Eduard and Augustus came next.
“My son has challenged me to help find answers,” Augustus said softly. “Every resource will be used. No stone will be left unturned. Now, I have a trip to the mountains to prepare for. I’m told the answers I seek are there.”
Augustus leaned in and touched his hand gently to the top of Sawyer’s head. He turned and touched his son briefly on the shoulder before leaving. Saeward and Andvari waited until everyone cleared the wards before joining them in their makeshift nest. They’d all just settled when Puteri popped back. She looked slightly worse for the wear.
“Puteri?” Loch asked.
“The imps miss you.” She practically snarled the words and Loch had to fight back a laugh. His friends were clearly not as forgiving as he was of her indiscretions.
“The lake?”
“A gift for a gift, each freely given,” Puteri said. She held up a small vial before passing it to him. She bowed carefully to them all before disappearing once more.
“Loch? Was that a good idea?” Henry asked.
“Only she can travel to the fae realm without fear,” Loch said softly. “I wasn’t sure if the lake would agree to my request, however. She has seen fit to honor me.”
“What did she mean? A gift for a gift?” Draco asked.
“You are not the only one whose body has powerful magic,” Loch said. He moved one of his wings.
“What did you do?” Eduard asked.
“A single feather, my griffin. All is well.”
Eduard didn’t seem happy with him, and Loch understood. He should have spoken of his plan to his mates. He would not make the mistake again. He was still unused to seeking the counsel of others.
“May I see it?” Henry asked.
Loch handed down the vial, being careful not to disturb Sawyer too much.
“Ward, do you think… I mean, if… hmm.”
“You must finish your thoughts,” Ward said gently. “I cannot complete them as Sawyer does.”
“I just wondered. Remember how we floated in the lake and it healed me?”
“Yes.”
“If we put the water, like, in the hot tub here, would it just dilute it and take the magic away?”
“Perhaps.” Saeward turned to him. “Did you think he should drink it?”
“No,” Loch said. “Honestly, I hadn’t thought past simply retrieving some water.”
“No,” Henry said. “He’s not supposed to drink it. Come on. Let’s wake him up and get him in the hot tub. This is what we’re supposed to do. I’m sure of it.”
Loch moved his wings and let his mates carefully extract Sawyer from his grasp. He muttered sleepily as he was undressed, and only woke when Ward carefully lifted him and stepped down into the hot tub. “What’re we doing?”
“Having a swim,” Ward said with a gentle smile. “Rest, my love. I will keep you safe.”
Sawyer smiled and leaned his head against Ward’s chest. Ward lowered him into the waters. Henry held up the vial. It glimmered in the dim light. “Here goes nothing.”
He removed the stopper and upended it into the bubbling waters. Sawyer immediately let out a happy sigh.
“Everyone in,” Draco said. His brow furrowed as he thought. The others complied, stripping out of their clothes and moving into the waters, so used to following his commands that they didn’t hesitate. Each of them had a hand on Sawyer, gentle touches that kept him connected to them all.
Loch looked over his shoulder and caught sight of the shadow in the trees once more.
