Breakfast was a mostly silent affair, interrupted only by Lox's incessant quest for treats. Maevus would have bet at least half the sausage and jelly-covered toast that disappeared beneath Volt's hood ended up in Lox's mouth.

She couldn't tell if that irritated her, or made her like him more. It certainly endeared him to Lox. The dragon's purring eventually became so loud that they started getting odd looks from the other diners. Her heart dropped when she saw one of the waitstaff started weaving between the tables toward them. 

Maevus shoveled the last of her bacon into her mouth and, since she couldn't grab Lox, she grabbed Volt by the wrist. China rattled and there was a thud as Volt tried to maneuver himself out from the table. Maevus bit her lip to keep from laughing as he swore when his knee slammed into a chair.

He scrambled to swoop up the last of his toast before Maevus yanked him away from the table. She darted through the dining room, keeping her head down so she could ignore the eyes on them.

They ran through the lobby and burst out of the hotel into the street. There was a shadow and a startled shout. Maevus let out a yelp as she was yanked backwards, tumbling into Volt. She watched wide-eyed as a young boy on a horse much too big for him charged past.

"What is your problem?"

Maevus tilted her head back to find Volt's mouth quirked in something that was either confusion or irritation. Lox's orange eyes peered down at her from the shadows of his hood. Maevus stepped forward and turned around, nearly tripping over her own boots.

She heard what sounded suspiciously like a snicker from Lox and shot him a dirty look. Volt folded his arms and cocked his head back toward the hotel. "Why did you run us out like that?"

"The..." She lifted an arm, pointing back to the doors. "The waiters were looking at..." Her voice started to die as she realized her mistake. She looked down. "The waiters were looking at us."

"So?" Volt lifted his toast. "Our plates were empty. They were probably just doing their job."

Maevus let her eyes slide to the hotel doors. Where...no one was rushing from angrily. She stared at the unwavering glass for another long moment, then turned away and began walking down the street. There was a sharp chirp behind her, then a weight tumbled onto her shoulder, claws tangling in her hair.

"It's fine," she murmured as Lox nuzzled up against her cheek. "I just forget sometimes."

"What do you forget?"

Maevus nearly jumped out of her skin at Volt's quiet voice right beside her. She glanced up at him, then focused her attention back on weaving through the morning crowds. Lox began grooming her hair, untangling the strands that had knotted in her wild rush.

"Nothing."

As they walked, she found herself blessing Volt's silent nature. He didn't continue to question or coax.

Likely because he didn't care.

Maevus began walking faster, irritated when Volt didn't have any problem keeping up with her short strides. They flowed easily through the crowd, most people taking one look at Volt's black clothes and hidden face, and doing their best to skirt away from him. 

It was useful in getting them quickly through the crowds, but every time someone stared at him, her skin started to itch. She couldn't shake the desire to turn into one of the many alleys they passed and run from the curious gazes he provoked.

They were waiting in the queue forming at the main gate when she noticed that he was drawing more than odd looks from civilians. Some of the Greenies at the gates were starting to stare as well.

Maevus glanced sideways at Volt. Lox was once more hidden within the other Encant's hood, where Maevus had stashed him as they'd approached the gate. Her sword was concealed beneath her coat, which didn't seem out of place in the cool northern morning. She was small and non-threatening. Which meant they were looking at the tall, dark, mysterious idiot standing beside her.

When they began to trade glances and murmur with each other, Maevus' shoulders began to migrate toward her ears. When the Greenies started walking toward them, Maevus' heart shot into her throat and began beating so hard she thought it would explode.

Before she could follow her instincts and bolt, Volt grabbed her elbow. There was a growl from the shadows in the hood and a spark of flame that illuminated black eyes for just a second. "Sh," Volt hushed the dragon, offering his last bit of toast as a peace offering. Then he turned his attention to Maevus. "Stop."

"I...what?" She tried to pull away from him as the Greenies came closer.

"Stay still. Don't talk."

Before she could either attempt to break his jaw or have Lox set his hair on fire—assuming he had hair—Volt had released her and was walking to meet the Greenies. With her dragon still stowed away in his hood.

Maevus clenched her fists, the muscles in her legs shaking. She couldn't go anywhere, though. Not with Lox still clinging to Volt. She couldn't call him to her, and Lox always went dramatic when he was sent back.

Then Volt was speaking with the Greenies, gesturing to her as he handed them a piece of paper. She couldn't blink, sending a continuous stream of thought to Lox, telling him to stay as still and quiet as he could.

Mischievous and impetuous as he was, the little fire-dragon was astute enough to listen when it mattered.

When Volt turned back toward her, she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. He gestured for her to join him and began walking toward the gate, much to the annoyance of the others waiting in line.

Maevus scrambled to follow, using sharp elbows to cut her way through the crowd. Unrest began to grow, people trying to grab her clothes or arms, muttering that it was unfair. That they shouldn't be allowed through before anyone else.

Volt stretched his hand out to her, obviously impatient.

They both froze when one of the Greenies shouted, "Let the magickers through. They're here on Queen's business."

Collectively, the entire crowd pressed in on itself, parents snatching children away from Maevus. Volt stood stock-still, hand outstretched, hood and cloak swaying in a breeze.

Breath trembling, Maevus took slow, measured steps toward Volt, taking his hand when she reached him. Out of solidarity more than anything else. His fingers were ice cold against hers. They turned as one and moved toward the gate, Maevus studiously ignoring the whispers and nasty looks now coming their way. Volt's hand tightened on hers as a few men and women dressed like miners began to snipe at them as they passed.

Their words were ugly, harsh. The wind began to stir her hair and Maevus caught a whiff of ozone.

"Would you like our journey into the Yanger Mountains to be fast, or warm?" she asked quietly.

Lox poked his head from Volt's hood, making several people gasp. He snorted smoke at her, then walked down Volt's arm before hopping lightly to the ground. Maevus eyed the dragon, fighting a smile as he raised the quills on his back in warning, snarling at the miners. They stood silent, eyes and mouths round as grapefruits.

"I would like it to begin as soon as possible," Volt muttered, just as Lox began to gently siphon her magic toward him.

Maevus opened the door to her magic, letting Lox take what he needed until he was about the size of a large warhorse. The people at the gate jammed themselves together as he spread his bat-like wings. He settled back on his haunches, allowing Maevus easy access to his back.

She leapt up between his wings, savoring the awed gasps that came from the crowd now. Smirking, she extended a hand down to Volt.

Unlike Korie, he took it without hesitation, letting Maevus haul him up onto Lox's back. He rested his hands on her waist. "Go," he whispered. "Fly."

Lox must have heard him and shared the sentiment, because Maevus barely had warning to brace herself before his wings snapped down, catapulting them into the air.

Wind whipped her hair and watered her eyes as they rose above the city at breakneck speed. Lox crowed and let out a burst of flame, doing a barrel-roll in midair before shooting north toward the mountains.

Volt's arms were tight around her waist, and it took her a moment to realize the strange sound coming from him was laughter. Quiet laughter as Lox flew north.

She blinked, unsettled to find yet another thing she seemed to have in common with the moody Encant.