Ashton rumbled with unpleasantness as she described her plan to hide the deer for him. It pricked at his predator's sense, that the prey would not only be protected, but hidden. It made him want to find the deer even more. He was shaking his head unhappily when Ms. Hallowfen said his name, and the dragon looked at her, going still as she continued.
The witch's words were wise and Ashton watched her carefully as she spoke. He had been around humans for over a year now and had learned to pick up on certain nuances in their expressions, some of which he mirrored, others that he knew were tells to sarcasm or mockery, even threats. He didn't detect any of that from her now, even as she boldly and point blank identified his addiction as a lust for the gold he'd been raised on. She was brave, he surmised. Brave even after his display of rage that he'd nearly lost his control over. Ashton didn't believe it was foolishness that made Ms. Hallowfen this way. He thought it could be either faith in him, that he could contain himself, or perhaps confidence in her own powers.
Ashton did not want to discover what her full breadth of powers were. Not if they were used against him.
"Very well," he finally said, inclining his head in a nod. "I understand. The Dragonslayer will not have the satisfaction of knowing I turned into him. And I will not turn my weakness under his eyes."
Letting out his own pent up breath, Ashton sighed and said, "The deer will live. I will not kill it or take its--" he swallowed, fingers twitching on his thighs. "Its golden antlers."