Xaze scoffs. “I couldn’t get us out. Was he hurt?”
“Not badly, and he told us how brave you were. How you offered yourself in his place.” I lift his hand and kiss it. “He said he wasn’t as scared because you were there too.”
“The little twerp is sweet. I didn’t want him to die. I didn’t want you and your brothers to suffer.” He exhales slowly. “How did you find us?”
“I don’t know. I felt you, I guess.” I frown. “I have to tell you something.”
He nods, smiling softly.
“You were cut by the dagger, and it was slowly killing you.”
He flinches. “I remember. How did you fix me?”
I tense, fearing his reaction, but my dragon is purring so loudly my chest vibrates. Xaze tilts his head against the pillow.
“Tino?”
“I gave you my fire, Xaze. I bonded us.”
His forehead crinkles with confusion but then relaxes as his eyes grow wide. “What? How did you know that would do it?”
“I didn’t. I was so desperate to save you I think I would’ve done anything.”
“If it hadn’t worked, what would’ve happened to you?”
“Doesn’t matter. It did work.”
“What would’ve happened, Tino?”
Swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth, I admit, “I would’ve died with you.”
“Hades and Persephone,” he whispers. “You risked your life to save mine?”
“It was a no brainer. You’re my mate, Xaze, and I hope you feel the same because I pretty much made it a thing.”
He struggles to sit upright, but after a second, his strength seems to flood back as his skin brightens and his eyes become clear. “You gave me your fire? That’s what this feeling is.” Xazerubs his sternum. “All this time I’ve been asleep, there was this sense of…” He tilts his head back and forth. “Tugging is the best word I can think of. I felt a rope around my heart, pulling me back from certain death.”
I put my hand over his, gripping his fingers, and exhale a puff of smoke, allowing my dragon to come to the surface. I know my eyes have shifted as my vision sharpens and a pretty smile spreads across my mate’s face.
“There’s my sweet dragon,” he whispers.
“Can you feel him inside you?”
Xaze nods. “He’s so happy. Content. He…” His words fade and he blinks rapidly. “He loves me.”
“He’s not the only one.”
“Is this real?” Xaze’s voice cracks, bringing me close to tears. “I’ve really found my mate?”
“Yeah, it’s real. It explains a lot if you think about it.”
“I thought I was just dragon dick whipped.”
A laugh bellows out of me. “So you’re not upset I gave you my fire?”
“Upset? Gods, Tino, you are too good for this world. The only thing I’m upset about is that I wasn’t aware of it. I bet it felt good.”
“You can feel it again whenever you want to, but I think you need to regain your strength a little more.”
