Naido’s dragon came free, his incorporeal form hovering over Thora’s chest as the man’s body reverted slowly, agonizingly to a human’s.
Behind him, Tate felt rather than heard the bell-like toll of the other side. Naido turned to look, joy showing on his face as he flapped his wings and rose into the sky.
Those present held their breath at the incomparably beautiful sight of colorful strands of light embracing his body. Tate didn’t think she was imagining the impression of wings she caught in the prism of colors.
Ilith lurked in the back of her mind, watching the dragon being engulfed by his world until finally the passageway closed, and the Rift was as it had once been.
Nobody spoke, caught between the transcendent experience they’d all just had watching the dragon return home and the worry of what was to come next.
Tate dropped to her knees, reaching for Thora. He groaned, showing signs of life. The dragon-ridden present roared their relief to the sky.
Thora grunted and opened his eyes. “What an unseemly display. Double the training is in your future—just as soon as I can get on my feet again.”
Blaise bent down, his hands gentle as he helped the other man sit up. “For once, I won’t argue about any punishment you choose to give. It’s good to have you back, old man.”
Jacob was a little more reserved as he patted Thora on the shoulder gently. “I’m glad we don’t have to bury you, my friend.”
Thora’s smile held relief as he looked at Tate. “Thank you.”
Her face was uncomfortable as she waved a hand in dismissal. “Don’t mention it.”
His eyes sharpened into a look she was familiar with. “Though I would have liked to have known about that ability sooner. It would have taken a lot of worry off my shoulders over the dragonlettes.”
Yeah, she’d had a feeling that was where his mind would go if he survived. One of the reasons she’d kept it to herself until now.
“I had my reasons.”
It wouldn’t have felt right excising a dragon with no way home and facing certain death, when they’d been kidnapped from that home in the first place.
“I’m sure you did.” Thora focused on the emperor. “What are your orders?”
Thaddeus raised an eyebrow at him. “For now, take some time to recover. Your subordinates can handle the rest.”
Thora let his weight sink against Blaise who was still partially propping him up. His eyes drifted closed. “Not a bad idea. They’ll need practice. One day one of them will need to take my place now that I have a human lifespan again.”
Not quite,Ilith whispered.Naido left him a gift.
“What do you mean?” Tate asked as the others’ eyes came to rest on her.
Though physically weaker, he holds a dragon’s lifespan now.
Tate’s smile widened. “You’ll have to wait a while for retirement, Thora. Ilith says your lifespan is still the same as before.”
His mouth dropped in surprise as Ryu moved. “Jacob, Blaise, take care of things. Tate and I have matters to attend to.”
He stalked toward her, his dragon in his eyes. Tate didn’t move when he reached her, picking her up and carrying her away.
She sent a wave over his shoulder at the dumbfounded expressions, and the look of amusement on the emperor’s face as they disappeared through the Rift.
“Dragon man, is there something you want to tell me?” Tate asked, looping her arms over his shoulders.
Ryu stopped at the top of the steps and touched his cheek to hers. “I never want to see you die again.”
Tate smiled softly, threading her fingers through his hair. “Just as I never want to watch you being tortured again.”
“Then we’re agreed.”
Tate reared back, her questioning look meeting his impish one.
