“Can I sit?”
“Why would you even ask that? Of course.” He settles in next to me. “Hey, you okay?”
“Me?” He sounds surprised. “I’m fine, it’s you I’m worried about. I’m so sorry, Serena.”
“For what? I made you all promise to keep going if I passed out.”
“I had Mar stop healing you so she could speed up the removal.”
I vaguely remember him pulling me out of the fire and shouting orders at Mar as I thrashed and wailed in his arms.
With my magic back, the channel between us is now clear. Another huge relief. I can almost see the memory through his eyes. I can feel everything he felt—regret, shame, anger, fear, frustration. Helplessness.
“It was hurting you to see me in pain. You did what you thought was best.”
I look over his face and tap my forehead knowingly. His expression warms as I lean my head against his shoulder.
“Where’s Jace?” I ask.
“Off brooding, I’m sure,” Zadyn mutters.
Mar and I burst out laughing.
We sit there another hour or so, healing my hands, and by the end of our session, the bubbles have vanished from my skin, leaving behind a smooth surface. Still red and irritated, but manageable, thank god.
As Mar helps Kai out of the tent to exercise his leg, I feel something stirring in my mind. And then a soft little nudge.
Blackblood.
Relief slams into me as the channel clears and that silky voice fills my head.
Furi!
Our bond shimmers as her emotions slam into me—her joy at my safety, her seething rage at those who have hurt me. I push to my feet to go to her, forgetting about my hands until pain lances up my wrists and forearms and I fall back on my ass.
Zadyn steadies me, concern tightening his voice. “Shit, are you okay?”
Fresh tears spring to my eyes and I let out an unsteady laugh. “I can hear her!”
I know she’s right outside and we’ve already had our reunion, but it sucked not being able to talk my dragon at will. There’s so much I have to say.
I can hear you,I repeat for her. Our minds mingle into an embrace.
You must rest, she scolds.
Are you alright? Are you in pain?
I am healing. You are safe now.
Thanks to you. You came for me. How did you even know where to find me?
I followed the scent of your bond.
My bond?
Your familiar.
Zadyn? You followed Zadyn all the way here?
