The larger bird tolerates being snuggled under with no complaint. It would look unnatural to anyone who sees it, given their species, but animals don’t obey the rules of the natural world anyway. Deirdre is free to sulk under the warmth of Mercy’s feathers as much as she likes.

Daud doesn’t move to stop Red, patiently watching the little dragon go, then shaking his head slightly.

“Hmm. Seems there’s still only so much you can teach a dragon in two days.”