Asher was always like this—no matter what it was, I was always his goofy younger brother. And—you know what—fair enough. I didn't really push to redefine myself. Most people didn't expect a lot out of me. Except for Asher. And damn it all, logically, I knew he was right. I barely knew Ryeth at all, but the guy—being?—had saved my fucking life. That counted for something—for a lot—in my book.

I kicked at a loose rock on the dirt path from Asher's house to mine.

Are you concerned about these artreans? Ryeth asked.

No. I shrugged my shoulders, though I wasn't sure if Ryeth could see me. He said he could feel what I did though. Kinda. I mean...

Ryeth's words rustled like scales in the back of my mind. I assure you that I have enough power to prevent anyone from forcing you to do or say anything against your will.

I chuckled. Calm down, Kujo. I don't think it will come to that. More like I knew my pack wouldn't stand for that. We were already planning on standing up to them for Phoenix, if that turned out to be an issue. Before they disappeared into mourning, he'd been Most Wanted #2 (after his douchebag leader, Wamp). Now he was Ryan's mate and baby daddy. If the pack wasn't willing to let him go, there was no way they'd let me go. I mean, Asher had been ready to tear Ryeth apart for "possessing" me, even if he didn't have a clue how to do that without hurting me. It was the thought that counted.

And that was kind of the problem, wasn't it? Asher had a lot of thoughts about Ryeth, and not many were positive. I supposed that was part of the leader gig—it was his job to be suspicious. While I, however, had the freedom to just go with the flow and trust my instincts. And my instincts gave Ryeth two thumbs up.

I paused at my front door, remembering the days when I didn't hesitate before opening my own damn door. I gauged the noise level. Did the lack of general havoc indicate the kids were getting into trouble, or did it indicate that all was well? According to the parentals in the pack, there was a difference in the silence of mischief and the silence of peace, but I hadn't figured it out yet. 

I opened the door cautiously. Yesterday, when I thought all was safe, I'd gotten a face full of silly string. No one would fess up to buying it, but my money was on Ryan or Dallas. They had been inordinately amused when I'd relayed the story, but professed innocence. I wouldn't put it past them, though. And Ryan was suspiciously silly-string-less, even though he had even more kids at his house than I did.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the kids sprawled out on the couches, watching a movie. James, one of the team leaders, waved hello to me, but the others were engrossed with whatever was on the screen. I wondered briefly if I should make them turn it off, but then I'd have to figure out something for them to do that wouldn't result in my house burning down around my ears.

One movie wouldn't hurt them. Never mind that they almost certainly had watched more than one movie in this house, and this probably wasn't even the first of their day. Kit might reprimand me later, but which was preferable: danger monkeys running wild, or couch potatoes rotting their brains? 

I'd pick couch potato every time.

Were any of the children injured? 

I jumped at Ryeth's voice, glad I was already in the hallway and out of sight of the kids. I had gotten so deep in my thoughts, I'd somehow managed to forget about him, though only for a moment. It was strange, feeling like I was bringing someone home with me, even though he didn't have a body. 

I tossed that thought away. It had been too long since I'd had any company other than my own hand, and I didn't want Ryeth to be listening in on those kinds of thoughts. I couldn't help but worry this meant I wouldn't have any alone time now, but Ryeth had only said he'd be with me a lot of the time, not all of the time. He'd probably go away again, just like after the fight. Dude had to sleep, right? No one had ever said anything about dragons not needing sleep.

Just bumps and bruises, I answered Ryeth, burying that line of thinking in a giant, dark hole. They were still pretty out of it after the fight. I don't think any of them realized what was going on, thankfully. 

I had been messed up enough, dealing with bullies as a kid because our dad was AWOL. It was bad enough, feeling powerless when my hands were free to fight back, but the other kids were stronger, their parents had more power in the pack. I could barely imagine how fucked up I would have been if someone had taken over my literal mind and I couldn't do anything.

Huh. That was kind of what Ryeth had done... but it felt completely different. Was it because he was so pointed about asking for permission? 

It would be deplorable for me to use you without your express permission.

Dude. I shook my head as if I could shake him loose from my thoughts. We've got to talk about this sudden jumping in on my thoughts. I'm going to need some privacy occasionally.

I shivered as Ryeth's sigh cut like an ice-cold wind through my body. 

This is one of the many reasons conduits go through intense training before a bond is even considered. I'm afraid that your concept of privacy is something you will have to discard. You should do your best to live as you did before we bonded. I am rather old. It's unlikely you have thought or done anything I have not seen or experienced in my lifetime.

Was it bad of me that I interpreted that as more of a promise than a warning? Bad, Simon. 

I turned on the TV in my room and tried to lose myself in some alien invasion movie, but my mind kept drifting. To Ryeth. To the artreans. To dragons in general. To the icy cavern of my dreams. I must have drifted into sleep, because the next thing I knew, Asher was poking at me mentally, reminding me it was time.