I squeezed his hand, and Cyn gave a broken cry.
“That's it, Mate. I'm here. I've got you.”
“There,” the physician said. “The bleeding has stopped, and his spine is fusing back together. He needs to stay like this, on his belly, until his spine heals and his body finishes replenishing his blood. This blood stone will help with that.” Something warm settled on my spine, just above the wound. “At the rate he's healing and with the help of the stone, it should only take a few hours for him to heal enough to move. I estimate a full recovery by the morning.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Cyn said.
“Cyn,” I whispered.
My mate laid down beside me to bring his face to the level of mine. “I'm here.” He stroked back my hair. “And so are you. You're going to be all right.”
“How?” I croaked.
“I don't fucking know, and I don't fucking care.”
“I believe you saved him, Your Majesty,” the physician said. “Dragons have mated humans and made them immortal by sharing their immortality. It goes to reason that your immortality, being superior to that of a Raltven's, has boosted your mate's healing abilities and allowed him to survive an otherwise fatal wound.”
“You protected me,” I whispered.
“While you protected me.” He kissed my forehead, then looked up. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“It was my honor and pleasure to help your mate, Your Majesty,” the physician said. “I'll send someone to clean . . . this . . . er, mess.”
“We will handle it,” Sir Kren said. “You may return to your sleep, Doctor. And go with our gratitude and the King's.”
“I'm relieved he is recovering,” the physician said. “That salve I used should numb him so he doesn't suffer while his body heals. I will return in the morning to check on him.”
“Thank you,” Cyn said again. “I will reward you for your quick response.”
“Please, that's unnecessary. I simply did the job you pay me to do.”
I heard a shuffling and then there was some movement on the bed, but exhaustion took over, and I plunged into a deep, undisturbed sleep.
Chapter Forty-Two
I woke on my belly and opened my eyes to see Cyn lying beside me. He was on his back, but his hand rested on my thigh, as if, even in sleep, he needed to know I was there. Experimentally and very carefully, I shifted, then waited a moment. No pain. I moved a little more. My back ached like crazy, but it wasn't the searing pain I'd felt earlier. Not that I would have minded. Pain meant that I could still feel. I wiggled my toes and gave a soft cry of delight. Yay, I wasn't paralyzed.
At the sound, Cyn's eyes popped open. He turned his head toward me, his hand clenching on my leg. “Ru?”
“I think I can sit up.” I started to roll over, the blood stone falling away, and Cyn lurched up to help me.
“Easy now,” he said as he supported my back. “Are you in any pain?”
“No, I feel achy, but nothing terrible.” I sat up, then winced. “Oh, fuck, my back's tight.” I slipped out of bed, then swayed.
“Damn it all!” Cyn jumped out of bed and steadied me. “Get back in bed.”
“No, I'm good. I just got up too fast.” I slid my hand down his arm to take his hand. “I'm all right.”
Cyn made a broken sound and pulled me into his arms. “Fuck,” he whispered into my hair. “Fuck.”
“I don't think I'm up for that yet.”
Cyn snorted a laugh and pulled back to look at me. “I just got you. We're barely mated, and I've already nearly lost you twice. You're going to be the death of me, Mate.”
“No, I'm not.” I pointed at his face. “Remember what I said to you last night? If I die, you have to go on, Cyn.”
He grimaced.
