Meyer swallowed.The metallic scent was heavy in the air.Carlyle wasn’t the only person who’d died today.Simon lay close by, and that was something Meyerreallydidn’t want to see.He felt sorry for Graham but glad that the man wasn’t here with them.He wasn’t sure he fully trusted Graham yet, but no one should have to see their brother in the state Simon was in.
They’d have to do something about him.Graham was staying with them, and he’d want to take care of his brother’s remains.Meyer could understand that.
Meyer and Tyne both looked down at Carlyle.This was only the second or third time that Meyer saw the mage, and in his mind, he’d built an intimidating figure, especially after what had happened the last time they’d faced each other.Carlyle looked like a broken doll now, though.His magic had made him dangerous, but he didn’t have any left.It had vanished along with his life.
“What now?”he asked, not actually expecting anyone to answer.
He should have known better.Tyne straightened and looked around.He seemed satisfied when he saw that Penley was next to Emory, who was trying to push him away and was insisting that he was fine.Tyne’s attention didn’t stay on them long.He turned toward the house where Carlyle had been hiding, a serious expression on his face.
“Now, we start the cleanup.”
“Where will we bury them?”
Tyne shook his head.“That’s not what I was talking about, but I don’t think we’ll bury them.We’ll cremate them.”
Meyer didn’t know if it was because they wanted to be completely sure that Carlyle wouldn’t come back or if there was another reason behind it, but it didn’t feel wrong.It wasn’t like they’d be abandoning the bodies where they’d fallen.They were giving Carlyle more respect than he’d given them.
“We also need to check the house,” Tyne continued.“There’s no way to know what Carlyle was up to in there, but it can’t be good.”
“We won’t find more bodies, will we?”Meyer asked.He’d make sure to stay outside if that was the case.
Who was he kidding?He couldn’t stay outside if Tyne went in.Where his mage went, he went, even when there was nothing he wanted less.
“I don’t think so.I’m sure he was working on some nasty magic, though.We need to make sure that no one’s going to accidentally stumble on these spells and hurt themselves or someone else.”Tyne grimaced.“I hate being his cleanup team.”
“At least you won’t have to do it again once this is over.”
“But in the meantime, it’s more work than I want to think about.”
It might be, but it was work Meyer knew Tyne would do.The hard part was over.The man they’d all despised and hated was gone.The mages and their dragons wouldn’t have to worry about Carlyle hurting them ever again.They could stop hiding in the castle and start new lives, whatever that meant for them.
Meyer wasn’t sure what it meant for him and Tyne beyond the fact that with Carlyle gone, they could go on their first date.He hadn’t dared start planning anything because he hadn’t wanted to tempt fate, but now, he could, and he didn’t know where to start.
He didn’t think it mattered.Tyne wanted to be with him, and he wouldn’t change his mind even if their first date was a mess.There was no reason for it to be, though.They’d found their way to each other even when Tyne couldn’t separate Meyer from Peyton.Now, he could, and he knew how much he mattered to Meyer.
Tyne stepped away from Carlyle’s body and turned toward the house.Meyer wasn’t surprised when his mage was the first to head there.The others were busy checking on each other and on Emory, but until this job was done, Tyne wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else.Carlyle was gone, but some of his magic might still be here, and Tyne would make sure it couldn’t hurt anyone.
He wouldn’t do that on his own.Meyer caught up to him, hooking his hand into the crook of Tyne’s elbow.It caused Tyne to stop walking and turn toward him, a frown on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.I just wanted to remind you that even though you’re used to doing everything on your own, you don’t have to anymore.In fact, you shouldn’t even think about going anywhere inside that house without me.”
“I can take care of myself.”
Meyer wasn’t surprised that Tyne was pushing back.He wouldn’t be Tyne if he didn’t.“I never said you couldn’t.You don’thaveto take care of yourself, though, or rather, you don’t have to do it on your own.You have me now.”
Tyne stared at Meyer.Meyer couldn’t read his expression, but he didn’t have to.Tyne would tell him what was going through his mind.He’d never been shy with his words, even before they started talking.
Sure enough, Tyne glanced away after a few minutes.“It’s going to take me a while,” he murmured.
“To do what?Get used to the idea that you don’t have to fight the world on your own anymore?”
“Yes.I’ve been doing it for decades.”
Meyer wrapped an arm around Tyne’s waist and held him close.“But you don’t have to anymore.I’m not going anywhere, remember?
“I remember.”
