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"I’m sure it will just make you more confident with your friendly side," Kendra said

"And maybe a little scarier?" Raxtus hoped "Definitely"

"You know, I didn’t come here alone"

Kendra held her breath She tried to keep her expression co you toabout Bracken?" Kendra asked

"No, Crelang Reuards"

Kendra stared at Raxtus blankly

"I’ Of course, Bracken! But don’t mention I told you It was supposed to be a surprise"

"I promise to look surprised" Her pulse raced What if he sensed her excitement? She didn’t want to seem pathetic But she had missed him! It had been weeks since she had last seen hi about you a lot," Raxtus infor to fly you to hiet out of your way You two deserve a little privacy"

"I should tell my parents," Kendra said

"I’ll come back and tell them," Raxtus assured her "This should be quick He has a surprise for you I keep saying too much! Mind if I take you? Don’t tell him how much I blabbed!"

"Sure," Kendra replied

Raxtus snatched her and took flight "Agad left me with free roam of all the preserves he restored," Raxtus said "I think he wants iven reat," Kendra said, her thoughts on the upcoht," Raxtus said

As the prospect of seeing Bracken beca to daydreaht of day What could the surprise be? What if he proposed! She was so not ready for so like that! Sure, he was cute, and brave, and loyal Best of all, he was someone she could really trust But she was fifteen, and he was older thanhe seemed

Anxiety knotted her insides She shouldn’t leap to conclusions There was no way he was about to propose But what if he wanted a role a little when the world seemed about to end, and quite another to explain to her parents that she wanted to date an ancient lided doard the circle of gazebos around the forled to calood to see Bracken She would try to wait and hear what he had to say before freaking out They passed over a hedge wall and landed in the field near the ashed boardwalk that surrounded the pond

Bracken stood on the steps up to the boardwalk, dressed in a loose white shirt and jeans Devastatingly handsooing to go visit Shiara," Raxtus said "I’ll be back soon Have fun"

The dragon took flight

"Hi, Kendra," Bracken said, looking pleased, clearly expecting her to be surprised

"It’s you!" Kendra said, trying to play the role "What are you doing here? How are you? How’s your father?"

"My dad shows subtle signs of improvement He still hasn’t spoken Our best healers feel he will eventually recover, although perhaps not fully I’m happy to see you!"

"I feel the sa Kendra forward "I want to show you so"

He took her hand and led her up the steps to the boardwalk He pulled her along the ay, then down to the little pier beside the boathouse Together they walked almost to the end of the pier

"What did you want to showacross the water at the little island that had once housed the shrine

"Haven’t you wondered how I got here?" Bracken asked, stepping up a little behind Kendra

"Raxtus?"