn pages of his business books than to study.” Mrs. Renly pointed her finger at Daxton. “He left the embers in a trash bin, which caught on fire and reached the curtain. Half a wall needed to be torn down.”
He rubbed his neck, recalling how he’d learned a woman’s wrath could make a man whimper. “I’ve grown up since then.”
She folded her arms. “I won’t believe that even when you have gray hair.”
Most dragons didn’t turn gray until well into their first millennium, so she condemned him for a long time.
“I think I saw a few this morning.” He winked at her.
Mrs. Renly’s face reddened, and her lips pursed.
Keiran rubbed his palm against his temple.
“I’m remembering why I sent you off to your own territory.
And I had hoped it would keep you out of trouble.
Anyway, this is Izzy. Izzy, this is Olivia Renly.
The Renly family is the Wardens of the Archives.
They and I each keep separate journals of the current events to keep our history accurate. ”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Izzy offered her hand.
Mrs. Renly handled it as if it were porcelain.
“Izzy has complete access to the Archives,” Keiran said.
Mrs. Renly nodded and scrutinized Izzy as if their visitor might be her next downfall. “Where would you like to start?”
“Your oldest records and the ones pertaining to spirit linking among dragons.”
“Can you even read Dragonian?”
“No, but it shouldn’t take long.”
“Shouldn’t take long?” Mrs. Renly laughed.
Izzy pushed her glasses farther onto her nose, readjusting her bag. “Before we begin—” She looked past Mrs. Renly to Heather, who had also moved around the desk. “Can I try your divine tea?”
Heather’s mouth slackened. “How did…?”
“Your pants are still damp.” Izzy pointed toward Heather’s legs. The denim appeared a shade darker on her knees and shins.
What an odd detail to comment on.
“What does that mean about my tea?” Heather giggled nervously, not used to being the center of attention.
“The dampness in the greenhouse suggests the automatic sprinklers went off not too long ago. Because your pants are damp only in the front, you must have been kneeling on the wet ground. They also aren’t muddy, so I’m guessing you kneeled on a heavy patch of grass.”
Makes sense, but where are you going with this, smarty?
Izzy waved toward the conservatory. “The only grassy area is near an assortment of mint, spearmint, lemon verbena, lemongrass, and camellia. All the perfect ingredients for tea. And how do I know it’s divine?
Why would you keep your teapot on the table behind your desk when there’s space free on the counter where you placed the coffeepot? ”
She pointed to the hutch and continued, “You grew tired of people stealing your tea even when there’s coffee. It’s either the coffee is unpleasant, or your tea is lovely. I’m counting on the latter, because I assume you’re the one who makes the brew with fresh beans.”
Silence followed her explanation. A drunken grin played on Daxton’s lips. Izzy’s know-it-all demeanor intoxicated him. If his dragon could purr, it would have.
Keiran cleared his throat. “I believe I heard a compliment in there.”
“Oh, well…” Heather sputtered. “Yes. But—”
“My apologies,” Izzy said. “Social courtesies are not my forte. I’m observant and make quick deductions.” She glanced at Mrs. Renly. “But I do promise I’m a good student. My mind sticks to a path and tends not to sway, so learning a new language will take no time.”
Simon’s departing words rang in Daxton’s head. She doesn’t think about needing nutrition or sleep. It sounded like she spent more time out of her body than in it.
I hope that’s not the case. Humanity is too precious to waste.
“I guess we’ll see,” Mrs. Renly said. “Oh, I have to go get Maximus, my dog. He’s outside.”
“Maybe he can keep me company?” Izzy said. “Then these two gentlemen won’t feel the need to brood over my shoulder.”
He marked down her liking of dogs and ignored the latter part.
“You might just be in luck.” Mrs. Renly smiled at Izzy before scurrying past the group. Her pointed glance at Daxton warned him to behave when she passed.
Izzy turned and knocked the breath out of him again.
“You’re so…” Daxton’s voice ceased, his throat raw from his beast clawing out his words. His blood coursed through his veins with wild abandon. He wanted to kiss her senseless.
“Brilliant,” Keiran said.
Izzy’s cheeks flushed pink.
True. But not quite the right word. “Sexy,” Daxton said.
Her skin reddened. He loved her blushing face. It softened her eyes and added lively dimensions to her facial features. She hobbled to the desk, set her luggage down, and rubbed the shoulder where the strap had been.
His hands fisted, wanting to feel her soft skin. “Tell us another deduction.”
Her spine straightened as if she would defy him. She meandered to the window overlooking the garden. “The probability of you receiving a call increases with every passing minute.”
“What makes you say that?” he asked.
Before she answered, his phone chimed. She glanced at him with a downcast gaze. He froze. The link between them iced over with sadness. He stared at her as his phone continued to ring.
Mrs. Renly came back into the room. “Did I miss something?” The Pomeranian in her arms stood stock still, alert.
His dragon pushed against the block of bitter cold between him and Izzy.
“Tell me,” Daxton said.
Izzy pointed toward the clock on the wall. “It’s eight o’clock on a Monday in New Hampshire, prime business hours. By chasing me, you’ve been neglecting your work. You’re a businessman. I know what to expect.”
The thick tone in her words betrayed far more than her expression.
She was disappointed that she had been correct.
The crack in her seemingly emotionless facade tore at him.
What would it have been like to have parents who worked all hours instead of raising their child?
It seemed Izzy suffered from abandonment far more than she let on.
As his phone stopped ringing, Mrs. Renly brought the little orange fur ball to Izzy.
The Pomeranian wagged its tail and licked her chin.
Daxton scowled when his device chimed again.
I’ve been neglecting my duties for too long.
He was a chief and the majority shareholder of a company that was under heat for his alias’s part in Izzy’s disappearance.
“Go answer your damn phone, Daxton.” Keiran waved dismissively. “She said she doesn’t need brooding males watching over her anyway.”
You always know what to say. Daxton headed toward the door for privacy.
Izzy pressed her forehead into the dog’s fur. Her seeking comfort undid something in him, melting him from the inside out. He wanted to touch her—to offer his own reassurance.
The link flared, undulating between them, and he caressed the soft skin of her cheek with his mind. The impression he wanted came to life. She jumped, and her eyes blazed when they met his. He smiled.
Now, that is handy.