Talieran froze, realizing this wasn't appropriate.
The dragon whipped his head around and plunged it underwater, leaving only his nostrils above the surface. The movement was almost comically quick.
Elena blinked, then laughed. "You're embarrassed?"
Talieran snorted bubbles from underwater in protest but refused to turn back.
Elena shook her head and continued washing. After finishing, she spread the wet clothes on flat rocks by the lake, then turned to Talieran. "Help me dry these. Gentle heat, not fire."
Talieran finally turned around. He looked at her, then at the clothes, understanding. He moved closer and breathed two thin streams of warm air through his nostrils, like a professional dryer, slowly passing over the wet fabric.
Elena watched him carefully control his
