But it was entertaining to catch a sense of the dialogue he was certain was happening by watching Akaith. The gold wasn't nearly at an even of a keel as her bonded, and her little movements and expressions told a great deal to one experienced in the physical language of dragons. Vikram was certainly one such.
His head inclined in acknowledgement to Mirage's defense. Yes, Akaith was of great help. But it still irked him, knowing that everything the queen did was just a whisper from Mirage. He'd seen how utterly devastated she'd been. How much she'd broken down in the wake of having to end the life of one too stupid to understand 'no'. She'd been weak, a target then more than she'd been before. Perhaps that was why then, only then, Akaith had called. Because then she'd really needed the shelter of her friends, her loved ones.
Those thoughts he shut away before they could stir up old emotions again. It was of no use to linger on that. He smiled then, listening to her speak and knowing the truth in what she said. They had been there when he'd needed them most. But Akaith surprised him. He blinked, looking down at the dragon in bewildered pleasure. "Th-thank you. I appreciate your willingness to teach me." His muzzle dipped the short distance required to lightly nose a golden shoulder, rumbling softly in appreciation before removing that touch, before it could become intrusive.